Mitch's next project.. Zaccaria Universe

[faza]

You are one dedicated and talented man well done

[goodolddays]

Looks fantastic Mitch 
Really enjoyed following all your updates with this project.

Cheers
Dave

[Mr Pinbologist]

thanks for the kind words guys 

Universe now lives in my loungeroom of my unit, along with Klondike, and Vortex 
Mibs lives in the opposite corner of the room.. the pins are taking over... 

[ddstoys]

Again well done Mitch it looks fantastic.  Great to see it next to the great Vortex im going to have to make a trip and visit just to see your handy work 

[Bennyfactor]

Wow, I just went through 17 pages of this thread and I simply had to keep reading to find out how it ended up
I'm so impressed, you are one talented dude
I know I would never have the patience and attention to detail to do something like this
My hat's off to you   

[Strangeways]

Simply outstanding effort, Mitch. I look forward to your next restore.

 

[FirePower]

Truly amazing results, such a turn around and a great looking machine. Thanks for taking the time to photograph and describe it for us, I really like the breakdown on all the steps and techniques you've used for all of the issues and think lots of us have learned and will be trying little bits out, so that's a great help.   

[Mr Pinbologist]

Thanks for the positive and kind words guys  It was a long haul getting this game to this stage, and at times, in all honesty it was hard to find motivation to work on it, due to the various hassles i was having with some of the mechanical issues.. there are STILL a couple of minor issues to deal with, (mainly an occasionally sticking drop target) but they will be rectified all in good time. Anyway its basically all working pretty well so far, with no real problems.. it got a pretty good work out last night  So its definitely been worth all the effort!

  Great to see it next to the great Vortex im going to have to make a trip and visit just to see your handy work 

No worries Daniel, anytime you're passing thru my way definitely call in  same applies to all AP members.

Quickdraw will be the next cab off the rank, Some parts arrived today that Cam (big dog) got me from PBR in one of his orders, (new plastics, lane guides and bumper caps).. thanks buddy  im starting on your Travel Time soon 

so i have to get a few other jobs done first, Cam's Travel Time and the wildfyre PF im currently doing (which is giving me some grief at the moment )  then i'll get started on Quickdraw

[Retropin]

Have to say that what you have done here is one hell of a restore... for many, this machine would have been parted out, but it looks like you keep your "too hard basket" far from arms reach and that in itself deserves great applause   

I take my hat off to this restore.... unbelievable... well done mate

[big dog]

hey Mitch the zac looks great lined up there with the other pins,got ya drawings on back door of zac (no worries).Will have to come over for a game soon and bring backglass and door up.How many frosts have you had so far ? once again Congrats on finishing universe,top job again mate

[Mr Pinbologist]

hey Mitch the zac looks great lined up there with the other pins,got ya drawings on back door of zac (no worries).Will have to come over for a game soon and bring backglass and door up.How many frosts have you had so far ? once again Congrats on finishing universe,top job again mate

Thanx Cam that'd be great. Come up anytime u want (to get thrashed on Vortex)..  Had a few frosts here already, the grass in my backyard is already dead 

[greenechidna]

Just look at this restoration.

I'm bringing this thread back from the dead for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it documents a truly heroic effort on Mitchs' part to overcome a bunch of hurdles that would have had us mere mortals give up. Maybe this rare machine would have ended up scrapped, put in the too hard basket or sitting around being a sad eyesore.  Instead it can be held up as an inspiration and a lesson.
Secondly, as it's new owner i want to tell you just how fine a restoration this is...believe it or not, the words and pics can't do justice to the finished product.

If you've read this thread before, do yourself a favor and read it again. If you haven't seen this before make the effort. See Mitch recreate whole components (stepper unit rooted?...hey, make one from scratch!), chase down switch gremlins and generally unf*ck a whole lot of questionable Italian engineering ravaged by time and abuse. Be inspired by an epic backglass restore that is full of lessons for anyone doing even basic fixes. Follow Mitchs' steps to get a perfect cabinet finish. 

In the flesh this machine is an absolute stunner. So shiny, so tidy. The closer you look the more impressed you are. Attention to detail, getting it right rather than "good enough". Effort, effort, effort. It looks and feels weeks old rather than decades.

This is the third machine I have bought off Mitch and I only wish he had more to sell. All his restorations have a similar "feel"; smoothness, reliability, and a warmth that comes from enormous amounts of care and passion for what he does.

Take a bow mate you're a legend in the true sense.

[ralph67]

Great work on the machine . I've only just read this thread. The work on the "stepper units" alone shows the commitment you have. Nice feeling when it all works as it should.  Really good read cheers

[Mr Pinbologist]

Just look at this restoration.

I'm bringing this thread back from the dead for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it documents a truly heroic effort on Mitchs' part to overcome a bunch of hurdles that would have had us mere mortals give up. Maybe this rare machine would have ended up scrapped, put in the too hard basket or sitting around being a sad eyesore.  Instead it can be held up as an inspiration and a lesson.
Secondly, as it's new owner i want to tell you just how fine a restoration this is...believe it or not, the words and pics can't do justice to the finished product.

If you've read this thread before, do yourself a favor and read it again. If you haven't seen this before make the effort. See Mitch recreate whole components (stepper unit rooted?...hey, make one from scratch!), chase down switch gremlins and generally unf*ck a whole lot of questionable Italian engineering ravaged by time and abuse. Be inspired by an epic backglass restore that is full of lessons for anyone doing even basic fixes. Follow Mitchs' steps to get a perfect cabinet finish.  

In the flesh this machine is an absolute stunner. So shiny, so tidy. The closer you look the more impressed you are. Attention to detail, getting it right rather than "good enough". Effort, effort, effort. It looks and feels weeks old rather than decades.

This is the third machine I have bought off Mitch and I only wish he had more to sell. All his restorations have a similar "feel"; smoothness, reliability, and a warmth that comes from enormous amounts of care and passion for what he does.

Take a bow mate you're a legend in the true sense.

I know its a bit of a late response, but cheers Andy thats some pretty good advertising for me  

And yes the machine came close to being scrapped a few times during the resto.. it REALLY tested my patience at times! (it came very close to being smashed to pieces at least once!!) but it all worked out well in the end.
Glad to know it has gone to a good home