that's an easy one. mike told me that he's only got about $150 into it over the cost of the machine. just be sure to offer him about $2K for and you should be a shoe-in for the sale

seriously though, this is just another "labor of love" project done for the sake of personal pride. nowhere is there a thought of putting a price tag on it because you don't ever intend to sell it

Sure, but the reality is it's both art and a game. When the game isn't being played, even the most cherished "pins as artwork" get sold. I own several...one done by Mike. I have an extreme Centaur restoration that was done by a hobbyist for himself. At some point, he decided to sell because the machine wasn't being played.

"The Journey is the Reward" for most folks doing this level of restoration. Most of us have space limitations and when we reach our limit, pins get sold. A static pinball lineup that never changes isn't much fun. I just picked up a new pin and it's energized me to tweak other pins in the lineup...

In any event, Mike's approach to pinball restoration is very cool. I've been a fanboy ever since his first TOTAN restoration...one that I'm proud to own!

What was the cost associated with powder coating so many parts?
The parts look awesome but knowing how much they charge for powder coating car parts (i.e. exhaust), the cost must be staggering.

Thanks
Yves

That is a really good price. Yes, you must be a good customer and friend.
The local "Powder Coater" here in Raleigh, was charging me $400 to powder coat two mufflers for a Porsche Carrera.....

I cannot use quotes yet (I am probably too new on this forum) but on page 8, where you have pictures of the flipper mechanisms, I noticed that you kept the plastic insert to actuate the flippers. There are discs made of stone (or stone powder) that I have used on my Xenon for years and they provide a much stronger hit to the ball, while increasing the precision of the flipper control. I cannot recall who used to sell them but it was a gentleman that was also selling the acrylic tube for the Xenon with a blue LED PCB.

Since you are going "full speed/no man left behind" on this restoration, I thought I would mention that to you. This is by the way the most amazing restoration that I have ever seen. Kudos.

Yves

oh and looking at your electrical wiring, congratulations on putting insulation on all coils. There is nothing more unpleasant than to get a 48 volts DC discharge in your fingers, wrists or arms.

On my Xenon, during its restoration, I used the kind of fabric tape used for automotive harness insulation around the major harnesses between playfield, backbox, and power supply in the cabinet. It finishes very well the messy original Bally wiring and provides for a well protected and ordered harness, inside the pinball. Again, once you open the hood, it is something that you notice immediately and makes your machine look more industrial and reliable.

Yves

A few more comments Mike, as I was reading through the end of your fantastic restoration:

1) I know that your cabinet is clear coated...... but it hurts me to think that these chromed legs may damage the fabulous artwork underneath. Have you considered leg protectors in clear color? I know they don't look too good, but when the plays get on the frenzy side, you are happy you have these protections.

2) Your ball shooter is smooth, allowing the player to whack the ball on the playfield. I though all Bally of that era had spiky ball shooter. Was that an intentional choice? I understand that this is your machine, that it is heavily customized and that the Genuine part is the least of your worries.

Fantastic. It motivates me to redo my Xenon and Medusa along the lines of what you just completed, although there will never be at that level....perhaps 10% of what you did.

Thank you so much for detailing all your hard work with very interesting comments and great pictures.

Yves

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with medusa. are you going to implement that "light up mod" on it?

I stand corrected and relieved. I could not see the protector on your pictures.

I am going to follow this very carefully.

Yves

Mike, do you have a link to this restoration? I looked on your Facebook and Web site, and could not find anything.
Thanks
Yves

Added over 8 years ago: Nevermind. I found it.

Medusa is going to be a huge project with all the crap packed on that Playfield. I just picked one up and will be interested in seeing your progress.

wow thats awesome... maybe I shouldn't bother posting my centaur restoration

No, you definitely SHOULD post that Centaur restoration. Actually that goes for anybody. Post ALL the restorations!

its posted. i don't want to commandeer Mikes d's beautiful fathom thread. he was nice enough to compliment my work but trust me it's not on this level.

To be fair, when I did the original "Halifax" Fathom playfield reproduction, I had all the whitewoods cut by hand as exact copies of an existing factory playfield. The idea of improving from the factory product never crossed my mind at the time. The artwork had been remastered on the computer but then Gene stepped in and offered up the original factory films for the screens. The registration and other flaws were partly remnants from the original production run, and partly caused by my lack of experience in making playfields. I might have improved on the product in subsequent attempts, but the whitewood jigs, artwork films, and remaining inserts were all stolen at the end of the production. I was focused on making the next two titles, Centaur and EBD, and didn't realize my friend was a traitorous lying backstabber who would purposefully thwart my efforts by making the same titles. I left pinball for many years and only recently returned to make another playfield. Would the same arse be so callous as to again make the same title as me in an attempt to flood the market and oppress any sort of competition? Naw, nobody is that big an arse, are they?

Fantastic!