So there aren't any newer pinballs that I can really go out of my way to nab $$$ wise, but I really like Guardians of the Galaxy and Ghostbusters. For GOG I'd be happy with Pro, but I played Ghostbusters and I like it a lot but I'd only want the premium. But I think the flippers are a little too short for me to really want to own one.

But as I was looking at it, yeah it needs longer flippers. But I was thinking it'd be cool to design a flipper that actually opens like a ghost trap.

I was trying to think of how I could accomplish the flippers opening at certain points in the game. One way would just be to add something to the playfield that activates a lever on the bottom of the flipper to open when used, but I assume that after a while, whatever catch would be there would snap after 100's of uses.

I assume the only way to make it work is to have a wire that activates at certain points in the game, but have ZERO idea how to wire that up.

I am pretty good at 3d modeling and have access to CNC machines and 3d printers, so the actual making of this wouldn't be hard. I figured it'd be fun to put an actual ghost on the inside of them, maybe the no ghost logo, or just leave it flat for a nice decal on the inside.

How stupid am I for thinking this could work? I've seen mods where you just plug something into the WPC, or Stern mods where you plug something in under the playfield.

Is there anyone who knows how to wire stuff up, but doesn't have the ability to 3d model like I could?

I also know how to mold and cast and if a successful part was designed, I could mold and cast what I needed. Just curious if someone thinks it's possible.

So here is a quick mockup. I am not sure what kind of motor or system could fit inside that small area marked in blue. But for the door I can make a thin aluminum piece that sits on the bottom so nothing gets worn out.

I am thinking maybe a small pivoting arm made of metal? And for the wiring to be able to feed through I could easily have a hollow post that is possibly spot welded onto another thin piece of aluminum?

Any ideas, or is this just not possible? I would also think there'd be some other games that'd be fun to do this with if it works. Maybe coffin flippers for Elvira?

open (resized).jpg

closed (resized).jpg

open inside (resized).jpg

Ok thank you so much. If electronics can fit inside, I am sure I am come up with something. I really am clueless when it comes to how to connect it to the playfield, wpc, or whatever it takes to power it.

Here is a second question that can also make this not possible. Flippers seem fairly straight forward right? They don't seem to be solid resin, if this were hollow to accompany electronics, toys, or decals, does the weight of the flipper dramatically change the game? As in is there a possibility the gameplay will be ruined by this being a non standard flipper? It could be a little heavier than your standard flipper, or the same weight. So let's say if it's a little heavier than your standard flipper because of everything that's done possibly cause the ball to shoot into the glass and shatter it? Will it be more easy to break the playfield plastics if the flipper is dramatically different?

I can never help but think of the movie the Jerk, as in if this was a good thing that I was able to do for a few games, but found out that I was ruining people's games because of a dramtic change in gameplay and everyone sues me.

Or is that just the risk most people are going to take when they mod their machine, nature of the beast sort of thing?

And let's say you have your standard size flipper. Where the post is (thick side) and the side towards the gutter (thin side) ---> I'm still a lamen...
Let's say I make the thin side a little wider to accomodate electronics, or whatever really. Is that going to make people mad? Will that in itself ruin standard gameplay?