Matthews, NC
WW proto topside is built up.
No more rusty parts.
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image (resized).jpgimage (resized).jpgimage (resized).jpgWhen building a Whirlwind I like to install and level the spinning disc assembly first
This one was a rusty mess so I need to rebuild it now that the bracket is plated.
image (resized).jpg
Motor needs some work can’t plate that image (resized).jpg
One thing I am a little torn on is what to do with the disc.
They aren’t perfect.
image (resized).jpgimage (resized).jpgimage (resized).jpgQuoted from High_End_Pins:Next a little clear tubing cut to slide over the latch. I try to keep reassembly and set up to a minimum for the recipient.
This makes sure the latch can’t dig into the top plate.
[quoted image]
[quoted image]
Secured with low tack tape [quoted image]
Now the head is shrink wrapped tight to the body.
[quoted image]
Then paper is placed and shrink wrapped from the back. The idea is to make sure no shrink wrap touches the cabinet because it could print it if temperatures fluctuate too much. [quoted image]
Legs removed. [quoted image]
Legs are individually rolled into a blanket then shrink wrapped.
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
You are such an excellent craftsman, and your level of skill and care in unrivaled. So glad to see these step by step posts! 
Quoted from High_End_Pins:They do look different than the replacements I have and I don’t think it is just a wear or age difference.[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
Yeah, the colors aren't close to right and they really took some liberties with the lightning shapes. What a shame to have to compromise on these since they're so central to the playfield...
I always am surprised by how fast you are buidling these machines. Tear down, clearcoating, sanding, polishing, new parts, buidling up the machine. It takes me ages, also to get the right parts, order these on various websites. And how clean your workplace always looks, when I am working on my machines, tools are scattered all over the place. You should have a huge area with parts lying around. Where is the mess?
Quoted from PeterG:I always am surprised by how fast you are buidling these machines. Tear down, clearcoating, sanding, polishing, new parts, buidling up the machine. It takes me ages, also to get the right parts, order these on various websites. And how clean your workplace always looks, when I am working on my machines, tools are scattered all over the place. You should have a huge area with parts lying around. Where is the mess?
Well, first of all, doing pinball as a hobby and a business are two completely different things. It pays to be organized and detailed with pinball.
Regarding the NEW Whirlwind decals, they don't really look that great. Can you possibly clean up the existing ones?
Switch harness is just about run on the WW proto.
E2823890-76B0-4E20-A47C-A0442BB9140B (resized).jpeg
It has been a challenge overcoming the rust without making it look too good either.
I have been able to strike a balance. If it were not for the game and proto specific brackets I could have easily replaced them but since so needed to reuse at least some of them and eliminate deep rust nickel plating was the best option.
Doing everything from the coil brackets to even the jet bumper switch brackets maintains consistency.
I can solder better and prefer to use clear tubing on the leads but it would not make sense on this project.
627050BC-2A32-4222-8068-8CF9F79DBC9A (resized).jpegD67CA20C-CC6A-44A3-AA91-39A00CCAB100 (resized).jpeg04557941-6A3F-49AD-994D-EEAE204A280E (resized).jpegWhat I decided to do with the disc decals is clean the originals and leave them in place.
They could easily be replaced later if the owner prefers it but I think even with the wear they have the game will still look more authentic and more survivor like if they remain.
Quoted from High_End_Pins:What I decided to do with the disc decals is clean the originals and leave them in place.
They could easily be replaced later if the owner prefers it but I think even with the wear they have the game will still look more authentic and more survivor like if they remain.
I think you made the right choice. Someone needs to repro those whirlwind discs much more faithfully - both colors and art.
Curtis is still doing it
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Today was cardio/core but it was dreary outside so we did the one minute count down where you work for one minute and get twenty seconds rest between exercises.
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Battle ropes
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Rest
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Slam ball
F787EB29-C41F-4ACC-93DD-3AB7A5B7DB38 (resized).jpeg
56F124DE-0636-4E86-A991-9F5F8EB65729 (resized).jpeg
KB squat press EEA8189C-ED40-4106-A1F2-5E45B7682E8D (resized).jpeg
88E5E4CE-5E12-46BA-88E5-C57DCEDC9DB2 (resized).jpeg
KB swing
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Jumping jacks(he’s not quite ready to jump rope yet)217EF1DE-6F66-4AF6-BDD6-00936A89D3C8 (resized).jpeg
Then wall balls 155838B4-71D5-4CC6-8FF6-9F67EF00FBAE (resized).jpeg
That’s one round now back to battle ropes
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Now Maverick wants to get in on the action this is why we have to latch him. AE61DACE-5F4D-4ADC-AC89-5B45F9F7C307 (resized).jpeg
Good work out.
8DA86758-5C54-4437-BF3B-06FE15518BB7 (resized).jpeg115644EA-93B8-482B-BECD-24EEA5F5525A (resized).jpeg
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Now we can let Maverick pounce
50591AED-5DF1-4C84-87D5-4C820AB25A89 (resized).jpegQuoted from PinMonk:I think you made the right choice. Someone needs to repro those whirlwind discs much more faithfully - both colors and art.
Thanks. I am so disappointed these days with the quality of the parts we have to choose from.
Plastic sets that can’t hold the art
Flat lifeless cabinet art
Coil wrappers that don’t stick even as well as a postage stamp
Screws that snap as soon as you screw them in
Jet bumper lamp sockets that fall apart as soon as you try to put a bulb in them
Jet bumper bodies that disintegrate into a dusty powder after a couple plays
Flipper return springs that snap in a week.
Unfaithful inaccurate representation of all products is at an all time high. The cosmetics are easy to spot but the true quality is way off as well. The parts makers and marketers don’t seem to care anymore at all.
Quoted from timab2000:Where are all these parts being made I wonder
My guess
9C9E7BD6-86B7-45CE-9EEB-0AA34FD46BB6 (resized).jpegQuoted from timab2000:Where are all these parts being made I wonder
It has nothing to do with that, but basic economics. People keep buying (and at increasing prices, as well). It also hurts that rights are held tightly by people who don't care about quality but rather extracting every last dollar possible.
The Chinese are capable of producing quality products but not at the price we are asking them to do it for. You get what you pay for!
Quoted from Marten:The Chinese are capable of producing quality products but not at the price we are asking them to do it for. You get what you pay for!
Definitely. For instance you could order flipper return springs to be made out of various grades of steel and get various price points.
It seems those that are ordering or designing the parts are the ones making the poor choices.
That is why I find that picture I posted funny and relevant.
Quoted from Marten:The Chinese are capable of producing quality products but not at the price we are asking them to do it for. You get what you pay for!
100% agree with this, all your expensive quality tvs and shit are made in china as well! It does not matter where it is made you get what you pay for. People just want everything dirt cheap then get upset when it does not last. Or greedy company's and sell cheap shit as expensive items and wonder why people get pissed when it does not last as technically they did pay for a quality item just received a cheap one coz the company pocked most of the cash!
Quoted from Marten:The Chinese are capable of producing quality products but not at the price we are asking them to do it for. You get what you pay for!
Yep. China will make whatever you want on-spec. You have to watch them since some of the shadier manufacturers will try to "cost reduce" on reorders without telling you, but once you find a few good ones, you stick with them and they will turn out quality work. They just won't do it for nothing. Those Whirlwind discs should have used pantone colors, but I bet they just screened them. They're WAY off from what they should be.
Having done this, reproducing and manufacturing the Shadow Supersets in the Gene days, part of the problem is you have to make a lot to get the price down, but then you sell half and sit on the other half as it trickles out for years to make a few thousand bucks. And if things go wrong (as it did on the first run of Shadow Supersets with ink adhesion) there go your profits (I replaced all the bad sets free). It's risk/risk with little reward. If you're going to make more than one category of repro at a time with any kind of quality control and faithfulness to the original you have to be stacked for cash and very patient.
Quoted from PinMonk:Yep. China will make whatever you want on-spec. You have to watch them since some of the shadier manufacturers will try to "cost reduce" on reorders without telling you, but once you find a few good ones, you stick with them and they will turn out quality work. They just won't do it for nothing. Those Whirlwind discs should have used pantone colors, but I bet they just screened them. They're WAY off from what they should be.
Having done this, reproducing and manufacturing the Shadow Supersets in the Gene days, part of the problem is you have to make a lot to get the price down, but then you sell half and sit on the other half as it trickles out for years to make a few thousand bucks. And if things go wrong (as it did on the first run of Shadow Supersets with ink adhesion) there go your profits (I replaced all the bad sets free). It's risk/risk with little reward. If you're going to make more than one category of repro at a time with any kind of quality control and faithfulness to the original you have to be stacked for cash and very patient.
I hear you. I made some Krull plastics for a one off project and lost my ass from start to finish.
The game turned out great so there was an upside but it was a horrible business decision and experience.
I learned if I can’t buy it or make it myself I will need to do without it.
Quoted from High_End_Pins:I hear you. I made some Krull plastics for a one off project and lost my ass from start to finish.
The game turned out great so there was an upside but it was a horrible business decision and experience.
I learned if I can’t buy it or make it myself I will need to do without it.
Haha. The Shadow was almost all downside. I took a pin that I loved and could pick up all the time for $1000-$1500 because plastics weren't available for a reasonable price (just the Sanctum plastic was $300 IF you could find it) and they were always broken, and almost overnight doubled the asking price of the pins because people had access to a full set of new, stronger plastics for cheap that made the game look great. The concept of supersets (all plastics in the machines from all assemblies in one set) started there. As a result of my lack of foresight and innate cheapness, I haven't had a Shadow in-house since.
But I am glad The Shadow has a lot of respect as the great game it is now. It would be great if Brian Eddy brought back the dual diverter concept for whatever pin he's doing for Stern. It's so unique and really makes the game exciting.
The lamp harness is done. image (resized).jpg
Where I could reasonably enough do it and get away with I reworked the fragile daisy chains 8FE1481B-6E2F-470E-A985-946FF849B757 (resized).jpeg
In the exposed areas I left them but made sure they were solid to maintain the original look where seen
3B183BAE-8B4F-47CB-860C-340F67BC0066 (resized).jpeg5E09F276-566D-4DFB-865B-D54F6E7080C8 (resized).jpegNow we need to start placing the coil assemblies.
The target bank is first and once again our choices are nice but slightly worn original target decals or lousy repros.
80C1781F-0267-4A42-8BF3-6257CC0C03B5 (resized).jpeg
The originals are a textured thick and very durable material C85AC54E-CAC5-405F-BA93-287F5B1C2B0A (resized).jpeg
The reproductions are darker and inaccurate 93207E7E-C575-4F72-961C-06FE23E98A24 (resized).jpeg
What is worse is they are not at all durable. 5 or 10 plays and you will probably start seeing the ink wear away. Garbage but who cares as long as you can place them in your cart and pay vial PayPal 
D628663F-6DA9-4756-A686-E9681FBBE15A (resized).jpeg
The originals lasted 30 years so far the repros won’t make it 30 plays so the choice is obvious.
Clean up the originals.
In this bottle is acetone image (resized).jpg
Rub it on the repros image (resized).jpg
This is the result it is instant image (resized).jpg
Rub it on the 30 year old originals image (resized).jpg
This is the result. Nice and clean!Is there even a question about the low quality of the repros?
image (resized).jpgQuoted from High_End_Pins:Now we need to start placing the coil assemblies.
The target bank is first and once again our choices are nice but slightly worn original target decals or lousy repros.
[quoted image]
The originals are a textured thick and very durable material [quoted image]
The reproductions are darker and inaccurate [quoted image]
What is worse is they are not at all durable. 5 or 10 plays and you will probably start seeing the ink wear away. Garbage but who cares as long as you can place them in your cart and pay vial PayPal
[quoted image]
The originals lasted 30 years so far the repros won’t make it 30 plays so the choice is obvious.
Clean up the originals.
In this bottle is acetone [quoted image]
Rub it on the repros [quoted image]
This is the result it is instant [quoted image]
Rub it on the 30 year old originals [quoted image]
This is the result. Nice and clean!Is there even a question about the low quality of the repros?[quoted image]
The reproductions look almost like dye sublimation or home photo printer. I'd make my own on paper with mylar over the top and 467MP backing before I used those.
The original spinners and targets look better in every way, even with slightly aged colors. That texture is so unique!
Quoted from High_End_Pins:Thanks cannot take any credit for the Borg ship I bought that from Pinballlife.
I can't take any credit for it either. Matt from Back Alley Creations painted that.
Terry.
STI is picking up the STTNG tomorrow so off to the warehouse.
This time of the evening with Curtis at work it requires we take Marshall.
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The only way to do that in peace is bribe him.
Wendy’s and lots of ketchup works today
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Now to finish packing. E876B669-CB31-49C9-BCCF-79CE5B123C0E (resized).jpeg
All done returning the old translite and playfield as requested.
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Leduc, AB
Quoted from High_End_Pins:hanks. I am so disappointed these days with the quality of the parts we have to choose from.
Plastic sets that can’t hold the art
Flat lifeless cabinet art
Coil wrappers that don’t stick even as well as a postage stamp
Screws that snap as soon as you screw them in
Jet bumper lamp sockets that fall apart as soon as you try to put a bulb in them
Jet bumper bodies that disintegrate into a dusty powder after a couple plays
Flipper return springs that snap in a week.
I so hear you on this.
Whirlwind prototype underside build is coming to a close.
I have the flippers left and the one bank drop then I can place some looms and tighten the wiring up a little bit too much on this one.
The nickel plated parts probably look a little too nice but it is a trade I can live with compared to the rust that was there.
5F3800C6-CC3E-4141-9CAE-93162DE6014E (resized).jpeg260244A5-8F79-4055-AB3E-05E4E0F28985 (resized).jpegCC10192B-E03E-4C9B-95BA-CA275283E6C7 (resized).jpegE7161A00-D5A9-4B7E-A9AA-7D98807E3C69 (resized).jpeg8B7167F3-E702-4B84-8EAC-C3A6D1DCC1F7 (resized).jpeg2641A5DC-56FC-4811-997B-B7365229F310 (resized).jpegLooking through the quality comments is so relevant today. It seems that 30% of all the parts ordered these days have junk metal or blurry printing. Doesn't seem to matter where they come from but I do think Comet and Marco have some of the better quality parts these days. I guess we should be happy because 15 years ago, 95% of the parts that are made now were not even manufactured.
Still, I always keep some spare populated play fields around from each manufacturer. I ALWAYS try to reuse good quality functioning parts, or NOS parts, before buying a reproduction part. They take up a lot of space but man, the quality from 70's and 80's vintage parts is unmatched today. Not even close.
Whirlwind prototype playfield underside is ready then it is placed in the cabinet.
943FC76A-F62E-4E19-BF19-C918672065F3 (resized).jpegimage (resized).jpgI couldn’t buff the speaker panel plastic because of the riveted portions 375DA5F6-D0D9-497A-A6E8-6A09B6F659F8 (resized).jpeg2ECEA617-6976-4CE6-BD55-EA8827A15D3A (resized).jpeg
I did wash and hand polish it. Now it lives again.
6B795EF1-417F-4C5E-9D3C-7FCB766FB98E (resized).jpegB0EEC29D-C296-4E6B-83AD-0700DBB35317 (resized).jpegQuoted from LTG:You gotta love him.
LTG : )
Yeah. We never thought we would have such an “eternally young “child. We have learned to just go with it 
Today was the last day for our Bradford pear tree.
We planted it almost 20 years ago but it was just not in good health and it was outgrowing the house and yard.
These have a tendency to just split without warning particularly during ice storms.
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EFFF85A3-8331-44FC-B6E2-38E7F4A2BC31 (resized).jpeg
Something is working on it pretty hard. Most likely a wood pecker.
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With the new fence line landscaping it is holding back some of those plants and getting impossible to grow any grass around it.
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And there it goes.
EB6CDCC5-1728-4521-9F19-BDA3EA4A762B (resized).jpeg
Feels a bit weird without it but I am sure we will get used to it and the other plants on the fence line will benefit in the long run.
We will be able to grow grass there and will have a nice flat yard on each side instead of dodging the tree but I already miss the shade
image (resized).jpg
Quoted from High_End_Pins:Something is working on it pretty hard. Most likely a wood pecker.
Those are dimples! What poor quality trees these days.
Quoted from Atari_Daze:Those are dimples! What poor quality trees these days.
It is the softer wood they are using to make trees now 
I know the feeling on the tree. We had one in our front yard that did just that in storm. Missed the house by inches. Odd when it was removed but we got used to it very quickly and now don't even realize it was there before.
Quoted from High_End_Pins:Today was the last day for our Bradford pear tree.
We planted it almost 20 years ago but it was just not in good health and it was outgrowing the house and yard.
These have a tendency to just split without warning particularly during ice storms.
[quoted image]
[quoted image]
Something is working on it pretty hard. Most likely a wood pecker.
[quoted image]
With the new fence line landscaping it is holding back some of those plants and getting impossible to grow any grass around it.
[quoted image]
And there it goes.
[quoted image]
Feels a bit weird without it but I am sure we will get used to it and the other plants on the fence line will benefit in the long run.
We will be able to grow grass there and will have a nice flat yard on each side instead of dodging the tree but I already miss the shade
[quoted image]
We lost 8 bradford pear and ray ash trees when the roots became too invasive and they had to be taken out after 15 years. They were mature and gave a ton of shade. It's taken us like 6 years to get back to a fraction of the shade with new (supposedly less invasive root) trees. Total drag starting over, especially in a place with blazing hot summers.
Quoted from chad:Chris, have ever had requests to not install the extra molex connectors to the assemblies?
Not specifically but I try to use my judgment in general based on the build and benefits.
I did not install them on the WW proto except for just one or two where they pass through the playfield from top to underside.
Quoted from chad:Chris, have ever had requests to not install the extra molex connectors to the assemblies?
I think they should be built like that from factory.
Quoted from High_End_Pins:Today was the last day for our Bradford pear tree.
We planted it almost 20 years ago but it was just not in good health and it was outgrowing the house and yard.
Bradfords are a short term solution for shade. They’re a weak tree. Best thing I did was get rid of mine!
Prototype Whirlwind finished
Too tall with the topper to drag outside
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E67AE859-82D9-44BF-8535-F1796143C76D (resized).jpegPromoted items from the Pinside Marketplace
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