I prefer the high powered, even though they're pretty beefy and send moon shots, but I prefer these over coils getting weak with long play. I can't deal with weak coils on a potential trip to Valinor where you need to smack the ball out of there.

With that said, I think one of my coils is a pinballlife and the other is something else not original, but they've stayed strong and don't feel too overpowering.

I bought a set of the medium strength ones sold here on Pinside, and hopefully they won't be as powerful but also won't lose power over lengthy games.

They won't, they are perfect for the game...

So I’ve had this about a month and am starting to figure it all out. Just caught on today that the flippers control ring mode, which is neat.

Two things I have not figured out: What controls the length of the multiball sessions? Some of them last until 2 or 3 balls land in the trough and others go for 5+ minutes and what seems like 100 balls. Is it the number of rings collected prior to starting the multiball session?

Second: What triggers There and Back Again? A successful DTR and then a ring shot?

Thanks!

If you have multiballs coming back after you drain, you hit the middle stand up target to ''add a ball''

TABA is pretty easy to get to, just play all the modes and then your next start mode will auto start it when you shoot the ring.

You can actually go to there and back again without starting DTR (i've done it) It's tricky, because you have to stay out of the third multiball and just focus on collecting 3 white rings to start the modes. Once all 3 of the multiballs are played its automatically DTR time at the ring.

WTB: Left slingshot plastic (if anyone has a spare, to spare?)

Appreciate it.

I wonder if my multiball settings aren’t on factory or something. It seems much more random. I’ve noticed the “add a ball,” but figured that added a fourth, not that it kept me going for minutes on end cycling through ball after ball.

You mean the plastic squareish thing that hangs over the Shire? I will have an extra soon, if so. I bought a modded one today.

Quick question, when the ball come out of the pops and travels down the right orbit lane, should it hot the right slings, or go to the flipper?

If anyone can snap a quick photo of their ball guide on the right (mainly to see where it is in respect to the rubber post at the end).

Thanks

I've ordered the materials I need to do a small trial run of five of these Mt. Doom mods.

I have four spots available, please let me know if you want in (either on this thread or PM me). I am guessing I can have these ready to ship by late next week.

The trial run price will be $40 shipped. I'm not sure if I'll make more yet or if I will change the price on a later run. I guess it will depend on feedback from the trial run, how much work/cost is involved and if there is additional demand.

Each piece will be individually hand painted, clearcoated in a matte finish and lighted. A wiring harness will be provided to tap into an existing 5v power source.

Thanks!!

-PC

MTD 3 (resized).JPG

mtd 1 (resized).jpg

MTD4 (resized).JPG

Can I bug someone to take a photo of where there right orbit ball guide ends, so I can see how close it is to the rubber post.

Thanks!

From my shop job pics:

FB1F6DD6-A207-445C-A615-455D1F73BE99 (resized).jpeg

E7B09AF0-9B28-4DC4-9384-C64C13AF2EBB (resized).jpeg

Thank you so much!

And do you recall if the ball hits the slings anytime it comes down from that right orbit lane?

Sometimes it grazes it, but mostly not an issues, straight to the right flipper....

PM sent to reserve a Mt doom. They look amazing.

I'll take one of the Mt. Dooms as well. I think it looks really good.

FYI - The Mt.Doom mod list filled up quickly, so if you didn't get an email from me about getting on the list, I'll put you on a standby list.

Let me process this small run and get a feel for how producing these will go and get some feedback from the early orders. If all goes well, I'll see about making more of these, for sure!

But for now, the list is closed - thank you!!

Damn! Definitely would have been in on one. I will keep my eyes open.

has this happen to any one ? I blow fuse F7 and replaced it .. now balrog won't turn off, so as soon as you turn on, it will stay on all the time till you turn it off the pin.

please help
thanks

As in; Balrog stays open (so you can hit the ring), or closed (blocking the ring)?

I've received several requests for a video for the Mt. Doom mod. Please excuse the occasional blurry nature of the quick video I took last night; cameras have hella time trying to focus on constantly changing light

So far I've had a lot of requests for the mod. It's time to end that grainy picture of Mt. Doom! That is really the one eyesore (mostly - I'm looking at you cheap looking Orthanc) that needed better representation.

Just a little patience - I want to gather as much info from these first five to make sure a larger run or a Pinside Shop Item will be completely universal (this is really a custom fit on that wireform and I need to see about mfg tolerances from pin to pin).

Thanks for the awesome comments and interest so far!!

-Chuck

Everything works fine, it's just the bulb in side of the bash toy balrog won't turn off. I am wondering what happen?

I"m installing my own Path of Dead Mod. Have the figures, the lights wired correctly and I have the Pinbits plastic that goes on top.

My question is (1) what is the best technique to secure the lights inside of the figures and (2) what is the best way to attach the feet of the figures to their bases?

Double sided tape? Glue? Hardest part for me is this step and doing it right.

I drilled out the back of the fig and hot glued my led in. Then I screwed the fig through the bottom with a small wood screw.

how does the mountain mount to the backpanel?

The two hex head machine screws that mount the ramp to the backpanel are used. Remove screws, place the model over the mounting holes and bent wireform, replace the screws/washers.

The model accounts for the 3mm or so width of the wireform so it mounts flush to the backpanel. It's nice, also, because it hides the bent wireform that the screws mount to.

It looks awesome, looking forward to testing this out for you!

Nice, so it is mounted via the screws, that is what I was hoping. Yeah, count me in.

most games do this unless the ball is moving fast. You need to nudge the game as it’s coming along the ball guide, then live catch with right flipper.

Woohoo! Got to Valinor for the first time! Caught it on video too.

Funny enough, I got to valinor on the third game after upgrading my coils to the medium strength ones recommended in this thread. On Ball 1! Amazing what a difference it makes. All my previous attempts would stall out because my coils would get weak during a long game.

Of course, tried to do it again the next day with no luck. The stars have to align just perfectly.

Spraynard nice ! You should never play again and sell it now

Heh, part of my motivation for making a serious valinor attempt was so that I could get rid of it with no remorse. I will be trading it soon. Love the game, it just plays way too long for me. I need quick brutal games.

Congrats! That's awesome. Not getting to Valinor the first time I owned the game was the reason I got it again. I sold mine because of the long ball times. My collection was smaller then though. LOTR might be a keeper for me now with a larger collection because I can just play it when I want to settle in for a longer game. It's probably the only game I'v sold that I missed.

Was that your cat crying in the background when the bells were going off? My cat does the same thing when I play LOTR or WOZ.

You're a f'ing machine!

Did you seriously do that on ball 1?

Man, I have a LOOOOOOONG way to go... But I'm determined as hell to get there!

Yeah, that was my cat GB. He cries pretty much anytime I play pinball. He hates not being the center of attention.

Haha thanks man. It takes a bit of luck and patience, but you’ll get there. You have to adjust your play when going for valinor. Slow and steady.

Spectacular!

Balls are getting stuck in the Shire (I think usually in MB modes).

It doesn't eject until the ball search goes off, and if there are multiple balls stuck, it seems to only eject one.

Does it sound like it's that little fork switch thingy that might need replacing or something else?

Sounds like the weight of one ball isn’t activating the trigger. Try bending it down a bit?

That is awesome! I really want to watch the video - but I have to avoid spoilers!!!! (as if I'll ever get there)...

Update on Mt.Doom! I received my materials and spent the better part of the weekend getting these done... during perfect weather.... in my basement.... all by myself. My family probably hates me. I learned a lot about the process, time and costs. The final product will likely sell closer to $60 - if not $60. Hate to increase the price, but they do take a lot of time to make.

Anyhow - for you in the trial run receiving these this week, it would be a good idea to check out some installation pictures/instructions here:

https://www.pinworlds.com/install

It's an easy install - but knowing what to do ahead of time will certainly be handy.

I have nine people on my auxiliary list. After I get feedback from the trial run, I'll offer the first batch to you guys (look for an email later this week). After that (after I build inventory, that is), these will be available right here on Pinside and/or on my website. Probably one week wait time for the second run, and 2-3 weeks for store inventory.

Thanks, all - I'm really looking forward to getting these into the hands of some fellow pinheads!!

-Chuck

trial 1 (resized).jpg

Trial 2 (resized).jpg

SWEEEEEET

Curious, did you use a red LED or a "fire" LED? The flicker of a fire LED might replicate lava better. Just a thought

It's actually three bright white strip LEDs (to fit in the thin profile channel of the mod) shining directly into the transparent red plastic portion to divert the light.

AFAIK "flicker" lighting is not available in strip lighting but I did think about doing that. But "flicker" might be too much; lava undulates more than flickers - especially at such a distance.

Quick opinion - been heavily looking for a LOTR table for months:

Does a HUO shipped for $6100 sound like a tasty deal or should I hold out?

I would. Prices continue to rise, a true huo would be the way to go!

I am looking for one as well and think that is reasonable!

That's reasonable - got pictures?

One guy in our group recently picked a lotr gold still NIB. Yes, it exists.
No price discussed..