I got this TZ playfield from a friend that is getting out of the Hobby due to costs, (no sir not a cheap hobby anymore) and moving.

So he had this idea that he shares with me, he tells me "I have been slowly gathering parts and pieces for this TZ project". But he was still missing a lot.

Well lucky me I had a Widebody empty complete cab (JD) with wrong transformer. But wait didn't I, Yes maybe, no not with my luck, then BAM, I found I had the correct transformer for TZ. OH My, I have a complete set of boards on a shelf, bought years ago when prices were cheap. GOOD GOOD.

OK, OK maybe just maybe this project may be doable. HMMMMMMM, I starting get excited about the possibility to do this project. But it is missing a bunch of boards, playfield parts, wires are everywhere on the top and bottom side of the playfield. Parts are a little hard to come by. BUT

Now I know I can do this but the playfield is not the best shape, got a BIG Scratch near the upper right flipper. So I am thinking at this point it going on the back burner or later down the road I will part it out the rest of the way. See pics.

I called my friend and seeing how he was doing, how is the getting ready to move going? How is the family? Etc etc etc.

Then somehow we end up on the subject of the Twilight Zone......

I was telling him I just don't know if I can follow after him with the Now mine TZ project, its missing a lot of parts, Yes I know you bought some of them and they are in such and such box. Then well the biggest reason is I see some planking of the playfield and there is that BIG Scratch. So I am going to put that project aside for a while or I might wait till I can find a few hard to come by parts.

Then He casually said to me, didn't you get that BRAND NEW TZ Playfield that was tucked behind my Jukebox, I told your wife you need to get that.

Now Guys and Girls I love my wife. Because I asked My Girl about the TZ Playfield and she said Yes she grabbed it, and stuck it behind our jukebox when we got home, it was all wrapped up and well protected and that's why I never really saw it. I thought my friend said that he had wrapped a Funhouse playfield that was used which he found at TPF one year.

I rush to the Jukebox, feeling like a Kid in a Candy store and I just was given permission to eat as much as I wanted. (I'm Diabetic, a man can dream LOL)
I unwrap it, it is beautiful. Not a mark on it.

So I guess I might be doing this restoration after all.

BTW thanks for reading my little story. But this is where I am going to need a little help. I am missing a few parts, found a bunch of it all over the world.

I am missing some key components which I will make a list and beg and beg and beg for someone to let me buy them. LOL

Plus I am going to need someone that is willing to do some close up pics upper and lower playfield. Yes, I know someone posted so pretty good pics but I am going to need just a little better, different angles really get in there under the wiring harness.

Here's the Pics. Let me know your opinion too, do the restoration or part it out.

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Phototamer thanks for your encouragement on the project.

Pinwow you are right this is building a TZ from scratch. A lot of time, effort and money. I have noticed prices have been going up on pinball items. People are asking new prices on used items

Matt1724 you are right once to put this much time invested into a project like this, you will never sell it. I love the hunt for all the missing parts. The begging and borrowing to complete the project. The satisfaction of doing what many can't do or won't do.

Thank you thank you for your insights on this project.

Anyone else want to chime in, come on I listening.

UPDATE:

Look what I found in Such and such box. This is looking better and better everyday. YAAAAAAY

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I'm still looking for a Volunteer/ Volunteers for some close up pics of the Underside of the Playfields. The pics here on Pinside are just not that well detailed.

Anyone??? Any OH OH OH pick me volunteers out there???

Does anyone know what that is in the pic?? Underneath everything.

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I was quoted more than that already. Was told 1400 for both of them or 750 a piece. Prices just keep on going up. I think this is a very good reason to do the restoration now before it gets even more stupid.

They didn't say if they were or not. I see a lot of used items on EBay that are used and people are asking new pricing. They must be getting away with it, because they keep doing it. I think people sometimes don't do the research for the lower prices. I'm old military penny pincher type of guy. I sometimes nickel and dime it to death. LOL

UPDATE: I made several orders for parts from 6 different pinball sites. OH My parts prices have gone way up. Over $1500.00 spent so far.

I ordered all the parts I could find, but still missing a few things that are not available anymore.

The good news is I had a bunch of parts already on a shelf.
Complete flipper assembles x4 and correct coils. Complete Pop Bumper assembles x3 with coils, only missing 2 red skirts, but those are still cheap.

I will start putting things together as I receive them.

Ok another opinion question.
I was thinking of populating the existing playfield once complete transfer to new playfield. With wires going everywhere and so many parts missing. The old playfield has a few parts on it, I feel this help with the gathering of parts and resolding of missing parts.
Let me know what ya'll think, much appreciated.

That's pretty good advice, a bunch of things you said I had not even considered. Thanks Miguel351

Anyone else got some good advice. The more the better, and maybe less mistakes as I go.

As far as I'm concerned all my fellow Pinsiders are building this project together. Again thanks for helping me take on this Massive project.

Anyone else got some good advice. The more the better, and maybe less mistakes that I will make on this project.

Well folks, I haven't giving up on the project. Ran into a couple of snags. 1) had to repair donor cab, mostly regluing due to minor water damage. 2) found water damage or severe humidity damage on the playfield too, remember the cab and playfield did not come together as one, I had the cab and friend had the playfield. Been removing most of the components off the underside of the playfield and running them through rust removal system.

My rust removal system consists of Evapo-rust for 2days, then Vibratory 1day with the Green pyramid media, then the crushed walnut media with Blue Magic to shine it all up. Everything comes out SHINY SHINY SHINY.

I have read somewhere here where some people don't like the Blue Magic. But I have had great luck with it, parts that I have tumbled years ago, still show NO return of rust. I have a Judge Dredd that made it back to the states from China. Sit in a Conex box on the coast in Houston for a year, every screw and bracket had rust on it. I restored this project about 8-10 years ago and it still has NO rust.

Just my 2 cents, anyway.

3) ran into a snag with some parts being ordered from overseas (Germany). So I had to rethink of where to gather the rest of parts needed from. Every part that I could get my hands on should be here by this weekend. But I'm headed to the HAAG show in Houston this weekend. So won't start putting parts back on until next Monday, should be finished with the polishing of components by then too.

That being said there was 5 parts that I could not locate, they are not being repro'd as of lately.

Rick

I'm still chugging along on the project. Still looking for missing parts. The out stainless steel bracket on the Mini playfield is not being repro'd. Mantis Amusement said he would if I could find 5 or more people who want to buy it. Anyone has one I am at your mercy.

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bump for the evening crowd