85vette (Brad) send me a really cool idea. At least on my new Sterns, the stand up targets tend to move side to side and become misaligned. I took his idea and made what I call a 'splint'. After a very quick disassembly of the target, the 3 parts slide very tightly into the splint. The splint minimizes the movement of the target. It takes less than 10 minutes per target to install.

The problem to be solved here is that the holes in the switch is a plastic tube so not to short out the switch. The tube is bigger than the screw so it moves within the tube. The splint uses the playfield bracket to not allow the switch to move side to side. It is a box design so not to allow flexing.

He is doing testing and I have them installed on Metallica and ACDC. If it works I will compile a list of all the games this goes on.

http://mezelmods.com/products/stern-target-splints

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I will post pictures of the drop target mechanism today so we can figure out what games we can use this.

No unsoldering required for the small targets. I will have a look at TRON.

Here are the pics of the drop target it fits. These are from ACDC, the extra bracket on the top is for the lightning bolts, pay no attention to that.

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Mine too, will take it apart today and see what I can do.

For the bigger targets, I will make a two piece splint. It will have to be glued so you don't have to do any soldering. That solder job on those is a mess.

Here's another picture of the backplate that this works with.

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Yep, I could knock a couple of millimeters off of it.

I am sending more units out for testing, gotta be sure these work.

I got them going on X-men and LOTR, any other small targets that are prone to move?

If you post a link I will pass these along at my cost.

I should make a splint for the larger bracket so there is no unneeded extra cost.

I will probably need someone to send me one of those.

Need to make a smaller footprint for XM.

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These are installed wrong, thats why they don't fit. The bracket fits inside the cube.

Smaller footprint, trying to get the two piece done before bed.

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Still getting them tested. We ship worldwide.

Here is the two piece design to fit on the larger targets. It will just take a couple of drops of super glue to close the box for strength. I will test it today.

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Testing it for the ACDC lower playfield. A little super glue and two clamps. I got the really cheap clamps at Harbor Frieight.

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The two piece splint seems to work well for the larger targets.

Send me a pic, I think I know what you are talking about.

These are for sale for most new Sterns with the straight backplate, 1/2 inch and larger targets.

http://mezelmods.com/products/stern-target-splints

One piece small splint for these, they are 1/2 inch targets.
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Two piece splint for the larger than 1/2 inch targets.
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I think it is the one piece that fits. If anyone finds one that doesn't fit I need to know so I can make further adjustments. For example, the right target for the Metallica grave markers just fits.

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Here's a pic of the Xavier targets.

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Sparky is a two piece

Don installed and I supervised the fix on our buddy's U target last night. It's amazing how these thing can lean.

Anybody want to guess what these are? I just made a bunch with some colors I had laying around. I will start throwing these in with some of our new orders to see if they work.

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Nope, but funny.

Yep, I know some folks may use loc-tite, but I thought I could whip something up. It works by self threading just like the locknuts and has increased surface area for more grab area. A simple hand twist test shows a significant difference to me.

Nobody likes exposed nuts, see the innovation thread from Kristin. (insert jokes here)

Hex holder...
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I'm still putting about 3-4 inches of wire on all of them so you can just solder extra length wire on them to attach to whatever you want that is 12v.

I usually just cut the tie wrap off, let see if I can come up with something cool.

I have not taken a look at these yet. I will eventually. It seems the Stern machines are the most problematic.

Here is the link to Swinks Shapeway models, you can buy them here.

http://www.shapeways.com/model/1440514/pinball-hexagonal-post-cable-restraint-v4.html?materialId=62

Your L metal bracket does not look to have caught the screws, it should be flush up to the leaf switch.

Typically after the first one, the rest go much quicker.

I bought that bracket and will get a splint designed for it. Just gotta carve some time out for it.

The bracket needs to look like this to work.

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