First shots of it installed ( not adjusted), the thing is already crazy solid!!! Note the reinforcement at the diverter bolt ( that loop will need to be tidied a bit). You can see switch location. I'm going to solder these, and obviously there will be holes drilled to permanentaly mount it ( suspect Matt will provide the cable to molex, as well.

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Actually fit to the ramp. A bit of adjusting here of the wires, but looks smooth. Included shot of ramp ball travel...pretty cool...

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Wireform looks f'in awesome Mark

Regarding ramp colours I was thinking having the left ramp red and gold sparkle (Robins colours) and right ramp blue and purple sparkle or blue and silver sparkle (batmans colours).

Just looks factory already. Great work guys.Well impressed

First ball fires by hand....HOLY BATSHIT!!!! Unbelievably smooth and fast....going to solder those 2 wires, and play on this damn thing....unbelievable solid, zero wiggle in ramp, and ball not coming out...current pitch on playfield...7.1

I'm interested in which plexi colors you think might look best

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Left definitely red ( small one)....leaning light blue on the right....here's the game under color

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This looks amazing! BUT.....must...have...video!

I was too busy playing....... ramp is lightning quick and doesn't wiggle at all....what a change!!! No flapper here, please...I hit the ramp hard several times....never came close to an air ball....

I'll drag my son down here and see if I can get some video on his iPhone....I'm an average player....don't judge!!!!!

Couple pics of the man behind this...BM won't mind

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Ok...got my Son to use his IPhone to grab a shot. Nothing sped up, and obviously machine looks much better than this, but you get the idea:

I'll dig around ( or buy ) a camcorder and tripod, so you can watch in better action. The thing is awesome!!! Thank you Matt!!!....a couple of tweaks, and on for a colored set....

Please add me to the list.

Thanks for making this

Will do...bribing my Son to use this IPad and shoot overhead for some better pics.....

Switch, btw

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Add me to this mod/upgrade as well!!!

Two more looks:

Matt making the ramps now. Wireform will be available in different colors. I'm still going red sparkle ( tiny silver flake) on left, and " batgirl sparkle" on the right. Staying w silver flake, as that's what's on the armor.

I'm not sure how Matt will roll these out, and no clue what he is charging, but can tell you he is a great guy to work with, and the design is both beautiful and functional ( you'll probably be the only one who notices, however, because it looks like it belongs in the game).

Very, very solid, and couldn't be happier. I'll send Matt an email tonight w the few finishing touch requests, and forward him the list of all who have shown interest.

I now have to pick the right side plastic color

Very nice!
Add me to the list if I'm not on it already
Thanks

I think the thing I like most...doesn't look like a mod at all....Son in Law coming tomorrow...we shall thrash it, even w old code....

Keep in mind, the install is pretty much bolt in, and plug and play, if Matt includes the switch pigtail. You will need to cut the plastic flap out of the way, however, and if you choose to change the plastic colors, you'll have to rivet the cats to the new color. No biggie, but just a heads up.

Cool. Interested.

Thanks

Was the blue rubber on the left side installed on the outside or the inside in those videos? Looks great by the way.

Inside, and thats how the ramp will be made to accommodate....orbit always going to be tight on this game, but ramp symetry is spot on.

Moving it over wasnt going to happen. Everything real tight back there.

Thanks for the video Mark, ramp looks great, kept the original speed of the factory ramp but the big difference which you can see from the videos is it's rock solid, no wobble or wiggle at all

Can you post pictures for how the cat attaches to the ramp?

Please let me know cost when you guys come up with it.

Yep, I can still hit the orbut fine w a clean shot euther way, but that extra room doesn't hurt.

There will be an attachment pount under tge new ramp to secure the wire, making it tidey and out of the way.

Agreed....you can grab the original and its very wobbly. Id see it everytime...drove me crazy, and has to slow the ball to a degree.

The new one you can grab and is very very solid and stable. The first video I took ( crappy one) was probably the fastest Ive seen the ball move through the form. I'd argue the new ramp is actually faster, but probably not dramatically so.

Mark, will Matt also do the ramps to match the wireforms? I like your color scheme choices with red sparkle on the left and "batgirl" sparkle on the right and would like to match up the plastics as well.

Its shown on the very first pic, when I cut the flap off, leaving approx 1 1/2" of original plastic on.

The cat is screwed to an angle plate, which is riveted to the plastic, then attached to ramp w 2 screws.

I was going to eliminate the plastic all together, and replace w a small, flat piece of steel which you could then rivet the angle to.

Looking for symetry, however, the right ramp has a plastic as well ( non functional excetp to hold the cat up), so decided to keep a small, clean puece on the left.

I'll be replacing both of mine w colored lexan ( red on the left, thinking light blue on the right). This will require you to rivet the angle piece back on.

You dont have to do that...can simply cut the whole flap crap off just behind the wire pass, and screw to new ramp. This is what I did for testing.

Hopefully Matt and I can talk soon to sort pricing, availability, colors, etc. I know hes coming into his "off" Season at work in October, and said he could start building in quantity then.

Thanks for pointing that out. I completely missed that picture.

Such a shame they didn't design it this way at the factory.

Im sure he would...going to leave my ramps silver and just color the forms...a bit more standard looking for me.

As far as the plastics.....if you like the red sparkle, purple sparkle approach...the left plastic is a no brainer, translucent red. The right one is still making me scratch my head.

Batgirl purple not the same as the crane purple, and there is a definite blue hue back there from the inlanes. When you light the machine, you'll see what Im talking about...still sort of on the fence on what color that plastic should be. Given Im doing my ramp batgirl purple sparkle, opinions are welcome, as Im not a great color guy....

Yeah, the plastics don't necessarily need to "match" the wireforms, but compliment the area . . . I see what you mean with the blue.

I think the one feature that blindsided me ( it doesn't take much) is the new switch config. What an AMAZING idea!!!. I never thought about it, and Matt suggested " why do we need that big ass gate for the switch" and showed me some pictures. Sometimes the little things make the biggest difference. Now it's virtually invisible, and doesn't detract from the Atomic Pile visually.

And the way he did the 3/4 rings for the habitrail look so cool in person. The whole ramp flows exactly how I'd schemed it...looks like a roller coaster turn, and the ball never offers to jump off the ramp, but rather " nestles in" for the ride.

I'm afraid this attention to detail can only come on a true boutique type effort, however. So glad we have one of those guys doing this for us.

Easily the best mod I've ever done that no one will ever notice ( except those of us that dealt with the floppy, plastic covered, ball launch original, with a wire tie in the ramp). I love this machine, or wouldn't have put in the effort...but for the life of me can't believe it wasn't finished properly ( or still running unfinished code a year later)...saddens me more than anything...such an iconic theme...( guess I'm too picky....)

Thought about even going off the wall w orange...that's why I bought the swatch ( in the picture) for $20.)

Mark do all the LEs have black powder coating with silver flake/sparkle? I swear mine has gold sparkle

Will need to take a peak in the box again to confirm maybe I'm just going mad between being cooped up in this hospital ward and work

You are......yep..all LE's black w large silver flake

add me to the list please.

Update:

Got to talk to Matt a bit today, shared some thoughts, and I got to put about 2 more hours on the machine. What I know:

a) Ramp is ABSOLUTELY faster than the original. It just doesn't move ( as it shouldn't), and the flow with the changed pitch is very noticeable. When you hit a solid ramp shot, it flies through the form.
b) ZERO air balls, and man, I was hitting it a lot.
c) Matt stated he will have some time in his schedule after expo to start building these. He will be offering the ramp, wireform, and switch assembly. He will NOT be offering the plastics, if you choose to change them. You'll only need to cut the flap off as I showed in one of the pics yesterday, if you choose to keep the original clear. Other than that, you good to go. I'm making a colored set for mine, as mentioned, and am sure someone can provide these for you, if you want to go that route.
d) I'll post the list I have of those interested on this thread by tomorrow evening. Will add/ modify over the following week or so, then give him a copy, and he'll take it from there. I've got about 20 interested right now.
e) He can speak to color options, price, etc., as everything from that point on will go through him.
f) I highly encourage you to consider this mod ( I'm not involved fiscally one way or the other), as it truly makes the game play better, with a fast, solid, left ramp.
g) I'll post pics of final end product, when everything gets powdered, etc. of my machine. Anticipating shortly after Expo.

A HUGE thank you to Matt, who brought his skills into this, making it a better game for all of us. Thanks....mark

Collectively, we all owe you a HUGE thank you too for pushing all of this forward.

Add me to the list

Just an idea, would it make sense to keep the switch identical to the way it is now. Would it be better to slow the ball just a tad?

Just throwing this out there as a suggestion.

No....the goal was to get the new form pitched properly, and solid, all of which would provide for better ramp action ( = speed/ flow). The new switch clears up the visual of a huge gate assembly, plus provides even less resistance to the ball as it goes by. Doesn't affect speed that much, but every bit helps, plus now it's virtually invisible, making the game look better , imho.

Solid , fast forms rock. You will like it...a lot. Soft shots go normal ( slower), but if you nail it, very fun to watch and prepare for.

I asked a similar thing, but I trust Mark will nail this ramp design so it's the best it can be, plus I like the fact the ramps on this game at lightning fast and return the ball to the flippers in the blink of an eye.

I can't wait to see the final design with the powdercoat.

Hands down, this is the best mod for any game.

I'm super excited for the final, colored package as well. Wont be too long now ( a bit after expo).

Trust me, you will like the extra speed....not dangerous like an orbit thats hit just right, because it still just drops in the flipper lane. But it can get there in a hurry...fun to watch, and now a very satisfying shot when you hit it with pace.

Ok, I must be blind. I don't see what to do / where to attach the CAT assembly. Will you be able to post a ramp replacement guide for dummies?

What's the best method to smoothly cut the lexan?