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Williams Star Trek Next Gen High End Restoration

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Strangeways:
This restoration was started a while ago. I did have "before" photos, but I lost them when my hard disk crashed. So this thread will be more of an "after" photo thread. We have all seen a ST TNG Container pin, and this was no different other than the cabinet was really bad. I gave the cabinet to Tim and Stu to restore the cabinet and decals. There was no new owner at this stage, I just wanted to start a nice ST TNG, as I really like the game. After the cabinet was completed, I had a collector approach me that wanted a "Holy Grail" ST TNG done to "Nearly in Box" standards. As it was already half done, I thought it would not take me long..

Condition Report

Cabinet - 5/10 Poor - artwork removed in sections and painted over.
Playfield - 9/10 - REALLY nice example.
Electronics - Can't remember !!

Before Pictures

.. are on my hard drive that crashed.. So I've picked up the documentation half way through - sorry !

Anyway - here goes - The mech on the left has been stripped and done one cycle in the ultrasonic. Compared to the mech on the right that has not been stripped.





Always have fun with the Borg mech. As with the entire machine - I replace every Opto in the game. This game has a lot of optos, and the game cannot be appreciated if it is not working properly. To overcome this issue - replace them all - it is cheap, and the game will play better.








I have NEVER seen one of the light boards NOT have a dry joint on one of the flasher or lamp sockets. Reflow them. Takes 5 minutes..





Some of the mechs prior to dis assembly. Again, I've lost all the photos from previous restorations, so it was a good idea to start again.





A cycle through the Ultrasonic Cleaner, and tumblers - and I sort out all the parts ready for disassembly ;





New sleeves etc etc








Ball trough - This needs to be done properly. Strip, file out the divots and replace both boards..





Ultrasonic cleaner just has a knack of making parts look brand new !











Wiring loom is re installed after cleaning ;







Finally, here is the clearcoated playfield from Tim. Stunning..











Stay tuned for more regular updates !

 <.>

pinnies4me:
Looks wonderful mate! Really developed a great appreciation for this machine getting the one you gave me up and running. While I did not replace all the optos, I did need to replace a few that were not working, and cleaned the rest and re-flowed the solder joints etc. It sure made a difference to the game - getting the optos right on STTNG is kind of like getting an old Gottlieb running - re-pin before looking to fix other issue, with ST do the optos first as a lot of issues are caused by them not working.

Cat wait to see some more pics, that playfield is awesome!

DSB:
Looking great. Watching this thread with interest.

Strangeways:
All of the parts have been cleaned in the ultrasonic cleaner, then polished in two tumblers. New parts are added along the way.

Here's some progress pictures of the rebuild under the playfield ;

Flippers are rebuilt with new parts ;





A very poorly soldered original leaf switch..





New leaf switches, with the rebuilt sling mechs and coil.





Underside is starting to come together in the rotisserie. I don't add too many parts here except the flippers and components and assemblies towards the rear of the playfield - as it is easier to access this part of the playfield while still in the rotisserie.








Now I move my attention to the cabinet. This is an original cabinet that Tim and Stu restored for me. As per usual, it is perfect. Reassembly starts !





New Legs, leg brackets etc..





Now it is time to install the Ground Braid. This is the method I use. I have a compressor set at the rating of the staple gun - 100 PSI. The staple gun was purchased from Pinrestore, and I've been using it for 8 years now. The ground braid is also from Pinrestore. notice that I feed the compressor hose from below the speaker cutout. This is so I don't scratch the sides.





This is what my Dad called a "pricker". I use it to prick the ground braid for the screw !





Wherever you choose to mount the ground braid - and there's no "right or wrong", use the pricker to create the hole for the screw, or the braid will rotate and tear.








and then install the screw !





I also feed the ground behind the other two screws - but no holes. Run the ground nice and neat ;





Not mucking around with cleaning up the old lock down bar receiver - so here is the new one !





Carriage bolts painted and cleared previously.





Siderails ready to install ;





All other parts, wires and assemblies are installed ;














and finally a quick photo of the playfield prior to install !

Strangeways:
While rebuilding mechs I like to replace work, broken and obviously missing parts. The DT assembly was butchered, but I had the parts on hand to rebuild it except the Drop Target itself. The mech bracket and some parts had been through the tumbler, so the new parts looked the same.








Correct spring on the upper divertor ;





Then while fumbling around, I found the Drop target that was part of an original Williams "goody pack" that Greg brought back from the USA in 2010. Put to good use ! A cool story nonetheless.





New tension spring - and we are done !





New targets throughout the game, and I like to replace the jumper wires - using a better wire, but keeping with the same color.





Rebuilding the cannon assemblies is CRUCIAL on this game. What appears to be "good enough" is simply "not good enough" in my book. The only way to find issues is to look for them.





Just in case you missed it..





 :D :D


Replace the arm, and continue the rebuilt ;


New switches installed ;





.. and then on to the other side.





The cylinders have been through the tumbler, and they fit perfectly together with minimal friction ;





Above the playfield is starting to take shape ;








Very pleased with the progress..

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