Is there a date on the playfield with the cutout?

I vaguely recall my T2 pf having a cutout like that for a stick on bubble level - maybe that is it?

I have a T2 with that cutout as well. It didn't seem to have a purpose. And I can't think of anything under the TAF apron that it would be used for.

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Wondering if it was a quality check for that PF manufacturer to determine how deep the top layer or wood was..

I've never run across that on any playfield I've ever dealt with

It looks like the IPB reproduction did not have that cutout:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/wtb3-taf-playfields-new-or-used#post-3492959

I just went through a handful of TAF restoration threads and didn't see that cutout on the playfields.

It's probably safe to say that it's not necessary. I'm still curious what it's doing there, though.

[edit]: Found one with the cutout: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/my-roughly-11k-taf-restoration#post-3515023

PLEASE PLEASE keep the cutout. While it may not be visible to the player, it provides a key much-needed access point to feed wiring through for such things as trough/apron lighting.

If you look closely, you'll see it's a blind hole. It doesn't go all the way through.

A quick check and my DW and Gilligans both have this cutout

Mine had this cutout but it was not needed for anything. I always wondered why it was there. Mine was not from an early run so it seems to have been there for quite a while (I.e. It wasn't because this was a sample game or anything)

Funhouse has the same thing and a gi light is mounted there for shooter lane. Ive seen it on other taf playfields also but never used. Maybe pat l originally had the idea to put lights under apron like on funhouse? Reguardless i dont anyone would miss it.....

Right, one could remove the instructions card and check the level of the machine. I recall doing this in the past.

I have that cut out on my TAF, but have no idea what it is for.

AFAIK, the black lines aorund the cutouts/t-nuts was a specific thing one of the PF manufacturers did.

I know in Twilight Zone, the art is the same in a run of playfields, but one maker added the black lines around the CNC stuff.

Data East games. T2 didn't come with a bubble level under the apron.

LTG : )

I have a cutout on my spare TAF playfield. I also took the pics of all dates on the playfield edge.

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It could have been an export thing, i still have some of the bubble levels that fit in.

Mike, judging by some of the posts in the other thread, it looks like you could sell a bunch more if you expand the run. Any thoughts about opening up for sales again before the line get started with the TAF playfields?

More interested to know what shade of violet CPR is intending to use? Perhaps you could post a picture of the playfield that you intend to try to color match?

From what was said before, they are under a license agreement and cannot produce additional playfields. They are just producing the remaining licensed playfields from the old IPB license.

If it weren't for the number specified the agreement, I'm sure CPR would be happy to make more since the demand is there.

How likely is that rocky and bullwinkle pf? Much interest?

I'm told this indent is meant to hold a bullseye level. The issue was that they couldn't get the routing smooth enough, so Pat abandoned it for the level on the shooter lane.

It is completely unnecessary to include it on the repros.

Excellent question. Some playfields are blue and some are purple depending on whether it was a SP or LS.
Which is CPR going with?

Can't remember if mine has it or not. I'll have to check it when I get home.

I like the ideas as to why it's there so far:

-One PF manufacturer versus another
-Import vs Export
-Random sampling for checks with bubble levels

All are quite plausible. I know on other games they used to put an insert in there to check the thickness of the clearcoat(at least I think that's what I was told).

If I send you my IPB for measurements and stuff will you dimple it while you have it

I have a few games with the shallow pocket in that location. It's usually used for a out-lane kick-back coil bracket.

Looks to be the spot for the bullseye level, my funhouse has one there

I've got a NOS stock TAF playfield if anyone is interested.

EDIT: Sold, thanks all!

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How much!?
What is the manufacture date on it?

Thanks

follow

March 28, 1994. Asking $1k plus any shipping costs if not local to Chicago

Is it warped?

The worst part is the 50 or so missing holes and it does not appear to be dimpled.

Bummer. Had his asking price in my hand too. Rats.

It is totally doable to make the swap still. I am doing it with my viking and it had none of the holes.

This one has enough to get you started.

I dunno. I'm feeling froggy about that. For $1000, I want a PF that is 100% ready to go. I just know my luck - I'll go to drill, and the wood will split and the paint will crack and - BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRGGG.

PM sent to CPR here.

The last NOS TAF playfield I dealt with was 1/4" wider than normal. No idea why.

I work in the flexographic printing industry and we have had the same issue with different ink suppliers with respect to the differences in supposedly "industry standard" Pantone colors. Nevermind the fact that the actual colors used for mixing said spot colors are different as well(one Rubine Red is different from another company's Rubine Red).

Also, it depends a lot on the person mixing the inks and how much they actually care that day. Because these spot colors are still mixed from two, three, or even four other colors, if the any of the amounts of those base colors are off, the result will be off, too. And if they really don't care about being exact against the swatch book, close enough is good enough. Even the lighting of the room can play a factor in color hues upon test printing and swatch matching. This helps to partially explain the differences in color tones and intensities found on this page: http://www.hsapinball.com/HSA_PINBALL/hsa147tafcompare.html

From just looking at those pictures, I'd say Lenc Smith was about 5% low overall on Magenta or Rubine Red, and about 10% low on their overall blacks.

This is gonna be interesting. I'll have to check my PF for the cutout and visually check/verifty colors against my different Pantone guides. Of course, I don't have guides from 1992 either, so that'll make a difference for sure.

I would gladly jump on a waitlist for a playfield as mine is pretty roached and has a crack near the plunger corner..Is there anyway I can guarantee a spot on the waitlist? I see your website won't allow any more orders. Id even be willing to put a down payment down.

I've done that, too, but I found no consistent exact matches. My guess is because of environmental factors like smoke, UV fouling either from the sun or certain types of fluorescent lighting, humidity fluctuations, time, and just about whatever else you can think of most likely contribute to those colors on the playfield not being absolutely 100% of the color they were printed as.

I'm guessing that's why CPR used three different playfields, as a way to kind of reign in color accuracy.

Miguel-
I agree with you on that one. Though my Pantone guides have been protected, the playfield has not. I have an NOS playfield that I will check the Pantone guides against as well, and see what tales they have to tell. Also, I found out (painfully) years ago that even though a playfield may be NOS, it does not mean it hasn't been subject to adverse conditions before arriving in a consumer's hands.

Shoot. I'll put down all $899 in one shot.

2 IPB repros without the cutout
2 originals with the cutout , I guess for a bubble leveler as well.

An other thing:

On the NOS pictures there is no hole in the hole for the ball in front of the box with the hand.
On originals there are sometimes 2 posts.
On IPB repro is one post

Also many differences.
Will prepare pics later on.

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