Data East is using a cool rubber security strap to hold the playfield vertical and not let it fall down.

I think this is a great idea!

It seems that the Data East security straps are not available?

No one has replacements listed that I can easily find.

It also seems that its simply a rubber hood/tool box, latch tie down.

Im going to implement this security strap on my Stargate.

When the Gottlieb system 3 playfields are fully lifted to vertical they fall down SUPER easy.

Having a strap or a small hook would greatly improve the design.

Its simple and effective.

Ill post the pdf thats circulating around as well as the pics of what I install.

Does anyone have a DE game thats missing the rubber strap? Or its finally broken or rotted away?

This might help to repair it.

My rocky and Bullwinkle had one!

I dont know if all or only some models have it.

If someone would like to post a picture of it, that would be awesome!

Its possible.

They also dry out and crack.

I was hoping someone could measure the length of theirs so that I could find suitable replacements.

Amazon has quite a few.

I bought a couple (they are cheap) and will see how they would be fitted in my Stargate.

Bump,

Can someone measure the strap for me?

data east playfield lifting.pdf

If someone could measure their strap, I can likely buy a similar one.

Can you take a couple pics and get a measurement?

Great news! Thanks for the help.

I bought these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0087PBZOK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DP5UL7Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00

One is 8" the other is slightly less than 6"

Now lets see how I can easily fit them in!

Awesome picture! I saw those on amazon.

I see how they are doing it now.

I agree that it would be somewhat difficult to attach it.

Let me work up something better and easier, and easy to install.

Im thinking of rigging up the t-handle and ball.

It looks easier to make it latch.

The parts might come today or tomorrow, so I can "maybe" have something working this weekend.

I think that If I mount the strap to the playfield, and let it hang.

Then I can mount the ball bracket to the bottom of the cabinet.

If that works out, then it would be simple to use?

I think that the eye-bolts might be too aggressive for what is needed, and that I might possibly do it another way?

Although there is quite a bit of leverage in play.

I dont think there is enough room to do it the opposite way, of putting the ball bracket on the playfield and the t-handle mounting bracket on the cabinet side.

I will look at it both ways, you never know.

Basically, I find that the way the Gottlieb system 3 works is dangerous.

The slightest touch, when the playfield is vertical, will cause it to fall!

Im thinking of pulling it forwards and just latching it.

The way DE did it was cheap and effective. However installing eye-bolts would be difficult on a fully assembled game.

Installing a few 1/2" #8 screws to mount something is pretty easy (if they hold...).

The forward angle might give me trouble, but Ill work up a mockup before I do anything too crazy, lol.

Puling it up and down "vertically", I agree would be difficult, and possibly no room for the t-handle on the playfield side.

Although it could be mounted on the side of the cabinet....?

Thanks Mike! You've given me tons of ideas!

After some thought, I like side mounting the strap A LOT!

It solves so many problems and is very easy to install.

My straps are possibly coming today as there was a snow delay.

Ill post my progress later today possibly.

Parts delayed still, maybe this afternoon or tomorrow.

Still, while I wait.

Simpler is often better.

Perhaps just a simple hook and eye gate latch would work as well.

https://www.amazon.com/National-Hardware-N117-952-V2000-plated/dp/B000BQOA0E/ref=asc_df_B000BQOA0E/

My straps came in!

But SADLY they are really big and Im not sure if I can use them.

The mounts are just too big to get a good mounting area, lots of stuff in the way.

I dont think that I need something this big.

Its just a safety issue to keep the playfield from falling down if nudged.

Im going to have to re-think this a bit.

Any other ideas are welcome at this point.

I found these:

https://www.grainger.com/product/55YC78?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgOefBhDgARIsAMhqXA6kuCsHrxDiqTK0BqMI8--dCdErctDGyq0SXLHL_KGSgft8Zz-Xx3EaAhrmEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

They look very similar to the DE straps!

I may gave found a place for an eye-bolt.

However I dont necessarily need to use an eye bolt on the playfield.

Anything will work really, like a coil bracket.

This coil bracket fits PERFECTLY!

coil bracket (resized).jpg
Amazon straps sent back.

Used coil bracket out of my parts bin.

Grainger straps ordered. Model 635765865 4" rubber strap

Eye-bolt for lower cab, I can get anywhere.

We are back in business! lol.

I had to order 10 straps (they are very inexpensive), So if anyone wants one let me know.

This is actually going to work!

Even found the safety notice on incochnito's site:

Data_East_Safety_Strap_card.pdf

The straps from Grainger finally arrived! Long delay due to snow.

Ill install one tomorrow and let everyone know the details.

Security strap is now installed.

It works better than I EVER could have imagined!

If you would also like to install one (highly recommended),

Heres how:

First get or buy a small coil bracket:

coil bracket (resized).jpg
I used one off an old Z-bracket from a slingshot assembly.

Drill out the threaded hole into it for a couple 1/2" #8 playfield screws with a 3/16" bit.

Remove all the balls and secure the playfield in its vertical position with a ratcheting hand clamp:
ratchett clamp (resized).jpg

Find a likely spot to install it. Lower is better.

Likely spot:likely place (resized).jpg

I installed it near the center. This becomes a good place later as you need to have room for the strap to stretch out.

Installed:

coil bracket installed (resized).jpg

Next, you need an eyebolt, a 1/4-20 t-nut and washer.

The eyebolt is about 5/8" or 3/4" wide with a 1" threaded leg on it at 1/4 x 20 thread.

eyebolt assembly (resized).jpg
eyebolt length (resized).jpg

Next I stretched out the strap until it had good tension (about 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" of stretch on my straps. 2" was too tight) and found a good spot to the left of the transformer on the transformer deck:

eyebolt location (resized).jpg

When you locate the hole for the eyebolt make sure there is enough room to turn the bolt in order to tighten it.

I used a 19/64" drill bit for the t-nut with a 3/16" pilot hole drilled first.

It must NOT be too close to the metal edge! Or too close the edge of the wood (to avoid splitting out).

Where I located the hole it worked perfectly, and was very close to the metal edge, but it worked.

I slid the t-nut under the edge of the deck (with fingers) and used a 1/4-20 bolt and fender washer as an installation tool, with a 7/16 socket and ratchet to draw it up (holding it in place with fingers).

Dont strip out the t-nut with the ratchet!

t-nut setting tool (resized).jpg

7-16 socket with extension (resized).jpg

Install the eyebolt with the washer, add the strap and ENJOY!

I used the big drill bit in the eyebolt loop to do the final tightening, but pliers or pretty much anything that fits will do it.

top view (resized).jpg

This solution is VERY secure and makes it possible to use nut drivers, and work on the lower playfield screws without having to hold up the playfield by
hand.

Its quick, easy, inexpensive and makes the nightmarish fear of the playfield falling down, a thing of the past.

It also does ZERO damage to the game.

Finally I can work on the game without a "spotter" to keep the playfield from killing me, or walk away from it and not worry about it being nudged and falling..

Pulling the playfield forward is such a struggle to get it all the way forwards in order to lift it up to lean it on the backbox.

Its such a struggle that most owners have never even pulled the playfield out to set it on the front supports.

I have done it many times, but it can be rough and hard on the game.

This solution makes regular maintenance a breeze.

And saves my back for the rare times I have to pull the playfield out and set it on the front supports.

thanks!

It works perfectly and has a factory look to it.

I had to buy 10 of the straps.

If anyone wants to do this, PM me and I can send you one.

Marco has the sticker :

https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/820-6082-SS