Sharpsville, PA
Your work is so beautiful that it makes me mad.
That's a complement.
(Topic ID: 82361)
Linked Games
Fathom
Bally, 1981
Topic Gallery
Quoted from PinballPimp:Hey Mike, looking SWEET as usual. Now you just need a nice set of my beautiful stencils to finish this beauty off! People BEWARE of the other stencils for Fathom out there for sale because some of them don't lineup correctly. I had a friend use an inferior set and the scales in the "M" were outside the letter by over an inch. He spent over 8 hours correcting it by hand.
We need to catch up in a few weeks at FREE PLAY FLORIDA and talk shop!Pinball Pimp FATHOM.jpg 69 KB
Thanks for the tip! Just bookmarked your page.
Quoted from IdahoRealtor:Thanks for the tip! Just bookmarked your page.
You are in the right place.
-mof
3 months later
I've been too busy with SmartDMD the last few months. I'm not sure when I'll get back to Fathom. Too many projects, so this was the logical one to put on hold.
Quoted from tonedef131:This was the greatest thread I'd ever read until the part where you made a margarita with sour mix.
What's your recipe?
½ oz agave syrup, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 2 oz 100% agave tequila. That's all I need personally!
Mike, I had the pleasure of playing a beautiful Fathom the other day, and it reminded me of your project. Hope some day you find the time to finish it, because it's such a great looking game when done up.
Aurochs recipe is solid, although I do like what the cointreau adds. I typically do 1 part fresh lime juice, 2 parts Cointreau and 4 parts the cheapest 100% blue agave tequila I can find.
3 weeks later
Quoted from PinballMikeD:Back on topic
Sweet! Looking forward to the finished pics.
Here are some more pics:
Right Side #2.png
Left Side #2.png
Front.png
Back.png
It was important to me that the reef wrapped all the way around the cabinet:
Front Right Corner.png
Front Left Corner.png
Left side of the back box:
Left Top #2.png
Right side of the back box:
Right Top #2.png
What would a Fathom be without the classic drowning diver featured in Greg's backglass art? I wanted to pull the cabinet and back box artwork together while paying homage to the original theme, so the mermaid tail seemed perfect.
Drowning Diver.png
Here are some close up pictures to illustrate the detail that went into the artwork:
Reefs.png
Shark.png
Mermaid #1.png
Mermaid #2.png
Mermaid Face.png
Scales.png
Cabinet Closeup #1.png
Cabinet Closeup #2.png
Mack did a fantastic job putting this together for me. The level of detail is stunning; all the different pearls and metallic colors are over the top. The more you look at the reefs the more things you find hidden in them (I even found a sunken ship blended into the background).
Anyway, hope you guys enjoy the pictures.
Quoted from Aurich:Oh sweet, I dig the subtle pinstriping Mike.
It frames it in well 
Thanks for all the kind words. I can’t take credit for Mack’s work though.
I gave him some conceptual guidelines for what I wanted incorporated into the art package, but I basically gave him free reign to take this where he wanted. I’ve collaborated with Mack on several pinball projects in the past (nothing this ambitious of course) and he’s always done stellar work for me. I’ll admit that I had some reservations about doing a complete custom cabinet at first, but I loved the idea of having a true one off restoration. In my opinion Fathom is probably the best looking pinball machine every made and I wanted the cabinet art to match the beauty of the detailed playfield and backglass art. Once I made the decision to powder coat all the coil mechs I knew there was no turning back on this project. It may take me a few years to finish this game based on my current work load, but I want to push this restoration as far as it can go.
The only problem is my next project will seem boring in comparison 
Sydney, Oz
My favoritest restore project just got favoriter. Mike, I would have laid money you could not take this thing any further over the top. Freakin nuts! I love it.
Mike,
Wow!
Looks like you're just about done though right?
Everything else just ready to put back together?
Vancouver, BC
Quoted from PBINTHESOUTH:Looks like you're just about done though right?
No, I still have a ton of work to do. Plus, I have a few more ideas for custom alterations that I’d like to try. I’m in no rush as this is just a hobby and it’s supposed to be fun
Quoted from wcbrandes:Are you selling when complete? Have a playfield and still looking for a "donor" machine
I’m sure I’ll sell the machine one day, but I’m not thinking about it now - that would just lead to compromises. Due to complete insanity, I never worry about the budget. Once I start a project I just keep dumping money on the fire until it’s done
Just my 2 cents, but I think if you did the original Fathom logo on top of that nice art it would look awesome.
Just of matter of taste, of course, still fantastic as is.
Quoted from PhilGreg:Just my 2 cents, but I think if you did the original Fathom logo on top of that nice art it would look awesome.
Just of matter of taste, of course, still fantastic as is.
That was actually my original thought. However, we decided it would be too busy and detract for the background. Plus, the Fathom logo is already on the backglass.
No such thing as perfect, but I'm pretty happy with it and I'm pickier than most. It's definitely going to be hard settling for a decal cabinet moving forward.
New Plymouth
Zemst
Quoted from Dawson:Did you clear coat over the air brush?
Yes, the cab was cleared with a high gloss automotive clear.
Quoted from swinks:That is beautiful Mike....
Now you know why I want to do the custom rails
Salisbury
Quoted from PinBiohazard:I'll Post it on the Custom/Re-Theme Thread unless you want to?
Sure, that would be cool.
Quoted from Bryan_Kelly:That is absolutely beautiful, Mike. Simply stunning.
Thanks Bryan.
Quoted from snaroff:Love it. When the time comes to let her go, give me a call and name your price
Congratulations...thanks for the update!
snaroff
Your Fathom's pretty sweet Steve; I wouldn't be too bored with it
At least it's all put back together.
Quoted from PinballMikeD:Thanks Bryan.
Your Fathom's pretty sweet Steve; I wouldn't be too bored with it
At least it's all put back together.
Thanks. I agree. Took awhile to fully dial mine in, but it plays great. My only (minor) issue is with a couple of the star rollovers...the CPR clear is so thick that the star rollovers don't fully depress. This can be fixed, however not trivially.
I know it's irrational to lust after yours...what can I say, I'm a sucker for great art!
You're passion for pinball/restoration is a beautiful thing...keep pushing
snaroff
Moving forward I’ll be documenting this restoration on my website - pinballmiked.com.
Thank you for the continued support.
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