(Topic ID: 291047)

Shooting for the Stars - Classic Stern Restoration

By JLay

2 years ago


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  • Stars Stern Electronics, 1978

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There are 67 posts in this topic. You are on page 2 of 2.
#51 2 years ago

The Law - the thicker ones are already installed under the slingshot plastics and near the apron. This thin one would not stay in the holes that were made by the nails, so it has to go somewhere. I remember removing it, and wondering why it was thinner than the rest of them. My bad, though, I didn't make a note or take a pic of where it came off of the playfield. So somewhere, there's an unfilled hole that I can't find. Not a big deal, but it just bugs me knowing I have a piece that goes onto the playfield somewhere and I can't find where it goes.

#52 2 years ago
Quoted from Billc479:

The Law - the thicker ones are already installed under the slingshot plastics and near the apron. This thin one would not stay in the holes that were made by the nails, so it has to go somewhere. I remember removing it, and wondering why it was thinner than the rest of them. My bad, though, I didn't make a note or take a pic of where it came off of the playfield. So somewhere, there's an unfilled hole that I can't find. Not a big deal, but it just bugs me knowing I have a piece that goes onto the playfield somewhere and I can't find where it goes.

For what it’s worth I’ve taken off every screw and nail on mine and have not seen any nail like that... I can’t imagine where it would go so you’re prob ok to set it aside and not worry about it.

#53 2 years ago
Quoted from JLay:

I rejiggered the bus wire...

Sorry if I missed it but you're using all new wire? Where did you get it from?

#54 2 years ago
Quoted from TheLaw:

Sorry if I missed it but you're using all new wire? Where did you get it from?

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B8865ZW

1 week later
#55 2 years ago

Visiting family has left and I’m back at it. Holding off on tear down and cleaning of the drop banks for the sale of getting the game out back together before I start to misplace things.

I’m adding connectors to the assemblies so that I can easily remove them for the cleaning and rebuild. Time consuming but makes my OCD happy.

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1 week later
#56 2 years ago

Slowly rebuilding the bottom side of the PF. No issues so far, just taking my time and making sure each connection is solid and cleaning up the wiring as best as I can. It’s so easy to spend way too much time in this when you’re as OCD as I am, but I do find it quite satisfying work.

Goal is to get the PF back in the cab this weekend and get the game playable again. Them take a break for a bit and strip the cabinet for stencils later this summer.

Have a NOS fishtales PF coming from Kruzman that will be on the rotisserie soonish. That’ll be fun...

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#57 2 years ago

Wow, looks really sharp & clean, personality I like to use white zip ties ( my OCD )

#58 2 years ago

Bottom side is pretty much done at this point. Tested all the GI wiring but need to slide it into the machine to test everything else... added connectors to all the mechs for easy removal and adjustment. They were the cheap Chinese connectors that I had on hand but let’s see how they hold up.

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#59 2 years ago

Does anyone know if the beehive shooter housing from Pinball Wizard is the same as the one from Pinball Life? Very disappointed with the one from PBL as the hole is not the correct size and the rod has a ton of slop. Basically not usable. I see PB Wizard has one but I don't want to just buy the same one again from a different supplier... any thoughts or fixes here?

#60 2 years ago

I do not know, but its time to bite the bullet for all of us and find out

#61 2 years ago
Quoted from TheLaw:

I do not know, but its time to bite the bullet for all of us and find out

I ordered it so we shall see... my old one looks like crap so not many other options. I may just have to take it to work and machine a brass sleeve to insert in there...

#62 2 years ago

Nearly done completing the top side now... with this being my first PF swap I think I completely underestimated how much time this takes. My ignorant assumption that the CPR PF would come in and all the dimples and holes were a guide just to execute on has really come to light. Every screw and part that goes into the PF now comes with at minimum 5 minutes of analysis and head scratching to make sure it's where it needs to go. Measure 5 times drill once.

It kind of makes me never want to do a reproduction PF swap again, or at least approach it very differently from the beginning and attempt to transfer every hole from the old PF to the new one. I think the challenge just becomes what you use as your reference... some things reference from the PF edge while other need to reference from their larger cut feature (drop target slots, slingshot holes etc)...

Fortunately I don't have any major F-ups that can't be tweaked with a few filled holes and screw hole shifting, but that came at a cost of tip toeing through the entire thing...

I'm confident though that after a few months of being done with it I'll forget about the experience and sign up for another one (I have a Genie waiting for me...)

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#63 2 years ago

Some notable top side issues:
-top gate dimples were wayyy off, like 5mm

-width between the left and right outlanes are not consistent, it seems that the rail on the left side of the shooter lane needs to shift over to the right to correct that a bit (I used the gap between shooter lane rails on the old PF to place that. will fill the holes on the bottom of the shooter land and redrill a few mm over

-adjustable outlane bumper holes are frustrating. I drilled out the lowermost hole because this game is hard AF even in the easiest setting, only to find that in the lowest hole the ball doesn't fit through the outlane rubbers. Drilled out the 2nd lowest holes but can barely see where I removed the clear from the lower hole at the edge of the post. Hoping I'll never need to use the holes above that.

-Leaving the kirk post out now since figuring out where to locate that thing stresses me out.

-Drop targets aren't centered in the drop target slot. I drilled the mounting holes with a template made referencing the old drop target slot, maybe it was off on the old game and I never noticed. going to play it a bit and adjust if it needed down the line. good thing I added connectors.

#64 2 years ago
Quoted from JLay:

... drilled out the lowermost hole because this game is hard AF even in the easiest setting,

Ah, so it sounds just like the original

Thanks for all the notes, great to know this stuff before others get started

#65 2 years ago

She lives! Got the PF mostly complete and hooked up. So cool to see this looking better than new! Everything seems to work except a few of the coils (flippers, pop and drop reset). I’m sure it’s an easy fix just had to go out of town for the weekend.

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#66 2 years ago
Quoted from JLay:

My ignorant assumption that the CPR PF would come in and all the dimples and holes were a guide just to execute on has really come to light. Every screw and part that goes into the PF now comes with at minimum 5 minutes of analysis and head scratching to make sure it's where it needs to go. Measure 5 times drill once.

I wish you could get them with nothing dimpled since they're always so wrong.

When I get around to mine for my 2nd stars (real basket case) I'm not going to put the side posts in at all

My 1st machine doesn't have them either on its cleared PF but honestly it doesn't make a whit of difference on ball times whether it's there or not. Sometimes the rubber on the side posts causes the ball to bounce back in (so you think you're getting it back....) and it hits the back of the sling rubber and bounces down the outlane anyway - but you had the illusion of control.

#67 2 years ago
Quoted from JLay:

She lives! Got the PF mostly complete and hooked up. So cool to see this looking better than new! Everything seems to work except a few of the coils (flippers, pop and drop reset). I’m sure it’s an easy fix just had to go out of town for the weekend.
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She looks beautiful mate, congrats, a really pretty pin when gleaming.

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