Creature From the Black Lagoon - No Hologram Mod

[swinks]

Hi guys

For those of you with a Creature that does not have a hologram I have come up with another option that still adds a similar effect, and in effect 3D.

I will break up the thread in multiple posts because for some reason my Mac has a fit if I try to add more than 2 photos per post ????

Post 1
I got my creature from the Pinball Shed last year as a bit of a project machine close to a year ago now and it was missing the hologram, mirror and both motors turn inside there housing but no movement of the cogs. At the time I found one hologram in the states for a mere $450 which I just can't justify especially when I want more pinballs.

I thought why not get a scale model of the creature and place under the playfield. I found one in the states for $50 off Fleabay including postage and thought that will be worth it if it works.

9 months later and I had time to fit today in 90 minutes and it has the effect.

Below are photos of the creature in the packet and out.

[swinks]

Post 2

I started by drilling a 1.5mm hole through the back of the creature and tied in fishing line through the hole and locked around both armpits to help stabilise him once he is tied in place.

I then disconnected both the motors as they don't work anyway and then I snipped the wires from the lamp in the back of the cabinet and removed the lamp holder to clean and relocate.

I then purchased $2 of wire from Jaycar and connected the wire to the snipped light source wires. I then routed these 2 cables from the original light source up to the hologram location.

photos below are of the fishing line and the lamp holder to be relocated.

[swinks]

Post 3

I then drilled 4 strategic 1.5mm holes in the cardboard type shield that surrounds the lagoon see through panel and then tied the Creature into place with fishing line to what I thought would look ok. I then fastened the lamp from the back of the cabinet to the hologram holder in the centre and directed the lamp towards his crest area. I soldered in the wires from the original light supply via the Jaycar wires.

I purchased a green #89 LED flasher lamp from PSPA for $6 and installed it into place.

below photos show the creature and lamp fastened into place, and a screen shot of the globe that I used.

[swinks]

Post 4

I then put the playfield down and turned on and went into the test mode to check everything. It worked which was good, but just needed a small adjustment of the creature and of the lamp.

I then started a game and hit the required targets to get to the FILM mode quickly and once I placed a ball in the tunnel during the multiball period the light came on and it didn't look bad - better than a blank lagoon and it's always green and will not go blue and it's a 3D object so I am happy.

 If I had to buy a hologram (rare as hen's teeth), mirror and 2 motors and some freight for all I would be up for $600 there abouts compared to the $58 :) I spent.

[swinks]

Post 5

My learnings from this little Revision 1 MOD are:

- I need to get a different globe holder without the chrome light shield as from certain angles when not in the lit mode you can vaguely see it.
- You can see the fishing line when certain light hits it so the next Revision will be a clear acrylic post that I will implant into his back and this post will be cut to length and fastened into the hologram plate so the creature can appear to be floating.

Basically the machine isn't modified to the point where you can't go back to the original but is a good option instead of nothing.

Since I have never seen a Creature other than mine can someone with a working one confirm a few things for me:
- When you complete any letter of FILM do you get one flash of your hologram?
- Does the hologram light up once you complete the FILM, followed by the multiball launch and then only when the ball goes into a tunnel?

You guys with a creature, what do you think?

[swinks]

I found the same figure that I used but now it is at a buy now price
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Creature-Black-Lagoon-Figure-Sideshow-/370376900316?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item563c2efedc

[humpalot]

how about one of these?

http://www.pinballheaven.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1837

[goodolddays]

I think that is a cheap and effective solution .. well done 

[swinks]

Nice find humpalot but by the time it gets here it is still around the $400 plus motors, but still good as I did not know they had them.

[Strangeways]

I think that is bloody brilliant - well done 

[pinnies4me]

Looks sensational! Love to see it in action.

[GORGAR 1]

Awesome job that looks the goods well done im impressed.

Peter

[Caveoftreasures]

I reckon the mod/fix u have made for the creature is excellent.  Spending $400 to $600 would be a complete waste of money.

Most people who have or havent played a creature would notice little if anything, as your eye is on the ball flying around with the concentration on the creature only a side issue.

i say very well thought out and a smart alternative that anyone can now do, because of your help.   

[swinks]

Here is a bargain if you can con the guy to ship it to you.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sideshow-Creature-Black-Lagoon-8-Figure-/370522363244?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item5644da956c

[Marty Machine]

YAY!!!

I'd been saying for ages to various people with CFBL pins to try using an action figure instead of a damn (fading) hologram....

Well done! about time someone did it!!!!!     

It'd be interesting to see how it looks if you managed to insert an LED in each foot, pointing 'up' each leg to illuminate the body in general to give it an eery glow effect instead of a spotlight pointing onto it....

The action figure should offer a far more realstic depth/3D effect compared to a hologram, so it's a big win win win outcome.

MM