Completed on 05/09/2020

Restoration Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PKPTgfgCzVQE7CAc8
Reference Pictures Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/YqD2j2eZacimqy3g9

Special thanks to the following folks... even if I didn't work with you directly, you have been a vital part of this effort either as reference or inspiration.
CaptainNeo
Robertstone0407
Davi
baloo70
KornFreak28
AaronZOOM
sc93cobra
flashinstinct
CPR
merfeldma
kruzman
Bryan_Kelly
High_End_Pins
cosmokramer
eyeamred2u

... and thanks all of the on-line vendors out there that keep stock or custom make parts for these old toys!

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09/15/2019 - Day 1

In the thick of it now! Still finishing up my RFM resto... I’ve got good momentum so I want to get this cabinet done! I recently got my playfield back from CaptainNeo and it’s going to have plenty of time to harden. Robertstone0407 has done all of the powder coating for this machine, the coin door is done so that is the preview of the finish. My plan is to get this out of the garage in 3 weeks and setup the inside shop for all of the other rework. I don’t think I’ll get to stuffing the top of playfield until December. This is my favorite game ... it will be with me until I’m pushing up daisies...for this reason, this will be a 100% no stone unturned restoration... so there is plenty to do until I start putting screws to the top of the playfield.

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Some quick before shots of the faded rubble

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Cooked off well over an hour tearing down the head ... Wow I am humbled by the amount of hardware in this machine .... thinking of all the people who’s job it was to put this monster together ... all of the different stations along the way. What a machine! I tore down the playfield last October ... I kind of expected that to be a lot of work... and it was but it’s a playfield so yeah right it was. There is something about the cabinet though ... all the anchors, strapping, mounting plates, reinforcements and hinges. It’s awesome!

Everything is accounted for, bagged and sorted... but I’m thinking I’m going to have one last “shit from the bottom of the cabinet” bag tho
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Started diggin’ in. I pulled the speaker plate and power box plate off. I’m going to remove the transformer shelf too. I want to get the base really clean.

Been thinking about the speaker...
I’ve a pinball Pro... I’m thinking of making the speaker plate non standard ... to fit an 8” woofer. I mean does anyone use the stock speaker ?

The little voice in my head said keep it stock dummy!

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220 grit ain’t cuttin’ it! Gruuuuubbby

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120 making a dent. I seriously considered cutting an entirely new cab... (or getting one from one of the folks around that make them). Maybe would have been worth it ... this is one filthy critter. I thought my RFM was dirty ... but considering this is 27 years old and has been who knows where I guess it’s not so bad.

In the end ... having it restored and original “mostly” will be great.
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Oh and I feckin’ HATED tearing that transformer shelf out! But ... it had to be done! No way to get this 100% clean otherwise.

Woodworking tonight !

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While that nice new transformer shelf looks great... its NOT! Dumb a$$ here cut it in reverse... the side not showing is the top surface and if you flip it over... its got a big ol' knot on it and a nasty scuff mark! So I guess I'll be cutting another! Measure twice... cut once, repeat! I think it is important to document your mistakes along with the "pretty" things.

Much better !!! Dry fit perfectly!!!

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Another pass of the innards... there are a couple of solder flux spots on the floor panel from a previous owner/service ... ... may not come all the way out.

Got the side art scraped off... melting side art ... hmmm I’m reminded of melted faces ...

I’ll get behind the legs when I put it up on its side to strip the adhesive.

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Thanks ... In fact I do!!!! LOL!!! I do wear respirator (most of the time) ... but yeah stanky!!!

Years ago when I used to restore vids... I used to be a huge patron of Bob Roberts... it was awesome ... and this security bit set remains a very important part of my set of useful things.

Used it for security but to remove the translite lock.

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Thank you! I’ve such a long way to go ... but if I can get back into the house ... before it gets cold ... I’m good to go! Hopefully get through stripping this weekend.

I’ve still got RFM lingering so I’m doing two at once.

Got the method down pat with the heat gun and knife ... simply chase the gun with the knife in a nice controlled manner ... comes off like butta’. If it weren’t for the smell I could do this all day!

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Didn’t realize I was wearing my Indy shirt! Nice try Lao Che !!!!

First pass sanding done !!! Still some adhesive residue left... I’ll get that with the the 120 then finish up with the 220.

Super pleased at the overall condition of this cabinet. Very little bondo and gluing needed !!! The bottom was a bit wonky... almost like it had been exposed to moisture... the surface was raised and flaky. It’s polished nicely now (sorta) !
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I did a similar method on my RFM... I didn’t go to 800 tho. It came out like a Steinway piano

Yup I do! You know they changed the friggin label on it and it’s not easy to tell the difference between it and the latex version.

I had one guy that passed me by say... "Too much to drink Doctor Jones?" , I cracked up! Love it.

Things you do when you are up at 5:30 in the morning...

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PinSound Shaker on its way !!!

Perfect timing as I can get it properly fitted prior to finishing the cabinet!

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More filth and fixes today.

The cash box divider is that laminated cabinet material they use for screening directly onto the cabinet. Welp it doesn’t hold glue very well. The blocking wasn’t holding it and it was flopping in place. I popped the blocking, took the heat gun and sander to the divider and cleaned it to bare wood. I’ll put new blocking in before I paint.

I also made a total rookie move on something ... I was in a hurry and created some extra work for myself. I’ll post pics when I’ve repaired it and I’m done kicking myself in the a$$. ... actually you can see a bit of it in one of the pics of this post

Also can I say my favorite tools is my gyroscopic electric screwdriver!!! It’s the shit for this kind of work.
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Taking some good advice...

I am amazed at the how well the overall build of the machine is ... the corners are razor sharp! I’m dealing with shrinkage here.

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You push the button and turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise and it kicks in the drive. Works at any angle. It can be setup for “gun” or straight mode with a twist of the body.

Inside ... Done.
Underside ... Done.

Next is to finish the exterior and bottom edge.

I’ll be glad to get out of this “investment” phase.
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Using the contrast of the sunlight is a great way to see if you’ve gotten all the goo up ... and if you have any imperfections to deal with.

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Here is my royal F*** UP!

I “thought” I broke all the glue away ...
instead of just trying to give the cleat some encouragement ... I whacked it with the hammer...

Welp that delaminated it just slightly

This was a dumb assed amateur move ...
It’s fixed but what a shame.

FWIW...this back panel is a bit “voidy” anyway...which contributed to the level of failure.

Still... dumb
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Gonna have to rethink my next step.

The base of this cabinet has bugged me from day one. It had that raised fluffy/crusty feel to it. I thought I could sand it down... but the structure of it is weakened ... there was humidity / moisture here at one point. The rest of the cab is fine. I can sand this till I’m blue (brown) in the face and it just keeps crumbling.

So I don’t know.. I’m contemplating surgical replacement. Not sure what choice I have... all this work... I’m not just going to live with it.

Done for the day... gonna sleep on it tonight. I think I already know what I’m gonna do... I’m just not crazy about it.
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Ok so it’s been eating me up ... decided to give it a go... I’m feeling better about it.

It’s gonna work out just fine. I’ll make a new bottom using the old one as a template. I’ll reinstall it... glue and clamp with epoxy. I’m going to dye the epoxy a slight tan color (probably ... yeah... likely unnecessary) so it will blend nicely once it’s sanded.

Annoying bump in the road... I was so excited because the cabinet itself wasn’t banged up at all. Not what I wanted to have to do ... but its the right thing to do.
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Cabinet base removal a success. I don’t like looking at it...but it’s going to be just fine when it is repaired.

Since the bottom is out, I can replace the coin box divider and the transformer shelf with proper rabetted panels. All of it will be new on the inside bottom, shelf, blocking, divider and base... done. A while ago I drew up some plans as I was going to re-cut a new cabinet (probably shoulda done that now)... but whatever. I checked what I had drafted for the base of the cabinet against the real thing... they are 100% accurate.

Next steps...

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I like this idea... I'm thinking about keeping it natural... I like the factory look. Not masking stuff has its appeal!

Got the MDF today... 13 sheets into the stack to find one that wasn’t all f***ed up!!!! Typical Home Cheap-o

Had it ripped at the store ... guy pulled it through the saw all bent and crooked !!! Good thing it’s 49” wide.
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New base ... DONE!

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Fits poifectly!!! It’s clean ... your seeing dust marks on it.

Feeling good again!

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Oh you’re funny

PinSound Shaker in the house.

I’m noodling where to mount this. Initially I was thinking ... right on the transformer shelf ... but I dunno... is it wise to be shaking that close to the transformer?

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With the base removed I am able to replace the cash box divider and transformer shelf with tongue and groove panels. I’m also using a nice grade of maple!

Very pleased with it. I hope to get it stitched up before Monday.
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Going back together !!!

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I originally was going to use epoxy. That’s not the right stuff for this job. Epoxy does not wick into the wood and would eventually crack. Titebond III with good clamping is the way to go. I couldn’t be happier with the results so far.

Three more sides to go ... then it’s painting time !!!
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Thanks... that’s kind of the litmus test for me...”am I going to end up with something that is just going to crack apart in the end?” So far... so good. I considered your method... but I couldn’t get myself to crack the front off. I actually think this now may be a bit stronger than it was. The base is now glued on all sides of the cab... it used to flop in there... I also glued and nailed the transformer and cash box dividers. I think I’m good with it... Not gonna lie... once I decided the base needed to be replaced ... I had my doubts, and was thinking new cab.

I hear ya... I actually drew up plans for this machine and started to put it into Fusion for my buddy to CNC one for me. Came real close. In the end it would have been a lot less mess and overall less time to finish for sure.

Made the speaker plate today ... that’s all I got in me

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Finally! Last flipping edge repair! I only have 12 clamps... so it’s at least 24 hours per side !!!

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For reasons only to be a faithful reproduction of the original cabinet. This was originally how the cabinet is built. I've thought about making an 8" plate... hence why I've not glued it yet.

The pro woofer adapter plate in the pic above is just to show fit.
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The tedium is done !!!!

Will be blocking and masking tomorrow !!!

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Ready to be tacked ... masked and painted !!!

Man that sucked !!!!

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I like to run the chamfer bit to redo the bottom edge and get a crisp 45 degrees. You just can’t get that with a sanding block. It takes so very little off and really cleans it up nicely.
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Probably one of my favorite if not my absolute favorite power tool. You can do so much with a router, routing table, jigs, templates...etc.

Chocks, cleats or whatever you kids call them

Sorry for the tight shots... I’ve a very tiny workspace

BTW... I drilled a bunch of tiny holes in that bondo and used construction adhesive (locktite PL MAX) to hold that left piece on. Wood glue no stickie to bondo.

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In the interest of accuracy should I bother to drill the 4 T-nut holes in the coin box area? I’m thinking no, make the drill template for it and throw it in the manuals envelope.

Good to know thanks!

Yeah ... two of them are for a Euro cash box and the other two are for... I don’t know what.

So ... yup they are worthless.

Masked, cleaned and first coat of primer done! The crazy tape on the bottom is so I can sit this atop two 5 gallon buckets and not tear the paper

I will hand sand this with 320 once it is dry in a day or two before I hit it with the second coat. This will make a nice smooth finish.
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Scuff sanded with 320... applied second coat of primer.

Looks like a piece of concrete!!! Nice base coat for the paint to stick!
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Final coat of primer ... very pleased with the results so far.

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2 light coats primer ... sanded with 400 between coats.

2 light coats paint sanded with 400 between coats.

Gonna let sit for 3 days... Do another once over and last coat.
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Welp... I should be done the main cabinet by now. I’ve a few errors in the finish (where it shows) so I’m going to wait a few days for it to harden up good, do a full sanding (not a deep sand ... just a surface evening) and put the final coat on.

I was in a hurry ... never be in a hurry when it comes to this stuff.

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I’m re-fabricating the back-box lamp board. The MDF on this machine is flimsy... like the base of the cab... this has got to go. I’ve got plenty of extra MDF so why not.

The lamp socket holes are 5/8”. The recess for the clear post stop is 11/16”. I’m going to use the original as a routing template and a drill guide. Should come out nice.

Harness has been cleaned and is ready to go. One more day for second coat of white and I can cut it.
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Hardest part is officially done (main box anyway)... still have to do the back box. I just don’t have the space to do them at the same time. I’m a bit clumsy so I know my limits.

I’m just too picky ... there is one decent coat in there that I could have lived with... but ya got one shot at it.
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All ready for decallization !!! Going away for a week so it’s gonna sit for a bit. I’d rather stay home and finish it
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Indy is patented... and has his little feet.

I anchored a cleat to the bottom of the screen so I could squeegee from the bottom to the top... instead of just relying on the cabinet chock and squeegeeing from left to right. I just felt better about the natural tension the cleat provided... a little tape takes care of any (if any) potential wiggle.

I used a ton of ink but WTF... no chance I’m going to have any voids!

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Couldn’t resist getting the coin door side done !!! Well almost... still need to cut the holes.

I applied this dry. Aligned ... checked, double checked and triple checked again. Clamped, taped then removed half of the backing ... applied the first half of the decal then removed the clamps and applied the second half. No bubbles no wrinkles no bumps. After it was rubbed in I used a roller to press it in... this removes any air in the adhesive and anchors it tight to the substrate.

This just makes me happy! I’ve had these decals since 2011... they sat flat under my bed... waiting.... and waiting.
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Screen printed ... What you see in my post is just the screen and the ink. You don't see me using the squeegee to smear the ink over the lettering. You need to get the screen, squeegee and ink. I got the WPC screening kit (has both the patent text and the caution text for the back box and two squeegees) from merfeldma

It’s a boutique item for sure... but really necessary to do it “right”

There was just no way to get the pillar aligned perfectly. I spent an hour with it...
Perfectly aligning the pillar pulls the decal off the rear... anyway... compromise

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Yup pretty much what I did ... I’m satisfied. When the leg and all the trim is on it will be fine. I also am good with it because I’m confident I tried all of the options.

Besides these old new decals look spectacular!!! As odd colors yellow and orange are ... I just love the motif of them in this artwork.

Thanks for the pic! Yup they boogered up the arwork ( or they really didn't give 2 sh*ts) with the alignment. I'm satisfied with my end product.

Yeah right... you're not one I can picture hitting up your machine with a marker!

I detest ground strapping ! It’s done !

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Got the art saver spacers and legs on. Pay no mind to the yellow washers ... couldn’t find my black ones.

Here is a little preview of the color. It’s really REALLY hard to capture. There is subtle gold flake in the black.

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So I had an f-up today.

I said before I'm kind of clumsy... sometimes even a little messy... especially when I'm in a hurry.

Welp.. today I was using a paint pen to fix edges... It takes some finesse to use these things. Me ... having a limited supply of finesse, I ended up with some of that nice black paint on my hand...

Yup you guessed it ... put a nice black blob in the yellow on the side-art. It was a holy shit f*ck f*ck f*ck F**********CK moment!

Tried to clean it off with a little paint thinner... no dice... it would only take off the surface but left a grey smudge behind. Fortunately the paint thinner doesn't really hurt the artwork.

Next... how do I cover this mess up... "I know... this yellow is almost dead-nuts the same as the Nazdar ink for the silk screen!"

Put a little on the brush... tried to lightly cover it... but no matter what... it was still there... it was better but not great.

Until...

I wiped of the Nazdar ink!!!! IT CLEANED IT BEAUTIFULLY! Absolutely no evidence of the f-up!

Talk about extreme low followed by an extreme high!

Robertstone0407 ... he suggested the color. I was originally going polished brass but then I saw a few done in black and really felt like I wanted to go that route. Robert suggested this gold (which is mainly black) so its really quite elegant. I will eventually get my good camera to try and capture how it twinkles in the light. Its quite awesome.

I splurged on a new transformer. Why not ... at this point you just stop caring about the money.

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https://ksarcade.net/

Nothing ... just grimy.

Yup...that’s nice! Probably should have done that...I was in a spending mood.

Man you guys are making me feel like I threw my money into a wood chipper... which ... I did actually

Putting a few things on... I can’t capture the color at all... its not as speck-ly as it looks... It has a gold glow to it.

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Gun done

I just cleaned the switch assembly... got rid of the overspray, replaced the diode insulating tube and molex socket. I also added a couple of zip ties for good measure.

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Few more odds and ends... New mantiss stainless receiver, which are very nice! I went so far as to get all the bolt beads powder coated in the same finish... kind of like eating potato chips ... once you start ... well you know.

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Partially due to space.. partially due to breaking up the monotony of refinishing, I am now working on the back box.

Looks like someone thought it might have been a good idea to touch it up with a marker
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When ya think you’re done bondo-ing. You’re not!

Upon close inspection the top edge had a bad cut! Lots of tear out. All better now, plus it made me go around the edge and get rid of all the grain. Should finish nicely.

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Funny... I have your planes setup in my "old" man cave. They are sitting on top of my stereo stand. This room is where I'm going to be doing the playfield re-pop... they'll be staring at me the whole time!

I call it my "old" man cave because its setup sort of vintage late 70's.

Those are waiting patiently for their place.

The bulk of it is out of the garage ! I’m about 3 weeks behind schedule but I don’t care.

Not gonna lie ... I’m liking the way it looks along side Star Wars.

So many of these are faded... they are so brilliant with fresh artwork !!!
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Primer is done ... we are in a cold snap ... now officially using the heater.

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Working on light board... short of a CNC machine... this is how it’s done (or at least how I did it) manually.

It’s rough cut around the edge. I’m going to do the final route cut when it’s paint is finished.

Clamp factory board down, set the depth of the jig to about 2/3 of the board. Not drilling all the way through so it will have nice clean cuts. Even with a sacrificial board underneath... Drilling through MDF doesn’t always make a nice cut.

Once one side is drilled I used a 1/16 bit to make a pilot for the cut on the other side.

Flip the board ... reset the jig and finish the cuts using pilot hole for alignment.
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Thought I’d start working on rebuilding the power junction box...

Bought a new EMI filter from Marcospecialties.... welp... it’s not a direct fit... and it was overpriced. I ordered it with a bunch of other crap a long time ago so its a loss. Considering all that I've dumped into this thing... its pennies.

Bummer... won’t be working on this tonight.
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Just one more coat of black... and no more spray paint !!!

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I went to rattle cans. I used an HVLP turbine sprayer for my RFM restore. Working the HVLP sprayer inside the cabinet is a bitch ... the cans make it easy to maneuver.

Yah ya did!

B-E-A-UTIFUL!!!

Yeah I’m on the fence with those. I’ve got a set... just haven’t committed to them yet.