Due to popular request and a change in life opportunities I am seriously considering doing a new run of the CFTBL - Snackbar mod with a revised v2.0.

CFTBL Creature - Snackbar Mod v1.0 - thread can be found here for historical sake and this version will not be run again.https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/creature-cftbl-retro-building-neon-mod

Post 1 - CFTBL Movie Poster Mod.
Post 2 - CFTBL Snackbar Mod v2.0 Manual
Post 3 - CFTBL Snackbar Mod v2.0 photos and video.
Post 4 - my other creature mods readily available.
Post 5 - design thoughts and ideas to factor in to 2.0

in addition I also have a order mod - Snackbar Movie Poster Mod v2.0 which you can find information here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/cftbl-creature-movie-poster-mod#post-2796967

below picture is of Snackbar Mod v1.0. I will not be making this design again
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Snackbar Mod v2.0 - Manual rev 2

CFTBL_Retro_Snackbar_Mod_v2.0_-_Manual_rev2.pdf

CFTBL Snackbar Mod videos

This is a section for videos as well as the tail light mod until I have the v2.0 ready to go.

Snackbar Mod v1.0 Install Video by Wiggy (thanks heaps)

Tail Light and Snackbar Mod v1.0

Tail Light Mod

for those interested I have designed a few other CFTBL mods and available directly from Shapeways, in which for those in the US can get directly from Shapeways New York and only have to pay $5 USD.

https://www.shapeways.com/search?q=swinkscftbl&sort=newest

in order of newest to oldest:

- Pinball Plunger Plate - Cadillac Bonnet
- Pinball Shooter Knob - Cadillac Steering Wheel (3 different sizes)
- Drive In Speaker Ramp Flap Cover
- Drive In Speakers on a post
- Drive In Speaker Keychain
- Replacement post for the Snackbar Mod v1.0 if yours is stripped, damaged or lost
- Tail Light Mod
- Playfield Spirit Level Bracket - Creech Green
- New "Mod" soon to be released

Ok to start off the first 4 posts are reserved for the final product to save you sifting through a truck load of posts to find the info you need.

The following posts are about the development of the this mod as I like to include the prospective buyers to a point through some design changes and make this mod cool. In the Snackbar Mod V1.0 I made 6 protos and 99 production units which will be floating around the whole world in peoples games. Many people know me for my engineering approach with the focus to make and supply a quality, reliable and long lasting mod.

So the mod will still remain very similar looking - actually 95% the same and very conscious of keeping the cool iconic era look. The 5% change is I plan on removing the el-wire from the design for 3 reasons - cost, supply and 12 vdc power drain on a heavily modded CFTBL game. I am proposing to switch to "end lit" perspex panels housed in the side of the snackbar mod. In addition I will supply 2 lights - one for under the dome (which people had to buy their own in the past) and the other for inside the snackbar top to end light both perpex panels. The beauty of this proposed change is that you will have 1-6 or more colour choices (white, blue, red, green, yellow) to light up your perpex adding your personal touch to the mod. In addition the goal is to not draw on the 12vdc in the backbox and therefore reduce that modding stress of power issues. Though v1.0 did not draw alot but in a couple of circumstances was the straw that broke the camels back causing a minor headache for a short period.

The stainless steel plate will not change nor will the post locations as am conscious of some guys possibly wanting to upgrade their v1.0 tops to v2.0 tops.

The decals won't change as I am quite happy with them but open to some minor suggestions.

The mounting system will change a little as my goal is for a one screw only fastening system so it will be even easier to install with no requirement for ramps to come off. The goal will be only one screw visible on the top top 5 - see how I go here.

It will still have a red dome, with the aqua blue for the main body as it ties in with the decal and fits in with the playfield art.
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This time around with payment, I will request in Aus Dollars as last time I requested in USD as now most parts are Aus made / supply.

The Cost - is $227 (excluding paypal fees) Australian Dollars and will come with all parts including all light components + Postage via Paypal. This is only a few dollars different to the v1.0 run if you switch to USD on today's exchange rates.

Postage - will be finalised at time of sending though roughly $21.50 to US/Canada & $25.50 to Europe and will be registered and will be charged at cost only. And those in Aus - worst case registered is $15 but could be a little cheaper - depends on location.

For the guys who supported the Snackbar v1.0, you will be honored with a 5% on the full mod or tops only. But remember for the v1.0 guys wanting just the tops only, if you want the base down the track I will honour the 5% discount and it will be $28 with another $20-$25 shipping so please consider your options as you may choose to get a full kit and then be able to sell the kit that you don't want down the track.

I will be offering a 5% discount to anyone buying a poster mod only after they have already paid for a snackbar mod V1.0 / 2.0.

Below are the cost options (hope it isn't confusing) but hope it helps.

I will start a market place thread once the protos are made to stick with Pinside rules and I will make a donation to Pinside as well.

Pricing Note: I am hoping that the price doesn't change after the proto evaluation batch, and if I can identify any savings the pricing will be updated and the proto support guys will get a small refund.

Top = snackbar top only (v1 owners would already have a plate).
Full = complete snackbar kit including base plate
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If you interested please send me a PM:
Subject Line - Snackbar Mod 2.0
Details - full name, address and phone number

from their I will create a list of interested parties and if enough I will continue Snackbar Mod 2.0. You PM will place you in order of priority and I do not ask for payment until your mod is finished, tested, packed. I am not the fastest as I believe in doing a quality job but will give regular updates.

cheers

Jady

All 5 protos have been allocated at this stage.

The protos will be discounted and will use the current decal and have the extra 4 screws in the top but once the protos are tested I will send out replacement decals and unseen posts so people can upgrade their Snackbar Mod v2.0 proto to the Snackbar Mod v2.0 production version free of charge.

no worries, CFTBL is my favourite game so been alot of fun

Thanks Austin, much appreciated

Also for anyone with v1.0 please hang on to it and don't be tempted to sell it as v2.0 still has to go through the design process, feedback and production only if their is enough interest. I have enough interest to warrant doing a small batch of protos and those bookmarked for the protos are not bound in any way so can bail if they do not like the design revision.

Jady

lol, have quite a few projects on the go (see below) but will hopefully have some models done of the Snackbar v2.0 in the next few weeks and then order 5 x proto tops, realistically my aim is 5 x protos to the first 5 interested parties before Xmas and then production start in 2016 once I get feedback from the pro to guys.

hope to get a model here soon.

here is what I finished last night for the creature - Pink Cadillac Bonnet Plunger Plate and a Cadillac Steering Wheel shooter knob. I order parts last night for both of these so hopefully the outer ring of the steering wheel is strong enough and looks cool.

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Note about Payment:

I have had a few questions about payment, simple answer is like the first Snackbar v1.0 I don't ask for any money until your mod is finished, tested and packed ready to go.

The reason for the reserve list is to gauge interest and to determine the size of the investment in parts and gives a reward to those keen at the beginning to getting their mod sooner.

Batch Size - I found 8 mods at a time is a nice size
Batch Turn around - generally 3 weeks as I paint 4-5 coats and need a period of curing and then assembly, testing and packing

I will notify the next batch of people at the start of a batch so you have a heads up and when your mod is ready I will send another message to pay in which you will have 7 days to pay. If I don't here anything within that 7 day period you will be placed at the back of the list and if you don't respond at all between the start of the batch to the end of the payment period I will remove you off the list. Sorry to be strict here but so much time is wasted chasing people when I would prefer them just saying "I am not keen anymore" and I will remove you off the list and give the next person a chance much quicker. I respect your decision and won't be upset just let me know.

If you express interest on the thread but NOT send a PM then I will assume you are not keen enough to go on the list at this stage.

hopefully some designs start to flow very very soon.

Thanks for the interest, Caddy steering wheel is up at Shapeways so you guys in the US it would be cheaper to order direct as postage is $5 where to me and back to you is $30 postage alone. I have ordered one to check that it is strong enough in the outer steering ring and happy with the design. Cheers for the rendering compliments. The plunger plates are actually colour printed so will be close to what is shown similar to the Marshall Ones that are starting to sell.

https://www.shapeways.com/search?q=swinkscftbl&sort=newest

I finished a model last night and need to do some test printing to see if my ideas are doable and then show the company that will make the perspex light blades to get his opinion on light passing through the blades.

Also on top I reduced the bolts topside from 5 to 2 with the 2 remaining being the most accessible ones making this even easier to install.

These images don't have decals. The decals will be the same but less holes in the top ones due to less bolts. This revised version currently still uses the same SS base plate, as well as the same bolts and same 3 x posts, so for those with v1.0 it would be just a top only with incorporated lighting. The top light blade also locks in place the top dome, meaning the reduction of 2 bolts for a cleaner look and quick swap out if you want to change the colour. The third back post is still there is a locator and aid in support but is such a PITA to get a screw in there hence why I wanted that one gone.

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edit - added one more image with a decal template to show everyone that the blue does not dominate the look. The decal design will still be like the original but with 3 x less holes

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I am all ears, and open for tweaks and improvements, I don't know anything about UV reactive ink but hoping to get to the printer / signmaker tomorrow to also chat about the light blades so will take a v1.0 decal and ask what it would take make it UV reactive. Will this mean the graphics are still seen when the UV is not activated? Also more than 50% of the decal is not visible from the players perspective so is it worth while ??

Was also considering doing a small Snack Bar sign that would clip under the front bolt and stand vertically as well???? thoughts
- this might mean an optional decal so the snackbar name is not repeated or have a base to hide the decal - still toying with the idea

I chatted to the sign company today and from his understanding uv reactive designs need to be laid down as a screen print and not printed via a vinyl printer so that idea is gone - sorry

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Small Update:
- remaining parts out for quote (SS base plates, light blades and decals)
- got some lighting samples from Art (Comet) - very cool and helpful guy - thanks Art - looking positive to avoiding 12 vdc

Design:
- I have so far successfully been able to keep the design of the base plate and posts the exact same as V1.0 as well as the locations so V2.0 tops will fit on a V1.0 base plate
- I have determined a way to reduce the screw count from 5 to 2 on the top for a cleaner look with the 2 remaining screws being the easier ones to reach and removed the need for the back one (even though the post is still there for locating) as this was the painful screw to get to.

Things to do short term:
- once I get some light blades (acrylic components) cut I will do a edge light test to prove the concept works, if so people will have easy swap in colour options inside the top.
- on the light blades success I will order a small run of 3d printed tops from Europe in solid Nylon and paint up and test the final product.
- once that works I have decided to go with new decals so the prototypes are technically the finished products so will be the same externally as the production run with any possibly changes on the underside or light blade design.

V1.0 guys:
- due to a few enquires I will work out some deal for these guys if they just want a top only, but if they want a full mod they will have to pay the full price less a small discount for being a valued customer but knowing they can on sell the full v1.0 if they wished.

Pricing:
- getting closer to finalising
- will offer a discount to v1.0 buyers
- will offer a discount to prototype guys for their help and feedback

Thanks for your support and thoughts and very much open for tweaks though I personally like how v1.0 turned out but open for ideas though need to finalise soon.

For those not aware of the history of my design thoughts (and I am by no means a graphic artist so not my strong skill):
- my no concern was copyright as I don't want to be copying the plastic and want it to be my design not a copy.
- I also wanted to capture the actual snackbar building on the playfield hence the neon look and colour. In doing this I wanted to find a real close off the shelf paint (Tamaya Aqua Blue) that anyone can do touch ups in years to come.
- I wanted to add neon tube look to the big arrow similar to the ball launch lane, and the arrow points directly to the hole.
- the aqua blue on the film decal and snackbar decal is colour matched to the paint so the colour looks to flow from the painted top to the decal
- the film decal is designed to fit in a reduced gap on the stainless steel plate
- I decided to put "open" in that location as I felt was more of a flowing placement rather than a random placement like the original.
- As for the Snackbar Sign font it is different to the plastic but similar to the playfield art and how it appears to be on the edge of the roof top
- I decided not to do the rings around the globe as my decal is reduced in size so went for a pink glow so not to look cluttered - though am working on a ring mod to adapt to the top for v1.0's and 2.0's - still modelling.

the comparison of original and V1.0 (minus 3 hole markings) is below - ignore the markings for where the art is cut - white lines

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Licensing is a issue and Planetary keeps a eye on this as they own the IP rights and I don't want to have the drama. I did the artwork for the Cabinet of F-14 in which I handed over to Planetary to be produced for many people to enjoy and it is protected and I even helped do a custom F-14 cabinet set with special permission for a one off set for Snux - Second Sortie where I tweaked the design, added some depth and changed colours from yellow to blue along with orange like the brochure to the backbox, but point being we still had to get permission. (please don't ask for a copy as I just can't)

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Even Plantium Pinball in Australia are using licensed art from Planetary to make the new range pinball art skateboard decks so art is protected even back to 1980's games.

That aside I want to be original as the mod is a snackbar building and keep very similar to my current v1.0 design with a few possible tweaks. The snackbar mod in the end is a 3d version of the playfield art (with touches of the original plastic) with the snackbar sign art representing a sign on the roof like the playfield art. The black represents the night sky and the aqua blue sign post with neon tubes is just that but colour matched with building. Maybe in the black 1-3 small stars to add that night / star feel.

In addition the art comparison isn't scaled the same but the mod snackbar art is smaller and the dome is more inwards due to the el wire and the dome lugs with different lines. Also with the new and improved SS plate I wanted to avoid the snackbar scoop bracket as this was a very common failure point hence the FILM decal is smaller and off set back and the SS plate follows the same line as the SS rail in the game and steps back behind the targets. You can see that for the dome to be fastened on the original plastic, the plastic had to be extended past the vertical SS rail. So with the building design the art area is compressed and didn't want that real busy look.

a little update:

the proto-type design is finished but have been waiting for a laser cutter to find time to cut a few samples for me to test the light blades out as the design hinges on these being effective. I am hoping that next week I get a few samples and then do a edge lighting test and if all good I will start order a small run of tops from Europe and finish off hopefully ready to get to at least the first 4 guys before Xmas.

Once I get past this hurdle they will be made at a faster rate - at about 8 every 3 weeks (the goal)

Thanks guy, the general design is done, but I am waiting on the laser company to cut a few light samples (2.5 weeks waiting so far) as I want to test the idea before I order tops (expensive part). Comet Pinball has sent me some cool lighting products for testing so ready there. But still on track for 4-5 protos finished before Xmas.

Sorry for the delay but my hands are tied and obviously I am not a priority at the moment so will be giving them a rev up on Monday / Tuesday or finding another company. I am hoping they can do it as they are experienced in polished acrylic edged cutting and can cut the SS on their water jet machines to get a better finish and they are the only water jet cutter locally.

I will update as soon as I have any new news.

the drive in speaker on the stand was sort of ment for the game but evolved into the ramp flap mod, but I thought I may as well complete it for model hobby guys.

the speaker on the ramp flap is a nice touch (my biased opinion) in which the metal flake plastic version is good value for money and looks great. I have the nickel plated one on my game but if I wanted the mod the metal plastic one is great. Both are the same size and do not block any views.

photos below are of the metal plastic version for those interested.

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no worries, just so you know free shipping from Shapeways until the end of the 8th November (today)

finally got some light blade samples and looking promising, just 3d printing a top now for a test and have will have some test photos up in about 8hrs time to get people thoughts

Well I did a crude print of the top just in white and installed a non-laminated v1.0 decal and have some test shots for you and it does look a little washed out as there is no painting done.

Apart from the print being white and in 3 parts it gives you a general feel of what it will look like, if anything probably fractionally brighter in photos than in real life, but it is lunchtime and the game is in a semi sunlight room with camera flash off.

Currently the power is coming off a 6vdc battery pack, but I will be supplying the mod with a few lighting fixtures:
1 x #44/47 flex head for under the dome to go into the feature light
1 x #44/47 flex head with adaptor to go into the GI socket under the snackbar
1 x white 10 led strip

These will be purchased through Art at Comet Pinball (awesome guy and so helpful the last 2 months) - thanks Art. He has just released his Matrix system today and he has got some awesome products that will be used in the future with future mods. So if you wanted to upgrade the colour to the light blades it will only be a few dollars and postage from Florida to go from white to pink to a few other colours.

http://www.cometpinball.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1871

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The beauty with this mod (v2.0) is no 12vdc power drain, sorry to those that have v1.0 but I will be offering just a top for anyone wanting to upgrade along with a small discount.

I will print the locating posts in transparent white so too avoid the orange colour bleed and will supply 1 x transparent printed post to any v1.0 buyers free of charge.

The light blades are 3mm thick and in comparison to the pink el wire is a brighter. I haven't experiement yet with giving the front edge a light sand to see if it diffuses and spreads the spot light effect. The top is different as the section between the 2 light blades is 1mm thicker and the light blades come right to the edge of the top. The decal will have 3 x holes less in the top as now only 2 compared to 5 screws needed to install. I do need to increase some light protection to the dome so it isn't lit as much by the led strip along with a couple of other tweaks.

Let me know what you think, if not enough support I will scrap the mod and no more snackbar mods to be made - so please ask questions, share opinions and we can go from there.

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Thanks Fifty

I appreciate the feedback and you made very valid points and concerns, and even had them myself but I think once I experiment a little more and then paint, the look will improve but at least the light blade concept works as well as the lower power.

I like the voltage drop myself alot and hoping that it relieves a few little issues for people out there that want to upgrade and avoid it for all the new supporters.

I will order 5 proto top units, paint up, decal and document and report back - it should change the look and the light thrown out should change a little especially with the blue maybe influencing the shine out.

I have a few samples so I will
- sand the front face of one edge of 1 x light blades to see if that softens the glow
- I will also create a bevel of one edge of 1 x light blade to try and give a little more of a rounded look.