Had a few more hours of work today. I work slowly but am having lots of fun.

A few of the old dirty followed by the new clean. P2032182.JPG P2032183.JPG

new clean

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thanks guys!

pinballrus >> I just picked up a variety of artistic brushes for acryic paints. Many online art places to choose from >> I like dickblick.com Get a variety of tip shapes and sizes.

I do plan to buy an airbrush after reading through vids helpful playfield restoration guide. I need to save up more pin money for now as I have spent a ton on tools lately.

It may not look like much of an update but it took me most of the afternoon ...

Cabinet now has new ground braid installed and replaced the majority of cab specific parts. Getting excited to see what Alex has come up with for the P O W D E R and at least I will be ready to install when it is done (no rush BTW).

Ignore the fingerprints and dust in the cab >>I had not vacuumed it out after installing stuff.

I am still having lots of fun so that is good. P2052184.JPG

Oh yes, forgot to mention that as you can see I also installed the beefed up leg brackets. They are very nice! I will use them for every project like this going forward.

Picking away at things slowly. I did not get much done last weekend as I had a buddy in town.

Here is where the topside repopulation currently stands.

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I bought this tumbler (on the rec of RalphWiggum) and I like it very much. I have been using walnut media from the pet store along with some simple green and it does a real nice job.

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The past few days I have been working on the mini boat pf and associated parts.

I finally got to try out my third hand rivet tool and it works like a champ.

Drill out the old rivet with a drill bit just big enough to cut away the shoulder from the backside. Use your hand/finger/thumb to hold the top side to keep it from spinning. Go slow as to make sure the plastic does not get too hot (if using the old ramp/plastic). BAM >> old rivet gone.

Clean it all up and reinstall parts on new ramp/plastic.

I also had to cut a new flap for the cross-over spot since the old one was cracked out.

Riveting is very easy>> no need to be intimidated at all.

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Thanks Tim!

SkyPilot >> haven't you even started your FT restoration yet... WTH is taking so long???

I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just post the pics up in this thread if you want. Then I will post more once installed.

In case some people missed it>> Alex ran a sweet contest for some free powder coating (lockdown, rails, and legs) and my ongoing FT resto job won (plus 2 others games). Then Alex decided to sweeten it even more and do the coin door, hinges, wireforms, shooter reel, and my kitchen sink.

I told him to work his magic and do whatever he wanted to make it look awesome (he is the expert and I trust him). I have NO IDEA what he has come up with, so it is going to be a surprise to us all. I have seriously never won anything in my entire life and this has to be an awesome way to bust that cherry.

Goal is to have everything back together for MGC so as many pinsiders as possible can see what will hopefully be one of the nicest FTs you have seen (thanks in large to Alex).

The Third hand works like a champ. I actually think it is likely better than the bench vise style as the 3rd hand can reach in a bit further on stuff (from my research that is what others have said also.

You just use the T handle and slowly screw down >> enough pressure to roll the rivet and hold it all tight but obviously not to much to break the ramp/plastic.

I bought a large sheet of blue spring sheet metal and just carefully cut, then filed, then sanded to shape. I decided I need some smaller and more accurate tin snips to make nice rounded inside corners. That would mean less file and sand action to clean it up.

OK...

I started to make some decent headway on the bottom side the past few days.

I really LOVE the ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning the light boards. Seriously an awesome tool that does a great job and saves a ton of time while also getting the delicate stuff REALLY clean.

Light boards all moved. All coils (except the 3 pops) and associated brackets cleaned, polished, new coil stickers applied, and moved over.

As it now stands, I have the wire harness ready to be removed and cleaned, which depending on how things go Sunday, may be on the list...

Current pic of the bottom of the old and the new as they currently sit

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Since this is my first full job like this, I decided to use a variety of different colored zip ties to assist me in not screwing up when I reattach wires to the appropriate coils and switches.

The idea may help someone else so I figured I would share...

I can imagine that after doing a few, this will not be needed, but for now it gives me a little more piece of mind.

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ultrasonic pic is on page 1, approx 7th post from bottom.

I have this thread bookmarked >>>

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/burnt-connectors-help

I think that will give you all the info you need for burnt connectors and where to/ how to.

GreatPlains Electronics will have all the parts you need.

Does the growing nose emoticon mean that you are no longer interested in it when/if the time comes?

As I originally promised to you >> IF I ever sell it you have first right of refusal. I will let you know that with all the work I am putting in to it, the "if" is getting much bigger.

I also have likely put more $ into this than what it will ever be worth to you...

The only for sale sign on it at MGC will be something to the effect of >>>

"Not for sale, but accpeting insanely high offers. Please sumbit offer via picture message and include a naked picture of your hot wife/gf for consideration"

I will be sure to post any offers to this thread after MGC

In all honesty I have no intentions of selling it any time in the near future and when I do, I will be submitting a large donation to the charity of Alex's choice in order to say a huge thanks for what is likely going to be some sick
P O W D E R

It is honestly because of winning Alex's contest that I am pushing myself to go furtehr and learn more than I ever would have if I had not won. That alone is pretty cool IMHO.

Yeah, I will be relying on the schematic to help when needed.

For the most part lots of high res pics, zip ties, and the general shape of the wiring harness will make most of it pretty straight forward I think.

I will know more in a few days...

OK, so I will admit that this is a slightly scary picture.

It also feels really good!!!!

Spaghetti and old PF depopulated.

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