F-14 Tomcat
Williams, 1987You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider dmacy.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.
Documenting 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).jpegGreat to hear so many are enjoying it.
Here’s the top side tear down:
149873C3-3D17-43FA-8197-3BC06D2434C2 (resized).jpeg182462A2-2DEE-41DF-8FD6-A1112FDFB79F (resized).jpeg3DB2C306-ACE3-46B0-8F0F-E6D237728B05 (resized).jpeg77FF8C9A-5DB1-42AA-8D63-619AE1FE4C4D (resized).jpeg9F2BE3D5-95E0-4F75-AEAD-BD30B1159552 (resized).jpegB265FC7D-CBC4-4A7F-9959-AF09445DEDB2 (resized).jpegC6E88A8C-40D1-401F-BDB1-CD7D94AFBA7A (resized).jpegCCF650FF-9D5F-4CB9-A83F-5D99241A360A (resized).jpegD1FA71EC-225C-42AC-95D2-1CFBF348AE15 (resized).jpegSome more top side tear down:
145C7005-1A8C-4DA9-92E8-D9637F0BA3A4 (resized).jpeg30EC9333-70D8-4A6C-8D7E-4C022612CEFE (resized).jpeg3114DEE5-1894-4A05-8221-D31B932FA8F3 (resized).jpeg3EBBBB3B-5769-45F9-8811-5EDF4CBB30DB (resized).jpeg3F9909FF-78D3-417B-A670-C4B0B6236A38 (resized).jpeg44A94868-6AAE-48F8-BD8C-C95AC6E14674 (resized).jpeg6DB742D9-032E-4F5E-A2B1-AA73864B8D66 (resized).jpeg8561A5C0-0ABF-4B56-86F8-87D13EC9871A (resized).jpeg87D5F168-1719-4108-B471-927844CE6987 (resized).jpeg8AD04199-5AE1-464A-853A-DBEE7EFD9707 (resized).jpegB945175C-EABE-4E77-909C-9D03BB5CF480 (resized).jpegBF61D078-7484-48AD-9B2B-597F326AAB70 (resized).jpegE1077ABB-B717-401F-B32F-905A748C9F5E (resized).jpegE6E565C5-936E-4205-B3B8-56E88687DAE4 (resized).jpegE737BB65-FE8D-462A-9475-95BB47B1A380 (resized).jpegF57902D0-B4C4-425F-9DE6-43A7DAA6AE78 (resized).jpegF680D2F3-DF7C-4DED-AC07-3D7A9ADDF72B (resized).jpegF74E8E4C-9788-490E-92EE-64EDBBEACDB5 (resized).jpegBottom side part 1:
861991A3-D9B0-4881-8163-4FA06046BA7C (resized).jpegB90B639F-435C-4F90-80D1-75616BE4AD9D (resized).jpegD21B4CEB-FCCA-4F5E-A9DD-12A133AAFB1C (resized).jpegEA986AA1-0927-404F-B015-3343C533DBF4 (resized).jpegF211C30B-1C28-419E-96C9-631BA27F885E (resized).jpegFF8AA9BA-F28C-47E3-AC9E-AA4E637C3312 (resized).jpegBottom side part 2:
2CF9D992-AA18-4856-AC98-B289BFAFFFC8 (resized).jpeg37D47138-0F64-443A-BCC0-5CFBF777B607 (resized).jpeg3E87E4CD-4F5C-42C9-B503-72275D6F8D3D (resized).jpeg4A012037-571D-47B3-936B-2E413DD5DD6E (resized).jpeg4C5A040C-A9D3-42C5-AB03-F289A58FC4A3 (resized).jpeg60AC3944-D3E4-4E3E-88A1-831862E447F2 (resized).jpeg626D600D-1449-438A-888A-D2E49C8E1628 (resized).jpeg8E6BCC89-A2F1-4540-9A52-F51E2D5DC369 (resized).jpegB3607AEC-478B-465F-B1FE-AA5009C6D649 (resized).jpegEB0837C9-7FA6-451F-849A-D6862B1B3C7A (resized).jpegBottom side 3.
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).jpegQuoted 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 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.
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.
E645FAA8-217A-4CDF-B34B-E013991D6ECF (resized).jpeg0DAB53B0-0467-4746-9D11-B4D1DE80E101 (resized).jpeg232E3BFD-0285-47BB-8BE2-4198A727FC26 (resized).jpeg4C2F0231-3BB0-4EC8-B6AA-BBC31CD81392 (resized).jpeg6793B923-74B7-4134-B402-309A32715127 (resized).jpegA35F3B7A-F435-40C6-BC6A-4FEFF324D7EF (resized).jpeg633C84C6-0EA1-4AB0-BCED-B2DF1967AEDC (resized).jpeg446BF69E-F518-42CC-B04C-3F0511E180BC (resized).jpegAlways check your flipper bats folks! Two of the four were cracked. We are going to go with some colors. More to come on that.
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:
5D8D59D7-2A5C-4D85-AAF2-1E31E8C0EDB7 (resized).jpeg31CDDC46-6CED-4E73-B3B8-0F60EA7CDB21 (resized).jpeg1FD4630D-4588-4B5A-8B93-61B8C1E603A2 (resized).jpegBE0A0863-8590-4DD4-A255-3F3A557DB586 (resized).jpeg3A8F3A01-2D03-4FF4-AED9-00624F659E7F (resized).jpeg4F415DB3-043F-4533-9E21-A7034F994FF3 (resized).jpeg47D9DD69-9061-448C-B3A3-BE14F90B00F2 (resized).jpeg5B345D1C-753C-4480-B4BF-6366EBA01529 (resized).jpeg633E9718-6357-4AE8-93C7-69AEC841ADBD (resized).jpeg9C4502DE-FE12-471C-B381-639F39450B19 (resized).jpeg7E3B3119-6D9B-43C0-BB15-E7983D56D0E0 (resized).jpegCC31E481-F3F2-4E6F-999A-FEFD6C13E659 (resized).jpegA48CF722-8212-4E2B-98DF-25D874B644CB (resized).jpegDE924412-ECB3-402D-87E7-256A6FB01068 (resized).jpeg7086A1DB-911C-430E-A1B8-4B50A606E0FD (resized).jpeg1785B4FB-A9F5-4ABA-BB34-F9B986EBCC6F (resized).jpeg6F8CE461-764E-4AD8-B2FD-6B763DA27B8D (resized).jpegPosts 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?
5E199852-991E-4883-8E61-87A366DD6C79 (resized).jpeg9156F9F8-4E88-424F-8C83-96651301851C (resized).jpegA6800BC1-459F-427A-972F-9D4C12B708C8 (resized).jpegA80E99E2-5024-4BC6-BC53-EA8AE32B8F01 (resized).jpegC5701B4C-6C4C-4814-8218-83CEFFF44902 (resized).jpegCB74C995-B6DD-4284-8F4A-C5BF654875C0 (resized).jpeg68C7D8A3-66BC-4D92-A509-3B5DD1BCE5F7 (resized).jpegD4BC9B2B-D960-4843-89CC-127824C4E7BA (resized).jpegQuoted from RGarriott:Whats your process for regraining?
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
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.
AB06FBF2-B024-4F28-89C2-7C674FB3E889 (resized).jpeg8C698B93-A770-4FEA-9BC5-68DA58592FA9 (resized).jpegA4025961-DD19-49EB-8ADD-8FA00D9EDF3F (resized).jpeg6D5E702A-0ED0-41E1-B785-290843C7FA77 (resized).jpegFC70B77E-0FBD-4E69-BAAD-74D317B9EF63 (resized).jpeg4D290463-2B9C-440E-9A89-9B3EFEFE20AD (resized).jpeg4ACE5BC3-806A-40EF-BFAE-A3105BA36A2E (resized).jpeg
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.
17F6A414-08FD-47F8-885F-A475DDEC9B41 (resized).jpeg5D6BDF13-CFA6-4853-9A18-3FAB3EFE6635 (resized).jpeg253C019B-E304-47A9-8278-B94E3F1E054A (resized).jpeg
The kickbacks are completed. They got new rubber stops, sleeves, and plungers. No dimples for the Rescue kickback which is good. Once I have the rails, I’ll line it up to hit the ball centered.
2662B06B-C61A-40E4-8D22-9A78F74AFA79 (resized).jpeg5410073B-4CF1-4FCC-B4AD-FFF6FD80EF26 (resized).jpeg10F58247-982B-4676-92BF-5F6217691BFA (resized).jpegLaid in the switch harness. Making some slow progress with so many stand ups to work with.
Cleaning up any of the tubing like these with new diodes. Makes a noticeable difference even though you never see it when playing.
A0EB8885-04E3-4851-A84E-2BEEF05491EE (resized).jpegC64BF96C-A46E-4299-BAC3-F91E4145301A (resized).jpeg56EDF41E-D628-4A82-990A-70721D6DBB01 (resized).jpegHey yeah it’s a hot mess under there!
So far, no issues. I do prep every hole in advance before screwing down with Ron’s kit and that helps.
I understand that but I would never trust just running screws in Willy Nilly. I know I’m just one dumb idiot, but that’s me.
More switches, diodes, and tubing replacement.
Still have about 1/3 left to solder before returning to the top side.
09B6E0A9-F09A-4EFA-83C1-EEF318F1314A (resized).jpeg16FFCBAE-4574-4EF0-8FEE-676C9A6D9F23 (resized).jpeg00345C79-58D4-4CD0-A654-545E11EFBB90 (resized).jpeg5C41170E-A8F4-46B8-A5FE-CA62DCF22B20 (resized).jpegThe only dimples that I found an issue were for the left sling switches. No big deal… centered them and made new holes.
The bottom is soldered up. I’ll clean up the harness when it’s off the rotisserie.
276A8941-880F-430B-B250-2DB526E87ADB (resized).jpegF4956C84-0049-48DB-81C2-2E2DFE009F50 (resized).jpeg6B0CD50C-D86A-4D3C-9681-361744CE50F7 (resized).jpegC5AE1DBD-BC16-4EF3-AF64-C3DA745B0613 (resized).jpeg8878E64A-95B4-4E6D-950E-1600991D08DA (resized).jpegPlastics are done. Some before and afters. I like to use screws and nylock nuts when possible to make it easier for the owner to replace a brown plastic. On this title all worked out this way.
2026E8B3-D760-4126-B24A-5AE3C5308C31 (resized).jpeg43CF23DF-D3E8-42B3-804D-B6A8704340C9 (resized).jpeg9921075A-2ABE-4586-B04D-DF0179345413 (resized).jpeg61A1BB18-0ADA-4D8C-AAEC-EFC3E3E320CD (resized).jpegCouple more before and afters.
07038FEB-189C-4ABE-B09D-7E50E4C9451B (resized).jpeg894B60D8-F002-4E5E-9F36-CBD11AB11671 (resized).jpegD3263B3A-5DD1-440C-8A70-C40ACE291EF0 (resized).jpeg95BFC4BB-D900-4AEA-A84A-E377AD07A86C (resized).jpegECF5210E-4D8F-4D69-A61B-BBFDC9AA7B2A (resized).jpeg6C44D4AE-CF71-4FE2-A94B-2CDBBFD17B0C (resized).jpegThe last few and then all installed less areas where rails are.
FB62C2BA-BEC0-44A5-8797-2F485681D38B (resized).jpegFA83C40E-DAD7-46ED-B10B-690989E0D064 (resized).jpegD058ED44-F4D4-4F2E-A7B2-813723D329EC (resized).jpeg8B335B6D-4AC2-4C99-9202-DCF79A123FE9 (resized).jpeg511B678B-3E15-4527-83D4-D5AFB38AAB78 (resized).jpeg04430263-1CCE-453B-A91A-3E546C36A0FE (resized).jpegC313A292-A4A5-42B5-A6E8-E5670442DEA6 (resized).jpeg871DD5A4-4F0C-443C-88EF-574756E5FDCE (resized).jpegUsually I’m on a swap 3-4 hours on weeknights and 14-18 on weekends. So 60 hours? But that’s with interruptions at times. I’m afraid to calculate what my time is worth lol. 
Quoted from hawkeyexx:What brand of wax do you recommend for waxing playfields?
I use this:
Quoted from Spyderturbo007:Holy hell that thing is beautiful. Another Macy getting ready to go back into the wild.
I would love to play it. I bet it’s going to be absolutely brutal!
Quoted from topkat:The colors on the Buthamburg PF's seem so striking. I am amazed how the colors just stand out so well.
Can you see a difference with their Pfs as compared to other repros?
Wonderful job!
I’ve only seen this and Getaway and the colors are really brilliant. The clear they come with is very nice and consistent too. They’re my favorite of the 3. I hope they do more playfields!
Back home and to the grind. These beautiful new rails showed up! Thank you ibis
I’m not putting the shooter lane Cliffy back on because it doesn’t line up the same on the new playfield. See before tryin and after.
65035F08-BD23-4C91-8B2E-FB3AE1E5AD78 (resized).jpeg0020B6AA-11E3-42F2-B94D-3DF6686C2FA0 (resized).jpegD2360B7E-7DC9-454E-AA1C-C63FE60CAC81 (resized).jpeg
Plastics are on other than clear ramp protector. Have new ramp on too and starting to place the Hot Rod Arcade chrome wireform ramps.
F58A906F-E5AF-45F7-B63A-1746E42483B7 (resized).jpeg08E1F12E-C6F2-4D6A-A208-064B03B51CE3 (resized).jpeg187D655A-3DCD-459E-8FEC-03E6720F50DE (resized).jpeg92D24D95-9945-406B-B329-29BEDC6C7ECB (resized).jpegCBE13C98-5E96-4907-86FA-C7FFF2972DB5 (resized).jpegD1CD098E-E08A-4DE1-9409-891D7AC2394D (resized).jpeg
It is about ready to drop in. We are going to add new clear plastics. They didn’t come with the set but these originals are in good shape but very yellowed.
Some finished pics with the yellowed plastics…
519D7B3A-0175-4402-B0E9-248A648E86A2 (resized).jpegE8AE18F2-C39C-4DBE-8AEC-5DFDD872316D (resized).jpeg47904E3C-9A6F-4813-AA04-FF0E3DE971E1 (resized).jpeg2334A24A-7C22-4F5F-AE4D-DF8BB7E608F0 (resized).jpeg29B3651B-CDED-4530-91B5-410A2D2FC23E (resized).jpeg6ECC914C-D022-4E64-A272-9A6FA31822AF (resized).jpegC2ABA00F-85CA-4DF1-ABF3-4487D1538BB5 (resized).jpegQuoted from TheClownpuncher:2 Questions;
-Are the light boards a mod or just on later production games? Mine is all standard light sockets, not the green boards
-I see there are LED flashers, were the resistor boards modded? I seem to remember hearing you had to cut off one of the resistors but not sure.
That thing is beautiful BTW
This is a later production run I believe and why there are the boards.
Originally it had some flasher LED’s but decided to keep flashers incandescent so all the resistors are reattached where they weren’t. Only 1-2 weren’t.
GI is good! This game really looks great and never realized the radar being lit green until I saw the condom on the one lamp. Really nice touch.
45A71983-E20C-42BB-9039-EA543C7A2E19 (resized).jpeg0788612F-9A4F-4DE9-A68E-39C63604C8B7 (resized).jpeg5FD9798C-76D3-4E32-8314-887418978EE4 (resized).jpeg8598C6F5-BEA0-4308-8ADC-8B49B61BA431 (resized).jpeg1DA77FDB-84B8-4CD2-A3CF-85DCA24761A0 (resized).jpegAE14AFB2-3D22-4538-845A-EEB87AE2F9CC (resized).jpeg28299FF7-54C1-466A-AAD1-8A84CF430113 (resized).jpeg5C42361C-2490-4C55-BC65-1B0CFE2B2FEB (resized).jpegAnd the inserts are all working too.
DD5B2B85-7973-4334-BA24-AFCB4349C091 (resized).jpeg8137DF7D-22ED-49B7-AB12-D6752C419CA3 (resized).jpeg1667D6D0-BF5B-49EA-AB22-FDB09016FD36 (resized).jpeg63CD71FF-5628-4028-89FB-A647D55D4AC6 (resized).jpeg1D7218C7-769C-4BD1-A017-3AEB61ED1F6D (resized).jpegA253CA65-D492-4D7D-857A-112ECE589255 (resized).jpegAAEFADB0-0168-4E6D-895B-0D2F795B951D (resized).jpegDC2689AD-E179-47CE-BDD9-ED0FACB20629 (resized).jpegB23CDD75-B1A9-4DD7-B2E0-8693FF101651 (resized).jpegThanks yins! Everything is now working but the added flashers. I did have an issue with the right lower flipper. Thanks to 80spit I found the coil was bad so installed a known good coil. I followed
vid1900 great guide here for adding the extra flashers: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/returning-f14-flashers-to-original-design-vids-guide#post-2442028
I added the missing resistor (assume this was a late game) but need to retrace my steps. Otherwise, it’s finally flipping!
Quoted from TheClownpuncher:A few more questions. I'm doing a hardtop on my F-14 but had some questions on yours.
What are the part number of the switches you put for the rescue targets? I like those beefed up ones.
How long are the screws you put on the plastics? I got a new set and was dreading riveting them and like the screws you used.
Finally, what media do you use to tumble your metal items? I used some corn cob with some NuFinish added from my gun reloading but didn't really like the way it turned out.
That machine you just finished looks incredible!!
The brackets are here. You need drill out the rivets first. They’re great and I use them on any heavy hit area.
I use these 6-32 (I stock several sizes and gold to have a few on hand as they often are stripped, missing, gone, or don’t tumble clean enough. And 6-32 nylock nut. Nothing wrong with riveting but I try and consider convenience down the road. Sometimes you have to rivet as the screw and nut interfere.
https://www.pinballlife.com/6-32-x-38-machine-screw-with-built-in-washer.html
I use walnut shells with Flitz and tumble for 48 hours.
Quoted from TheClownpuncher:I'm not tumbling long enough. Like i said, I'm used to reloading where I get a mirror after about 6 hours. Thanks for the screw link, I liked your idea of being able to change out a plastic that is normally/orignally riveted. One of the broken ones on this game is riveted so I know I would appreciate it if they were screws.
I think you missed the link for targets, or it didn't translate. Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it.
No problem. Here’s the link. I had it but must’ve deleted it.
https://www.pinballlife.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BK3
Quoted from dmacy:No problem. Here’s the link. I had it but must’ve deleted it.
https://www.pinballlife.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BK3
Oh, and ignore the Data East/Stern on it. They will work fine after you drill out the rivets and push them through. Transfer the target foam over and screw together. This is a newer design that keeps them from swaying side to side too which is an added bonus.
The new ramp plastics are finally installed. It’s already a brutal game, but this one is a few notches more. I’d love to see what a good player would do with this one.
It’s done less than the added 7C flashers not working. Still not sure what’s wrong there as all my connections ring out and followed instructions. Hoping I can get this fixed because it has to be something stupid. Otherwise, it’s ready!
50ECAE6B-E584-4FE2-9A08-24D8EDD62863 (resized).jpegYou're currently viewing posts by Pinsider dmacy.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.
Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.
Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/f-14-tomcat-playfield-swap-this-is-your-captain-speaking-?tu=dmacy and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.
Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.
Fort Lauderdale, FL