I've done a little searching and have found NOTHING with regards to an idea I have...but I know damn well I'm not the first one to think of it!??

Awhile back I was perusing CL for another machine and found an old Table machine called "Take Five" - an old Allied Leisure machine.

I got talking to the guy and got it for $100, says it "quit working" so I figure it's a power supply issue, etc. I have yet to pick it up.

He asked why I was interested and I told him my idea: I want to strip the playfield, paint it white and use decals/custom vinyl graphics to create my own theme. This will be a gift to a director of an organization I belong to who has shown interest in my pinball "hobby" here recently. We always think of something cool to make for him and this would top them all, undoubtedly.

So I wonder, has anyone else taken this on? I chose the table version because there would be NO back glass to design/fabricate, this would be my FIRST attempt at a custom-themed machine and it was cheap. My main responsibility at this point would be to ensure I build a reliable, "classy" machine, not a cheep "cheesy" rendition of an idea...and I think my idea could come about at a fairly reasonable, if not downright inexpensive price??

Any ideas? Any sites where someone has done this? Has anyone taken the idea a step further than mine and custom-themed an upright with custom back glass and all? If so, I'm NOT worthy!!

I think I can get the machine up and running fairly quickly - and inexpensively!

That's funny, that video actually uses the EXACT machine I referred to in my OP, called "the Entertainer" - "Take 5" is exactly like it, same playfield, etc. - seems they have the same idea then.

I thought of maybe cutting out cardboard patterns of the playfield and drawing a design to be air-brushed or using very thin vinyl - a friend is a sign maker with a very sophisticated vinyl cutting plotter thingey...so if you stick to 3-4 colors and black outline items...could be very cool and somewhat simple.

Use a white playfield and go from there, heck, you can vinyl the entire playfield with white and go from there! ...and just clear-coat. I'm just wondering if others have done it and posted and/or created a website, etc.

THAT is TOTALLY BAD ASS!!

Love it...definitely want to take one that far in the future...make my own "racing" theme would be the ticket.

Thanks for the link...awesome.

I am TOTALLY ate up with this! Thanks to Toyotaboy's earlier link I've found ALL SORTS of video for homemade/custom pinball machines...wow, double wow...very cool.

I'd like to see Trident's custom pin for sure, that Beatniks is impressive as well although my vote is for the non-pro "Ramones" pin, because a bunch of friends built it. I don't even like the Ramones!

My first custom pin is going to use an old "Take Five" table machine, think it's an easy playfield to start with and the "ching-ching" of the mechanicals provides an easy (also classic) sound...my theme should be pretty simple - it's also going to be a gift, so no matter what I'm sure the recipient will be THRILLED.

That's tight Trident!

What process is used to make a back glass? ...would it be easier to make a translite?

What seems to be the prevailing technique for putting a design on a playfield? I'm thinking vinyl with some type of clearcoat but not sure that's the way to go...although it would be the easiest and cost effective.

Awesome, I was certain someone had done some re-themes...so alas, my "great idea", is in fact, NOT mine!

FWIW, I did pick up an ultra-super perfect "Take Five" table machine over the weekend, no way in hell am I going to re-theme it...too precious, even Wifey agrees.

I'll have to post a pic of it, you WILL NOT believe how gorgeous it is, considering it's 35+ years old!

MoneyShot.JPG

Now I just have to find an "OK" one and strip the playfield, shoot it white and go to town with a buddy who can airbrush...will leave the ding-dong sounds and original layout as I'm not that "technical" - just yet.