(Topic ID: 198771)

A Fish Tales rebuild...PICS UP

By cosmokramer

6 years ago


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There are 367 posts in this topic. You are on page 7 of 8.
#301 6 years ago
Quoted from cosmokramer:

Does anybody know of a good plating company in So Cal? I am really leary of sending out an unobtainium part with all the horror stories of lost parts. Looking for black nickle and re-brassing

I searched all over the dallas Fort Worth metroplex and couldn’t find a single company that does brass. It’s a very elusive service these days it seems

#302 6 years ago

sc93cobra does brass.
Not in Cali but seen lots of good posts on here about them.
Chris quoted me some good prices on brass plating for Atlantis.

#303 6 years ago

Will echo Chris’s work. There’s a risk with shipping but I’d reach out to him and ask if he has any suggestions.

And great work! It’s a ton of work and you went all in. The cabinet really looks fantastic. Working on these is a labor of love.

#304 6 years ago

I'm thinking with all the chemicals involved it'll be hard to find any plating services in CA. Id just ship with some extra insurance on it.

#305 6 years ago
Quoted from lurch:

I'm thinking with all the chemicals involved it'll be hard to find any plating services in CA. Id just ship with some extra insurance on it.

The prep work is critical. I used a plating guy in Oakland to nickel plate a bunch of TZ part for cheap and more to prevent corrosion than to get a perfect finish and it came out ok but not great. For a part that has to look good though, I'd use someone who's experienced with pinball stuff like Chris.

#306 6 years ago

I should be getting some feedback later this month on a local plating company, waiting to see the results from a test piece that a friend droppedd off last week.

I sliced my finger open pretty bad early this week so I had not been able to work on the FT for several days. I had not even put a ball into play until last night
I plugged in the reel handle and booted it up. No bonging sound, just a smooth start. I have natural white frosted leds for all GI and color matched leds for inserts...a few of the flashers are color but most are white...I gotta say the game looks great.

Tried to play a game and had weird things happening with the right flipper...it would work in test mode but not in game play. After a bit of troubleshooting I swapped the cab flipper board for the right flipper with the one in my WH20 and it fixed it (ordered a few extra for spares last night). So I was able to play my first game...for a few moments, then the ball kept getting stuck on the upper right hand switch.
I took the glass of to check all other switches and functions and all else was good. Reel lock, catapult, drop target, VUK, kick out, gate, topper all work properly.
The switch that is hanging the ball up has a bent wire the keeps rubbing on the playfield. I tried to bend it back but after a few attempts I quit for the night. I have some new switches, tonight I will replace the culprit and should be able to play a complete game .
Still need to:
Replace flipper board
Replace 1 switch
Properly mount switch on habitrail as it feeds reel lock
Replace rear leg levelers
Install reflective tape on dome
Refinish and mount reel handle
Install leds for flipper buttons

#307 6 years ago

Sadly my fish tales is still not working. I had the power driver board repaired, as I was having major reset and coil firing issues. Now next issue is none of the trough switches work. In addition to that the left pop bumper is triggering current to the drop target mini coil. It’s been a nightmare seriously losing my
Patients, but I’m keeping hope

#308 6 years ago
Quoted from Soulrider911:

Sadly my fish tales is still not working. I had the power driver board repaired, as I was having major reset and coil firing issues. Now next issue is none of the trough switches work. In addition to that the left pop bumper is triggering current to the drop target mini coil. It’s been a nightmare seriously losing my
Patients, but I’m keeping hope

That sucks, hopefully you can get it sorted out soon. One thing I started doing on my restorations is to get the game working 100% before I start to take it apart.

#309 6 years ago

Good point cosmokramer and it did work for the most part, you could actually play a game... sort of. So I’m not sure what th heck happened to the power driver, and the trough switches had some serious ground wiring Hackery and I have a suspicion that is the problem for both the remaining issues... could be a bad diode somewhere

1 week later
#310 6 years ago

Played my first complete game after troubleshooting a few switch issues that popped up during fine tuning...game plays great except for the occasional ball hang up on the upper right loop (seems to be a known problem with this title), I am confident that with a bit more tweaking I can get it corrected.

here is the final tally on dollars spent with the exception of getting the reel handle refinished, not sure what I will do with that but the rest has been bought and paid for...
... so here we go...

Base game $550
Legs and bolts $0
Playfield glass $0
Lock down bar $0
Knocker $0 (took from RS)
Flipper button boards $0 (took from RS)
Mpu $95
Audio board and dmd driver $235
New rottendog fliptronics $65
New rottendog power driver $300
Apron $35
New pps translite $125
Trans lift channel and trim $20
Dmd $80
Rubber kit $15
Boat plastic $10
Ribbon cable set $40
Tempered trans glass $35
Replacement playfield $460
Misc marco stuff $100
Cabinet decals $240
New cabinet $150
More misc Marco stuff $125
LEDs $100
Reel handle $200
Rod plastic $55
Paint and supplies $100
Even more Marco stuff $125
Key FOB $0
Color dmd $400
Cliffy protector $20

Yikes!!! $3,680

I wisely did not keep track of man hours

But, what an experience, I learned a whole lot. Most important though was the time I got to spend with my dad while making the cabinet, THANKS DAD!

#311 6 years ago

Very impressive....I hope you and your Dad get years of enjoyment....

#312 6 years ago
Quoted from cosmokramer:

Played my first complete game after troubleshooting a few switch issues that popped up during fine tuning...game plays great except for the occasional ball hang up on the upper right loop (seems to be a known problem with this title), I am confident that with a bit more tweaking I can get it corrected.
here is the final tally on dollars spent with the exception of getting the reel handle refinished, not sure what I will do with that but the rest has been bought and paid for...
... so here we go...
Base game $550
Legs and bolts $0
Playfield glass $0
Lock down bar $0
Knocker $0 (took from RS)
Flipper button boards $0 (took from RS)
Mpu $95
Audio board and dmd driver $235
New rottendog fliptronics $65
New rottendog power driver $300
Apron $35
New pps translite $125
Trans lift channel and trim $20
Dmd $80
Rubber kit $15
Boat plastic $10
Ribbon cable set $40
Tempered trans glass $35
Replacement playfield $460
Misc marco stuff $100
Cabinet decals $240
New cabinet $150
More misc Marco stuff $125
LEDs $100
Reel handle $200
Rod plastic $55
Paint and supplies $100
Even more Marco stuff $125
Yikes!!! $3,260
I wisely did not keep track of man hours
But, what an experience, I learned a whole lot. Most important though was the time I got to spend with my dad while making the cabinet, THANKS DAD!

Not bad for a restored ft imo.... id bet someone wld pay 4500-5 for it .... run if the mill ft are selling for 3k now lol. Nice restore now enjoy it

#313 6 years ago

This is why I intentionally didn't keep track of everything I spent on the SBM

It's worth it though, imo.

#314 6 years ago

Cosmo, congratulations on finishing this big fish weighing in at 268 pounds!
You forgot the free key fob I gave you.

#315 6 years ago

Great job @cosmokramer, looks spectacular — I like your start button centering trick, I’ll have to borrow that.

1 week later
#316 6 years ago

Great job cosmokramer the woodwork in this project was amazing. Such a great build.

#318 5 years ago

I really had not touched this game for a few weeks as I focused on other projects, a few issues had popped up right after I got it playing so I put it on the back burner for awhile. Today I had a chance to address some of the issues...
First, the ball would occasionally gets stuck on the upper right loop switch and for the life of me I can't shake it loose when it gets there without tilting. I ordered a new switch assembly because the original was somewhat bent up and was dragging on either side of the switch slot, after installing it didn't seem to make a difference. The ball just sits in the switch slot as it rests against the switch itself... I did a little research on pinside and found that it's a known problem with this some examples of this title, I'm going to order a Cliffy protector and see if that helps...

Next was 2 balls being served into the shooter lane. This seems to have been part of the wire harness under the playfield was resting on one of the trough switches...I rerouted the wire and so far so good.

Next up was this awful buzzing sound that scared the crap out of my wife the first time it happened. The game would buzz really loud... sometimes it would stop after a few seconds, sometimes it didnt until the game was shut off. I found that if I smacked the back of the backbox it would stop so I opened it up and when I would push on one of capacitors on the audio board it would start/stop buzzing. I removed the board and found some suspect soldering...

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I had to put in a temporary hack but was able to get it in good enough shape to work with no buzzing anymore.

#319 5 years ago

Thanks for the update!

1 week later
#320 5 years ago

Let me know if the cliffs solves the ball Hangup as my game does this as well

1 week later
#321 5 years ago
Quoted from davijc02:

Let me know if the cliffs solves the ball Hangup as my game does this as well

Will do...Cliffy dropped the switch protector in the mail today.

All the other small issues are worked out, game plays 100%. Im really happy with how it turned out.

Now for the big question...whats it worth? I am selling it, I have a buyer (a pinsider) interested but not sure what to ask for it?
Any ideas?

PS- I updated the total dollars spent...I forgot to add the $$ for the color dmd and the cliffy...almost $3700 invested, not counting labor

#322 5 years ago

Sniff around for a couple FULL resto sales and see what they have been in the past year or so?

#323 5 years ago

Oh man all that work and you’re selling her so quick.

#324 5 years ago
Quoted from cosmokramer:

Will do...Cliffy dropped the switch protector in the mail today.
All the other small issues are worked out, game plays 100%. Im really happy with how it turned out.
Now for the big question...whats it worth? I am selling it, I have a buyer (a pinsider) interested but not sure what to ask for it?
Any ideas?
PS- I updated the total dollars spent...I forgot to add the $$ for the color dmd and the cliffy...almost $3700 invested, not counting labor

When these come up foe sale in the Midwest-they don't last long. FT is in my list of 'want' titles now....figures...finally save up the $ to afford one and the market is dry.....wish you were closer....lol
I'm sure whatever you ask-with this type of documentation-you shouldnt have a problem getting it...GLWS

#325 5 years ago

This thing should be at absolute market premium, like nascarrey says, with this documentation and info, should be top end

#326 5 years ago

Seen this game in person. Cosmo went over the top with this custom rebuild. Little surprised it's so cheap with the colordmd. My thoughts would be $3700 without it. Doesn't matter 10k by christmas!
GLWS Cosmo. Go higher!

#327 5 years ago
Quoted from cosmokramer:

Will do...Cliffy dropped the switch protector in the mail today.

All the other small issues are worked out, game plays 100%. Im really happy with how it turned out.

Now for the big question...whats it worth? I am selling it, I have a buyer (a pinsider) interested but not sure what to ask for it?
Any ideas?

PS- I updated the total dollars spent...I forgot to add the $$ for the color dmd and the cliffy...almost $3700 invested, not counting labor

I will come and pick it up personally for $3700.00 Canadian. I think thats about 50 bucks American if i do my math right no ?
All kidding aside, great job on this restore Cosmo and someone will be lucky to have it !

#328 5 years ago

I read this as cosmo has $3700 not counting any labor in the machine and is trying to figure out what to price it for not that he wanted $3700 right? Or did I read this wrong lol. I have no idea how to price something so nice. I mean basically new everything. It’s a work of art man

#329 5 years ago
Quoted from jmountjoy111:

I read this as cosmo has $3700 not counting any labor in the machine and is trying to figure out what to price it for not that he wanted $3700 right? Or did I read this wrong lol. I have no idea how to price something so nice. I mean basically new everything. It’s a work of art man

this is correct, trying to come up with an asking price...

Quoted from davijc02:

Oh man all that work and you’re selling her so quick.

Yeah, to be honest I really enjoy the restoration process more than I enjoy actually playing pinball.
I have a TOM waiting for a even more in depth restoration that I will be starting this summer.

#330 5 years ago

Based upon the quality of work and final collector quality condition of the pin $5K+ would not be unreasonable IMO. Try to find another FT in this condition, it will be few and far between...

#331 5 years ago

Wow 3700, is a steal imo. But California prices tend to be much higher over here. I saw one recently that was “restored” not as nice as cosmos and I think it went for around 5k... but the seller was asking 6k+

#332 5 years ago

Game will be up for sale starting this weekend. I will take lots of pics and put up a FS ad. Price is 4500 with color DMD or 4200 without.

#333 5 years ago
Quoted from cosmokramer:

Game will be up for sale starting this weekend. I will take lots of pics and put up a FS ad. Price is 4500 with color DMD or 4200 without.

Glws, someone getting a nice machine this weekend!

#334 5 years ago
Quoted from cosmokramer:

Game will be up for sale starting this weekend. I will take lots of pics and put up a FS ad. Price is 4500 with color DMD or 4200 without.

If you were closer-this would be mine..been looking for one for a while....(banging head on desk).. someone is going to be very happy with this.... GLWS.

#335 5 years ago

At $4500 it will be gone by Monday morning.......

#336 5 years ago
Quoted from AUKraut:

At $4500 it will be gone by Monday morning.......

You think it will take that long?

#337 5 years ago

Just offered full asking price

#338 5 years ago

Game is sold, adding a few upgrades before it gets hand delivered.

#339 5 years ago
Quoted from pinlawyer:

Just offered full asking price

Aww, Nice!

#340 5 years ago
Quoted from cosmokramer:

Game is sold, adding a few upgrades before it gets hand delivered.

Nice ! Whos the lucky guy/gal? (If they dont mind you telling)

#341 5 years ago

Didn't expect such an imamaculate game to last even this long!
Congrats to the seller and new owner!

#342 5 years ago
Quoted from SUPERBEE:

Nice ! Whos the lucky guy/gal? (If they dont mind you telling)

Looks like Greg.

#344 5 years ago

Congrats!

#345 5 years ago

You got yourself one of the nicest Fish Tales out there congrats! pinlawyer

2 weeks later
#346 5 years ago

Some mirror blades got delivered last week, I picked this stuff up from powder today. I should have it completed by the weekend, final pin porn pics to come...

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#347 5 years ago

Ohhh, powder porn...very nice.

#348 5 years ago
Quoted from cosmokramer:

I should have it completed by the weekend, final pin porn pics to come...

And then you will fishing for compliments

Your too close to flounder now!

I'll stop there.

#350 5 years ago

No, buyer wanted me to add a few extras...
Several people have asked why I put in all that work just to turn around and sell it, I enjoy the restoration process much more than I actually like playing pinball and I have another pin ready for a full resto. I am working on putting custom "pinstadium" style lighting built into the side of the cabinet so you can lift the playfield without removing them...

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