http://www.pinballdecals.com/NonGlareOpticalGlassPage.html

If you're not in a hurry you can still place your order and tell Marco to send out everything once its in stock!

My machine has that but is this something that was an OEM part?

I thought the same but must admit after getting the mirror I would recommend it. It adds to the game and interacts with the different phases of the game.

Again, you're in the wrong hobby! ALL machines need work. If you look at all the post under TECH on Pinside you will see people looking for help on EM games as well as games that they just bought out of the box!

I have a TOM and had very good luck with it. Nothing major. I actually find changing rubbers and bulbs on the game to be harder than working on it. Some of the bulbs and rubbers aren't easily accessible!

As much as you hate to turn off anyone to a hobby that you enjoy pinball is different! A lot of people want to have a pinball machine but have no desire to work on them. If that is the case then you may be in the wrong hobby unless you're willing to pay someone to fix or maintain your machine for you.

As kporter stated "its the luck of the draw". You and I can go out and buy the same machine in excellent condition but your machine may wind up with issues and mine works fine.

For a lot of people on this site fixing machines is more of a hobby than playing them. I for one love finding a machine that is non-working and bringing it back to life. I put all the time and money into the machines and then my 15 year kicks my *&* when we play!!!

This hobby gets to be addictive. Everyone starts out with one machine and the next thing you know you're driving 8 hours to pick up another and then having one shipped from 4 states away etc. It's a great hobby and one that can be very expensive but again it goes back to "do you want to learn how to work on them or not and, if not, are you going to pay someone to fix them for you". If you answer no to both of those question you may want to reconsider buying one!

I like the Hat Mod and purchased it from Andy Dreads. He is the one that makes them and are also the ones, I believe, Joey sells on his site PDI Pinball Decals, I really like the way the hat looks as well as interacts with the game. I did have an issue with my hat as it malfunctioned a few years after purchase but Andy was great to deal with and fixed it. After fixing it the motor in it died shortly after getting it back. Went back to Andy and he wound up just sending me a new one which I have not had issues with since (about a year now). If you come down to the Pittsburgh area and want to see it let me know!

Here is Andy's info:
Judge Dreads Pinball
[email protected]

_{Post edited by meSz: Added contact info}

I am NE (Murrysville) of the city so it's a little bit of a drive from Bridgeville. If you get a chance and like macaroni and cheese (dont stop reading just yet) go to a place called Sauce (http://saucepgh.com/) in Bridgeville. They have a "build you own mac n cheese" plate and the stuff is great. I am actually taking my son there on Saturday for his birthday as thats where he wanted to go for lunch!

No problem at all and I do feel your pain as my wife, son and I have b-days on the 3rd, 7th and 9th of March. Luckily I am beyond the Chucky Cheese years!!! Best advise I can give you is to start drinking before you go and then continue to drink once your there!!!

Okay so I jinxed myself.....played my TOM today and the hot mod is no longer working properly. The card is not spinning at all. Again, love the mod idea but for me this has been the most problematic mod I have had on any of my machines. I have returned the original to Andy 3 times where the 3rd time he just sent me a new one. Now the new one has failed!?!?!?!? Anyone else encounter issues with this???

Does anyone recall who sold the Wand mod? This is the wand with the lighted tip and when you get Hocus Pocus lit the wand also lights?

Thanks, this helped me track down my email to him purchasing it. Unfortunately the wand is no longer lighting up!

Is there somewhere that shows the benefits of having 1.4 (Shiftedbits)?

The ColorDMD is nice for TOM. Only drawback is that it's not bright as the DMD but it's my understanding they're working on this!

Are you going to use the gold ball(s) for play or in the trap ball area? A lot of people complain about them flaking. I do have one in the trap ball area and notice gold flakes when I clean the game!

The gold buttons are nice but expect to replace them often as the gold wears off!

Please do, be interested to see if you have any issues. Use them for a while, take them out and on a light colored rag wipe them. You should, hopefully you don't, see gold shavings. You can also use a microfiber towel and wipe the playfield down and look for the same thing.

Thanks for the info! I have 1.3 in my TOM but I also have the Tiger Saw mod. When you turn your machine on do you actually see version 1.4 show on the screen?

Congrats Paddy now buy the ColorDMD, you wont regret it!

They're referring to the version of software. So the 1.4 is a newer version then the 1.3. Pinball companies often release a machine where the software is either incomplete or there are bugs that need worked out. When this happens the pinball company will release an update. For Theatre of Magic you can see the versions at http://www.actionpinball.com/tech/tom.txt

When you turn your machine on look at the display and you will see what version you have!

With newer machines, Stern for example, you can simply go to their website, download the latest version onto a memory stick and then update your machine. For Theatre of Magic you will need to ROM. You can ask a Pinsider with a burner to do this for you or you can get one off of ebay!

One thing to keep in mind, sometimes the latest update is not always the best update to have! TOM is one machine where some people like 1.3 version over 1.4 and vice versa.

That was my understanding but I have the working tiger saw and am running the 1.3 version. My saw spins when I hit the Tiger Saw stand up (when lit) but maybe by having the 1.3 I am not getting all of the features that I would if I had 1.4?

I know you need the 1.4 if you install the "Magic Post".

The "Magic Post" was planned for ToM but the idea was scrapped before the machine went into production. The "Magic Post" is exactly like the "Up Post" on Bally's Power Play (BOPP) machine.

"OPTIONAL: Magic Post (working up-post between flippers) and working Tiger Saw
unit (motorized unit) which are operated by this software revision. These devices
were originally present on prototype (pre-production) models of Theatre of Magic,
so most games do not have them. An aftermarket spinning Tiger Saw kit is available
from some aftermarket sources which connects to the game and works with the
1.4H software revision (check eBay, Google search, etc. for sources)"

What bulbs did you use?

JSA can you advise as to what fading you see or even throw up a video showing this? On the fence about buying this and would like to see.

check out this ebay listing for the trunk ebay.com link: THEATRE OF MAGIC TRUNK Bally Pinball Part NOS

The ColorDMD being out of stock is not too uncommon. Just buy it direct from ColorDMD, if they have it in stock!

Agree! My TOM has six mods on it and they all tend to blend in with the game. To me this mod sticks out too much. Also, would look better if the wires were out the back. Just an opinion!

I sent the link to Mezelmod to see if they maybe they would do one!

Dome down or the ramp that goes over it will not sit correctly!

Looking for LED ideas for the backglass! Found a few post on Pinside but they were older so looking for input on what the best LEDs to use for the backglass! Also, if you can advise as to the colors used! Pictures would be great as well!

Yeah if you would let me know what colors you used where and the LEDs you used would appreciate it!!

I had bought one of the Spirit Rings that someone, I forget who, made. It's one piece and plated!

IMG_6753[1] (resized).JPG

The nice thing about these compared to the original is it's one piece! The original is two pieces. I bought mine back in 2012 and it cost me $103 including shipping. The plating was done by Mike Chestnut! I forget the guy's name that did them but if you want PM me and I can give you his email address. You can reach out and see if he's still making them. I would assume the price has gone up if he is!

Thanks for the picture! Who did you buy the LEDs from?

Thanks a lot for the pics and details! I may wind up mixing it up between yours and Drewblood's! Question is....will the LEDs look good when they come out with the 3D Translites?

Yeah if you go to the below URL you can scroll through the 4 pictures he has on photobucket. Shows the finished product as well as before it's plated. Like I said, all on piece and really nice!
http://tinyurl.com/z6chlop

Sit tight, I gave another Pinsider the email address and he has emailed already asking if these are still available or if more can be made! Hopefully more to come!

Contact Pinbits as when I purchased mine from them it showed "out of stock" but they advised me when they were getting more in! The Pinbits are the way to go! Since installing mine I have never had to do anything with them and they've worked flawlessly!

With all the LEDs do you still have the lights dimming feature or is that no longer?

I know someone posted about how they installed their LED OCD into a TOM but now I can't find it! Anyone??? The poster had pics and what not showing how he installed it and it was a little different then what comes with the instructions!

dup

hocuslocus if your post was in response to my question I was looking for OCD LED not the ColorDMD.

Yeah and I just seen the other day a post where someone installed it on their TOM and have some really good pics and insight damned if I didn't add it to my favorites and now I cant find the bloody post!!

Found it https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/gi-ocd-installation-into-my-tom-mini-review

Installed the GI OCD board in my TOM from HERG. Really like the idea of having the dimming effect back in the game with the LEDs! The board was very easy to install and the software is just as easy to load and use! Also, thanks to DREWBLOOD for the input on what LEDs to use (Comets).

No problem at all as I went off of what Drewblood419 did! He provided me with what he did to his! The only thing I did differently was I replace one of the 1SMDT10NWFT with a SLOW BLINKer in the upper most left socket. This is the LED that is behind the BALLY logo. I like that the BALLY logo flashed but would be better to have a FLEX LED as the light is a little low!

Anyhow, below is the order info I used for the backbox and a screenshot that DREWBLOOD419 provided so you can see where each were placed!

Capture (resized).PNG
ToM LEDs (resized).png

Actually I have had LED in the pf for along time now! One of the main reason for purchasing the GI OCD board from HERG! I just matched the color of the inserts but I did this, as stated, a long time ago so I am now toying with the idea of buying new ones! I originally purchased the Cointaker LEDs and they just aren't the best looking ones!

It does come pre-programed BUT you can install the software onto a laptop (very easy to do) and go in and program the brightness you want! No soldering involved. All you do is take the board and install it on the inside of the back cabinet on the left side (3-4 screws). Then you take the connectors that go to the lamp board and plug them into the GIOCD. Obviously the plugs go in a certain way and you hook up to power but again its east and HERG provides instructions!

I have just the GI in mine and all lights are LED.

What type of pinballs are you using? Some people like the plated ones (specifically gold) that dont work with the magnets! Also, some of the high end pinballs wont work!

Yeah I would recommend going by the manual and not what the previous guy did! Also, look at your connector (first picture bottom second connector in from the right - JI21) as it has a bit of burn to it! Pull this out and inspect it. May be best to just replace it with a new one as you can see a previous owner already did some work on it by cutting the connector down by two wires and then adding a new 2 wire connector! It's a 11 pin connector so just get a new one and do it right! Inspect the pins while at it!

As for that 15A car fuse (F109).... that's supposed to be a 5A Slow Blow fuse!! So once you put the right fuse in there you may find a issue or two with the game that cause the 5A fuse to blow!

In case you don't have a manual ...
F106-F111, F113 - 5A S.B. 250v
F101-F105, F116 - 3A S.B. 250v
F112 - 7A S.B. 250v
F114 - 8A 32V
F115 - 3/4A 250v

It's a very good possibility! The person that put that 15a fuse in there was either using what he had at the time or he put in a high amp fuse to keep a known issue from blowing the 5a fuse! Without the schematics I am not certain that, that 15a fuse is connected to the JI21 connector. If it is then it could explain the connector overheating!

Well most people like to swap out the IDC Connector ( http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=1603 ) you have with a locking connector like http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=3452 . The problem with this is .... you then need a crimping tool to do all the contacts. Might be best to stick with the IDC connector and all you need is the 11 pin connector and the tool (http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=1590) to push the wires in!

As for the pins.....if you don't know how to solder than you'll want to skip replacing the pins unless you see damage. If there is damage than send your board out to someone that can do it!

Same here.....maybe for something that didn't make it to production?!

Yeah replace it. If there is an existing issue it will just blow the 5A fuse. Again, might be that the 15a was all the guy had so there maybe no issue at all!

Actually I have been waiting for the Grammar Police to hit me for my grammatical errors and run on sentences!!

GP, Look at his previous pics and you can see the white/green wire is there just that the previous owner cut the connector and now has it setup as two separate connectors, a 9 pin and a 2 pin that make up the 11

Not certain on the red/green wire as I would need to look at the manual but I can tell you that your wires being all twisted IS not "copacetic"! The wires should not be twisting like that!

I think what people might be telling you that .... yeah it's fine to post a few tech questions on here but your machine appears to have several issues so you may want to start your own post so you can ask all your questions about your machine! Start a post and title it something like TECH: ToM having several issues or whatever. Up to you!

Another good thing to do is .... use Google images when you want to know is something is right or wrong! Search for playfield images on Google and most of the time you will find an image of the area you're looking into! You can then compare it with what you have!

http://www.pinball.center/en/shop/pinball-parts-by-game/theatre-of-magic/7685/trunk-cable-for-theatre-of-magic-h-20007.1

Drawback is .... you'll pay more in shipping than the part due to they're overseas!!

Appreciate you posting your findings as I am on the fence with these! As much as I like the idea the cost is 4 times (124USD) that of the standard ones (31USD) and there is no history on these, other than what the makers put out there! So be interesting to see feedback as, not only, the durability but how the ball comes off the trunk!

Yes it's glued in! I had switched my ring out to the ring that (forget who made them) made out of solid metal and plated them! You can do one of two ways (that I know of)......
1. use a heat gun and heat the top of the ring. This will soften the glue and allow the magnet to come out!
2. You can take a screwdriver and put it in between the ring and the magnet and pry it out! put the screwdriver in and pry gently in several different spots! The glue at this point is probably dried out and will give with a little bit of help!

When I did mine I went with option #2 but I had placed the ring in the freezer in order to freeze the glue! Not sure if this was what did it but I just figured if the glue wasn't dried out freezing it would make it easier to break apart!

Anyone ever experience the audio on ToM fluctuating? During game-play all of a sudden the audio gets real low and then comes back to normal????

yeah Pinball Pro speakers. All of sudden this issue started. I have had this game for years with no problem!

Anyone ever encounter their Subway Release Coil stop working? Mine did after moving the machine. It's not working in TEST mode either so figured maybe wire came off but to no avail!

Thanks for the replies. It was the F901 Fuse on the Fliptronics board (for anyone else that comes across this issue)

I also have a 6 pin male connector that is not connected to anything. I am assuming it might have been for a feature that was later not added to the game. Notice my wiring is different colors than yours, but that is not uncommon either!

IMG_0207[1] (resized).JPG

I assume you have the lighted mirror on your game? That's the board that drives the lights in the mirror. . . http://pinballpro.net/shop/theatre-of-magic-motorized-gold-tiger-saw-blade-w-lighted-marquee-mirror/

Anyone interested in a used translite for $75 +shipping? I upgraded to the 3D one and have no further use. Picture is of the translite. The bad, it has 3 rub spots that you can see in the picture but overall in very good condition at half price of a new one! I will use the packaging from the 3D one to ship it in!

NOTE: Upon taking this out of my machine I put it in a plastic sleeve in order to protect it from rubbing against the cardboard. It's in the plastic sleeve in the picture so it will look even better once removed from the sleeve.

The three wear spots.... two are to the right of MAGIC and the third one is to the bottom right of the trunk.

IMG_0599[1] (resized).JPG

I actually put mine in the freezer and popped it off!

All you need is a little red Duct Tape and ................ an order to buy a new one!

What made you want to take it out? Did you get one of the one piece rings??? That was the reason for me removing mine but I wasn't aware that these were still available!

Aghhh okay! I bought the solid Spirit Ring that John (I believe) Bitz made. He made them so they were one piece, no welding involved. Looks a lot better then the ones that came with the machine. Also, he had them plated already. Not sure if he still does them or not as I bought mine back n 2012.

Don't recall those being used on ToM. Typically see them on older EM games!

BTW - If you're not aware those are called Lamp Shields or Sleeves. They simply slide over the bulbs (most commonly #44)

Like the condoms .... most of the games I have seen them on they're red, like the ones Marco sells https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/C-615-R, but I have also seen clear ones like you pictured. Seen numerous ones where they were originally red but over time the color was lost so they were a dingy yellowish color.

Trying to help a local guy out with his ToM. Haven't looked at the game yet but he's telling me that "Power shuts off sometimes and that it ejects all balls into trough". Figured I post here to see if folks with ToM ever experienced these issues. Looking for possible things to check!

Anyone ever come across this issue ........... "Every once in a while if you get multiple events going at the same time it acts a little unpredictably, like maybe lighting Theatre and starting one of the illusions within a few seconds of each other".

Few things to consider for some of the parts you need.

Opto Interrupter - consider this one as opposed to the plastic one - https://www.ministryofpinball.com/en/catalog/product/view/id/6844/s/theatre-of-magic-trunk-opto-interrupter-new/category/156/

Trunk - get the "unbreakable" one - https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/unbreakable-trunk-for-the-theatre-of-magic

Lastly, consider the Pinbits Eddy boards - https://www.pinbits.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_33

and apologies Embryon, not trying to take a sale from ya.

The magnets and trunk work off "Eddy Boards" and they're finicky. Simple adjustment typically fixes them. It would behoove you to seeing if you can get the game up and working as it will bring more money for you if the machine is working as it should. Maybe advise of your location and a local Pinsider may be willing to come over and help you out. Although this game is not deep in rules it's a great and desired game to have! Get it up and working and then play it .... you may wind up keeping it!

Good to see you got it up and working (almost) 100%. As JustEverett advised get the metal disc and Ingo board. Although you're going to sell the game you can get top dollar for a working one as opposed to one with issues, no matter how small!

Anyone ever experience their buttons on the coin door not working? I wanted to turn volume up but they’re not working so I tried to go into settings and again nothing.

First of all you can get the manual here ..... https://www.ipdb.org/files/2845/Bally_1995_Theatre_of_Magic_Manual.pdf

as for the post, I have seen different post used in this location. I've see the Single Post Mini Bumper 02-4660 being used. I have seen the post that you use as well but if you look in the manual (page 2-33) you wont see your post listed. So it tells me your post is probably not the original one. The one I have seen the most is 02-4659-1 Mini Post .... and it's in the manual. Just not sure which one is right!

Back to your question, here's the post you're looking at https://www.pinballlife.com/williamsbally-1-metal-post-with-groove.html
If you go with this post you will also need the screw to hold it in place. You'll also want to check on the underside of the playfield to make sure the t-nut is still there.

I looked on HEP's site and he used the post that shows in the picture you posted. Let more people chime in.

So found a picture of my machine (it’s back East so I couldn’t look at it)……8C12F243-FCAA-4767-83F2-4A073ACA36B0 (resized).jpeg

So forget my previous post and go with your original thought.