(Topic ID: 243167)
Linked Games
Jacks Open
Gottlieb, 1977
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Lutz, FL
Quoted from Silverstreak02:I started installing bulbs in the back box tonight with my new tool. I discovered the bulb is too loose in the tool and gets inserted too far into it...
I use the narrower end of the PBR tool...
It’s interesting that some tasks create a sense of satisfaction for very little effort. An example is installing the legs on the cabinet or sliding in the back glass. Then there are others that I spend three nights on and all I can say is it’s done (ho hum). With that said I decided to ditch the original SPST on/off switch in favor of a DPST that I bought at ACE. Since the switch is taller than the original I needed to make a spacer so I can still use the original cover. By the time I made the spacer routed the new cord and tied it up I spent three nights on it. I’m happy with the results, but really.
470BDAEC-4C7B-41FD-B8BE-BA8FB7267F32 (resized).jpegE1028694-259B-4748-A1DE-1A81074C4A69 (resized).jpegE4727A9E-334D-4AF4-8718-581064DA24F0 (resized).jpegI went the easy satisfaction route tonight. Although the playfield isn’t ready I did a power test on the bottom relay board and back box. After plugging in my new cord I hit the on switch. The lights in the back box came on and the score motor made a revolution. Feeling good about the situation I hit the start switch. The score motor ran briefly and all four score reels reset to zero. So far so good.
0EEA91D6-262D-49F3-953F-D9F2DD9E53C0 (resized).jpegQuoted from Playdium:That's a great feeling isn't it? But why the baking soda?
Originally the game had that antique smell. After cleaning and painting it is 90% gone. The baking soda is a precaution in case it starts to smell old again.
Limassol
Quoted from Silverstreak02:Originally the game had that antique smell. After cleaning and painting it is 90% gone. The baking soda is a precaution in case it starts to smell old again.
On the contrary .. I just love that antique smell . It takes me back to my old pinball playing days 
Quoted from Playdium:So when you do a small touch up/repaint on the play field, are you clear coating just that small area, or are you spraying the entire play field?
I spray one or more colors and then clear the entire playfield.
Quoted from Silverstreak02:It’s the on/off switch for the game.
Right, I get that, but why would you need to ditch the SPST in favor of a DPST?
Out of curiosity what do you use for metal polish? I’ve tried three or four different kinds. I’m pretty sure you could use your chime box as a mirror. I’m always looking to try new things.
Quoted from jasonspoint28:Right, I get that, but why would you need to ditch the SPST in favor of a DPST?
A couple of reasons. The switch is as old as the cord so I don’t trust either one. They both had to be changed. I went with a DPST since it can shutoff and isolate both legs of power from the game. Might be overkill.
Quoted from Murphdom:Out of curiosity what do you use for metal polish? I’ve tried three or four different kinds. I’m pretty sure you could use your chime box as a mirror. I’m always looking to try new things.
Most likely Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish. Pretty standard stuff for pinball restoration.
Here's the chime unit of a ""Gold Strike" I did recently. Polished everything with Mother's.
20200121_104053 (resized).jpgQuoted from Murphdom:Out of curiosity what do you use for metal polish? I’ve tried three or four different kinds. I’m pretty sure you could use your chime box as a mirror. I’m always looking to try new things.
When cleaning/polishing parts I use an ultrasonic cleaner, tumbler and sometimes my buffing wheel. The chimes got sanded starting with 400 grit working my way to 2000. I then buffed it on my buffer. I also like to use Mothers mag polish. I used that on the frame of the chime unit (like J.R. said)
Quoted from Silverstreak02:It’s fun time. I started to populate the playfield.[quoted image]
Shhhh. Don't wake the baby!
Quoted from Silverstreak02:When cleaning/polishing parts I use an ultrasonic cleaner, tumbler and sometimes my buffing wheel. The chimes got sanded starting with 400 grit working my way to 2000. I then buffed it on my buffer. I also like to use Mothers mag polish.
Wow. That's a lot of work. I didn't go hog wild on my unit (as you can see), but the chime bars were really grungy. Brillo, hot water, then dry and polish with Mother's. They came out sparkling!
I’ve been using mother’s mag for a long time now. I was just curious if you used something else or used other means of buffing (In this case sanding) I’m always looking to try something new. I like using my ultrasonic cleaner as well it does a great job. I have a nice big one and it was reasonably priced. I’ve put coin doors in it. I just did a chime unit the other day with mother’s (no ultrasonic) and it looks similar to JR’s.
1 week later
Here’s a few pictures. I’ll post more tomorrow.
0B117697-6C95-4035-8EB8-EFB4BC1A3174 (resized).jpeg8D766DA0-41F3-4D3E-883E-0473546652EB (resized).jpeg
C2237459-E523-4BA5-BF97-455D42709475 (resized).jpegEA4068A3-F955-4534-8601-3E7621FED6D6 (resized).jpegF25973EB-8E70-4B7C-9908-8EDDC032B37C (resized).jpeg
C9815141-5E76-49BE-B448-C1C0E6968B84 (resized).jpegThe restoration is complete so I’m going to call this done. I have some scoring issues to work through and will start a separate thread for that. Overall this was a fun project. It was my third and I keep building on my abilities. The learning part is what keeps me interested. Not sure what I’ll do next. Thanks to everyone that posted encouraging words. It keeps me going when things get frustrating.
2 weeks later
Update:
I started this project knowing one function wasn't working correctly. The ball didn't always return to the shooter lane. Rather frustrating when it happened during a good game. After the restoration I still had this issue and five additional ones. I'm not sure why I was surprised. One by one I found contacts that looked good, but weren't making contact, wires shorted from one switch stack to another, a bad coil and I can't remember the rest. I'm happy to report all of that is resolved and everything works. I'm surprised on the ball action around the pop bumpers and the strength of the flippers. They worked before, but are much stronger now. The ball no longer can get stuck in cupped inserts and rolls smoothly over the playfield. I feel the results were worth the effort. To all the lurkers I say grab an old EM and give it a go. If I can do it you can.
2 weeks later
3 years later
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