First one when the new heater is done.

I could probably do both.

I've only done the WABAC ramp so far....

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Not yet on the Space Shuttle ramps. Will require the new heater. This ramp and the Comet center ramp will be the first ones I do.

I have 95% of what I need for the heater....it's just procrastination more than anything. While I appreciate the offers, I do not believe in crowd funding. Expense is mine and I would never ask or expect anyone to put up money.

Why do I get the feeling that would make you happy?...

I have 6 ready to dye now (I do them 6 at a time). Will start the blue dye tomorrow and the red dye probably Friday...The red dye has a couple High Speeds going in tonight.

That's a quote from a very old post...What ramp were you referring to?

Might want to ask for clarification. Sounds like he is just making the cover for the Whirlpool ramp out of blue acrylic. If he is just making the cover and the slingshots, also ask what type of plastic the slingshots will be made of. You would not want, especially the slingshots, made with acrylic....probably wouldn't last a week.

Thanks for confirming. I have always made my own plastic protectors....rough cut then sand to desired shape. Here in the Seattle area we have a plastic store called Tap Plastics. About the only plastic they don't carry is PETG...Go figure. However, they have a nice bin full of scrap pieces of a variety of plastics that they sell by the pound. Every so often I go in and buy all the 1/8" Lexan (Polycarbonate)...this is what I make protectors with or clear covers for ramps. Yes the 1/8" is a little thick considering the nuts that hold the plastic and protector in place. For this I drill enough of an inset around each hole (underside) in the protector to make the nuts fit. And as opposed to PETG, the edges of Lexan can be polished....but given it's Lexan it takes some effort.

Wish I could say that.

We can take a look at that one also, provided it is not injection molded.

Also got a request today for the lift ramps for Fire!

I intend to do Grand Lizard eventually...again ...bigger heater. Already have the original ramp here.

Above was posted in the New Rufio Ramp thread...

I don't recall that one being requested or at least not a lot. Would look good in either red or blue.

If I made them it would be without the decals....

No, but actually discussing this with another Pinsider now. It is very similar to the Pinbot/Jackbot lift ramp with what appears to be just a difference in the upper bridge flap.

Don't recall that one being brought up before. Can consider at a later date for the larger setup.

I believe they are the same, however that is an injection molded piece...not vacuum formed.

I do offer assembly for High Speed, but unfortunately, I do not have the extra parts available. BTW, I finished your red F-14 last night with the extra set of hardware I have for it!

I have pretty much promised another Pinsider in Australia that I would do another run of G ramps this Spring. Do you want me to add you to the list?

On the list

I will do another small run of the yellow G ramps. Also make the R ramp. Want to get on the list?

Added to the the list.

On the list

Noted!

I think this might be one I slip into the queue soon. I looked at the manual for the playfield parts and it appears the left ramp to the cannon is two pieces. If so, I can probably do both.... or all three.

On another note, last night on Craig's List a guy was giving away a model of the Black Rose pirate ship...free. There was a Coke can in the photo for scale...Looked like it would have made a perfect topper.

I have said more than once that Black Belt and the Transporter ramps will be the next I produce. Relax.

Will consider it when the new heater is done.

I won't be making them. Would be duplication of effort and the community would be better served if we try not to do that. That said Larry just posted somewhere here on Pinside that he has the ramps and is still waiting on vendors...I think it was the decals.

Never say never...but not anytime real soon. So many others already committed to.

Sure. Shoot me a photo. Either here or to [email protected]

Mark

I have not started a list yet.

Maybe someday

Police Force ramps are available at Starship Fantasy. If you just want the center ramp, he only offers that one in the two ramp set.

Sorry...years away at best.

Sending pm

About a week ago I saw a post by Dayhuff……

"Looking for the acrylic part # 03-10008 that catches the ball in RFM. Mine is broken and makes the game unplayable. I'll take new or used as long as it's in good condition. HELP!!"

If I see something that I think I can pretty easily help with, I like to try. I asked John to send me the pieces he had from the broken RFM ball catcher and I would try to make him a replacement. I think this will work for him...

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Transparent orange Cork Screw ramps back in stock tomorrow. Also have the transparent red Cycle Jump ramp available and the black ABS Cycle Jumps will be made on demand.

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I'm not familiar with that ramp.

That was my first thought....

Hollywood Heat has been requested several times and it's right up my alley given the size and the color, so chances are good for it. Also a lot of requests for Jokerz, but I think it will need to wait for the bigger heater.

Is that the piece in the upper left corner?

Not something I'm real interested in doing, but I will help/coach anyone on how easy it would be to do yourself. PM me.

Never say never!

Nice try... Actually as we get closer I will try to work something out with Planetary. I did check Bay Area Amusements' site and they do show the decal, but out of stock.....So I would assume the artwork is available.

OK...Let's please put an end to this discussion now. Yes, initially I found it a little rude and thanks to those defending me as well as the overall discussion. If anything I would appreciate heads up private communications....but its a free world and I have no right to dictate what and where comments can be posted. In the end, the important thing is that the community gets more reproduction parts to restore games. There are more ramps needed than I or Starship Fantasy could possibly make in ten years.

Don't expect me to hand you ramp making on a silver platter...mostly because I just don't want to expend the time and I seriously doubt that very many would actual produce something. Secondly, because not just anyone can do this. I've said many times that it is not rocket science, but more of a art. If I see you bringing ramps to production...point here being you have demonstrated the ability and the initiative, I would be happy to spend the time to help you and I will support you. I have done this for a few others here on Pinside. I often refer folks to Starship if I know Larry has something needed in stock. If he doesn't stock something and has no intention of doing so, he will send them my way.

Some of you may recall a few years back a guy trying to make the center ramp for Comet (yes it will be the first one I do when I get the heater built). Although he said he had access to a industrial forming machine and a friend proficient with molds I could see he desperately needed help. We exchanged just a few messages and then he just disappeared. I've seen quite a few of these attempts just go no where... So, clearly not everyone will be successful at this.

So let's get back to having fun with Pinball machines....

Ooooohhh….Green...Haven't done a good green yet.

Ahhh...I've been somewhat distracted from ramps for the last couple months and just filling orders for the ramps I already make. As far as near term plans.... Focus is now on the Transporter ramps and the Black Belt ramps. As soon as I have those molded they will need to cure for up to two weeks. During that time I will be doing one more run of Guns n' Roses (Sort of promised a guy from down under that I would do a run in the Spring). I think I have about a dozen folks listed for those.

And of course the new heater. I have almost all of the parts I need for the heater...yes I have had those parts for a long time I had a stainless steel heater panel made by a local company that is already slotted to accept the ceramic heater panels I have. I need to design and build the structure on my new machine that will carry and allow movement of the panel over the plastic. As soon as I have the panel installed and wired, I will likely do the Comet center ramp by heating on the new machine and forming it on my existing machine. Hoping to get started on the bigger stuff before I actually finish my new machine.

Generally the plunge shot doesn't scream around the ramp like the upper flipper will do...Sometimes if I'm be lazy I don't even get up the ramp or fall into one of the wire forms. High Speed requires a "red" shooter spring which is the strongest. Other than that, the only things I can think of for you is to be sure the plastic sleeve in the shooter housing (Just like a coil sleeve, but narrower) is in good shape and not binding at all. Another would be to see if the plunger is striking the ball good an squarely.. Is the game angle too steep? Did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express?

Sooner than later.

Have not heard that is an issue.

Don't really like to predict until I actually make it, but if I had to guess I'd say $120-$130

Don't recall any other requests for those...Certainly not anytime soon by me. Low production and low requests not favorable to reproduction.

Not normally but I will. I don't see where you live. If there is a Lowes near you, you could buy a small piece of Lexan (polycarbonate) and make your own. Rough cut to the shape (fine blade like a hack saw) and then finish it with Dremel sanding drums. Drill holes slowly.

If you want it from me....$20 shipped.

Been terribly sidetracked for a while now with other stuff I just couldn't put off. Refocusing now.

Added to the list.

I promised Pinsider alpha70 that I would do another run of Guns 'n Roses this Spring. I posted a note in the GnR club thread but thought I should post here too. In the next two weeks I will do one last run of the GnR ramps.

G ramp includes entrance flap and exit bracket. Does not include decal. Trap door mechanism would need to be transferred from the old ramp to the new ramp. Price $155 Note on the main decal. I was able to easily remove the decal with Goo Gone and then re-glue to the new ramp.

R ramps is complete. New entrance flap, new switch bracket, new exit bracket and new Lexan cover. Price is $125
If interested in one or both, let me know and I will add you to the list.

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LOL! You have to ask yourself, how could that happen! Working with ReadyPO we actually did 2 traces on this package. I personally believe that the US Post Office was just hoping no one would trace and they could sweep it under the rug....or maybe in this case under the truck again. I'll bet they were happy they didn't have to get a signature!

In defense of the Post office, I ship everything USPS both domestically and internationally, unless a customer requests something different. In all the stuff I have shipped they have never lost anything...even my International stuff that I usually get in a box small enough to go regular mail. As far as actual damage beyond use....has only happened once and that was my fault for not packaging well enough....maybe one other time and the Post Office said it was likely due to my boxes being very light and the mechanical mail sorter being some sort of gorilla.

All's well that ends well!

Haven't considered that one yet, sorry.

Yes...Sending pm.

Sun came out and it's been a while since I've had a ramp photo on the hot tub. Eye candy for the folks on the GNR list. Going to make just a few more G ramps then give last call. I will start finishing them tomorrow and expect I'll start shipping on Monday or Tuesday.

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@MustangPaul, me and the hot tub photos go wayyyyy back.

Yup

I have Demo Man ramps here from a friend...Waiting for the new heater.

I'm sure I can, but would prefer to do it in conjunction with the other ramps.

Why not! I had expected this to be a modest run to clean up those I had missed over the last couple years. Turning out to be a very large run. I am just starting to ship orders as I complete sets. I have the bulk of the ramps already formed and dyed and as orders keep coming, I've decided I will keeping making some until there are no more orders. The GnR ramps are a lot of work and I really want to put this run behind me.

So, that said....You are on the list!

Sorry, no. That is an injection molded piece….not vacuum formed.

Yes, I still offer the Hurricane center ramp with cover. I've only produced it in clear so far but could do it in red, blue or yellow.

Nothing yet and no plans in the near future.

Yes definitely. I was hoping to have them ready by the NW Pinball Show so I could return the donor's ramp plus a new one. Might still be possible, but this GnR run is killing me!

Custom request...one of a kind!

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I will consider the JD ramps. I'm at a point where I need to get a few things promised done. I'm in the middle of a last call GnR ramp run that turned out to be much bigger than I expected, but I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel. The GnR ramp was delayed due to a large number of the G ramps being rejected by the quality control department. (uh, me). So I decided to rerun a bunch of the G ramps. I am anxious to put this run behind me as in comparison to a lot of other stuff I do, these are tough. I am notifying the GnR folks on my list starting today. I am currently out of plastic for the rest of the GnR run, but picking more up tomorrow....actually the last stuff my supplier has at the moment in this special thickness. The NW Pinball show begins on the 31st and I will be done with this run by then. Next up is to complete the molds for Black Belt and Transporter as I have promised those for a long time. That will clear the board on real commitments and I can focus on what I will do next along with the new heater. I'm really anxious to lighten my load so I can focus on the next ramps.

Guns 'N Roses ramp update...

I believe everyone who had indicated interest has been contacted for ramps. At the moment I have just enough G ramps to cover everyone, but expect I will see some who no longer want them. R ramps will continue to be made on demand and at the moment I am short R ramps only because I am almost out of the thickness I use for these ramps and my supplier is out of this thickness. I actually have enough to cover everyone on the R ramps, but I do not want to make any more than I need since I'm short.

If you had indicated interest and did not hear from me let me know. There are already a couple Pinsiders that have not responded to the notification so I expect I will end up with 2 or 3 extra G ramps.

Please, those of you who have been notified that are no longer interested, let me know so I can whittle down the final list.

To all of you who ordered, thank you. Personally?...Whew!

Mark

Of course!....pm sent

This is the second set that I have seen that has been damaged by excessive heat at some point in transit. Sending pm and we can chat.

So...I think I am actually catching my breath with ramps. Pretty much wrapped up the Guns' 'N Roses...I seriously doubt I will ever do those again! Focusing on just filling orders for existing stuff and working on the molds for Black Belt and Transporter. I have almost finished prepping the Blackbelt donor ramp for casting. Will probably hold off casting the Blackbelt until I get the Transporter ramps ready...btw...going to do all three of them. Once I have all of them cast, I will probably be taking some time off to enjoy a little summer in the mountains while the molds cure. I chose to set up the Blackbelt mold first 'cause it was a bitch!

You all know I get lobbied for ramps a lot. Over the past couple years I have pretty much promised certain ones that I have not gotten to yet. The hardest part and probably my least favorite, is making the molds. I did get a request for one of the ramps for Radical, and I explained that it just was not on any near term radar. He asked if it would help if he made the mold...uh, yeah. So we talked a few times and he took a shot at it. He sent it to me just a week or two ago. He did pretty well....probably 90% there for me. He worked on it a long time and said he never wanted to do that again. I spent today tweaking his handiwork and have it ready to form. Hoping to pull the first one tomorrow. Attached are two photos...How he sent it to me and how I modified it.
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Couple things...Obviously we need angled edges all the way around for the form to release from the plastic. Also reduced overall size just to make the forming process easier. Last thing was there is a point on the inside turn of the ramp where the ramp wall stops and goes to the bottom...This transition point needed to be extended for a clean break.

I did get a Radical ramp formed today, however, some of the underlying Bondo was unstable and the plastic actually pulled some of it free. I will need to aggressively sand the entire mold and recoat it with a new layer of Bondo. Will end up completely grey when I am done. Probably a day, maybe two for me to fix it.

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Didn't take me long to change my mind. While the first pull wreaked havoc on the mold it formed nearly perfectly...just had to wash off some Bondo that stuck to the plastic. As I began sanding the mold I encountered some cracks in the mold so not confident I can continue and be as successful as I want. Not all is lost. I will use the first formed piece in the photo above to cast a ceramic tomorrow. This will insure we have a stable mold. Expect it will take 10-12 days to cure and then we should be good to go. Still many thanks to dung for the model. Once cured, it will only take maybe a day to finish the mold for forming. The fact that I too hate Bondo dust may or may not have had a role in this decision.

As my son and I brainstorm new design ramps we actually envision using CNC cut material to use for the first pull which then in turn is used to cast a final durable mold.

Not sure on the material, but not steel or aluminum and yes way too expensive, unless you are set up to do it already. My son has something in mind and I can't remember at the moment what it is. Contracting that out is very expensive and you still have to come up with the technical data to program it. Would make sense if you doing production like the old days where you were producing 10 to 20 thousand units. These days we have to consider only maybe 100 for runs at best and far fewer than that on some. While I do "runs" for new releases and some of the stuff I have already done like Guns 'N Roses (4 runs!), since I do everything, I can basically make ramps on demand. I really keep very little inventory. Making the molds is the hardest and most time consuming part. Even though I am actually going to recast what @dung did for me, he still did 80%-90% of the work. Forming is the easiest part and then finishing the ramps is a challenge as well and where you suffer the most losses. On the last run of GnR I threw out 26 G ramps.

@dung's Bondo ramp successfully and very nicely converted to ceramic.

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Good son!

Very possible to damage the ramp when making a mold. See photo below if Bondo is used to cast one. I do plan on doing the Whirlpool ramp fairly soon and I think I can do the other one as well. Can you measure the length of it?

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I can do that one with the current. Black rose is probably next up for me to do, so I will probably do both. At the moment, I am working on the molds for Black Belt, Transporter and we slipped in the one ramp for Radical that dung assisted with. The Radical ramp was cast a few days ago, the Black Belt ramp and the Transporter ramp cover were cast last night. I am working on the other two Transporter Ramps today. I hope to have those cast in just a couple days. Once those are all cast, they need to cure for 12-14 days. Once cured and finished I will produce all of them. Another game I want to work on is Demo Man. I can presently reproduce two of the three ramps. The third will require the new heater and will be one of the first ramps up when I get the heater done.

There are original molds still in existence for many games. When Pinball Inc sold to Fantasy Pinball, a significant portion of the purchase was for the molds. Rick at Planetary still occasionally resurrects an original mold. Seems most of the molds still in existence are for Bally/Williams games. The original molds were monstrosities designed for large production runs and not suitable for a non-commercial forming machine and they did not have CNC back I the day so often there are jigs associated to the ramps to facilitate the cut-out. These days, even the production runs for new games pales in comparison to the runs of ~20k games likes Adam's Family. Creating a mold out of solid aluminum would simply be cost prohibitive with the demand these days. I do this because I like to and frankly because the community needs these.

I just received an email from dung saying he was disappointed that his mold only made it through one run...I've been there and I have at least two ramp molds made of Bondo and wood that I still use. Not as durable as the steel reinforced ceramic I use, but still an effective medium. Last night I cast a mold for Black Belt. The donor ramp was actually a prototype yellow one. This is clearly one of the very first formed Black Belt ramps formed as the finish on that ramp is frankly horrible indicating that is was made out of something soft in the game design phase. When I say the finish is horrible, the ramp itself has a very rough finish so is not clear as we would expect. Will require the entire mold surface to be smoothed before I can mold them. The one form I got from the mold dung provided yielded an almost perfect specimen and will require very minor finishing. The process I just went through with dung greatly accelerated a ramp to production.

So, you CAD guys out there....Can you scan a ramp then CNC it out of wood-like medium? Scanning would be cool, otherwise I assume you would need to program the entire ramp. I've been intrigued by the CNC process, but just don't think it is worth it for me to take the time to learn and again is it worth the time considering the size of runs. gotta' be an expert out there. 3D printing is another possibility, not for making finish ramps, but possibly for making proto-type ramp shapes that can be formed one time to produce a form that can then be cast. We actually tried a 3d print with my son and it sort of worked. Many of the 3D printed stuff I've seen are not really very strong and the machine I use has incredible power and can just a 3D print piece.....It has even cracked a few ceramics. Possibly a good idea for a new game, but again, how much time does it take to program it to reproduce an existing ramp.

Rambling now...back to work on the Transporter ramps.

Guessing the original Radical ramps were .187" thick. Not sure what type of plastic was used on the originals. I will be using .150" PETG which should be sufficient. As far as thicker material, I can easily form up to 1/4" plastic.

That's the problem with the original ramps...I don't think data files exist on them.

I don't think they were ever made of steel....Aluminum is what they were made of. In my ceramic molds I actually use rebar for added strength. On another note...the Black Belt I cast last night was a total of 28 pounds mixed. The mix rate on the ceramic I use is all done by weight. 1 pound of water and 3 pounds of the powder. So Black Belt was 21 pounds of powder and 7 pounds of water. You actually gauge the cure of the ceramic by it's weight. In theory over time, the Black Belt ramp will weigh close to 21 pounds when fully cured.

No, but thanks. We're good...already cast.

Honestly, I'm just curious. Since I will likely never pursue it on my own, I can't see adding another party to the process that I can already do myself without a 3D printed mold since I have access to the ramps already. While 3D printing has come a long way, at least plastic is not a good material for a durable mold. However, I do see where the home brewers who would likely model their ramp and print their ramp which could then in turn be made into a mold.