Creature Prototype Restoration

[johnwartjr]

This week, I intend to start my Creature project.

I'll start with a little background info on the machine, and then hopefully will have some updates on an almost daily basis.

This particular machine is a Creature prototype. I know of 2 others in existence, not to say there are not more, but I know of 2 others.

I've always had a thing for the prototype machines. I've owned prototypes of a few, and early production samples of a few as well.

This particular machine has an interesting history. It started life out in Germany, then at some point made its way to Croatia. A friend in Germany who used to get me pins in Europe and ship them over told me (used to be cheaper than acquiring them stateside before the Euro took off!) once that the worn out games from other European countries get sent to Eastern Europe, and typically games from this area are pretty beat. He was right!

Some of this is speculation, as I bought it from a container load of a guy in Texas who imported games from Eastern Europe. I looked up some words on a label on the translite glass and assume it's Croatia, as a lot of the words typed into search engines bring me back to Croatia.

Anyways, the hard part of this game has already been done. I had the playfield professionally restored by Playfield Renovations, and I had the cabinet restored by a friend who is a pattern maker and is a wizard with wood. What's left is cleaning and reassembly.

Some general pics of what I started with:
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/cftbl_47203

Playfield issues
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/proto_cftbl_pf_issues

Playfield after repaired
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/proto_cftbl_pf_after

Note: Playfield Renovations changed the copyright info on the prototype playfield. I'm not super happy about this, but as long as it took to get the playfield back, this is something I'm going to 'life with', because if I sent it back, it could be *years* before I get it back!

Cabinet during and after repair job
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/proto_cftbl_cab_after

Some pics comparing differences between prototype and production playfields
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/comparing_pf

Since I just finished a restoration, I had to repair a game for an operator and now that it's done, I'm going to dive into the Creature.

My first stages will be cleaning parts and wiring harnesses, as I am presently without my playfield rotisserie. I hope to load the tumblers tomorrow! Weather permitting, I'll also be cleaning wiring harnesses this week.

I must warn you, I work slow. I've got 2 small children (1 and 3) who are only going to grow up once, so I'll work on the pin as time permits. I can't wait until they are big enough to help me, though.

[MartyJ]

Wow.

Playfield work is great.  Clear looks amazing and I couldn't pick the touchups!.

What on earth happened the the hole for the flipper button on the cabinet?  Great repair mind you.

[johnwartjr]

Somewhere along the line, someone installed an older Gottlieb or Bally flipper button with 'sleeve' - you can sort of see it here:

[Strangeways]

That playfield looks awesome - "what touch ups" 

[ktm450]

Great job mate 

[Supremicus]

Wow that playfield is amazing, nice work john

[illawarra_steelers]

You are one brave man John 

Excellent work....excellent game 

[jpd]

excellent job - well done . One of my favourite games.

[johnwartjr]

Got started yesterday.

This has to be one of the filthiest games I've ever worked on.

As a non-smoker, I must say that tar disgusts me, even more, after working on these games. The way it just gums things up,  and is difficult to remove.

The first day of the restoration involved cleaning harnesses. And boy were they nasty!

Just look at this solenoid harness, after spraying it with degreaser.



After all the cabinet and playfield harnesses were carefully cleaned, dried with compressed air, and hung to dry, I started to sort parts so I could begin the cleaning process on them



As I go, I chronicle each individual assembly, making notes of parts that need replacement so I can verify I have parts on-hand, or order parts if I don't.

Common assemblies, such as flippers, pop bumpers, slingshots etc are not concentrated on as seriously, as I've rebuilt  lots of them, game-specific assemblies are well documented so I make sure they go back together correctly

Every assy is just filthy. A mixture of cigarette tar, solenoid dust, grease and oil that was inside every solenoid is all over everything, like these flipper base plates:



It's a lot of work cleaning and rebuilding all these assemblies, but I enjoy every bit of it. If I get to the point where it feels like work, it is time to stop for the night and take a break, because that's when I cut corners and I don't do that.

Pile is a bit smaller, but it's deceiving as there is more to pile up :)



Gallery link is here:
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/proto_cftbl_progress/

Day 2 is coming, will see what today brings

[ktm450]

Your missus would have to be happy with that bath stain     

[johnwartjr]

Washed right off :) was just a trail of funk from the parts being cleaned.

She doesn't get too upset with me cleaning these parts - I clean them in our 'guest' bathroom, and when I'm done, I clean it up real well :) It's one of the few times when she doesn't get upset with me for not helping around the house as much as possible :)

[johnwartjr]

Day #2 involved cleaning a lot of parts, and experimenting with a few techniques. These parts were some of the nastiest parts I've had in a game. Well coated and caked in tar, grease, solenoid 'dust, etc.

For those following along from the beginning, the day began here:

http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/proto_cftbl_progress/DSCN1448

Bracketry cleaned up nicely with degreaser only.




Played with the ultrasonic cleaner a bit, I think I'm in love!

Before putting a part in


After about 4 'loads' of parts


A workbench full of cleaned parts


I'm not convinced I am going to tumble any of this stuff - I don't know if I'll gain anything, and it'll take a lot of effort and supplies.






Not sure yet what tomorrow will bring, maybe I'll build some assemblies. I'm working on the hopefully final parts list.

[Strangeways]

Love your work John ! It great to see everything filthy and disgusting - you can see all the poor repairs done in the past. Then you clean everything and lay it out on the table like that - That is a huge amount of "fun"

I have to quote you ;

"It's a lot of work cleaning and rebuilding all these assemblies, but I enjoy every bit of it. If I get to the point where it feels like work, it is time to stop for the night and take a break, because that's when I cut corners and I don't do that."

EXACTLY the way I think !

Thanks for updating your work here, on the thread. Viewing the albums without the commentary is not as much fun 

[illawarra_steelers]

Hi John,

I'm VERY impressed with the results with the ultrasonic cleaner - can you please tell us more about this

[Wotto]

I'm VERY impressed with the results with the ultrasonic cleaner - can you please tell us more about this

Ditto- what he said please   - tell us more please