(Topic ID: 198315)

Laser Cue - Hardly a foolish rustoration

By gutz

6 years ago


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  • 109 posts
  • 41 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 2 years ago by JustJared
  • Topic is favorited by 16 Pinsiders

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There are 109 posts in this topic. You are on page 2 of 3.
#51 6 years ago

progress on the transformer panel, waiting on a few parts to finish it.

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#52 6 years ago

Also waiting on a few parts to finish the coin door

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#53 6 years ago

Speaker panel finished up

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#54 6 years ago

Here are pics of the Lasercue transformer assembly that I have.

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#55 6 years ago

That photo of the back of the coin door pretty much says it all. Wow, you have your work cut out for you but amazing work so far !!!

#56 6 years ago

Always amazed at the depth of a restoration or starting point with games on here.

Fantastic work so far !

Never seen or played Laser Cue,but it's a nice looking game for sure.

#57 6 years ago
Quoted from gutz:

Speaker panel finished up

What did you use for the fabric/mesh on the front of the speaker panel?
Love this so far!

#58 6 years ago
Quoted from RCA1:

What did you use for the fabric/mesh on the front of the speaker panel?
Love this so far!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A8PCU7I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

#59 6 years ago

Nos back glass with new gatecrasher trim.

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#60 6 years ago

Front, top, and inside edges of backbox were repainted

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#61 6 years ago

Where did you find the NOS backglass?

#62 6 years ago

I picked one up at the last Allentown show from Mayfair for 95 I think.

#63 6 years ago
Quoted from indypinhead:

Where did you find the NOS backglass?

Quoted from bpa:

I picked one up at the last Allentown show from Mayfair for 95 I think.

Ebay several years ago. I made a cold contact from an old ebay listing that didn't sell. Seller still had it, and I didn't know it at the time but I think it was from Mayfair.

#64 6 years ago

From this perspective, it looks like I'm almost done

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1 week later
#65 6 years ago

Inside lower cabinet mostly done

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#66 6 years ago

Bring out your dead! Seized sound pot: a new first for me...

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#67 6 years ago

You sir...are a better man than I . I love restoring but i would have never tken this on and you are making it look easy. !!!

#68 6 years ago

Way to go! I love seeing someone pouring a ton of work into salvaging a less than super popular title. (I've done it myself more than once but not from such a rowdy starting point.) Following along with interest.

#69 6 years ago

Are you having the rusted metal parts re-plated or painted?

#70 6 years ago
Quoted from tomds:

Are you having the rusted metal parts re-plated or painted?

If the plating still looks good after cleaning up the rust I just polished it up. If it looked okay but I was worried about it coming back, I lacquered it. If it looked bad, I painted it.

Best solution was to replace it if I had spare parts lying around Everything in the dead/deceased photos were replaced, everything else was reused.

#71 6 years ago

Which playfield would you choose?

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#72 6 years ago
Quoted from gutz:

Which playfield would you choose?

They've both got less wear than mine!

#73 6 years ago
Quoted from zacaj:

They've both got less wear than mine!

That's all you ever say. Post a pic of that beauty

Wear or no wear, you don't want what that bottom playfield has...

#74 6 years ago
Quoted from gutz:

That's all you ever say. Post a pic of that beauty
Wear or no wear, you don't want what that bottom playfield has...

Not the worst, but it always kills me when someone does a playfield swap and their old pf is still better than mine

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#75 6 years ago
Quoted from zacaj:

Not the worst, but it always kills me when someone does a playfield swap and their old pf is still better than mine

I can post some pics of the old playfield that will make you appreciate your playfield

#76 6 years ago

Is that a repro playfield, or just an old one in better shape than the original?

#77 6 years ago

Fun to watch your progress. I've got one but I was only up for a refurb not a full blown restoration like you, great job! I didn't like the glare I was getting from the backglass so I started playing with my Comet stash. Removed all the lights behind the dudes except a color changer in the middle. I'm happy with the change, thought I'd share...
Keep up the good work!

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#78 6 years ago
Quoted from gutz:

Northern tool employee scoffed/questioned me when I order the five gallon bucket

Evaporust is your friend.
Evaporust soak, Rinse in hot water, dry, then I use a rustoleum satin nickel to prevent future corrosion.

https://www.amazon.com/RUST-OLEUM-249130-11-Ounce-Nickel-Metallic/dp/B0042U2QCE/ref=sr_1_3

This is the poor man's plating....

#79 6 years ago

Impressive!!

#80 6 years ago
Quoted from LouisvilleLIP:

Is that a repro playfield, or just an old one in better shape than the original?

Spare original playfield from Ebay years ago. Best $150 spent on the project yet.

Quoted from dasvis:

Evaporust is your friend.
Evaporust soak, Rinse in hot water, dry, then I use a rustoleum satin nickel to prevent future corrosion.
amazon.com link »
This is the poor man's plating....

Oh yes. Evaporust and I go way back . I used the aluminum color of that line of paint (in the traditional spray cans).

#81 6 years ago
Quoted from zacaj:

Not the worst, but it always kills me when someone does a playfield swap and their old pf is still better than mine

Here is the main reason I didn't use the original playfield (besides the funky growths and rusty parts). Laser cue doesn't have continuous wood rails on the playfield. Each side has a break where a metal guide is placed. Excessive moisture/water damage during storage caused the playfield to bend in 3-4 different places.

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#82 6 years ago
Quoted from gutz:

progress on the transformer panel, waiting on a few parts to finish it.

Just amazing what you've been doing (not to mention what miracle work Evaporust does too). I'm enjoying your topic and humor.

Did you dip the transformers, outlet and other electrical component in evaporust? It looks like the finish on the transformers was originally black?

Are the bolts, nuts and screws new or cleaned up? What did you use to clean the wires?

Bruce

#83 6 years ago

Too bad you weren't available for hire when PAPA flooded!

#84 6 years ago

Wow, nice work!

I've been following this one closely simply because I took on a laser cue resto a few years ago out of a flooded basement, and free is good, umm....right? Way to keep this good title out of the landfill!! And better gameplay than alien poker because of the extra flipper up top.

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#85 6 years ago
Quoted from PinballFever:

Just amazing what you've been doing (not to mention what miracle work Evaporust does too). I'm enjoying your topic and humor.

of course you are, I'm delightful

Quoted from PinballFever:

Did you dip the transformers, outlet and other electrical component in evaporust? It looks like the finish on the transformers was originally black?
Are the bolts, nuts and screws new or cleaned up? What did you use to clean the wires?
Bruce

Dipping an entire transformer is risky, I don't know what would happen. I knocked off the rust chunks and hit it with a scotchbrite pad, then primed the rust spots and repainted the frame/plates (with wires and labels taped off). Repainted the leg brackets and four screws were rusted/broke during removal and had to be replaced. The wires were scrubbed with a tooth brush and mean green.

#86 6 years ago
Quoted from seshpilot:

Too bad you weren't available for hire when PAPA flooded!

I don't think I could have handled the emotional stress of that unfortunate event.

Quoted from bbriese:

Wow, nice work!
I've been following this one closely simply because I took on a laser cue resto a few years ago out of a flooded basement, and free is good, umm....right?

Whoa, looks great! And yes, free is good but we all end up paying something in the end

#87 6 years ago

Playfield shopped out and finally home in the machine. Board work is next, but i have some other projects to wrap up before i can finish laser cue.

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#88 6 years ago

What about .. under the playfield ?! IT is going to be a very interesting story .... with a happy ending I hope

#89 6 years ago
Quoted from phototamer:

What about .. under the playfield ?! IT is going to be a very interesting story .... with a happy ending I hope

"shopped" in my book means top and bottom I didn't take a pic, but the bottom of the extra playfield is very clean. No rust issues.

The original playfield on the other hand, would be a nightmare to clean up on the bottom side. Just one more reason I decided to replace it.

-6
#90 6 years ago

I'll be honest, I'm a bit disappointed to see you basically just replaced everything. Hardly a "restoration". You just found a cabinet for your backglass and playfield, essentially.

#91 6 years ago
Quoted from jwilson:

I'll be honest, I'm a bit disappointed to see you basically just replaced everything. Hardly a "restoration". You just found a cabinet for your backglass and playfield, essentially.

Except this was a RUSToration, not restoration The cabinet alone was a pretty big project, and the 2nd playfield wasn't new - it needed shopped as well.

#92 6 years ago

And let's not forget that replace is commonly associated with restore. I say good job.... one more of these in the world and amazing work to do so. Looking really nice.

#93 6 years ago
Quoted from jwilson:

I'll be honest, I'm a bit disappointed to see you basically just replaced everything. Hardly a "restoration". You just found a cabinet for your backglass and playfield, essentially.

Thanks for the thread dump. I'm sorry you're disappointed; I changed the thread title to cheer you up, buttercup

Quoted from jwilson:

.. you basically just replaced everything. Hardly a "restoration".

You might have missed a few posts, or maybe I didn't explain it well enough, so here is the recap of the 'replacement' project:

I purchased a water damaged machine that was missing the backglass, score displays, and legs. I REPLACED the backglass with a NOS glass (Maybe I should have kept it as a true 'restoration' and not put any backglass in the game?) I REPLACED the score displays with a new xpin set. (Maybe I shouldn't have, so that the 'restored' machine wouldn't have score displays?) Then I was so bold as to REPLACE the legs with a used set. (Should I have just left it sitting on the ground to preserve the 'restoration'?) The original playfield glass that came with the machine also blew up in my hands, so I decided I should REPLACE that too. (Maybe I should have swept up the diamonds and spread them over the playfield to preserve the 'restoration'?)

Then the cabinet work started. In the lower cab, everything was removed. Then I scrubbed the interior down with vinegar and concrobium to remove the mold/mildew several times. I removed the bottom panel, then finished sanding the interior so I could REPLACE the interior paint. The bottom panel was REPLACED (Maybe I should have 'restored' the soggy broken original that was covered in mold?). The original ground wire braid was fuzzy green, so I REPLACED it. The original leg tees were rusty and stripped, so I REPLACED them. I REPLACED the four t-nuts in the cab. Every screw that came out of the cab was rusted, so I REPLACED each one. I also REPLACED the flipper buttons (or maybe I could have restored the broken originals?) and cabinet switches. The lockdown bar and receiver were soaked/sanded and polished up. I REPLACED the beer seal. The plunger assembly was soaked/tumbled/ and polished up with new springs, washers, and sleeve. The cabinet power switch was so corroded that it didn't work electronically and it was REPLACED with a used switch.

The transformer mounting board was rotten, so I cut a new one to REPLACE it. The transformer bottoms were swelling/expanding between the plates due to rust, so I dissemble them to remove the rust and repainted the pieces. The other brackets/metal were soaked/sanded and painted. Again, all the fasteners were rusted and most snapped during removal, so I REPLACED them. The molex connectors for the jumpers were corroded, so I REPLACED all of the pins. I REPLACED the power cord (maybe I should have 'restored' the original that was missing the plug?) and fuse holder. Once all the pieces of the transformer panel were restored, I REPLACED the assembly back in the machine.

The tilt panel also had a rotten board that I REPLACED. The roll tilt was rusted completely through, and was no longer in one piece, so I REPLACED it with a used part. The tilt mech was corroded, and didn't function electronically, so I REPLACED it with a new part. The sound pot was seized with rust so I REPLACED it. All the fasteners were REPLACED. The remaining brackets/metal for the bell and knocker were all soaked/sanded and painted or polished. Once all the pieces of the tilt panel were restored, I REPLACED the assembly back in the machine.

The coin door was stripped down inside and out. The interior parts were soaked and painted/polished. The upper and lower coin mech holders (that the coin rolls through) were very rusty and I didn't think they would function if painted (and would surely rust if not recoated) so I REPLACED them with used parts from a spare coin door. The coin switches didn't work reliably, so I REPLACED them with used parts from a spare door. The coin mechs were REPLACED with different token mechs. The lamp sockets were missing/corroded and had to be REPLACED with new ones. I REPLACED the test switch decal. The coin door and trim pieces were repainted. Once all the pieces were restored, I REPLACED the coin door back on the machine.

The head of the machine was much less affected by the moisture damage, thankfully. But there were still plenty of things to REPLACE. The light panel had fuzzy green wiring for the gi sockets, so the wiring got REPLACED. All the light sockets were rusted out and some even crumbled upon removal (maybe I should have 'restored' them?). All the sockets were REPLACED. Every staple was rusted and broken in half when removed. All the staples were REPLACED. The light panel front was sanded down and repainted. The metal/brackets were soaked/sanded/painted. Most of the hardware broke when removed, so I REPLACED all of it. The speakers were rusty and I couldn't think of a safe way to clean them without risking damage to the cone, so I REPLACED them. Soaked/sanded/painted the metal channel pieces. The speaker fabric had a lot of crap stuck to it, so I REPLACED the fabric.

Does that sound like a great donor cab to drop a backglass and playfield into? It was 'essentially' plug and play, and 'hardly a restoration'...

The original playfield is bent at several different points. Its not warped from being stored without rails on it, it is bent and was bent while the rails were installed. There is mold on the playfield, many rusted metal parts, and almost every fastener is rusted. It is not economically restorable (if it can even be saved from the bends). Note that I did take this path on the related Sorcerer project (that playfield wasn't warped/bent) and it took forever to recover each piece from the corrosion damage. It was truly awful, and not something I wish to do again. I found a used Laser Cue playfield for less than what clear coat materials and replacing rusty parts would cost me on the original playfield, (not to mention the extra labor hours) so I REPLACED it. It would be incredibly foolish to spend more time and money on an option that would yield lower results. The second playfield wasn't without its own issues and still needed to be shopped. Top and bottom, all the common wear parts and broken parts were REPLACED. I elected not to touch up and clear coat the playfield.

Looking back, I do like your idea of a 'restoration' project...it sounds like a lot less work than my 'REPLACEMENT' project

#94 6 years ago

Sounds like you could make a whole second machine out of the parts you replaced. Maybe send them all to jwilson and see what he comes up with?

-12
#95 6 years ago

My my, feeling a bit salty are we? I seem to have hit a long-winded nerve. I was just looking forward to an epic restore of the whole game and was enjoying the cabinet redo, when you "just happened to have this complete replacement playfield" to drop in.

I love to see totally wrecked games come back to life and to see the various techniques people use to save what seems unsavable, but just having a bunch of replacement parts ready to go is sort of like on those cooking shows where they start preparing the food and then pull out the completed dish from under the counter "and we're done!"

Not everyone has a huge cache of ready to go replacement parts like that. Makes it a little less epic is all. Sorry.

#96 6 years ago

For most folks even doing a playfield swap is epic. Having done a playfield swap and a couple full restorations, I consider this extremely epic. The op is doing a TON of work to create a game out of a combination of part sources. I tip my hat to his huge effort.

#97 6 years ago
Quoted from pinheadpierre:

For most folks even doing a playfield swap is epic. Having done a playfield swap and a couple full restorations, I consider this extremely epic. The op is doing a TON of work to create a game out of a combination of part sources. I tip my hat to his huge effort.

I totally agree.

#98 6 years ago

I am currently repairing my Laser Cue that I paid $75.00 for and I am in awe of your tenacity in your restoration. Excellent job!! If you have a source for the playfield plastics I am looking. Mine are all broken and warped. I honestly can't believe you even attempted this restoration. Stunning.

#99 6 years ago
Quoted from gutz:

Dipping an entire transformer is risky, I don't know what would happen. I knocked off the rust chunks and hit it with a scotchbrite pad, then primed the rust spots and repainted the frame/plates (with wires and labels taped off). Repainted the leg brackets and four screws were rusted/broke during removal and had to be replaced. The wires were scrubbed with a tooth brush and mean green.

Thanks. This is a cringe-worthy topic and I applaud you. Btw, it may just be me but I enjoy seeing the "after" photos first THEN the "before" photos. There's something about seeing a machine that looks like new then seeing the horror that it used to be.

Bruce

#100 6 years ago

Great job!! Here's my Laser Cue, I really enjoy it

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