F-14 Tomcat
Williams, 1987Documenting a Buthamburg F-14 Tomcat playfield swap. This one should be pretty straightforward. We already have the Hot Rod Arcade chromed wire forms, new CPR plastic set and side blades.
It does have a backglass but asked him to take it home to avoid any issues. 
26CE2B59-2483-4E80-82F5-BD8243E07C12 (resized).jpeg5B4AFF38-9197-4A16-9B64-A2CD51D2B00F (resized).jpeg197808D0-8AED-44FB-8C60-352B1815E020 (resized).jpegQuoted from dmacy:The chromed wire forms, plastic set, and the gorgeous playfield.
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thanks so much Dave! This is going to be amazing when complete.
-brian
Great to hear so many are enjoying it.
Here’s the top side tear down:
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We are rebuilding all flippers. This flipper bushing was broken in 3 pieces.
F0636486-ED4A-4737-8BDF-E6EF2C2A3E18 (resized).jpeg0807DD6D-14DB-46C0-A9BE-15E740AA1D62 (resized).jpeg3B136D26-E273-40A4-BB3F-0A6ACFA88C55 (resized).jpeg827BDFE6-CA63-4AC2-8C1F-74B193D7013C (resized).jpeg84CED48D-49D8-4444-A1FB-D8AE6BDA83DD (resized).jpeg89A289DE-4AB3-408D-B868-2F45C13DE128 (resized).jpeg0A2708E4-6AAD-4E4A-87BA-EA747D9DFDF9 (resized).jpegBeautiful work so far - thank you for being brave enough to do it first and to document it here! I am awaiting my PF from Peter now. Plan on doing it later this year once I receive it. Did you get one from the batch he was working latter half of 2022, or is your PF from 2021 and earlier?
Quoted from hawkeyexx:I would love to be a helper with your PF Swaps. I will work for free
Lol! I can always use a beer assistant when my supervisor is on her nap breaks.
I get asked about what wax I use. This is it. I like their car products too. Quick detail and quick wax work well for touch ups.
I’ll wax after I get the playfield and clean it. Then another wax right before it gets first played.
7D9EF2F8-32B6-4F45-9624-F17D65EEE2F3 (resized).jpeg8A18E110-4C73-48DC-B74F-7C0E5BB40A87 (resized).jpegQuoted from NPO:Beautiful work so far - thank you for being brave enough to do it first and to document it here! I am awaiting my PF from Peter now. Plan on doing it later this year once I receive it. Did you get one from the batch he was working latter half of 2022, or is your PF from 2021 and earlier?
He said he got in 2017-2019. Likely 2018 FWIW
Quoted from dmacy:Lol! I can always use a beer assistant when my supervisor is on her nap breaks.
I have a new CPR for my Bad Cats and I have never done a PF swap 
Quoted from dmacy:We are using one of the BriteMods pop bumper lite in red with clear body and cap. Blue skirt.
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Man.....That looks good
Quoted from hawkeyexx:I have a new CPR for my Bad Cats and I have never done a PF swap
It’s not bad. Or bring it to me at Allentown show or before. I can have it done in around 4 weeks.
Quoted from dmacy:One thing you’ll need to do is countersink the pop bumper studs. Pretty normal stuff even on ones that have it already done.
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Mind explaining this/pointing me to a YT video?
When I did this on AFM, I had an air hammer with cloths over the pop bumper anchor screw, and I let the air hammer do the work every 2-3 seconds. LOTS of clothes between the air hammer and that nice new pristine PF....Would like to learn a more refined method as you are suggesting.
I’ve documented it before on other playfield swaps. I’ve done a couple now. I’ll see if I can dig one up. Once the hole is prepped, I just take a nail set and hammer in.
Quoted from dmacy:I’ve documented it before on other playfield swaps. I’ve done a couple now. I’ll see if I can dig one up. Once the hole is prepped, I just take a nail set and hammer in.
Here you go:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/bad-cats-playfield-swap-ii-youre-one-bad-cat#post-5299181
Wire ball guides installed. Using kruzman clearcoat kit.
Here’s how I do it.
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20 drop targets will be replaced with new. Most of them will need it!
Someone didn’t like this game lol! 
D810D85A-CCE7-42A4-81D4-611DC729794A (resized).jpeg3A9AFF1F-20FE-4BCA-9664-ECDAD888FE32 (resized).jpegB3030DB1-D67C-4FE0-8413-68226AEC8F7F (resized).jpeg8E327CC7-5B36-46BD-BA11-2FDC5EA4A2F6 (resized).jpegThe mechs:
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I use these in 60 grit and follow up with 80 grit.
BHA Aluminum Oxide Shank Mounted Flap Wheels, 2” x 1” x 1/4”, 60 Grit - 5 Pack https://a.co/d/hJBWiNp
New rails will be installed from ibis
Looking forward to having him pick up the torch that Taylor left. He was a huge asset and a nice set of new rails really finish off a nice swap. Give ibis a look if you’re doing a swap or need a new set of rails. He has some impressive work he’s doing.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinball-rails-reproduction-rails
Quoted from dmacy:Posts are all in so testing some post and ring options. Wondering if red ring on left kicker and blue ring on right with clear posts (instead of blue and/or red) would look good? Has anyone seen that done?
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
If you use a red ring on the left kicker then use red posts too.
The new stand up targets came. I used the reinforced/anti-sway Stern style for the two front white ones since they get hammered good.
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Flippers are rebuilt with all new parts. They’ve been converted to WPC return spring style to ditch the conical springs.
Mechs are getting rebuilt and installed.
Lamp harness is finally all done/soldered/screwed in.
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Madison, AL
