Here is one of the last couple of machines we are finishing up for 2016.
This game arrived, and upon setup/unpacking I wondered why bother sending it as it looked like it had some restoration work already completed...
Certainly not in terrible condition, cabinet was solid - just faded as expected and in need of some TLC...
This was the base game as received. Its what I would probably call a 10 foot restoration... looks restored from a distance. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that - however the customer has had a number of games restored down here over the years and wanted this one to match the rest of the collection...
Things like chromed sys11 style legs, missing chrome panels on the door and terribly applied chrome/polished siderails needed to be addressed...
Playfield looks good, but very tired and warped beyond belief. I had already received the ali box section supports that rectify this issue so no dramas there...
Game powered on, a few errors mainly due to the major assemblies needing readjustment. Also a ROM error on the AV board... Daniel...
This illustrated how tired and sensitive this playfield was. Everything had moved quite a bit...
Teardown begins...
Underside was nice and original. FILTHY - but not hacked apart like we are beginning to see much much more of...
The game had definitely been stripped and rebuilt at some point. Some bolt through hardware was loose, lots of parts incorrect for this particular unit...
I SUCK at documentation at the moment. I really need to refocus my attention to this next year as people ask me all the time what was a game like before, or need a photo to assist etc. I will get back on the photography next year but for now, skip over and this is the cabinet restored - and the playfield will be moving through at this stage too...
Decals down... I have always applied dry - but there are people who choose to apply wet. I have seen great results with both applications...
Flat...
Cabinet is being fitted out now. All the metal was plated and polished. Jeff at Railways also made the side rails to suit Safecracker. What a legend...
Coming along nicely. I try and rebuild the cabinets and power them up. Sign off on them functioning correctly then i have the playfield to blame if there are errors and bugs...
Boards in and cabinet loom wired in neatly...
Starting to come together...
Playfield is finished and ready to go together. Plenty of frustrating things on this one, but result is what i wanted and the customer will be wrapped im sure...
Few days here reassembling with new and restored parts...Starting to see the finish line. While this game is physically small... IT PACKS SO MUCH HARDWARE
This is a great feeling. Playfield is wired and dropped back into the cabinet. Ready to wire up to the boards etc and see what we have...
The back box assembly is another job in itself. This really works beautifully when rebuilt and is such a cool feature. Ready to tear down. I usually do these large assemblies seperate to the rest of the job as you can get overwhelmed very quickly. Same with the Banzai Run we did... I just left the upper playfield till i had crossed a heap of other stuff off the project.
Parts getting refinished...
Rebuilt ready to install...
Close now
Wings are attached and the other final details are fitted and installed...
I wired this neatly but what a HEADACHE!! I added a heap of molex plugs so many of the mechs and switches can be removed easily rather than soldering on and off the loom...
Compact little unit...
Last few topside details being added...
Game is thoroughly checked and tested, and the final photos are taken. I will pack it up tomorrrow and send it back to the owner...
Finished photos from here.
Merry Christmas everyone and hope everyone has a safe new year
Tim
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