The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Restorations => Topic started by: Strangeways on August 09, 2013, 12:14:58 PM
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Next in line is the underrated Williams Johnny Mnemonic. This was a game imported from the USA out of a private collection and it is probably one of the best DMDs I've seen in a while. I usually title these threads "restorations" but this game is so good there not too much to restore, but I will be going through the full process regardless.
Condition report
Cabinet - 8/10 - Structurally perfect and the only issue is the cabinet fade, which unfortunately is an issue with all JN machines.
Playfield - 10/10 - Excellent. Ramps all good. Zero wear !
Electronics - 10/10 - Very good - no hacks !
This game would easily be at the standard of most dealers as it looks great and is fully playable.
Before Pictures
Cabinet fade. Nothing can be done about it. There is a set of pirate cabinet decals that was installed on a game. Hopefully the new owner never has the need to clean the cabinet as ink from inkjet printers wipes off with nifti !
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20002.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20004.JPG)
Excellent playfield
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20008.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20009.JPG)
Outhole has ZERO wear
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20011.JPG)
Glove assembly works perfectly
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20012.JPG)
Translite
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20013.JPG)
Underneath the playfield - looks new - Really excellent original condition. I've already disassembled the flippers and the plunger / coil stop are still in very good condition (new kit will be installed regardless).
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20031.JPG)
Playfield teardown
Everything is recorded in pictures and notes. A fairly simply playfield to teardown due to the open playfield design.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20106.JPG)
Most "shopped" teardowns usually stop at this point, leaving the old metal posts and pop bumper parts intact. This is not a full playfield strip, as there's always filth under the skirts and 90% of games I've restored have had issues with the hardware. I replace ALL pop bumper parts - leaving the old ones in a short cut.
This is a "full strip" or Teardown ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20129.JPG)
This is the initial cleaning of the playfield. I will be polishing and waxing as part of the next step.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20130.JPG)
Cabinet
Everything is removed and cleaned properly. The base was painted white in the factory and came up very well. All the parts are either tumbled, cleaned or replaced.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20142.JPG)
An order placed with RTBB and re assembly will commence later this week !
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Fun game, love the glove!!
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Mint looking pin, hope you got some room to move around #@#
(http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu338/earlymodelkits/smileys-beer-817053_zps341d2d63.gif)
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JM is an awesome game, in fact probably the fastest machine i have played, the orbit loops are insanely fast.
Do you reckon the white base is factory Nino? I've had 3 and none of them have been white - also with the extra supports in there (between the sides and the base, i wonder if someone has put a new base in? Or it may be an early or late production run...
Also, since you have the transformer removed, i would put a piece of rubber between the transformer and its mounting plate. This takes out the loud hum that comes from most of the late WPC models with the transformer mounted in the back
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Mint looking pin, hope you got some room to move around #@#
(http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu338/earlymodelkits/smileys-beer-817053_zps341d2d63.gif)
There are two more pins in the garage since you were here, Luke. Another one coming on Sunday ^&^
JM is an awesome game, in fact probably the fastest machine i have played, the orbit loops are insanely fast.
Do you reckon the white base is factory Nino? I've had 3 and none of them have been white - also with the extra supports in there (between the sides and the base, i wonder if someone has put a new base in? Or it may be an early or late production run...
Also, since you have the transformer removed, i would put a piece of rubber between the transformer and its mounting plate. This takes out the loud hum that comes from most of the late WPC models with the transformer mounted in the back
It is the first I've come across with a white base (that I've paid attention to). I'll keep a lookout with my next few games.
The loud hum is very annoying and it is because it is only an issue with the transformer jumpered for 240V 50Hz. Whisper quiet on 110V 60Hz. The first thing I did was place two rubber strips under the mounting brackets and it is a lot less audible. My CV is the same.
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very nice looking pin! never played one but I like the look of an open playfield and loved the movie!
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Also, since you have the transformer removed, i would put a piece of rubber between the transformer and its mounting plate. This takes out the loud hum that comes from most of the late WPC models with the transformer mounted in the back
I have a machine which has that annoying hum. Great tip, thanks. ^^^
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Does the rubber help on all transformer hum?
Simon
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It has on any of these late WPC machines that i've had where the transformer is mounted on the back. Most machiens where it is mounted on the base have minimal hum.
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Does the rubber help on all transformer hum?
Simon
I'd say it cuts down the hum by 50%. It can be really annoying in a quiet room.
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Playfield Update
Lots done already. I'm very much "under the pump" with a few jobs I'm doing at the same time, but this restoration is coming along nicely. The more time I spend, the more happier I am with this machine. I took some playfield shots late one afternoon and the effect looked brilliant. This is after several polish and waxes ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20146.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20147.JPG)
Re commencing re assembly - This is my FAVORITE part of the restoration - when all the new parts come together. Metal is polished, new plastic posts and rubbers, all the metal assemblies are tumbled..
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20154.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20155.JPG)
Interesting to note the flyer does not accurately depict the color of the pop bumper skirts. In some games on the web, they are all white, some all black. This game had one black and two white. I settled on all black as they look better than white.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20156.JPG)
I replace the flipper kits regardless of the current condition. I have to say, this game had all original parts and is easily one of the better games I've worked on. Everything seemed to be original. But I strip everything and replace worn or broken parts within the assemblies. Flipper bushings are an important "consumable" that is mandatory to be replaced in all my restorations or reconditioned games.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20152.JPG)
The ALWAYS overlooked pop bumper assemblies. Whats the point in installing flipper kits if the pops are no good !
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20161.JPG)
Why rebuild mechanisms if they are working fine ?
1 - Check for worn or broken parts. What's wrong with the assembly below ? The spring is the wrong type.
2 - Change the coil sleeves - mandatory.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20164.JPG)
Basically, most of the playfield is done at this point ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20172.JPG)
Now i move on to the Glove / mini playfield. The mini playfield is stripped and cleaned.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20181.JPG)
Ramps are perfect. The ramp flaps are a bit discolored. All the hardware is 100%.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20192.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20193.JPG)
Mini playfield and glove assembly
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20197.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20195.JPG)
So the bulk of the work is done. I'm just waiting on some electronic parts to rebuild the Driver board - which has the only J120 and J121 that are NOT tarnished or burnt that I've ever come across ! I feel guilty upgrading the caps and bridges !
I'm looking forward to playing this game later this week when done !
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Brand spanka new Nino, will be mint when all done ^^^
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Concerning the transformer hum, my Tom was ridiculously noisey and when I took it off the mount and left it on the bottom of the cabinet, it disappeared. Or its that low my I can't hear it. Just a thought.
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Looks great Nino. You said you did a few polish and wax applications - what have you found the best number to do. I'm assuming you use novus 2 and carnuba wax applied by hand?
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Looks great Nino. You said you did a few polish and wax applications - what have you found the best number to do. I'm assuming you use novus 2 and carnuba wax applied by hand?
Thanks Rob - Yes - I use Nifti and a rag initially, then I move to Novus 2. Once I'm happy I use the Treasurecove Kit, which I use for almost all my games - but - I'd like to find a local supplier @@^
Finally I use Meguiars Carnauba paste wax- at least 4 applications. I then buff by hand for the final finish.
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Thanks for that. Ive not done multiple wax applications but will give it a go. I actually stopped using wax for a bit as I wasn't sure it made much difference than just novus or treasure cove
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Very nice mate, look like it hasn't been played much over the years, in very good shape to begin with ^^^
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I'm a bit behind with my updates and I'm waiting for a decent day to take some bling shots of the completed game !
I spent some time rebuilding the glove mechanism. It was a bit noisy before I stripped the game and I wanted to ensure 100% reliability. It is an involved process, but the game revolves around the glove. The "X" and "Y" motors have Home sensors and optos for determining the position of the glove. These can get noisy or sluggish over time.
Luckily these are easy to remove. The gearboxes are not riveted, so I can easily service them. The "Y" gearbox assembly appeared sluggish, so it was the first to be stripped. The internal gears were badly clogged up. Here's the first gearbox ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20200.JPG)
After cleaning and rebuild. A drop of "3 in 1" oil and a small amount of grease before I reassemble
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20198.JPG)
Optos cleaned and re assembled
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20201.JPG)
This is the "X" assembly after I rebuilt it ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20202.JPG)
All done !
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20203.JPG)
The door was removed and repainted to freshen it up a bit
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20204.JPG)
Hopefully the weather is good tomorrow so I can take some shots of the game completed.
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The game had one issue which took a while to iron out - the knocker was firing twice on every bootup. It ended up being the U22 Security Chip which I replaced. So the game is working 100% and ready for the new owner to add to his collection.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20207.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20210.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20211.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20212.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20216.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20224.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/JN/JN%20225.JPG)
On reflection, this game is the fastest WPC game I've played. Even faster than corvette. The video mode is super annoying. I don't mind the glove interaction with the game. I actually rate this title - a real fun game.
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Beautiful work as always mate, owner will be stoked I'm sure.
Faster than AFM?? If so, wow!!
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Yes, I am...the owner is pleased! The photos don't do it justice. This game looks even better in the flesh. Thanks Nino. Well worth the wait. Highly recommended. The attention to detail is second to none. $#$
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Yes, I am...the owner is pleased! The photos don't do it justice. This game looks even better in the flesh. Thanks Nino. Well worth the wait. Highly recommended. The attention to detail is second to none. $#$
Congratulations #*# that's a beautiful looking game.
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Nice work Nino,
Awesome result, PF looks Mint
agree JM is a fast flowing pin, if you can nail those L or R loop shot 2/3 times + very fast to keep up, still cant Power Down (((
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Thanks for the kind words. I'm very pleased that the new owner is enjoying the machine. Was a blast to play a game as fast as this.
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Very nice, I haven't played a Johnny Mnemonic for years but I do remember liking it ^^^
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intriguing pin and nice work Nino ^^^.
There is a proto for sale in the US which actually looks cool with Black n White playfield artwork.
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Nice work on an interesting title ^^^
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I love this machine