Author Topic: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two  (Read 10800 times)

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Offline swinks

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #45 on: July 19, 2013, 10:48:22 PM »
excellent work Nino, would be interested to see your plating setup just out of curiosity.
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Offline Strangeways

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #46 on: November 12, 2013, 11:08:45 PM »

Parts have arrived to effectively finish off the machine. It has been a long haul, but I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel !

The machine had some very weird wiring issues with the game. The chaser lights on the playfield around the top left hand bend and along the top were not right at all. This was difficult to diagnose and in the end, I had to pull out my personal Fathom to compare. Even then, I was left scratching my head. There were a lot of differences, so eventually the second populated playfield was the only way to determine the problems I followed the wires to the Aux Lamp driver and then re routed them to the correct locations. Effectively the GI returns were not wired correctly for that part of the playfield, but i worked it out in the end. I ended up replacing sections of the GI return and the feature lamp returns. Interesting problem.

Here's the back section of the playfield. Impossible to work on without removing this VERY heavy playfield.




Fixed ;





Rewiring the left section at the beginning of the chaser light effect ;





Some power supply issues solved !





This rear glass channel was broken. Both tabs were broken off. I had MartyJ skillfully TIG weld the ends back on and then I had it chrome plated. Looks better than the picture !





Now I see this ALL THE TIME with playfield swaps. Literally, the playfields are swapped over without checking the assemblies etc..





As I dig deeper.. I find more issues. Wood screws were there should be metal screws and visa versa !








Here is a repaired ball shooter assembly part found on early 80's Ballys. Next to is is the last known NOS part to replace it..  #@#





A rebuilt drop target assembly. These are crucial to the game. If these don't work properly, then the game become inoperable.





The apron is repainted and a decal installed from PinballRescue.





The game plays well but needs a few minor adjustments. Almost there !

Just waiting on some new clear lane guides and we are almost ready.

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Offline Crashramp

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #47 on: November 12, 2013, 11:38:51 PM »
Looks great Nino.

Offline 4_amusement_only

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #48 on: November 13, 2013, 06:55:20 PM »
top work!

Offline MartyJ

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #49 on: November 13, 2013, 07:17:48 PM »
Looks great Nino!  Awesome machine and the owner should be very happy!

bobaloobus

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #50 on: November 15, 2013, 11:51:45 PM »
It's looking very nice Nino, can't wait to fire this up !!!

Offline joele

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #51 on: November 16, 2013, 12:12:14 AM »
very nice, detailed, work..
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Offline swinks

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #52 on: November 16, 2013, 10:38:52 AM »
cool machine, would love one of these one day

good video showing game play


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Offline Strangeways

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #53 on: November 16, 2013, 07:11:32 PM »
cool machine, would love one of these one day

good video showing game play


a resource for dedicated Fathom owners
http://www.pinball.yoo-design.com/index.html

It IS the best SS Bally machine. Certainly the best artwork and game play is super if the game is working 100%. It really is a toss of the coin between Paragon and Fathom for me. I'd say it is the best SS from the 80's from any manufacturer.
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Offline spook

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #54 on: November 17, 2013, 12:25:34 AM »
It IS the best SS Bally machine. Certainly the best artwork and game play is super if the game is working 100%. It really is a toss of the coin between Paragon and Fathom for me. I'd say it is the best SS from the 80's from any manufacturer.

Glad you said 80's, because it is touch and go between Fathom and Flash for SS   %$%
Seriously though, I will happily stand in line for one of your Fathom restoration efforts ..... awesome work!
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Offline Steve2010

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #55 on: November 20, 2013, 01:54:23 PM »
Looking very nice Nino.  Yup, that PF is one heavy one .... I pulled mine out a few weeks ago to overhaul, and she ain't light!  Not really much of any space on this one to cram in anything else.

Looking forward to the next update.

Offline Strangeways

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #56 on: December 13, 2013, 10:14:05 AM »
Finally at the "end of the road" with this restoration. The lamp shrouds from Jady have been installed and work great  @@*

The spinner decal was the last piece of the puzzle and also a new playfield glass was installed. The original backglass had to left "as is" as someone had used gaffer tape to hold down the flaking lower section. I had some minor issues with drop target alignment, so I had to drill new holes and re-adjust their position. But all good now.

Here's some final shots before it was loaded into it's owners' Van










Here's the NEW Shrouds which work perfectly.








Final pictures of completed restoration ;














(Door Sticker needs to be installed !)











A BIG "Thank You" to Gavin for these stencils. They were a bit of a battle due to their complexity. Also a BIG "Thank You" to Greg from RTBB who supplied most of the parts on this restoration.
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Offline Crashramp

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #57 on: December 13, 2013, 10:40:04 AM »
Wow, how nice is that! It would have pride of place in any collection, great stuff Nino.
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Offline Pinballer

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #58 on: December 13, 2013, 12:57:19 PM »
Exceptional Nino!  Well done.  The new owner will be very pleased.

Offline swinks

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Re: Bally Fathom Restoration - Number Two
« Reply #59 on: December 13, 2013, 02:09:06 PM »
wow what a beautiful machine and beautiful work Nino  ^^^
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