Williams Whirlwind Restoration

[Strangeways]

I scored a damaged partial populated playfield, so stripped because if was flogged out (paint peeling) and still have some parts that I don't need - like metal brackets etc, let me know know if you need anything Nino and will post it to you if I have it - like ramp lift a wire ramp etc.

Great to know - Do you have the ramp lift microswitch assembly and the plastic that is located near the drop target (three DTs) - this plastic is ALWAYS broken !

[swinks]

I will have a look this arvo or tomorrow for you as it was a partially populated field though doubt the DT item is there as there were no drop target assemblies when I got it but had most of the ramp lift assembly was there.

[swinks]

Hi Nino

I tagged and bagged this at the time when stripping the playfield so I am assuming this is the ramp lift microswitch assembly though don't have a manual to confirm.

[johnwartjr]

Curious, did you replace your decals on the spinning discs? Did you find replacements with the correct 'grippy' texture?

Somewhere, I have a set with the artwork correct, but no 'grippy' finish. If you found a supplier who has the correct decals, please share your source, as I need a set.

[Strangeways]

Hi Nino

I tagged and bagged this at the time when stripping the playfield so I am assuming this is the ramp lift microswitch assembly though don't have a manual to confirm.

I'll check tomorrow, but I think I've given you the wrong assembly. I'll post a picture in tomorrow's update 

Curious, did you replace your decals on the spinning discs? Did you find replacements with the correct 'grippy' texture?

Somewhere, I have a set with the artwork correct, but no 'grippy' finish. If you found a supplier who has the correct decals, please share your source, as I need a set.

An interesting question. I bought TWO decals sets from two suppliers and they are a different color. Texture seems the same. I'll conform tomorrow.

[swinks]

I downloaded the manual, are you talking bout item 14. I will have a look but doubt it.

[Strangeways]

That's the part - but I was chatting with Greg and I can use a current "generic" part number and trim the length of the switch arm.

[Strangeways]

Playfield re assembly

Parts arrived from RTBB so it is time to re assemble. New targets, Cliffys, pop bumper assemblies (all SIX) ! Regrained metal guides etc !











One of the most time consuming jobs is rebuilding the pop bumpers and replacing the 555 light sockets. I don't use the original style, I prefer these ;


http://www.rtbb.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40_115_117&products_id=2530


But there can be the issue of soldering the diode and playfield GI to these insulated sockets. So I thought I'd try a simple solution using the same idea as the designers - use lugs mounted under the playfield. Jaycar have these.





I used a short wood screw, and screwed in a lug close to the diode or wire that used to be soldered to the original lamp socket. I then soldered the lamp socket (trimmed and tinned), and then soldered either the playfield GI wire or diode, as can be seen on the RHS of the picture below. It is a bit out of focus, but you can see the red wires connecting to a lug and then to a diode. This is an EASY step which saves time and makes the job neat.





More update tomorrow !

[ddstoys]

Looking good Niño

  6 pop bumpers man that's pretty cool

[goodolddays]

Looks great so far 

[ktm450]

Great idea, the flexable leads are so much easier to use

[Greg]

Curious, did you replace your decals on the spinning discs? Did you find replacements with the correct 'grippy' texture?

Somewhere, I have a set with the artwork correct, but no 'grippy' finish. If you found a supplier who has the correct decals, please share your source, as I need a set.

John
http://pinballpromos.com/

I brought mine from Gerry and they work really well, correct texture and colours

[johnwartjr]

I can't stand those flexible wire lead lamp sockets! I should put all I have in a box and ship them to you. I tried to use them twice and ended up taking my own name in vain!

I bought a bag of the original lugs that WMS used on the diodes on pop bumper leads, trough switches etc from pinrestore.com

Gerry's a good, long-time friend, I guess I'll hit him up for some disc decals, wasn't aware he had them, thanks!

[Strangeways]

The only broken plastic is the plastic mounted above the three drop targets. One of the slings has a crack near the hole. Lucky for me, Greg had a spare set of slingshots and new plastic for the broken target plastic. He also had a set of plastic protectors for all three. All I needed to do was remove the rivets and reinstall.





I riveted the protector on to the plastic and finished re assembling that area of the playfield





Slingshot plastics with protectors





Wire ramp installed





Finally, the PinballInc ramps arrived from RTBB. I opted for both ramps and the switch covers. The set came with the decals as well. This will REALLY set the game up nicely. There's a fair anount of work to do to replace the hardware, but it is well worth the effort.








 

[Strangeways]

I can't stand those flexible wire lead lamp sockets! I should put all I have in a box and ship them to you. I tried to use them twice and ended up taking my own name in vain!

I bought a bag of the original lugs that WMS used on the diodes on pop bumper leads, trough switches etc from pinrestore.com

Gerry's a good, long-time friend, I guess I'll hit him up for some disc decals, wasn't aware he had them, thanks!

Initially, I didn't like them either, John. But now I swear by them. I'll dig out my disc decals - I just cannt recall where I bought them from. That's the next step of the restoration.