This thread will document my conversion of a Stern Hot Hand to a Stargazer.
Having one less Hot Hand in existence should upset no one.
Playfield and backglass coming from Greatwich. Harness from Third Coast.

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If anyone needs any of these plastics or pop caps, hit me up.

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I'll put the pf up for sale. I honestly didn't think there would be any interest in it.

Cabinet stripped of parts.
I'll be putting a new bottom in this one.

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I cut the cabinet right at the top of bottom panel (11/16" on old Sterns) using my track saw.

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Next I'll pull staples, fill, sand, and paint inner cabinet.

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Sanded inside and out.
Spackling applied to inside of cabinet.
I'll use bondo and glaze to smooth exterior.

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2 coats of automotive primer, sanded with #800 after each, interior ready for color.

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Color applied. I really like this color.

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New bottom panel made from 1/4" pre-finished cabinet plywood, secured with staples.
New lower edge cut from 3/4" plywood, glued and pinned.

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First layer of bondo applied at seam and corners

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New panels made from 1/2" plywood for bottom of cabinet

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And interior.

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Cabinet smoothed with glaze, ready for primer.
I use 2 part auto primer. 3 coats, sanded between (#800)

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Ain't got time for playin round, son.

Here you go

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I used to build custom cabinetry and furniture. I've done around 15 machines using this process, without issue.
The combination of staples, glue, and bondo is at least as strong as the 3/8" notch in the original cabinet.

Yessir, and as long as pieces fit together properly, the glue will do its job.

Base coats applied.
I use base coat/clearcoat on exterior.
Interiors I use single stage.

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I'll be using an F2K backbox, as there is one here in my shop (thx Athens95) that is in better shape than the Hot Hand.
For those interested, it's this one.
That is some fantastic artwork there...really pulled out all the stops.

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Stencils applied, ready to spray the white.

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Thank you.
Took 4 coats of white to cover.
I'll set this aside until backbox in paint, then I'll clearcoat them at the same time.

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I'll stencil this tomorrow.
Just got word from Greatwich that pf and bg shipping next week.
Yes..

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Thank you, your FH is going to be sweet.

For legs, I'm going to use these, which were off of my TNA. I have no idea why Spooky used these shorter legs. I replaced with modern Stern legs, and that picked it up 2", which made it correct height.

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I use Rustoleum hammered silver for old Stern legs and coindoor, with clearcoat.

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3 coats of 2 part auto clear applied to cabinet and legs. I did this for protection and feel. I dont polish this out.

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As always, I use this rectifier board kit from Andrew at nvram.weebly.
Good product at good price.

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Thx, Matt.
Painted/cleared legs mounted over cabinet protectors and new mounting plates.

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New siderails from pinball life. I have found that once u pull the protective coating from them, u are left with this at all the edges.
Removes fairly quickly with xylene.

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Playfield should be here in couple days. I'll go ahead and get the drop units cleaned up and sprayed.
1 down, 2 to go

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I've had both good and bad luck with the repros. I have a Seawitch with all repro targets, no issues.
I have found that targets that refuse to stay up consistently are usually slightly bent. A little heat, and bend the other way while they cool takes care of it.
Bricking happens because repros flex more than originals. This requires notching the back of target, and epoxying a 2" brad nail into the notch to stiffen. Make sure target is straight while epoxy curing.

Flipper units from Pinball Life.
Pops rebuilt.
New solid oak rails made and painted.
New speaker from Parts Express.
Playfield should be here tomorrow.
And yes, a Bally transformer..

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Getting there.
Thanks boblangelious for making these targets available.
12 on this game.

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Products from Mr Greatwich have arrived.

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I'm able to source parts from Marco to make pretty accurate spinners.
These will be painted yellow, with decals applied.

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Mantis

New lamp/display made and sprayed.

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Mantis set is not diy. Ready to go. And nice.
And yes, once I start something, I cant sit still. Got that from my dad (glad of that). I am lucky to have a cabinet shop in my backyard.
Bally transformers from same years as sterns will work. Same rectifier board. Same voltages.

I wish I would have found this hobby earlier. I am made for this. Proud that half my collection now is games I've built.
And early solid state is my cup of tea.
80/81 is such a great time for pinball.

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3/4" MDF.
I'm using these Pinitech LED displays.
Sold as a kit, takes about 2 hrs to solder.
These come with a smoke color film to mimick the look of a normal display when machine is off.
Nice touch.

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Which allows me to save money on driver board. Nvram.weebly sells these with high voltage deleted.

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Displays mounted, new lamp bases installed

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Thanks. Yeah, there's no way I'd have a Quicksilver or Stargazer if I didn't do it myself.

Old Sterns have crazy fast spinners, when adjusted correctly. I figured alot of that comes from the very thin wire they used between spinner and switch.
I need 3, and I only have 1from the donor game, and they aren't available.
I found these wire sets at Hobby Lobby..

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I picked the one that was slightly thinner than the stock Stern.
They are too brittle to bend the tiny circle at the ends, so I applied some heat

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They aren't perfect, but I know I can do this, with a little more practice.

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I dont think he has any classic Stern spinner parts left.
I dont want to settle for the thick wires of other makes.

Looks like I'll be waiting a bit for harness, so I'll drop pf into cabinet to free up the rotisserie for a clients Shadow resto.
I look forward to putting this machine in my basement.

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Ok..

Ok, couple other client projects wrapping up, so SG back on rotisserie.
Couple updates - A) I've waited long enough for wire harness from Third Coast, and still no time frame, so I'm going at it from scratch.
B) Bought these Yoppsicles for all insert lighting. Cool idea, nice execution.

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I like these. No more flaky lamp sockets.
Nice and clean

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Hah, yeah, they will.

Donor bait...don't mix up those consonants..

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Thx @chuckwurt, these gonna help with Cheetah sizing.

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Chuckwurt burned it at a Gottlieb ceremony.

My second Seawitch, both gad the bricks.
And JK about Chuckwurts BG pf. He still has it.

Feature lamp bus and GI returns installed.

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Adding correct stripe by dragging acrylic marker alongside about 10' of each wire needed. Then I heat set with hairdryer.
I'm doing the controlled lighting circuits first, 1 connector at a time, as some color combos are redundant.

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All info needed in schematics

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Took a few hours, but got the 3 feature lamp harnesses ready to install..minus the damn orange and blue wires that were out of stock.
I'm getting wire from Interstate Wire, in TX.

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I'm not into astrology either..and that will probably come in handy on this build.
Thx

Controlled lamp harnesses installed, except for a couple at the lower star rollovers. Schematics are vague, at best, so im waiting for some pics before connecting.
This is an interesting challenge, to say the least.

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Thanks, cottonm4 for the pics.
I really like how the yoppsicles make for a clean light installation. I'll be using these on all builds from now on. No more flaky lamp sockets.

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A quick test of GI with battery pack shows connections are good.

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Yoppsicles are only for insert lights. At GI locations i use new sockets.
I like the look of incandesents wherever the bulb is visible from players point of view. Otherwise, I go with 2smd warm whites (like in the backbox).

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Controlled lamp and switch matrix harnesses complete (except for 1 spinner switch).

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Lamp board GI and controlled lamps hooked up.
Simplified coin door as well.

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I may just have this ready in time for Pincinnati

Feature lamp bus, solenoid bus, GI feeds installed.
Thank you gorillabiscuits for the under pf pics.

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New plastics made to match the playfield.
So much better. I can make more sets if anyone needs them.

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Heres a pic when lit with warm white leds. Mine on left, cpr on right

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And when not lit

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They are made of PTEG, just like the rest.
No, not changing shapes. These are exactly same size as cpr, which I have to believe are exact same as original.

Game boots (thx Athens95), and should be a late addition to freeplay area at Pincinnati.

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Ill be using Yoppsicles from now on. Love them.

Down to the wire getting this ready for Pincinnati.

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Thank you. I appreciate that.

She loves her new neighborhood.

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I can offer up additional Stargazer plastics (that match up way better to the Greatwich playfield) for $165 shipped to anyone who needs them.
PM me

Oh yeah. Shes back to work.

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