(Topic ID: 219475)

Cactus Jack's fan club!

By Tux

5 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 108 posts
  • 38 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 10 months ago by Snowtrooper
  • Topic is favorited by 13 Pinsiders

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Topic poll

“Is Cactus Jack's the perfect pinball machine?”

  • Absolutely! It should be worth $50K. Could it be the next remake candidate? 1 vote
    33%
  • It would be if it had more rubber cacti. 1 vote
    33%
  • No, because all of Gottlieb Premier's games share the perfection equally. 1 vote
    33%

(3 votes)

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There are 108 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 3.
#1 5 years ago

This is the place for everything Cactus Jack's, the underrated 1991 gem from Gottlieb!

#2 5 years ago
Quoted from Tux:

This is the place for everything Cactus Jack's, the underrated 1991 gem from Gottlieb!

Luv's me some Cactus Jacks!!! Have a rough example in need of a thorough shop job, but can't seem to get around to doing it. I think it has been sitting in my shop half tore down for about a year now. Also have the prototype/whitewood populated playfield from Gottlieb sitting in my house. Thinking about selling it though as I am running out of room. John

#3 5 years ago

"Its polka time!"

I picked my cactus jack's up about a month ago, and have been working on fixing it up, mostly cosmetically. I will post before/after pics in the next while.
So far I have really been enjoying cactus jack's. Its a fun goofy pin. I find that guests of all ages enjoy it, from young kids all the way to my drinking buddies hahaha.
I'm glad someone got around to making a club on here for it.

#4 5 years ago
Quoted from Tux:

This is the place for everything Cactus Jack's, the underrated 1991 gem from Gottlieb!

I thought this was about the Pinsider @cactusjack. I guess after awhile here you could rate your own club.

#5 5 years ago

Ahh. Shucks!

Wish I had the original White Wood (you have the re-worked WW). Jon Norris had been saving it under his desk but we let Steve Kirk throw it out when he was "cleaning up shop". Back then, no one wanted or cared about things like White Wood playfields. They were just some other piece of junk taking up room.

CJ

#6 5 years ago

Here's a few pics of mine, and some of the cleanup so far. I really am just going for a cleanup, not a restoration or anything close to what some people on this site are capable of. I'm happy with it though. So far its been paint touch-ups on the cabinet and backbox, new t-trim, painted legs (finishing back legs at time of picture taking), custom instruction cards, new flipper rubbers, bulb replacements, and a overall clean.

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#7 5 years ago

Here's a picture of the Cactus Jack I remember.

jackuntitled (resized).pngjackuntitled (resized).png
2 months later
#8 5 years ago

Just had my cactus jacks wireforms powdercoated to match the green t-trim and green legs.

C54EC344-A14E-4D6C-A95A-6BCA01562E8E (resized).jpegC54EC344-A14E-4D6C-A95A-6BCA01562E8E (resized).jpeg

1 month later
#9 5 years ago

Joined the club a couple months ago! I love the music, and the kids have really taken to the game.

Anyone know exactly what the cactus says when you get the ball to trigger the rollover in one of the upper lanes? It's hard to make out.

2 months later
#10 5 years ago

I'm currently considering taking on a Cactus Jack's project. I have seen a few people refer to cabinet decals for this title but I can't seem to locate any? Any suggestions?

#11 5 years ago

I have some drop target decals from Pinball Resource. Anyone can PM me if they need them.

1 week later
#12 5 years ago

Anyone have an extra right ramp? Mine is cracked at the entrance and has a rather large repair at the top.

I could also use the plastic that sits on top of the ramp.

2 weeks later
#13 5 years ago

Today i picked up a very nice CJ.
CJ is almost impossible to find in the Netherlands.
I exchanged him with a surf n safari with a very bad playing field.
I think a good deal!

#14 5 years ago
Quoted from Tokkentakker:

I'm currently considering taking on a Cactus Jack's project. I have seen a few people refer to cabinet decals for this title but I can't seem to locate any? Any suggestions?

I had looked a little bit online for some as well, but I never could find any for Cactus Jack's. I ended up just using paint to touch up the artwork. It wasn't too hard, and I was happy enough with the results.

2 months later
#15 4 years ago

Working on one for a friend, anyone have suggestions on the best thing to use to clean the cactus toppers and the band parts? Soap and water only or naptha? This machine is filthy

CJ cleanup (resized).jpgCJ cleanup (resized).jpg
1 month later
#16 4 years ago

Looking for one of these plastic upper playfield things that goes over the upper rollover lanes. Are they all cracked and broken or is mine the only one? I'm afraid to take it apart to even attempt to fix it.

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3 weeks later
#17 4 years ago

Can someone take a picture of their Cactus Jack fuse cover (the label with what the fuse values are and the order). Mine did not come with one. Thanks

2 weeks later
#18 4 years ago

As if I didn't have enough projects I started working making a new upper playfield since mine is totally BTS. I traced it out and used transfer punches to mark the holes out and it makes me wonder how they drilled them out originally not that the accuracy matters too much for what it is but I wonder what sort of tolerance they had. The plan is to route a couple out of polycarb so it doesn't crack and break in the future.
Has anyone taken any pictures of theirs stripped down?

Cactus Jacks (resized).PNGCactus Jacks (resized).PNG

#19 4 years ago
Quoted from 20eyes:

As if I didn't have enough projects I started working making a new upper playfield since mine is totally BTS. I traced it out and used transfer punches to mark the holes out and it makes me wonder how they drilled them out originally not that the accuracy matters too much for what it is but I wonder what sort of tolerance they had. The plan is to route a couple out of polycarb so it doesn't crack and break in the future.
Has anyone taken any pictures of theirs stripped down?
[quoted image]

I did the same thing ... mine came out great! Hope this helps. LMK if any Qs

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/gottlieb-system-3-fan-club-haters-need-not-apply/page/9#post-4298821

Few more pics after I finished my restore ... shows underside of the upper PF

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/gottlieb-system-3-fan-club-haters-need-not-apply/page/9#post-4315041
att=5072694,1650535 caption=""]

#20 4 years ago

Exactly what I was looking for thanks! Your original looks great compared to mine.

#21 4 years ago
Quoted from 20eyes:

Exactly what I was looking for thanks! Your original looks great compared to mine.

Awesome. Glad to help. You can see in the below picture from that post that when I was cutting the new one, I taped the old to the bottom - I don’t recall perfectly but I think this was ONLY when I drilled the small post/mounting holes. When I cut the large “ball” holes, I taped the old to the top and traced and then removed the old template and then used the drill press to cut the ball holes. Oh, and when I was done as I recall there was an extra post mounting hole that goes unused

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#22 4 years ago
Quoted from slghokie:

Can someone take a picture of their Cactus Jack fuse cover (the label with what the fuse values are and the order). Mine did not come with one. Thanks

#23 4 years ago

Not the best pic but it’s of my machine before restore
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#24 4 years ago

Thank you MT45 !!

2 weeks later
#25 4 years ago

Can someone confirm if pin 6 on U13 is connected (continuity to the LED) based on this pic?

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2 weeks later
#26 4 years ago

Anyone know where I can get a new left ramp flap?

#27 4 years ago

I do have the original fully populated, whitewood playfield for Cactus Jacks that I really no longer have the room for. Anyone interested, please shoot me a private e-mail.

#28 4 years ago
Quoted from jitneystand1:

Anyone know where I can get a new left ramp flap?

Pinball Resource

27913 or 27914

http://www.pbresource.com/pfplayf.htm

1 week later
#30 4 years ago

Been eyeing a Cactus Jack, but wondering something about the extra ball lane. Is there a way in the options to make the count restart at the beginning of every new game?

3 months later
#31 4 years ago

I have a cactus Jack pinball machine and it is missing most of the upper play field I was wondering if anyone had a parts list or diagrams to help me try to construct one of my own I would appreciate any information anyone has regarding parts thickness of plexiglass types of screws spacers whatever you have even pictures would help

1 week later
#32 4 years ago

Can you post a pic of what is left on your upper playfield so I can see what's missing?

#33 4 years ago

Sure I think it’s just a bad copy of the bottom with the holes in it and that’s it I will attach pics
Thanks for the reply

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3 months later
#34 3 years ago

Hello,

I just picked up a Cactus Jack in good condition. Other than the upper playfield being cracked, the only other problem is the billboard is gone. I was hoping someone could take a couple of pictures so I can try and fabricate one. I contacted PR and they don't have one..

Thanks!

#35 3 years ago

What is the billboard?

#36 3 years ago

It is the item with the orange and yellow decal on it. The decal is available, but not the "billboard" that the decal attaches to. I circled it on the attached photo. Hopefully someone can get a picture of it and how it mounts. I think I can fabricate something if I could see how it attaches and the back of it.

I also need to make the upper playfield, I'll probably make 3 or 4, as I will probably get some cracks in the lexan when drilling. If some survive I'll post them here.

Thanks again!

Inked4dfbc8db56e81524f64ca1e027f7685eff6b3f5e_LI (resized).jpgInked4dfbc8db56e81524f64ca1e027f7685eff6b3f5e_LI (resized).jpg

1 month later
#37 3 years ago

Can someone take a pic of the underside of their Cactus Jack's playfield near the shooter lane? I have this wire that was disconnected and taped up. Looks like there might have been another switch in the trough but there is an item unscrewed and missing. Just curious if I am missing a part or if this was factory?

Thanks!!

Here is what I have...green arrows are the wires, red arrow is where it looks like something unscrewed near the trough

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#38 3 years ago
Quoted from slghokie:

Can someone take a pic of the underside of their Cactus Jack's playfield near the shooter lane? I have this wire that was disconnected and taped up. Looks like there might have been another switch in the trough but there is an item unscrewed and missing. Just curious if I am missing a part or if this was factory?
Thanks!!
Here is what I have...green arrows are the wires, red arrow is where it looks like something unscrewed near the trough
[quoted image][quoted image]

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20200603_173119 (resized).jpg20200603_173119 (resized).jpg

#39 3 years ago

I made a few of the upper playfield out of polycarbonate instead of plexi glass so it won't shatter anymore. I have enough material to make a few more if anyone needs one.

20200603_174043 (resized).jpg20200603_174043 (resized).jpg

3 weeks later
#40 3 years ago

I did myself no favors by blowing up the fuses for the displays but I got this home and in the row. Working fine except for lack of displays, just gotta wait until new fuses to arrive.

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#41 3 years ago
Quoted from KSUWildcatFan:

I did myself no favors by blowing up the fuses for the displays but I got this home and in the row. Working fine except for lack of displays, just gotta wait until new fuses to arrive.
[quoted image][quoted image]

I was working on my Bone Busters and found out the hard way why I should always have the plastic cover over the fuse block when working under the playfield. I had a washer fall and land standing straight up bridging the 2 fuses for the displays. The fuses didn't blow but something was obviously wrong with the displays glitching and freaking out. I eventually found the washer sitting there and now my BB has permanently damaged displays with random glitching. I'm sure that doesn't help your situation it just reminded me.

#42 3 years ago
Quoted from 20eyes:

I made a few of the upper playfield out of polycarbonate instead of plexi glass so it won't shatter anymore. I have enough material to make a few more if anyone needs one.
[quoted image]

I would Need one

#43 3 years ago
Quoted from 20eyes:

I was working on my Bone Busters and found out the hard way why I should always have the plastic cover over the fuse block when working under the playfield. I had a washer fall and land standing straight up bridging the 2 fuses for the displays. The fuses didn't blow but something was obviously wrong with the displays glitching and freaking out. I eventually found the washer sitting there and now my BB has permanently damaged displays with random glitching. I'm sure that doesn't help your situation it just reminded me.

YOWZA!

I labeled all the plugs.. Well, most of them.. so I could put the head in the cab of my truck with the body on its side in the bed, but the one for the display didn't get labeled. For whatever reason I didn't even think twice about the fact that my "2" plug on the driver board didn't have my label on it and off I went. Thank God the fuses did their job and popped in a HURRY.

I also had to adjust the voltage pot to get this thing to boot because it was only measuring 3.7V. To be honest I thought I torched the driver board and that's why it wouldn't boot.. Until I read the help doc online and started adjusting the pot until I hit 5.15V. Bingo, started right up.

Oh, and the fuses will definitely solve the display issue..I did a no-no and used some bigger fuses to check, because I couldn't just be patient and wait for the replacements to arrive. Whoops.

All good to go though. I have a few things to adjust (left flipper angle and right sling sensitivity) but I'm enjoying the game, and my kid loves it!

Only real bummer is the cab isn't the prettiest (really don't care, as most of my cabs are less than perfect) and there's one really nasty area by the left pop, with terrible "touch up" done to it. Maybe some day I'll give in and try to fix it, then clear coat the entire thing. At least it's not visible while playing.

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#44 3 years ago

Had a weird fix on my CJ. Had the sound working but had a hum in the background and would occasionally lose sound but sound boards remained booted. Traced it back to the F11 fuse. If I lost sound I could wiggle the fuse holder and it would come back. I replaced the F11 fuse holder and it removed the hum and kept the sound working at all times.

#45 3 years ago
Quoted from slghokie:

Had a weird fix on my CJ. Had the sound working but had a hum in the background and would occasionally lose sound but sound boards remained booted. Traced it back to the F11 fuse. If I lost sound I could wiggle the fuse holder and it would come back. I replaced the F11 fuse holder and it removed the hum and kept the sound working at all times.

Good diagnosis. Makes perfect sense why you'd have the symptoms you had. I suppose just about any fuse holder, in any machine, could come up with that same problem given just the right set of circumstances. Those are the most irritating to diagnose, IMO.

2 weeks later
#46 3 years ago

Greetings Everyone,

This is Rob from Pinshakers and I have some good news for you. We are getting ready to release the next version of our shaker kits and they will be compatible with Cactus Jack's! Beta testing was completed on a Stargate and the results are amazing.

An official announcement will go out as soon as the kits are released. In the meantime we need your help. Since the manuals for Gottlieb are unavailable for download, we have no idea what the trigger names are. If you happen to have a manual could you please PM or email us the solenoid list. It should be located on the page for "Vll Parts Information" in a small section called "Solenoid, Driver Functions/Locations". That lists all of the solenoids/flashlamps and their names. Our email address is [email protected] in case you are unable to PM images on pinside.

Please do not post any images of the manual here in the forum. They are copyrighted material and we want to respect that. We will not post or distribute the images you send us and they will be deleted once we get the information we need in order to complete the user manuals for the shaker kits.

Thank you so much for your assistance, we can't wait to get these kits out to you guys!

Best Regards,

Robert Goebel
Pinshakers LLC
www.pinshakers.com

#47 3 years ago

Hello all, new Member here. In talks on bringing home a Cactus Jack's for my first pin. Just had a few questions.

1. Anything in particular to look out for?
2. How succeptable are the cacti puppets tp damage? What mechanically makes them dance? Any chance the rubber can be fixed or replaced long term?

Thanks!

#48 3 years ago
Quoted from SVTRondogg:

Hello all, new Member here. In talks on bringing home a Cactus Jack's for my first pin. Just had a few questions.
1. Anything in particular to look out for?
2. How succeptable are the cacti puppets tp damage? What mechanically makes them dance? Any chance the rubber can be fixed or replaced long term?
Thanks!

1. Anything in particular to look out for?
Check the ramps for cracking. The left one where the ball enters and exits. The right ramp near the back of the cabinet (hard to see) but it can take a beating and have a hole where the ball plunges up it. Check for corrosion and if the original battery is on the main board.

2. How succeptable are the cacti puppets tp damage? What mechanically makes them dance? Any chance the rubber can be fixed or replaced long term?
Thanks!
Dont seem to brittle to me and I have a reimport that rusted and got heat and wet from transport (likely in a container). The ones in the back have bends in the arms so look that those are ok. They are fired by 3 coils on the little board they mount to.

#49 3 years ago

Is there any place to get new ramps, should someone want to buy them? I assume they're unobtainium but...

Mine have black tape all over them, around several key points. I don't think it was done as a repair but more as preventative maintenance. Regardless, it's ugly. I'm afraid to try removing it...

#50 3 years ago
Quoted from KSUWildcatFan:

Is there any place to get new ramps, should someone want to buy them? I assume they're unobtainium but...
Mine have black tape all over them, around several key points. I don't think it was done as a repair but more as preventative maintenance. Regardless, it's ugly. I'm afraid to try removing it...

Looks like Marcos has alot of it including 2 ramps, pop bumper cacti.. https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/626
I guess it is worth asking The Pinball Resource if they have the dancing cacti (if anyone has it they would)

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