Quoted from jhagen:He does ? All I see are WPC side rails.
Sorry you wrote *nails* , my mistake!!
(Topic ID: 60603)
Linked Games
Taxi
Williams, 1988
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2 weeks later
Don't feel bad for taking too long. My first swap was a Space Shuttle and it took me about 8 months for the swap alone. I left the cabinet as is because it was actually pretty decent condtion. I am debating on doing a Taxi and I am favoriting this thread. Keep it up.
So I got an email today from Tom, the guy I hired to do my cabinet. It's been too cold to paint but here in New England its finally warming up! The head is done and the cabinet should be finished soon.
I put the new playfield on the rotissierie. For a dimple outside the visible playfield I tried a test screw. There was minor splitting, I was unsure if you needed to drill out the dimples but the answer is definitely yes. I'm pretty scared of doing that but I guess I'll have to get over it if I want to finish the project!
TaxiBF1.jpg
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Burnsville, MN
put some tape on the drill bit to mark how far to drill - it takes the guessing out of it as long as you don't push down and move the tape 
Quoted from WeirPinball:put some tape on the drill bit to mark how far to drill - it takes the guessing out of it as long as you don't push down and move the tape
This is what I did as well, work great.
Quoted from Squeakman:Isn't there a tool or something that makes it so you can't drill too deep into the playfield? I wouldn't want to leave something this expensive to chance.
you mean like this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-drill-stop-set-38336.html#.UytEGa1dWeA
-mof
Quoted from mof:Squeakman said:
Isn't there a tool or something that makes it so you can't drill too deep into the playfield? I wouldn't want to leave something this expensive to chance.
you mean like this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-drill-stop-set-38336.html#.UytEGa1dWeA
-mof
Just a word of warning......I would also mark the bit with a marker, paint or tape as a backup indicator. I have a set of these and have found they can move/creep up the shaft with use. So be careful and keep re-tightening them to ensure they don't creep.
Quoted from Dante:Just a word of warning......I would also mark the bit with a marker, paint or tape as a backup indicator. I have a set of these and have found they can move/creep up the shaft with use. So be careful and keep re-tightening them to ensure they don't creep.
Very good advice.
And this might be totally obvious, but definitely worth mentioning - do not use metal depth stops on the topside of your playfield otherwise the stops will leave big nasty scratches in the clear. I always use masking tape for this and just make it a habit to continually check to make sure the tape hasn't creeped its way up the bit.
You'll also want to double check the placement of the dimples on the backside of the playfield before drilling into them, as they are frequently off. I usually fit the piece in its optimal spot then use a small awl to mark my own set of dimples.
1 month later
Nice, I can't wait to see this come together. It is looking great, its going to be a really nice machine. My dad is in the process of buying a Taxi and he will be doing a full restore also. Congratulations on the new baby!
1 week later
Quoted from Richthofen:So I have limited free time but I'm making a pledge to add at least one thing back into the playfield/cabinet every day. Otherwise this is never going to get done. Transformer, in. Legs, on. Playfield prop, on. Plastic wire organizers, on.
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Nothing wrong with 30 minutes a day, you'll have 3+ hours of work done a week, better than 0. Slow and steady is a good game plan!
-mof
Quoted from TheDrewster:Put some leg protectors on, I would hate to see those legs dig into that pristine artwork
I have the felt protectors under the legs. I am reluctant to put the metal protectors on at this point. They look unnatural and don't they require drilling/modifying the cab?
Quoted from Richthofen:I have the felt protectors under the legs. I am reluctant to put the metal protectors on at this point. They look unnatural and don't they require drilling/modifying the cab?
First off, great progress and the cabinet looks fantastic. The metal protectors do require drilling two small holes for the flat head screws that mount them but are hidden. The metal protectors are smaller than the outline of the legs and act as a spacer to protect the cabinet and it's artwork. Yet the space they create isn't noticeable so it looks original. One of the best newer items out there. Thanks Stern!
Excuse the poor picture but this was on my new TAF cabinet if it helps you understand.
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Quoted from TheDrewster:I was actually thinking of the plastic insert style ones.
Depending on the strength of a particular cab, be careful with these. I bought a set for my Taxi with good intentions, but the wood on my cab is a bit soft. The protectors started digging into the cab when I began to tighten the leg bolts. I quickly backed off from that plan.
Quoted from SPeD66:Depending on the strength of a particular cab, be careful with these. I bought a set for my Taxi with good intentions, but the wood on my cab is a bit soft. The protectors started digging into the cab when I began to tighten the leg bolts. I quickly backed off from that plan.
Yeah, they're not so good on new decals or even painted cabs. I agree they look good to cover existing damage but apparently they can make new marks in old cabinets too.
That cabinet looks awesome. Can't beat fresh. If I were you...I'd take that transformer out, tape off, black spray paint it. Takes very little time, and will match the rest of the hard work...
GL the rest of the way- Nice Taxi
Quoted from shacklersrevenge:That cabinet looks awesome. Can't beat fresh. If I were you...I'd take that transformer out, tape off, black spray paint it. Takes very little time, and will match the rest of the hard work...
GL the rest of the way- Nice Taxi
Thanks for the advice. I was unsure about the outer transformer block, whether it was originally painted or whether it could be painted. It's something I can revisit; right now I am trying to get everything as clean as possible and in place before my son can toddle into the dining room and start getting into the parts
Slacking a little. Pinside user Linoleum came over the other day and showed me how its done with respect to Ground Braids. 
I'm very lucky to have such an amazing pinball community here in New England.
Ground Braid in, Playfield Prop in, on switch/power box in, tilt bob/volume holder in.
IMG_0980.JPGHere's the speaker.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FMPENQ/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
Quoted from Richthofen:Here's the speaker.
amazon.com link »
Wow thats weird... I clicked on your amazon link and amazon pointed out that that speaker would fit my 2009 Honda odyssey...
The game looks fantastic!
Quoted from Richthofen:Brand new lockdown bar. Old one had a beer spill of epic proportions. Re-painted coindoor bezel. Using a flat black and I'm really digging the look.
If only that lock bar could talk. Looks like about 25 years worth of beer spills.
Sana'a
4 weeks later
Just an update: Slow progress still, but I am almost ready to put the coindoor back in, and the head on. Tumbled parts, cleaned harnesses, etc. Playfield is next. Should have the head on the game by the weekend, hopefully!
Note that this isn't the highest end restoration ever: I did not polish the circuit board holder or anything. I still think it looks 1000x better than before.
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Ever think about black powder coat on legs, lockdown, and siderails? Maybe even paint them the same paint as the coin door....I really like that look. Just a thought. 
Quoted from Chitownpinball:Ever think about black powder coat on legs, lockdown, and siderails? Maybe even paint them the same paint as the coin door....I really like that look. Just a thought.
THAT would look good.
Quoted from Chitownpinball:Ever think about black powder coat on legs, lockdown, and siderails? Maybe even paint them the same paint as the coin door....I really like that look. Just a thought.
Nope. For the most part going original. I will be doing LEDs in the playfield but probably retros. These games to me are artwork and my guess is I likely can't do better than the original Williams designers could. Just my opinion, I have seen really cool powdercoats out there but not for me.
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