I thought it might be fun to document this undertaking.

First, a little background:

I've developed quite a fondness for the early SS era, as of late. I recently sold a Family Guy and used the money to pick up Paragon, Big Game, Farfalla and F2K. The F2K game play grabbed me, with the extra slings on the PF and the layout. I knew this would be a good candidate for a PF swap, seeing as CPR had recently reproduced the PF. This game should play like a Banshee when done.

Here we go.........

Some before pictures:

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Some more pictures so you can see the general state of the PF.

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First Picture:
I found a ladel book for wires at Home Depot. Proabably enough pages to last a lifetime, with stickers # 1-45. I labled the lamp wires on the PF.

* Note - I decided to replace the Lamp sockets. They are kinda cheap (1.25) and cheaper when buying in bulk. The older Sterns and Ballys have horriblely unreliable lamp sockets.

Second Picture:
Switches get taped with Yellow Electrical tape and labed with a sharpie.

3rd Picture:

I put the corresponding lable next to the lamp socket hole on the new playfield.

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I know, I'm not sure what to make of it yet. It works, but I want to remove the hacks.

I decided to go with copper wire for the ground braid. This roll is the same gauge used, just not tinned. Will see how much more work it is than tinned. I just couldn't justify the cost difference.
a 100ft roll is over $50 at pinrestore. 500ft roll of copper at HD was $30. We shall see...

Next - Picture of my trusty old Tumbler. My dad found it at the gun shop he used to work in on consignment. Fits a crap-load of stuff!

Always found that Flitz works the best.

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1) Picking Walnut shells out of screw heads. Yay...fun...Hate that part.

** Note to forum experts, is there a way to write text above and below the uploaded picture?

2) Tumbled parts get organized...somewhat

3) Mechs will be rebuilt with new springs, drops, coil sleeves. I like to hand polish the metal parts.

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1) I like to use this stuff for the hand polishing

2) look at the size of that drop target mech!

3) Old Stripped PF. I had a heck of a time trying to get that left flipper bat out. It is rusted in there..I brought a new flipper base and all new flipper parts.
Old PF will be donated to Jim (WhereIdoldsStood - Change that name!)
I'm sure he will make her look new again, then offer her up here at a resonable price.

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One more post, for now....

Behold the final destination!!! Can you believe the work CPR does? And for a very resonable price!
Admission: I sometimes sneak into the workshop and run my hands over it!

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Sorry, I probably didn't make that clear. This is a new PF I purchased from CPR.

Thank for the tip.

Anytime the urge strikes, you are more than welcome to come and help!
I will post some updates later, at lunch time. I was able to get a little farther after work last night. Once I get the ground braid routed through the lamp sockets, you are welcome to the old PF. I just want to use it for refernce for the ground braid. Should be ready this weekend if you want to come get it.

Sure, no problem. CPR sells the PF for $575. The plastics are $90, if you buy the PF too. I believe they will sell you the BG for $99, if you have brought the plastics and PF..But mine is not too bad. I might still do it down the road. The shipping was $50. IMO, those prices are extremely resonable, given all the work that goes into these things.

You said it! Any updates for the Congo Thread?

Made a small amount of progress last night.

This is what 85 Lamp sockets from pinball life look like

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Attached over half of the lights to the new playfield.
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Big updates for today. I made a healthy amount of progress over the weekend.

Here is the main drop target back. Notice all the dirty part, wrong drop designs...
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Closer view, rusty springs...
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All parts cleaned up. New Drops and Springs.

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Ground braid being run. BTW, no issues with the non-tinned wire. Save yourself some $ and just get it from Home Depot, if you do not care about the copper color.
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Old Woodworking trick. Forgetting this later will come back to haunt me (stay tuned)
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Pre-drilling the dimple holes was a big time saver and pretty much a necessity.
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Harness wire snaked through. Took some trial and error to get it on the right path. Note to self, take more pictures of this next time. While I'm on the subject, I went ahead and washed the harness in the tub...I don't think it was worth the hassle.
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Boy, labeling everything helps more than words can say
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Here is the product I used. 7.99 at HD.
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Flippers get a rebuild...I should have ordered 1 more EOS...Thought I had it in stock

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Pops and drops in place after rebuilds
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Called it a night, just about done with the under playfield and soldering all the wires etc.
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Starting to shape up on top too
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OK, here is the major boo-boo. I was trying to pre-drill a spot where there was no dimple, for a rollover leaf switch. I had the switch in place, put the bit in and push down too hard...right through to the top. Can't cry about it, though I felt like I could. It is really not too noticeable, and the size of a small drill bit...but on a perfect PF....Grrrrrr. stupid me!
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I like that idea. I will do that next time...hopefully won't make that mistake again.

Thanks for looking.

Thanks for all the feedback guys...I hope to have this puppy back in the game this weekend!