I replaced the front leg plates today before even playing my IMDN. I could not believe how crappy the Stern bolt plates really are. Held in place by three tiny screws that hold absolutely nothing (well, the ones that were screwed in completely--most were not). One of my plates (and I use that word loosely) was also on backwards. B/W brackets are so much nicer. I chickened-out and used lock washers, but I always like to use them when possible, anyway.

All three have the same crappy bolt plates.

Pinball Life

I agree with you. The rear leg "brackets" (a wood fillet and bolt plate--in theory it should work if everything is jointed and glued properly) are way down towards the bottom of the cabinet joint. It would take one hell of a lot of force to travel all the way up through the joint and manifest itself as cracking at the top. Unlike the front fillet/bolt plate which is a lot closer to the top and has less wood-to-wood contact and more force transferred into the smaller joint area. More weight on the front, more force, less surface area, more potential trouble. If you wanted to be really anal about the rear you'd have to use B/W brackets and toss in a couple of angle brackets towards the top. And still hope there is glue in all the joints.

Yeah, good point--I'll probably use my last two to do the back just for this reason. Those cheap-ass Stern plates will strip sooner than later, anyway.

As much as Stern is jacking up prices we deserve a 50 cent bracket upgrade bone tossed our way.

I’m surprised Stern hasn’t dumped “expensive” screws all together and figured out a way to gun nail everything...

I think I’ll grab my Senco and a case of Chinese brads, fly to Chi-Town and show Stern how to really save on some BOM...