Hi guys,
Been a while between posts here so i thought i would show the start to finish of an F14 Tomcat project recently completed at work.
The game came in and was actually a pretty solid example.
The owner had been collecting bits and pieces for a while and this made the decision to move forward a simple one.
The base unit arrives...
The game was also supplied with a NOS playfield. Tomcat playfields are typically hammered, so this really was a luxury for us.
We carried out a light restore on the playfield and got a few of the minor errors typically missed on production playfields.
NOS as received...
Moving through the process...
Shooter lane lengthened slightly
Cleared initially...
Prepping to correct some issues...
A few borders were improved at this stage...
Corrections made and playfield is cleared for the final time...
Ramps are pulled from the game early, as we are going with a black edition for this game...
A new cabinet was requested from the client, and we build these in house...
Tomcat is different to the later model cabinet we are used to supplying...
Backbox built and an enhanced finish was again requested by the client...
Moving the cabinet through the paint process...
Fast forward a little the cabinet is decalled and ready to build out with hardware etc...
Backbox going together here...new PCBs where supplied/available...
Installed Rottendog boards...
Lamp panel refinished and installed...
Earth braid is run around the cabinet, taking the factory path and cleaning up the lines...
Original door restored and finished. $1.00 inserts installed...
I try to keep the wiring from getting chewed between the backbox and lower cabinets...
Old and new side by side...
Back to the playfield, the harnesses are split up and thoroughly cleaned and serviced...
Playfield components are all tumble polished and hand washed...
NOS playfield is ready to begin the rebuild, new lamp sockets and braid to be installed...
Rear Flasher panel rebuilt...
Four flipper mechs rebuilt and ready for install...
Topper was missing a beacon assembly, my dad spun a new one for me at his shop - legend :)
These are the pieces he replicated, its hard to tell them from the originals once installed...
Speaker panel installed and LED display fitted...
Fast forward again the playfield is installed in the cabinet and ready to test...
Certainly bright...
The following photos are of the finished game. It was certainly a challenge - as they all are at times.
But the result is exactly what the customer wanted. Couldn't ask for much more than that.
We have a few other unique projects being finished up over the next few weeks which i will try to
document here.
As always - a big thanks to Stuart, Daniel, Nino, Nick, Greg, Marty and the other guys who make these games possible! Thanks team :)
