I've been thinking of building a pin from the ground up. Rather than inventing a new game I thought I'd investigate building an existing title. Namely, The Addams Family. I figure it will be expensive and time consuming but my question is "Is it worth trying?"

My thoughts are as follows:
Great game - Pro
Can purchase parts over time with out the immediate outlay of $7K to $10K to purchase a complete one. - Pro
Playfield, Plastics and cabinet art are available (for now). - Pro
Translight may be hard to find. - Con
Ramps may be hard to find. - Con
Boards may be hard to find. - Con
Wire isn't cheap. - Con

Thoughts?
Comments?
Snide Remarks?

Excellent inputs all. As I've looked around for parts (since yesterday), it is become evident that it may not be a "fun" endeavor. Restoration now seems like a better option.

Any tips on finding a project TAF machine to restore? The TAFs listed on pinside.com are all in pretty good shape. Craigslist in my area is a crapshoot.

Thanks again for all the great feedback!

I know this it has been a REALLY long time since I posted in this thread but I decided to give the scratch build a try. So far it has been GREAT! It took me 2 years to find/make the parts. I've received lots of help from wallybgood and @dumbass.

Extinct metal ball guides and support bar cut by sendcutsend.com
ball guides (resized).jpg
more ball guides (resized).jpg
playfield support bar (resized).jpg

bookcase built from parts
bookcase assembly (resized).jpg

Thing box based purchased from PSPA and build the top from styrene sheet from Hobby Lobby
building thing box (resized).jpg

Lamp boards purchased with a group buy with some other guys building a TAF
lamp boards (resized).jpg

Apron made from Fish Tales apron with custom artwork from Illustrator and Cricut die cutter.
apron (resized).jpg

Purchased blank Sound board, MPU and Power Driver board from @dumbass. And built them up. I'm upgrading to Fliptronics II and purhcased that and the DMD board from K's Arcade.
sound board (resized).jpg
MPU (resized).jpg
all baords (resized).jpg

CPR Gold playfield came from Starship Fantasy as did the main ramp.

Underside assembly.
underside assembly (resized).jpg

Cabinet came from virtuapin.net (Paul does EXCELLENT work)
cab kit (resized).jpg

Test fit playfield
test fit PF (resized).jpg

Cabinet assembled and decals from phoenix arcade applied.
cab assebled and decals applied (resized).jpg

Speaker panel assembled
speaker panel (resized).jpg

backbox lamp insert panel installed as well as boards and speaker panel.
lamp panel built and boards installed (resized).jpg

first test of lamp matrix. Had a couple of bad connections in the pop bumpers. They are fixed now but didn't shoot another video.

After a couple of weeks with DumbAss helping me debug a reboot issue (ended up being a couple of bad solder joints in the 5V regulator circuit on the Power Driver Board). I am in the middle of building wiring harnesses.

No pictures yet. I'll post them sometime later

Yeah Shredder565 and I started about the same time. I've been watching his progress and the great community help that he is getting. I try to help him too occasionally when he's up against something I've already completed or solved.

I started my thread after DumbAss suggested that I should blog my progress too. I'm a little further along than Shredder565 but not much.

Thanks for reading my posts .

Here is my current state of construction. The bottom side of the playfield is almost done. I'm "building" these harnesses one wire at a time so routing of wires will likely NOT match the factory. I had to order wire for the magnet high power board. once it is delivered and installed I'll tidy things up with LOTS of zip ties. Then I think it will be ready to go into the cabinet .
playfield nearly complete underneath (resized).jpg

I had to make .dxf CAD files for each of the metal parts. I made the files myself based on measurements I got from a friend. The sendcutsend.com process is SUPER easy. upload the .dxf, select material (I used stainless 0.048" for ball guides, 0.060 for insert panel brackets and 0.125" for the prop rod) and order. There is a $29 minimum order. The automated quote generation works really well.

That is the same board I have. I'm having trouble finding where I bought it though. Parts collection has been going on for quite a while (2 years).