(Topic ID: 139990)

resto: Defender (mof: 20150926)

By mof

8 years ago


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  • 47 posts
  • 11 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 5 years ago by mof
  • Topic is favorited by 6 Pinsiders

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#1 8 years ago

Have you ever played Williams Defender the vid from 1981?
I have. I consider it to this day, one of the best video games ever made. I'm still not very good at it...

The pinball machine is a near parallel to the video game. Similar rules, similar story.

I was able to play a Defender at the local show a year ago, and the dream never died off -- I was determined to own one some day.

I picked this one up from Fast-Ed, and it was just as described.

ipdb:
http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=651
-mof

EVALUATION:
=====================
PARTS/GRADES (7.5) overall
=====================
* Apron: 8: has some noticeable minor scratches that are just "character flaws", replacement not desired.
* Boards: 8: Everything seems to be working. Rottendog MPU. Will be rebuilding the HV section of power board to reduce power to displays. I'll reflow that board as well.
* Cabinet: 7: pretty good shape. Good paint, mostly decent seams, good shine, but a few moderate scratches. bondo/sanding in the future for a few corners, but I can definitely enjoy it in current state. Sanding/bondo/repaint/stencil is a long-term option, but not required.
* Backglass: 8: has a a few nicks but not too bad.
* Displays: 8: Just two on Defender, and they look fine.
* Inner Cab: 8: Looks very good at first glance.
* Legs: 6: Legs are new system 11s. Not ideal, but they'll work for now.
* Plastics: 6: has an ok set on there, there are quite a few "see-through" holes from wear. Just two breaks/cracked pieces. Definitely need to get a new set at some point.
* Playfield: 7.5: Minor wear around some inserts that are a bit low (but not cupped). Random minor wear specs. Waxed up good. Great restore candidate for HSA for $800+/-. Looks to be very STRAIGHT, and that's amazing considering all the hardware underneath.
* Pop caps: 8: looking good.
* Shooter and Assembly: 7: Will clean this all up.
* Side Rails: 7: Flat and clean, all nails present. A bit of rust on some nails.
* Smells: 7: Smells like an old game without that "rat piss" or "mold" or "cockroach" flavor to it. Not too bad actually.
* Transformer: 5: Looks rusty. deserves a cleanup and repaint and some point.

==================================
Shopping List ($200 budget, $280 current, $80 over)
==================================

DONE: $280
* flipper bats $7 (have 'em)
* flipper rubbers $3 (have 'em)
* 3 new flipper assemblies (have 'em) $100
* shooter spring $1 (have 'em)
* solenoid sleeves $9 (have 'em)
* HV rebuild kit $20 (may have one extra on hand?)
* new cabinet button switches $10 (have 'em)
* new flipper buttons $10 (have 'em)
* plastic set $120

NEXT:
* nothing

SOME DAY: $150
* stencils (just to hold a set)

#2 8 years ago

COMPONENT PROBLEMS
* cut wires to coin door lamp
* four wires taped together in head
* 1-2-3-4 lane switches are not always registering

PHYSICAL PROBLEMS
* neck in cabinet needs glue and clamp some day
* speaker grill cut horizontally, looks very good when flush. will need to figure out a visual fix.
* level all drops -- ball can hang on upper left inline targets.

COMPLETE (32 hrs)
* molex 2 sets of wires (1)
* Star posts, clean and wax, and reinstall (2)
* Apron, and shooter gauge clean it (use a minimal gentle cleaner, don’t remove any paint) and wax it. (.5)
* Shooter, ultrasonic, and re-install; replace 1" spring if needed to keep tip from scraping against PF (1)
* Plug, ensure it’s in good shape, or replace (.5)
* Legs, set pitch and level (.5)
* Legs, wax. Install new leg levelers and floor sliders (.5)
* Inserts, ensure they are all flat. (0)
* Backbox, clean and vacuum it (0)
* Fuses, review and replace to spec (.5)
* Acorns, install new set to match plastics (0)
* install LEDs for GI, clean up all sockets (1)
* Flipper return frames, remove bells, and install new set from Cliffy, align for perfect ball flow (in both directions, this could require filling and drilling new holes) (1.5)
* Lamp (controlled) test (.5)
* Playfield, clean and wax (3)
* Shooter Lane protector, polish and reinstall (.5)
* Posts, tighten, tumble and re-fill all stripped holes x 3 (.5)
* Rubber kit, install new one (1)
* Tear down topside (2)
* Playfield glass channel, polish it (1)
* Adjusted and cleaned the 1-2-3-4 lanes to work properly. (.5)
* removed and cleaned 3 banks of 44s and polished up the sockets a bit. (Still have 2 sockets that need attention.) (.5)
* put blues, reds, a green, and an orange LED in the upper playfield. I plan to keep the lower PF all 44 to minimize flicker. (.5)
* adjusted a solenoid to make room to reach the lamp hex screw. Also moved a lamp hex screw to a location that would be reachable the next time. (.5)
* Flipper buttons, ultrasonic and reinstall (removed green and installed yellow) (.5)
* Flipper assemblies, molex and rebuild (lower) (5)
* Inlane switches, lower them so the ball can moonwalk better (.5)
* Fill and drill the return lane so that the Cliffy return frame is a perfect fit with the ball guide (.5)
* Coin door, put a new fresh one on there (I think?) (2)
* Instruction Cards, make new ones, and ensure you have new acetate covers for them (1)
* Re-sticker the drops (2) (31)
* Lockdown bar, de-rust, clean and install new foam .5
* Lockdown bar receiver, de-rust, clean and reinstall it .5 (32)

TO DO

CABINET (15-20 hrs)
* Cabinet protectors, Install the metal PBL ones
* Cabinet, clean and wax
* Cabinet, troll it for parts with magnetic wand, and vacuum/clean it out
* Cabinet wires, clean them for appearance
* Cabinet wires, ensure the 4 harnesses move freely when playfield is rotated up/down
* Coin door carriage bolts, remove and clean or polish them
* Leg bolts, polish and reinstall
* Paint pen black on inside and outside of cabinet, coin door, and head edges to clean up the look
* Playfield guides and edges inside the cabinet, clean/wax them for ease of movement
* Power, check all board Test Point’s (TPs) against spec
* Power switch, clean it and the bracket
* Speaker panel trim, clean and polish it
* Slam Tilt (put rubber around for home use)
* Transformer board, remove and clean under it if possible, (sand and varnish if possible)
* Transformer brackets, ultrasonic and reassemble, clean up transformer
* Solder joints, check all boards for cold solder joints and reflow as needed (power supply)

HEAD / BACKBOX (10-15 hrs)
* Backglass channel, (if stainless steel) polish, clean or replace
* Backbox, clean the lamp board, tumble and reassemble door brackets
* Backglass, clean both sides carefully
* Backglass, install new grip tape to better hold the backglass channel and trim
* Connectors, check all connectors for burn, and replace connectors where needed
* Dipswitches, set them for freeplay, etc and/or set functions using coin door buttons
* Display test
* Displays, wipe down glass and rubber
* Fuses, review recommended upgrades to improve safety and add a few if advised
* GI lamp board, get it to proper level and height so the displays line up properly through the backglass
* GI lamp board, remove all bulbs, and install only 10 (my personal taste)
* Grounding mods, study what can help the integrity of the machine, and perform them
* Power board, replace 30 year old caps

PLAYFIELD (15-30 hrs)
* Bulbs, install ultrasoniced 44s
* Drop target assemblies, molex, ultrasonic and reassemble
* Flipper assemblies, molex and rebuild (upper)
* Lamp sockets, review that all work properly, and clean/replace any that need it (15 of 100 done)
* Plastic protectors, create new ones from scratch for vulnerable high use areas
* Pops, molex and rebuild both and adjust all leaves to hair-trigger perfection, install new skirts and lamp sockets
* Slings, tune properly
* Solenoid test
* Solenoid check, ensure they are all to spec (not too strong not too weak)
* Solenoid sleeves, review them all, and clean or replace them
* Stationary targets, clean, and adjust them
* Switch test (ensure CPU and Physical switches all register each switch)
* Wires, inspect EVERY wire termination for breaks/fraying and cut/re-solder as needed

ON DECK
* Lamp socket fix for bonus (only area with issues)
* Flipper button switches, replace with new parts
* Playfield brackets, (that seat in the lockdown bar) tumble and reassemble

#3 8 years ago

Pulled up into the driveway. It's really hard to believe today is the day... I first played a Defender pin in May-2014, and here we are...
-mof

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#4 8 years ago

Reviewing the cabinet, I see a few wood chunks missing, and a few scratches, typical stuff. Decent overall.
-mof

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#5 8 years ago

Corners have a little separation.
-mof

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#6 8 years ago

Neck has a little separation. Will glue and clamp some day.
-mof

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#7 8 years ago

I couldn't get the head down at the shipping hub (at first)... Oh now I see why...
-mof

A few wires were connected that are normally molexed. Yikes...
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Too lazy to re-pin one connector, oh well.
201509_DEF-molex-nice-work3.jpg201509_DEF-molex-nice-work3.jpg

And it wouldn't be pinball without a 2-prong cord.
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#8 8 years ago

Friday 5pm -- time to dig in. Play a few, and tear this thing down!
-mof

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#9 8 years ago

Looks to me like someone did a "light" shop job on this thing maybe 6 months ago.

Let's take it to the next level...

-mof

Let's start with those wire issues:

MOLEX!

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#10 8 years ago

Fuse check: I appear to have the same power supply board as in my Firepower. I matched the fuses to that board.

But what about this row here -- what is it for, and what should they be?

-mof

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#12 8 years ago

I don't see a place to plug this in -- doesn't seem to matter. I wonder what it was for?

-mof

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#13 8 years ago

Let's rip into this thing...

Recap:

* wires are molexed.
* fuse check (few were correct!)
* 3-prong cord.

-mof

Let's get all the plastics off, and re-foam all the targets

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#14 8 years ago

Removed glass channel and de-rusted it for an hour, and then cleaned and waxed it.
-mof

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#15 8 years ago

Get those old inlane guides out of there, and install new ones from Cliffy...
-mof

Just making note of which screws go where...

Nice hole!

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#16 8 years ago

Right outlane post can go here. Looks like it's "been around"

-mof

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#17 8 years ago

Cleaning out under the apron is always fun and easy.

Ultrasonic'ed, dried and replaced.

-mof

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#18 8 years ago

* vaccuum, dry clean, naptha, and 2 coats of wax
* new rubber kit
* one cliffy post protector
* dozens of polished screw heads
* 44s in the inserts
* Warm white LEDs in the GI
* Red frosted in the 1-2-3-4 lanes

And about 20 hours, and we get this:

What a blast to play -- can't wait to rebuild the flippers/cabinet flipper button switches soon (not really needed, but I always do it.)

I need sleep!
-mof

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#19 8 years ago

I noticed ALL the drops are too high or too low. Will have to learn to adjust them all soon.
-mof

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#20 8 years ago

I promise a movie in a few days. I want to learn the rules a bit more before I post something.
-mof

#21 8 years ago

Nice pickup Mof! I don't believe I have ever played that game. Are the sound effects like the arcade game?

#22 8 years ago
Quoted from MrBellMan:

Nice pickup Mof! I don't believe I have ever played that game. Are the sound effects like the arcade game?

100% with no background sound either. I like it -- very quiet and calm, other than the S/E.
The pops and drops make a lot of noise. It's great.
-mof

#23 8 years ago

Mof your dedication to sharing all the goodness that is pinball is well appreciated! I still feel guilty not documenting my Centaur swap but then I see you're detailed reports and just marvel. Thanks for sharing all of your work!

#24 8 years ago

Lookin' good. Need to play a Defender some day.

#25 8 years ago

I always wondered about this game. It's great to see mof doing his thing on a defender pin.

#26 8 years ago

Defender is a very cool game once you start to learn the rules.

#27 8 years ago

* Adjusted and cleaned the 1-2-3-4 lanes to work properly.
* removed and cleaned 3 banks of 44s and polished up the sockets a bit. (Still have 2 sockets that need attention.)
* put blues, reds, a green, and an orange LED in the upper playfield. I plan to keep the lower PF all 44 to minimize flicker.
* adjusted a solenoid to make room to reach the lamp hex screw. Also moved a lamp hex screw to a location that would be reachable the next time.
* trying out blue flipper rubbers
* new instruction cards printed

-mof

(pictures coming soon)

#28 8 years ago

Enjoy...
-mof

201509_DEF-new-LEDs2.jpg201509_DEF-new-LEDs2.jpg20150928_175745.jpg20150928_175745.jpg

#29 8 years ago

Looks nice, I want to play it!

#30 8 years ago

Sweet! Congrats on the pickup!

#31 8 years ago

"The more you restore, the higher the score!"
3,294,000
It gets CRAAAZY at level 10 -- the solenoids are all just firing, and you have random collisions midfield that you have to react to -- it really cracks me up.

-mof

1 week later
#32 8 years ago

The weekend is here!
I see two problems here to solve ASAP:
(I'll tackle the third one another day)
-mof

BEFORE

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20151010_Def-old-flippers2.jpg20151010_Def-old-flippers2.jpg

#33 8 years ago

Wow -- that's quite a bit of wear on the arm. Yikes. I wonder if that's all from the conical spring?
-mof

20151010_130902.jpg20151010_130902.jpg

#34 8 years ago

* Both flipper assemblies rebuilt and tested. (5 hrs.)
-mof

#36 8 years ago

Looking cool

1 year later
#37 7 years ago

[2 hours]

Wait what??? Stopped at 25+ hours into this thing?

How about at least a new coin door on that thing? Old one has: 1. holes, 2. mismatched coin plastics (orange and red), fade, rusted bolts, it's not a pretty sight!

I finally played around with a coin door, and it is really fun and easy. Highly recommended.

Grabbed one off ebay, cleaned up every part (minus the coin mech panel), painted just the main panel... knocked down the semi-gloss a bit with a cotton rag.

-mof

BEFORE
201512_DEF-coin-door-holes-seriously (resized).jpg201512_DEF-coin-door-holes-seriously (resized).jpg
201512_DEF-coin-door-holes (resized).jpg201512_DEF-coin-door-holes (resized).jpg

AFTER - thank the pinball gods... best $50 ever spent! (Other than perhaps Cliffy return frames)
201512_DEF-coin-door-happy-pants (resized).jpg201512_DEF-coin-door-happy-pants (resized).jpg

#38 7 years ago

sweet !

#39 7 years ago

looks great.

1 year later
#40 5 years ago

29 hours in...

* Inlane switches, lower them so the ball can moonwalk better (.5)
* Fill and drill the return lane so that the Cliffy return frame is a perfect fit with the ball guide (.5)

ON DECK

* Lockdown bar, de-rust, clean and install new foam
* Lockdown bar receiver, de-rust, clean and reinstall it
* Re-sticker the drops
* Lamp socket fix for bonus (only area with issues)
* Flipper button switches, replace with new parts
* Playfield brackets, (that seat in the lockdown bar) tumble and reassemble

#41 5 years ago

Glass off... Just ran a test and learned that... This game DOES go into "space" like the video game... If you let all your men die.

A M A Z E B A L L S.

Apparently every 5? levels you get all your men back (bonus)

-mof

#42 5 years ago

https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Defender/Getting_Started

I think the way to do the insert lighting to match the game is:

Smart Bombs (should be white, but I went BLUE to just add some blue to the playfield)
Mutants: color changers
Humanoids: Pink (I have purple, so I'll likely use those as it's very close)
Swarmers: Red - duh.

#43 5 years ago
Quoted from mof:

This game DOES go into "space" like the video game... If you let all your men die.

hehe, interesting and sounds fun ... I'll have to try that one

Quoted from mof:

Apparently every 5? levels you get all your men back

Yes you earn an extra ball every 5 levels. You need it

1 week later
#44 5 years ago

* Re-sticker the drops (2) (31)

So for the first time ever, I did NOT disassemble and clean the drop target assemblies. <gasp>

They have worked perfectly to date. I cleaned the tops and mylared all the stickers, and re-decorated them... (oops forgot the midfield ones)

-mof

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#45 5 years ago

I like the glow of the led GI. Bright but still retro. What brand and style are you using?

2 weeks later
#46 5 years ago

this puppy all done ?

1 month later
#47 5 years ago

Lockdown bar receiver was bugging me... (1) (32 total)

Not the best pics, but you get the point...

before
20180822_def_ldbr_before (resized).jpg20180822_def_ldbr_before (resized).jpg
after
20180822_def_ldbr_after (resized).jpg20180822_def_ldbr_after (resized).jpg

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