Fathom cleanup questions

[solar value]

Hi all,

I'm cleaning up a Fathom at the moment so I'm going to be asking a few questions if that's OK. First up, how are the blue playfield rails attached to the playfield? I removed all the screws that I could see but looks like there might be staples as well, is that right?
 
Thanks, SV.

[Strangeways]

They are long staples and very difficult to remove. I prize them with a screwdriver, but be very careful to protect the playfield when doing so. This process can take time. Try to prize the staples from underneath the playfield and then use long nosed pliers to remove them.

[solar value]

They are long staples and very difficult to remove.

Thanks for that info, in that case I'll leave them on for now. At this stage I'm just going to give the topside a clean and a wax and try to get everything working.

[Strangeways]

They are long staples and very difficult to remove.

Thanks for that info, in that case I'll leave them on for now. At this stage I'm just going to give the topside a clean and a wax and try to get everything working.

If you are simply cleaning and polishing the playfield, leave the rails in place. Only remove if you are doing a playfield swap or laying down mylar.

 

[solar value]

Ok, next....

Trying to remove the flipper bats but the little hex bolts on the pawl (?) are really tight. I managed to undo the ones for the upper flipper but the two main flippers are stuck fast. My hex key is bending when I try to loosen them. I have applied a little WD-40 but no effect so far. Maybe my hex key isn't up to the task. Anyone else had this problem? Remedies?

[Strangeways]

Use a strong set of pliers (multigrips) and a fair amount of force. Grasp the allen key with the multigrips. If there is some locktite present, heat up the hexnut with a soldering iron.

[pinball god]

sounds like loctite on screws, use heat to break the seal

[Retropin]

sounds like loctite on screws, use heat to break the seal

Agreed.. break the seal with  a little heat from your soldering iron... remember that the metal expands slightly with heat, so try to heat up the surround rather than the grub screw itself

[solar value]

OK Strangeways, Retropin, Pinball God, thanks are in order once again. I heated up the pawl with the soldering iron and hit the screws with some more WD-40 and they finally moved. I had to go and buy a new hex-key set though, the one I had was bending like rubber. The new ones I bought were "Bondhus" brand, they seemed to be a lot stronger.

OK, here's a new problem for you all...The playfield on this machine is, overall, OK, considering that the only mylar was around the pop bumpers and at the slingshots, but there is one reasonably-sized area of wear. Now, keep in mind this is a clean-up and get-going, it's not a restore - I'll get to that at sometime in the future. At this stage I'm taking the "Smithsonian" approach with this (as I read on RGP), i.e don't change too much, preserve what already exists and only replace broken parts, etc.

Anyways, here is a picture of the area of wear, in the usual place I guess



So my question is: how can I temporarily prevent this area from deteriorating further. Two ways which I can think of are:

1. Cover the area with some of that "stealth" vinyl stuff that is sold by Pinball Pal (He was ill but I think he is back now).

2. Fill the area with something to make it level, so the ball doesn't keep eroding the paint at the edges.

Does anyone have any opinions about either of these methods, suggestions about products or other ideas?

Thanks so much, SV.

[Retropin]

Simplest solution is to put some contact over the area... it will last for ages, prevent further wear and will come off with relative ease should you decide to restore the area later down the track

[solar value]

Simplest solution is to put some contact over the area... it will last for ages, prevent further wear and will come off with relative ease should you decide to restore the area later down the track

Great, thanks, will do.

I was just looking at Christopher Hutchins' gallery at High End Pins and I realised I'm missing a part. Its the square-section metal bar which runs across the back of the cabinet just above the playfield. You can see it at the top of this picture (from the HEP gallery):


http://christopherhutchins.com/gallery/album405/14_G

Does anyone have one of these or know where I can get one? (Maybe I'll post in the "parts wanted" section as well).

Thanks again, SV.

[Strangeways]

Difficult part to source. Put up a wanted thread. Hopefully someone has one.

Looking at that picture, there are Gottlieb Post Caps on a Bally 

[solar value]

Difficult part to source. Put up a wanted thread. Hopefully someone has one.

Thanks, will do that now.

Looking at that picture, there are Gottlieb Post Caps on a Bally 

Great eye for detail! I imagine he used them because they are shinier. I used the rubber ones because that is what the machine had on it when I got it (http://www.rtbb.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=93_123&products_id=2534&osCsid=02e4441761ab3728a35b0adf2b0502f3). Not sure if they are factory though.

[swinks]

The square up the back is that the SS bar you are talking about, if so do you know if the Gottlieb and Ballyt bars are the same as I have a spare Gottlieb bar that you could have if it will do the job.

[solar value]

The square up the back is that the SS bar you are talking about, if so do you know if the Gottlieb and Ballyt bars are the same as I have a spare Gottlieb bar that you could have if it will do the job.

Hi Swinks,

Thanks very much for the offer. I'm not sure if the Gottlieb bars are the same (anyone?), I do know that my Williams machine from around that the same era has the same bar so they are obviously not just a Bally thing. What game is it from? Can you post a picture or some dimensions?

Cheers, SV.

Edit: I just had a look on the IPDB at "Buck Rogers" and the bar on that machine looks the same as the Fathom one to me, as long as yours isn't from a widebody I guess.