https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/cabinet-restoration-vids-guide

This might be a good start.

There's a nice thread from EM-Pinman on a Gulf Stream machine that he replaced the bottom of.

Hope that helps!

Basically, 3/4" maple or birch plwd for box, 1/2" for cab bottom.. Don't use mdf.... doesn't hold fasteners, and is terrible with ANY moisture. Show pics of damage, as may be possible to repair.

Too bad you didnt live closer to Texas (Dallas), we have a local craftsman that can make you one...

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I think it was $500... but shipping/painting would make it pricy. For $700 I'll find a doner cab and paint it for you Shipping $350?

Do you really think that is termite damage? It looks like water, but if it really was termites, no way in hell would that go into my house.

Anyway, the damage is so extensive, you would probably be ahead of the game just finding a different cabinet and repainting it.

Replace the bottom and the back for $50. HD sells 9 ply birch for the back+neck and Hardboard for the bottom

back side
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/cabinet-corner-destroyed#post-3172864

My Atlantis was totally termite damaged when it arrived from Florida. I gutted the cabinet and tossed it out the day after it arrived. I found a donor cabinet (an old Sky Jump) and did a full repaint using stencils from Pinball Pimp. Turned out great. I'd go that route if another collector in your area can sell or give you a donor cabinet.

See my Atlantis restoration thread for lots of pics of my repaint and restoration.

Yep, don't mess around with termites, even if it looks like it was an old infestation get it fumigated or throw it out before they get to your house and the rest of your games and ruin them.

The best plywood for building cabs from scratch is MDO Plywood. Medium Density Overlay Plywood.

It's real plywood, so it glues and holds screws perfectly.

But it has a thin venier of MDF on both faces, that is usually pre-primed.

The MDF is perfectly flat. No filling, no sanding, no graining, no telegraphing and usually no priming is needed.

This saves you about 8 hours of prep time, and gives you a flatter cab than you could sand by hand.

Williams used this stuff on it's latter games that had super detailed silkscreened graphics.

http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/industrial-panels/mdf-mdo-panels/roseburg-3-4-x-4-x-8-mdo-plywood/p-1444452506069-c-13338.htm?tid=8840372650345142831

MDO-A_(resized).jpg

Remake the cab bottom from 1/4" Baltic Birch Plywood (not "birch plywood" !!!).

http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/specialty-panels/hardwood-panels/1-4-x-4-x-8-baltic-birch-plywood/p-1444441908454-c-13334.htm?tid=-4034726932711793177

If it was me, I would consider the rear panel in plywood an up grade. some other Em guys on here, have stated that it would very acceptable to them.

Gottlieb must of had a reason to use the particle board rear panel. Either for testing the material, cheaper than plywood? Guess we will never know.

Here is a restoration - nice p/f.

Not a fan of the cabinet on this one…….

ebay.com link: 1975 D Gottlieb ATLANTIS PINBALL MACHINE Restored from the ground up

It's about the same. The manufacturer says it's 1/4lb lighter than a normal sheet of 3/4" plywood, so you will never notice the difference.

I always replace damaged particle board with plywood.

The manufacturers tried to save any penny they could. Near the end, Bally even made all particle board cabs, and the ops hated them.

But particle board crumbles and is 2x as heavy as regular plywood.

Yeah.

Don't.

If you have a game that has a particle board back panel (I have one with Abra Ca Dabra) you'll hate it. It sucks. Crumbly, easily damaged, you name it.

Decimated..? Like this...? Before I owned my Atlantis it was involved in a serious accident. It was put back together and plays perfectly well now, but I am looking forward to a new PF when Wade is done (real soon now!)

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Just a little off on the colors

Since you mentioned Detroit, I may have something. I'll have to take a look. I know it is a wedgehead, it may or may not be of the proper vintage.

Also, drop a line to the MPL and I can bring it up to the DPL. If you wanted to go new, the South Lyon pinball cabinet guy recently moved to Howell. I forgot his name, but I think he is/was involved with the virtual pin. He was at the VFW show. Would avoid shipping anyway.

The other thing is that if you are patient, they always pop up. PATZ is a great place to get stuff like this. Dayhuff too maybe.

If you are impatient, sell it to me. I can wait.

I will need a front panel for a Gottlieb Fun Land. Recommendations?

Find a doner

Are they glued or nailed to the side panels? May have a local woodworker make one up for me.