Author Topic: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?  (Read 32240 times)

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Offline Caveoftreasures

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MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« on: March 06, 2012, 07:10:46 PM »
I have a local company who specialises in all types of metals/highly polished stainless steel etc that I have been talking to.

I was going to get some mirror blades for some of my machines rather than paying $100 a set which some different sellers are offering on ebay.

I am told that I might get the cost down to half that, or maybe even less. I have alot of different machines I can make sure they fit on, so that I could then look at then sharing low cost sets to other AP members.

I wanted to see how many people would look at perhaps buying some sets if the price could come down considerably to half of the ebay prices. I have access to alot of other peoples machines to make sure they fit properly etc incase u have a title u wanted the mirror blades for, that i havent got here. I am sure that the same ones will fit almost all std bodies, and if i have to make a different set for a widebody, then i can do that as well and check it against some of my widebodies.

Let me know via post or PM if u would look at buying mirror blades if we could get them alot cheaper.

Cavey !  ^^^

UPDATE - anyone wanting low cost mirror blades shld go to this thread below

http://aussiepinball.com/index.php?topic=8978.0

swinksy has alot of experience with stainless steel and laser cutting etc
« Last Edit: August 13, 2012, 01:29:19 PM by Caveoftreasures »
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Offline Cow Corner

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2012, 07:15:12 PM »
Can they do skinny mirrors?
Whiplash looks a bit fat, like he has been on the seefood diet for a year or so.
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Offline pinsanity

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2012, 08:17:35 PM »
I took the same path a few months ago and made my own multiple sets after refusing to pay the prices being asked for a pair of these.

You need to ask for a standard sheet of Number 8 mirror polished stainless steel in the thinnest grade they will handle (some companies will only handle sheets to a certain minimum thickness since they are very fragile and can bend easily if being cut manually via a machine). Of course, if they have access to a laser cutter then that is not a problem. I got them to cut them on 0.5mm thick sheets which is virtually paper thin - but you may need this advantage since many pinball machines have a very small gap between the playfield and the cabinet. If the sheet is too thick it will scratch every time the playfield is lifted.

For that reason, I would also recommend buying a roll of black felt adhesive tape to attach to the sides of the playfield - this will stop any chance of the mirrored sheet being scratched when the playfield is raised and lowered.

B/W standard and widebodies are both the same measurements for the mirrored sheets.  ^^^

« Last Edit: March 06, 2012, 08:21:12 PM by pinsanity »

Offline Caveoftreasures

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2012, 08:28:29 PM »
thanks for the extra info. the place i found laser cuts everything as well. this is what makes the entire job so much more simple. the felt is a good idea.

its amazing how paper thin the stainless feels when u touch it.
Behind every garage door could be a pinball collectors
"Cave of Treasures" 55 in my collection

Into  Stern -JJP - Cars , Road Bikes- Jet Skis - Star Trek n Sci-Fi & Electronics    
Beware of Stalkers & Walkers when playing The Walking Dead

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Offline swinks

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2012, 08:29:40 PM »
I use to make laser machines, so 0.5mm is easy to cut with a laser no clean up at all. You will need to keep the exposed side (within the game) protected with the film right up to issue to the customer.

- If the laser file is prepared and issued to the sheetmetal / laser company they just have to programme the order of the cuts and away they go.

- 0.5mm SS will be either 1200 x 2400mm or 1200 x 3000mm so you should get about 6 - 7 sets out of 1 sheet.

- laser cut fees will be anything from $150 to $300 per hour but once a sheet is on the deck they should be able to cut 6-7 sets in about 20 mins.

I will send a PM with some other details.
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Offline Wotto

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2012, 09:19:36 PM »
Sweet Jesus ya just had to put this thread up today didnt ya !
ONLY TODAY I paid for a set and am collecting tomorrow

Thanks Cavey - PAL  :lol
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Offline Retropin

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2012, 09:28:30 PM »
Why dont you install mirrored acrylic instead?

Offline swinks

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2012, 09:35:51 PM »
Why dont you install mirrored acrylic instead?

How thick is the acrylic, there isn't alot of room left before scraping occurs.
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Offline ddstoys

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2012, 10:10:31 PM »
Id grab a couple of sets brett  ^^^

Offline pinsanity

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2012, 10:18:59 PM »
Without going too far off topic you can go even fancier and get coloured mirror polished SS sheets from a place in Sydney called Rimex metals.

http://www.rimexmetals.com.au/StainlessSteelFinishes/ColouredMirrorsSatinsStainlessSteel.html#

I haven't got my measurements handy but you should be able to get half a dozen panels/blades/whatever you want to call them out of one coloured sheet.

They are not cheap though, the quote I got was $468 plus gst plus shipping (fragile and insured) for one coloured sheet. I couldn't find anywhere in SA which stocked it so abandoned the idea.

You can see an example of the black and gold coloured versions at the bottom of this page (note the price):
http://pinballdecals.com/MirrorBladesPage.html

Offline Caveoftreasures

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2012, 10:34:33 PM »
The vinyl mirrored stuff is also a good idea Gav(retropin) but who has it available. ? sometimes finding the stuff is half the battle. it would be cheaper than thin stainless steel laser cut sheets.

If the mirror vinyl can be scourced cheap enough, cutting sets would be easy with a scalpal, and u can roll it in a post pak for postage to anywhere in the country. thats a better idea if we can find some thin enough. I will do a search on google for mirrored vinyl. stay tuned trendsetters.  ^^^
Behind every garage door could be a pinball collectors
"Cave of Treasures" 55 in my collection

Into  Stern -JJP - Cars , Road Bikes- Jet Skis - Star Trek n Sci-Fi & Electronics    
Beware of Stalkers & Walkers when playing The Walking Dead

My 7yr old son Hunter is my best mate in the world !

Offline Richyrich

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2012, 11:38:23 PM »
interesting
pm sent

Offline Caveoftreasures

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2012, 11:45:42 PM »
OK, got some more PMs already and its only been a few hours.  ^^^

It doesnt pay me to ever pay retail since everything i buy for machines needs to be in reasonable numbers.  if i had to only do one or two machines u would buy off ebay/retail, but for anyone wanting to do more than a few machines, its going to pay for me to get a bulk deal.   it works out well for me and everyone else, so we can all save a dollar.  ^^^

Behind every garage door could be a pinball collectors
"Cave of Treasures" 55 in my collection

Into  Stern -JJP - Cars , Road Bikes- Jet Skis - Star Trek n Sci-Fi & Electronics    
Beware of Stalkers & Walkers when playing The Walking Dead

My 7yr old son Hunter is my best mate in the world !

Offline Caveoftreasures

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2012, 11:54:40 PM »
 $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$


I THINK I HIT THE JACKPOT.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BRIGHT-MIRROR-CHROME-VINYL-SHEET-ROLL-decal-25-WIDE-/380118727937?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5880d77d01

I just ordered 2 x 10 meter roll. Because it is 25inchs high , i shld be able to get/cut at least 2 or 3 sides per metre etc.

BARGAIN. will share the results when it comes in. This will save paying 4 x times as much for laser cut stainless. Shld be able to cut with a scalpal as well.

 $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$ $#$
« Last Edit: March 07, 2012, 12:59:59 AM by Caveoftreasures »
Behind every garage door could be a pinball collectors
"Cave of Treasures" 55 in my collection

Into  Stern -JJP - Cars , Road Bikes- Jet Skis - Star Trek n Sci-Fi & Electronics    
Beware of Stalkers & Walkers when playing The Walking Dead

My 7yr old son Hunter is my best mate in the world !

Offline piesrule

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Re: MIRROR BLADES - interest in low cost sets ?
« Reply #14 on: March 07, 2012, 12:02:55 AM »
2 millimeters may be too thick.