Williams Star Trek Next Gen High End Restoration

[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..





 


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..

[DSB]

Getting that drop target working correctly is crucial for this game to function correctly I reckon. Sweet look job so far!

[Strangeways]

Getting that drop target working correctly is crucial for this game to function correctly I reckon. Sweet look job so far!

Funny you should mention the Drop Target. The first time I played a ST TNG was at a dealers' in the mid 2000's. I was with Marco at the time, and we played doubles. He started a game, and pulled the trigger for the first ball, and the drop target was stuck down. Right off the bat, the rules were out of whack. Then there were issues with divertors and optos. The game was not tuned at all. As I started to learn the rules myself, I found the game to be an excellent and challenging game - when set up correctly.

The Drop Target is crucial. Replacement of all optos is mandatory. Once restored and 100% dialed in, this game has a deep and difficult ruleset that puts some modern titles to shame.

[pinnies4me]

Awesome work, such a great game, makes you a better player (or for me, makes for short ball times!!)

[Strangeways]

As mentioned previously, the Drop Target is crucial to having the game working properly. The second assembly that must be working perfectly, is the subway ramp. Often broken from operators lifting the playfield and the balls drop from the VUK's and slam into the base of the Subway. Again, I replace all the optos. Cleaning or "shopping" a playfield without stripping and cleaning the subway ramp assembly defeats the purpose.
Sometimes, you can find underlying problems - like a broken divertor !


New Optos ready to install ;



Almost done. New ramp installed ;



I've NEVER seen the correct springs installed. Definitely the correct springs (10-395) installed ;



Next assembly that must be working perfectly - the Cannons. These are rebuilt completely. New wiring harness and lamp socket. Of course - new optos.











Borg Assembly rebuilt. New optos.

[Strangeways]

Trade secret - The metal backboard is a real pain to clean and polish. I've found using the 3M Stainless Polisher does the job effectively.



Trade Secret #2 - I use foam "noodles" with a cut down the length of the noodle, that is exactly the same length as the headbox. So while working on the playfield or lower cabinet, I know the cabinet will not be scratched.




Hidden Cabinet protectors. Absolutely brilliant !



Local Powdercoater did an amazing job on the Trigger assembly.



New Door rewired for the WPC platform. Really finishes off the front area. The lockdown bar is from the USA and fits perfectly.

[Strangeways]

Under the playfield - I've made the comment that the engineering on this game has no peer. Amazing how all these features are so well laid out and work so well with the design and the rules.

[Strangeways]

LED Placement. I use Ablaze LEDs as they are my favorite LEDs. Zero fail rate. I use some generic GI LEDs, but the majority are Super brights. I often change things around until I'm happy - so here is what I thought looked appealing ;



Playfield really POPPED !




Balls' eye view ;




ColorDMD (LED) really suits this title.




Testing, testing and more testing..

[Pop Bumper Pete]

lol, the diverters look like a klingon weapon

nice work

[4_amusement_only]

Looks amazing. Owner will be very happy.

[turbo27]

Excellent pictures, brilliant works, and thanks for the tips!


Love it