2nd coat pic, just put the third coat on and Im pleased with it. The lacquer does tend to puddle easily so my technique of keeping this down to a minimum will get better over time. The pic doesn't show the puddling, thats all 'wet' reflection, but if it's angled against some light you can see where it happened. It isn't visible any other way, you have to look for it in the light so I don't think its an issue for being installed. I'll send the finished pics early next week. Im really happy with how this came out.

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Yes, the grain is definitely showing well. Ill post a pic in some better light in the next say or two, it will have the third coat on it. I just got back form a trip so Im playing catch up.

Ive used the one weekend to think it over and I think Ill be offering with/with-out the holes/dimples.

Finish came out great although Im not happy with a little bit of puddling that occurred. By the third coat I got my application down with the lacquer better and should have minimal issues with paint boogers and puddles. Going to get these mailed out this week and look to open shop! Thank you all for your patience on this. I really wanted to make sure I tasted out my processes before I started to openly take orders.

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The AD is live, thanks for all your support and well wishes!

Another et of F-14 ordered and a set for Night Rider too. These are rough cut, still need to sand, route the edges and of course stain. Will start working on that Friday as Im traveling tomorrow. Im going to try to match the blue the best I can, may come out a shade or so off but Ill try my best!

Ive got a few people in the wait-list as they need sets of rails but do not have a donor to offer. Until those come in, anyone who needs the titles listed in the AD or have a donor set, you will be next. Just drop me a PM! I possibly have a few new donor sets on the way, haven't received a return response but hopefully they are coming. As they arrive I will update the AD or reach out to those who have PM'ed me if they are what you were wanting.

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Finally tweaked my tapered-flute jig and got it to perform really well to make these cuts! Super happy to get past this and move on to making more rails!

Taxi and Wh20 rails are on the way so they will be added to the library.

2 sets of Night Rider and 1 set of F-14 should be done and sent out early next week! Tomorrow I will start playing around with the blue dye to try to match it up to the Night Rider color. Will post the results, should be interesting, at least a learning experience. Thanks for the orders!

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Updated rail library:

6 Million Dollar Man
Bride of Pinbot
F-14
Funhouse(coming soon)
Indiana Jones (Williams)
Lost World(coming soon)
Mata Hari
Meteor
Night Rider
Paragon(coming soon)
Taxi

Will be making two sets of IJ next week!

PM sent T3QUILA

F-14 and Night Rider sets going out Monday!

Up next, three sets of Williams IJ then three more sets of Paragon!

Message sent to you in-box! Thanks!

This last batch of stock material has some very pretty grain on it, going to make these IJ rails looks pretty special!

I hope to have a donor set of Paragon and FH rails coming in this week, so they will be available soon! I have 3 orders for Paragon when they do come in and I plan on cutting them next, so if you need Paragon, this would be the time to get on the wait list.

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Updated list of available Rails

6 Million Dollar Man
Bride of Pinbot
F-14
Funhouse(coming soon)
Harlem Globe Trotters
Indiana Jones (Williams)
Lost World
Mata Hari
Medusa
Meteor
Night Rider
Paragon(coming soon)
Taxi

If you don't see the game you need, send the rails to me.

A set of Funhouse donor rails just arrived, they are now apart of the library. I have two sets that are going to be made very soon so if you need a set, now is the time to get on the wait list.

Thank you Dave, it was my pleasure to make them! Thank you for the installation pics!

I think my processes are getting much better too, as well as faster. Here are some pics of a custom set of Night Rider rails in blue dye and some IJ rails in black dye that are going to be mailed out next week. The dye is interesting because it reacts to the grain differently than the wood. With the blue the color the grain gets darker, with the black the grain can cause it to be lighter. It noticeable close up but doesn't look bad, and in the game it's going to look awesome!

Next up is going to be Funhouse and a bunch of Paragon(when the donor set arrives)!

And yes, I can use a set of Quicksilver for the library, I have several on the wait list for that title!

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It's an honest observation. To be clear, dye does not coat the top-side of the wood. It penetrates the fibers of the wood and leaves some surface color exposed. It's not paint, it certainly has a different look, so when we discuss what you want, this is good information to know. And you are correct, more dye in the formula would equate a darker/deeper color. In the full Florida sun as the picture was taken, the color looks light, but the other picture indoors, it's much darker. I believe that under glass and lit by LED's the color will be very rich and even more dark/deep. This batch of dye/lacquer-mix was about 10-12 drops of dye in a small jar of lacquer. I could go for more drops, it certainly would be less coats for me to apply, but this mix seemed to satisfy the customer. Im still adjusting and testing all these options and it's all a learning process. In the end, someone may want the wood/grain to show, others won't. But these results help me learn what I need to do to get the end result. BTW, for any rail that was covered in black vinyl, mostly the late 80's thru the late 90's, the black dye covers about 95% or more of the wood fiber. So luckily there is no issue of tint there.

So with that being said, I am testing some over the counter acrylics that will cover the wood like paint. This 'look' was a common finish for rails in the Bally/Stern classic era. The issue is coating it with a protective and glossy layer of lacquer. If I was to 'paint' the rails with no protection, I think the possibility of them getting worn could be high. Depending on the brand of the acrylic and lacquer, sometimes when they are applied together, they don't work and create issues when curing. So far Im getting good results. So if a 'paint' is wanted(closest to factory color), I can certainty do my best to accommodate.

Thank you for the kind words! They were fun to make! The sun light in my original pics make the color look light, but really they are quite dark indoors and in the game. This set had 5 coats of dyed lacquer to get them dark. As I play with the mix of dye/lacquer Im understanding the amount of drops and the amount of coats to get the end result. I wish it was a science but it really is just what the 'eye' likes to see. My dye colors are still a little limited but it's been cool trying them out! I have a new dye that is used in fabric that I haven't attempted to use yet but if it works, it can open up some more color options as well. And yes, I can do red!

I could really use a set of Paragon rails! If anyone has a set or needs a set and willing to donate theirs, it would be a huge help. Have many people waiting on this title. Thanks!!

And the list of rails have been updated too! Now offering WH20!

I have a set on the way! Should get them very soon, Ill keep this thread posted!

Firepower rails added to the list!

I just got back from a week long business trip, Im ready to get back to cutting some rails! I have a lot of people waiting on Paragon and a set of then is on the way for my template! So in the mean time, I am going to work on a a few other orders. Up next.....

Funhouse (x2)
WH20
Harlem
Night Rider
Mata-Hari

I'll be reaching out to you via email who ordered these rails. After this round it will be a BUNCH of Paragon! Thanks all for your patience!

Thank you for the kind words! Really enjoyed making them!!

Next 5 sets are already cut! What better thing to do after getting home from a 7 day business trip, then to blow off some steam by cutting some wood! LOL!

Paragon is coming soon in the next batch!

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That Oak has a beautiful grain to it, makes it feel tough and strong and has a great look to it too. Im glad you like them! They came out great, I was very happy with them.

What sucks is I did a few MM swaps for people a while back but this was before I thought of doing this.

UPDATE!

I have 6 sets of rails in the final process of completion now. I should have 4 sets shipped by Friday and the other two by Monday, so if you were contacted earlier about your set being cut, youll get another email for payment/shipping soon.

PARAGON is in the HOUSE! Thank you Leif for sending me your donor set! The next round of rails will be a lot of Paragon rails and one or two others as well! For those that are on the list, I will be reaching out to you soon to make sure you're still wanting a set! Thank you for your patience!!

Absolutely, great games and hopefully more rails are donated for the library so we can expand the offering!