Bally Fathom Restoration

[ktm450]

WOW! that PF looks amazing mate 

[MartyJ]

Looks very nice Nino.. Supe rare machine and looks like it is coming together very nicely

[Strangeways]

Thanks for the kind words - I'll pass them on to the "clearcoat dude" 

The next part of the process will be to rebuild all the mechanisms. I can fit the ground braid and underside parts now - which is great !

[spook]

Thanks for sharing the pics ..... that is an awesome result. Fantastic!

[Skybeaux]

The Playfield looks beautiful , you've done a fantastic job of cleaning and touching it up , many hours of hard work have really paid off
The clearcoat really brings out the colours , your friend has done a first class job

[ajlaird]

Great result - is it an expensive process?

[Strangeways]

Great result - is it an expensive process?

Clearcoating is expensive, but for "Holy Grail" machines like Fathom, its not about the cost. It is an area that I'm happy to pay the experts to weave their magic. The end result is a playfield has been restored and protected so that it cannot deteriorate any further. The game will play fast and with the new plastics set and all the other new parts I have collected for this game, it will be one of the best games in any collection.

[deadlydave]

That looks awesome Nino !!
The clear really brings out the colors and detail,
well worth the effort you have put into this PF.

[MartyJ]

Great result - is it an expensive process?

Its a lot of work in preparation to clear a playfield....Both sides of the playfield need to be fully stripped, all t-nuts and globe holders removed etc.  Probably around 10 hrs for a DMD title, more for an early SS machine.  I'm guessing its around 6 to 10 hrs to clear a playfield properly, then once cured around 15 + hours to re-assemble.

I think for games which are absolute keepers or your 'grail' machines, then its worth the investment, if repairs are required on the playfield... I'm looking forward to seeing Nino's Fathom back together when its finished as I reckon it will look and play amazing.

That looks awesome Nino !!
The clear really brings out the colors and detail,
well worth the effort you have put into this PF.

I agree going by the photos it looks great.

[tonyt]

Coming along very nicely Nino, that playfield looks stunning

[Pinfan]

Looks awesome Nino. 

That clear coat dude always under estimates the quality of his work, but let me tell you he produces some quality shit ! 

[Strangeways]

After 2 weeks of curing time, I started reassembly of the playfield. The first thing to do is to install the ground braid. I bought the ground braid and the staple gun from Pinrestore.com, and it makes playfield swaps so easy ! The first thing to do is mark all the "lines" as I have when I disassembled the playfield. All the numbers correspod to each individual globe holder.





Here's the ground braid installed, by simply following the original path





I found an EXACT match of Blue at Bunnings, so I repainted the playfield guides. This is a picture straight after one coat. The quality of paint is the best I've used out of a can.





All the parts are tumbled, cleaned or replaced. So all I have to do is start the slow process of installing all the globe holders and hardware. This takes time and patience.








Only one "glamour shot" after 20 hours of work !




 

[Steve2010]

I am sure the globe holders you will be using will be more reliable than the typcial (awful) original Bally holders.  I spend more time than I care for "fixing" a globe holder with the soldering iron (as per Clay's guide).

[ddstoys]

Man great work with te ball swirl removal very frustrating but amazing results.

  As for the clearcoat.  Your clearcoat dude needs to suck it up and be happy with an awsome result well done mystery man 

 

[Strangeways]

Playfield is coming together nicely. I've used the original bumper bodies, bumper skirts, and lane guides, because replacements are not the right color, and the white lane guides are no longer available. It is a miracle that these are in great original condition. I simply installed the playfield wooden rails and started reassembly. Having loads of fun - here's some progress pictures ;





My "patented" and trusty playfield stand !

















Looking good so far - but plenty to go on this one. New drop targets and a NOS plastic set for this game.