Author Topic: Creature Prototype Restoration  (Read 9104 times)

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Offline Caveoftreasures

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #135 on: February 10, 2010, 12:10:46 AM »
hey john, where do u live in the states ?  !@#

One day, when a few of us come over to the USA on business, would u mind a few Aussies coming past and saying hello and meeting you.

I would probably have to buy a machine whilst over there just so i could have one in my collection that i could say is a JW JNR special !
Any collector would be happy to show off one of your machines, thats for sure !  ^^^
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Offline johnwartjr

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #136 on: February 10, 2010, 02:07:38 AM »
I'm in Indiana, roughly 4.5 hours from Chicago. I'm nearly dead center between Louisville, KY and Indianapolis, IN.

I've met Tim aka Duckman at Illinois Pinball. I'd recommend coming over for Pinball Expo at some point if you can. I only made the show for an hour last year to deliver some games I sold, and this year, I'm in a friends wedding, so I'll only make 1 day of the show. Real bummer that the schedule worked out that way this year.

Thanks for the kind words, if it wasn't fun, I wouldn't do it!

Offline johnwartjr

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #137 on: February 10, 2010, 06:21:24 AM »
Since my lovely wife informed me last night that I was making too much noise while the kids were sleeping, I had to get some stuff done on my lunch break today, as I rarely find time when the kids aren't sleeping to work on my projects - my windows of time are usually naptime on the weekend, or after the kids go to bed.

So, I decided to dedicate most of my lunch break today getting the pop bumper lamps setup.

On most games I work on, I just take a picture of the original routing diagram for the pop sockets with my digital camera, and use that to route the leads and then use the picture to staple the leads back in place.

In the case of CFTBL, the sockets just weren't there - not even in the protos! Some games, like Hurricane, had the pops illuminated in protos, but not on production games. Hurricane has the lamps on the lamp matrix, so that is a little more complicated to wire up than this.

After thinking a bit about the various options for illuminating pops on CFTBL, I decided to just make these GI. There are a few popular methods that make them flash, etc, but they require a lot of wiring etc that would be difficult to keep neat and tidy, along with adding in some resistors etc.

So, I have to pick a GI string. Sometimes, these are pretty heavily taxed in games, so you have to give it a bit of thought. I believe my WPC Theory of Operations manual from WMS says the theoretic maximum is 18 lamps per string. That is calculated using #44 bulbs. Some folks like to put 47s in their games, but not me! If I were operating them, perhaps, but for my collection use, I like to be able to *see* things. So, the load needs to be minimal, too.

Another issue with CFTBL - changing the lamps in the pops is a PITA with the ramps above head. So, I decided LEDs are a good option here. I am not yet sold on LEDs across the board - but in an area that is prone to high vibration, and is difficult to get to, it makes sense to put in LEDs. Plus, they will minimize the load on the GI circuits. Adding 3 LEDs should be negligible.

Here's how I ended up routing the leads of the pop bumper lamps, should anyone feel like adding them later



One thing that's super, super important - you have to insulate the leads where they might come in contact with the bracket for the pop bumper. I put red boxes around the insulation - this is new, so it's not super easy to see. The original stuff is always yellowed. I get this from pinrestore.com, or a local hardware store sometimes has it.



A link to a super high res version you can see it better in:

http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/proto_cftbl_progress/DSC_3161_edit.jpg

You will need to route the leads, then slide the bumper bracket over the studs to verify that the insulation is in the right place. Not difficult, but important and worth mentioning.

I've identified a lamp socket that is nearby on GI string #2, which is the white/orange and orange string. So, I found a junk playfield harness, and harvested some appropriate colored wiring, and cleaned it up.



And now, the super neato trick of the day for fellow restorers. A VERY expensive restoration tool that you didn't even know you had



You can use a business card, scrap of cardboard, whatever you have for this step. But, I used a box some lamps came in

Cut the box into strips, and slide them in wherever you'll be soldering



Why? Because getting flux on your playfield is kinda dirty.

Everything is soldered in place now



And the wires routed through the hole that the GI socket I'm going to attach them to comes from.



Once the lamp harness is strung, I'll come back and neaten this up a bit. A few wire ties will do wonders for making it look a lot neater.


« Last Edit: February 10, 2010, 06:23:46 AM by johnwartjr »

Offline johnwartjr

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #138 on: February 14, 2010, 06:37:37 PM »
So, a little more progress has been made. Had some life things pop up that slowed me down a little - but I've been sneaking out to the workshop, even if I have to steal 10 minutes of sleep a day - to keep moving :)

Flippers installed, switch harness starting to be strung



Trough wired up, diode lugs and tubing replaced - if you look closely, you can see the old yellowed ones laying next to the new clear ones.



Little stuff, like replacing these, costs next to nothing - but can make a humongous difference in appearance.



These leaf switches can be tidied up and made look much nicer relatively inexpensively. You'll need a rivet press, though, which isn't cheap. So, for the guy who might restore 2-3 pins ever, it makes no sense to tidy these up, just buy new!



Starting the cleanup



Switch stack starting disassembly



More to come, hopefully tomorrow :) Sorry to leave everyone hanging.

I *did* get the new LEDs for the pop bumpers and like the choice I ended up with. I tested them in my T2, because it had easily accessed pop bumper lamps and red caps - the same color as the CFTBL will have. The T2 has had Ablaze 3 LED #555s in there, white in color, since I restored it ~2 years ago. My previous T2 restoration would burn bulbs out in about 10-20 games, and seemed to constantly be melting caps. So, I bought LEDs for it.

Lotsa pics here

http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/t2_leds

Left pop has an Ablaze 3 LED #555 LED in white
Center pop has a Cointaker 4+1 #555 LED in red
Right pop has an original incandescent bulb in it



And now, with caps installed



I left the cointakers in. Nice lamps. The Ablaze 3 LED red bulbs are about 40% of the cost of the cointakers, though, so I may order some red ablaze ones to try.

The final picture, with Cointaker LEDs gives a warmer glow, looks very close to original. Close enough that I can live with it. The only 2 things I don't like:

1) Had to screw with the LEDs, getting them turned the right way, bending the contacts out, etc to get a good fit
2) Like all LEDs, in the GI dimming test, they flicker at low numbers, and don't change brightness at the high numbers.



Offline johnwartjr

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #139 on: February 15, 2010, 07:15:05 PM »
The switch harness is run.

Turned the resting brackets around properly. Don't know why, but I always seem to install these backwards the first time. 



Clear tubing replaced on shooter lane switch



New clear tubing on the trough switches



The EOS switches are new.



All the other leaf switches in the game (4 sling switches, 3 pop bumper switches) are disassembled, polished, straightened and rebuilt





New sling and pop switches would cost about 40 bucks. Rebuilding them always makes them nice, and the only cost is 8 new rivets for the sling switches, and a few hours time. I go through a fair number of titanium coated 1/8 inch drill bits to drill out the rivets, but they are about a buck apiece. Maybe someday, I'll invest in something to resharpen bits.



A 2nd copy of the switch and lamp matrix diagram comes in handy here, in case you are not certain where a switch goes. The harnesses have memory, but a nice map helps.



One thing that is a bit of a pain - the prototype Creature's opto harness is built into the switch harness, since there are only the 2 pairs of optos in the 2 right hand poppers. In a production game, this harness has a nice connector, and you just plug/unplug to remove the assy. I may add connectors, have not decided yet. I have the connectors on hand if I decide to go that way.



The 4 standups are new. These targets are hard to find. Very hard to find. Matter of fact, I only have 3 out of 4 new targets for my regular creature restoration. the targets just don't show up anymore.



Flipped over



Nice clean switches




Done for the night!


Tomorrow, I shall move forward with the lamp harness. Feels great to make progress!

Offline Strangeways

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #140 on: February 15, 2010, 09:57:23 PM »

I love the reflection of the weed (from the playfield) on the leaf switch. This is the "attention to detail" that I just love. This will be the level I will be hoping to achieve with my Circus Voltaire.
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Offline ddstoys

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #141 on: February 15, 2010, 10:09:38 PM »
John you stun me with your detail.   Rebuilding switch stacks thats to me seemed crazy till i seen the results they look better than new ones  ^^^

Offline MartyJ

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #142 on: February 15, 2010, 10:37:28 PM »
Outstanding work John.

Offline Caveoftreasures

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #143 on: February 15, 2010, 10:43:59 PM »
if u sold machines John , i know of alot of Aussies who would all line up to be a customer.

Again, very talented.  ^^^
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Into  Stern -JJP - Cars , Road Bikes- Jet Skis - Star Trek n Sci-Fi & Electronics    
Beware of Stalkers & Walkers when playing The Walking Dead

My 7yr old son Hunter is my best mate in the world !

Offline Wotto

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #144 on: February 15, 2010, 11:21:40 PM »
I think you missed a spot  #@#  :lol

VERY detailed work - thanks for sharing this info - it gives us all new idea's and shows we can ALL continue to learn from each other.
Very much appreciate the time you have taken to put this thread at AP in such detail


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Offline johnwartjr

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #145 on: February 16, 2010, 01:04:06 AM »
I'm also cheap - I saved nearly $40 USD over buying new. If they are worn out, or contacts are falling off, I can see replacing - especially at this point, as my pile of junk harnesses is running out of switches to refurbish :)

CV has that weird sling setup with the funky brackets and switches. I've seen some that had micros instead of leaf switches, too. I always look forward to your restoration info and photos, but am really looking forward to seeing the CV. I have one and have sort of a love / hate relationship with it.

I hope IPB makes the playfield this year, though, as it's a beautiful game.

Offline ktm450

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #146 on: February 16, 2010, 04:18:59 PM »
Amazing work  #@#

Offline Strangeways

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #147 on: February 16, 2010, 06:44:38 PM »
I'm also cheap - I saved nearly $40 USD over buying new. If they are worn out, or contacts are falling off, I can see replacing - especially at this point, as my pile of junk harnesses is running out of switches to refurbish :)

CV has that weird sling setup with the funky brackets and switches. I've seen some that had micros instead of leaf switches, too. I always look forward to your restoration info and photos, but am really looking forward to seeing the CV. I have one and have sort of a love / hate relationship with it.

I hope IPB makes the playfield this year, though, as it's a beautiful game.

CV playfield was "supposed" to be remade here in Australia 4 years ago - I'll be the first to buy a repro playfield if IPB or CPR make them ! Great News.
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Offline shansta

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #148 on: February 16, 2010, 09:12:03 PM »
CV playfield was "supposed" to be remade here in Australia 4 years ago - I'll be the first to buy a repro playfield if IPB or CPR make them ! Great News.

And I would love to have a Voltaire sitting around waiting for me to "get around to it"...  #@#

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Don't put any new switches in it John, they will look crap next to the rebuilt ones!  :lol
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Offline johnwartjr

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Re: Creature Prototype Restoration
« Reply #149 on: February 16, 2010, 10:04:38 PM »
I'm *playing* the CV regularly, it just hasn't been *restored* yet :) It plays OK, but a pin that has been completely rebuilt from top to bottom plays better.

My track record for restorations isn't stellar - I work at my own pace. I can typically work on pins for a couple hours at a time due to family/work/business constraints etc, and it's a rarity that I can work 7 days a week. I've got a 2 year old and a 3 year old, and as I learned when I had a 1 year old and a 2 year old, they don't stay that age forever :)  Also, I built most of my collection before having the kids and while getting paid a whole lot better salary due to the US economy - so I have the challenge of funding the restorations. Even if I had more time, I probably wouldn't have the resources to go all out on more than a couple games in the collection a year.

Further challenging my time issue is the fact that I've been selling the collection of my best friend, who passed away unexpectedly in January of 2009. He had about 30 pins, and he lived in a neighboring state, nearly 3 hours from my home.  Nearly every pin has required some work - some a little, some a lot. I've been trying to get his wife and daughter top dollar for everything, as they've lost his income, even though he had some insurance etc. So, when it comes time to sell one of his games, I get to stop what I'm doing and put about 1-2 weeks of my time into one of his games.

So, have no fear, most of my collection is set up and gets enjoyed regularly. Just most of them don't have polished leaf switches yet :) But, that's OK, I never said I needed a schedule!