Grand Champion
Williams, 1953You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider dcrand.
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1950 Spor Bowler - Being pretty new to pins feel very lucky to have found this machine at an estate sale. Slowly working on getting it back to original condition. Doesn't play yet due to electrical problems not yet fixed. But still my favorite machine.
Update on Spot Bowler I posted a few months ago. Have it running, still a couple of minor glitches, but working and playable. Will not be restoring the playfield or cabinet. Worried with my skills I would do more harm than good trying to touch up the pf. And kind of like the cabinet that shows the bumps and bruises of its life. Do have a question about the back glass. Overall in really good condition for 67 years old but has some wear areas and one in particular where there is paint pealing. Haven't done anything to try to stabilize it as I don't want to for example spray triple thick and then that keeps someone else from restoring it later. Any thoughts?
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Quoted from Grayman_EM:I put this out here. If the body is painted I would think it would be better to go back to the original design on cabinet instead of leaving the repaint job on. That is also that you can locate the original design in a photo somewhere. What is it also with painting the legs? I would restore back to a wood finish before I would paint them?
I agree. Stripped the blue latex with alcohol, didn't hurt original paint. Stripped legs and refinished to natural wood with all new polished hardware.
1940 Bally Triumph, 1938 Chicago Coin Swing, saved from becoming coffee tables and on the way home. Any info on these games would be appreciated. And will be looking for a home for the Triumph. I know flipperless are not worth much, but these were too cool to let them become furniture.
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Quoted from Grayman_EM:I agree dcrand . They don't look flaky or beat up. Do they work? They almost look like you could just plug them in and play them.
Overall for age both in very good condition. Neither works yet. One has a screw in fuse holder on outside of cabinet at back with fuse missing and shredded power cord. Both need switches and other fuses checked and power cord change before plugging in. Swing has home made painted black cabinet door. And worst of all broken plunger / ball cover bracket.
If there is interest could really use some advice on how to get them working and fix things like bracket as I get working on them. And really want to find a good home for Triumph.
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Quoted from AlexF:I was thinking I might have one in that style. I will have to peek tonight.
Alex, That would be great. I pretty much assumed that at this age, it was impossible to find. Was thinking of trying to epoxy it together from the back, with some added metal backing. Thankfully all the pieces are there.
Quoted from jrpinball:I've seen "Triumph" before, but not "Swing". Those older games are really good looking and probably more fun than one might think.
Swing was a surprise, in particular that the backglass appears perfect from the front (haven 't looked at the back yet), and is so beautiful. Triumph has some minor bg issues from the front, and haven't looked at the back of it yet either. Hoping to look at both more closely this weekend. Also going to list the Triumph as is for sale as just don't have room for it, but was hoping to save it from becoming a coffee table. Did roll a new ball down the Swing play field this morning with no power of course, before leaving for work, was a little like watching grass grow. Hoping once get it working will be a little more exciting.
Quoted from bingopodcast:It's a captive ball kicker! Hits those rollover switches (likely for the Mystery score) and adds some animation as you play.
You are correct, there is a kicker at the bottom, and the Mystery roll over appears to fire it. At least a couple of the posts are loose inside the cabinet, on both machines. Will have to find out what the material around the red posts near the center piece are on Swing as all are either mostly missing or hard as rocks. Almost laughed out loud when lifted both playfields, compared to even my 1950 Spot Bowler, they are almost empty. No flipper mechs of course, no steppers, no pop bumper mechs, pretty much no anything we are used to seeing in cabinets or under pf's.
Quoted from Darcy:Is that plunger housing made from pot metal? If it is. you might want to try that metal epoxy stuff JB Weld.
Funny, I have some JB at home and that is what I was thinking of trying. Then embedding some thin metal strap or even nails in the epoxy on the back side to add strength.
Quoted from AlexF:Sorry different style.
Will try to glue mine. But wonder if yours would work in a pinch?
Quoted from pinwiztom:Your repairs look pretty good, as best as can be expected cosmetically,
but hope that repeated or over enthusiastic use of the manual ball lift plunger
does not make your repairs fail.
I am hoping the same thing, that is why I am still looking for replacement. But also why I completely filled the back side with JB Weld, and put a nail buried in the JB Weld on each side of the break, the length of the piece. Hopefully that will hold things, but .........
Re triple thicking back glass. Leaning toward doing it because it does have flaws, including one scratch, in the black parts that I would like to touch up. And thinking that touching up on the back side of triple thick is safer than trying to touch up directly on the glass. Also, the wood light panel is rubbing in a few places, and going to use felt spacers on the face of the wood to protect the glass. Would rather have the felt resting on the TT than on the glass.
Quoted from AlexF:Nah, it's 80 years old and in great shape. It will probably be indoors in a temperature controlled environment for the rest of it's life. Why tempt fate.
Actually, due to wifely issues, Pins aren't allowed in the house. Do have a fully insulated garage on the north side of the house, with de-humidifier for winter rain season. But temp can vary from 45 low to 95 high in garage.
Quoted from jrpinball:Hmm... Just noticed that none of that scene with the women prancing around is backlit on that glass. Only the scoring and tilt are. Not even the name!
Yep, I was really disappointed when I pulled the back box covers off and saw the women and name were blacked out. Still beautiful from the front, but would have been amazing back lit.
Well, haven't had any luck finding a home for the Bally Triumph in a Beauty cabinet as a project machine. So thought today I would see if I could get it working, then clean it up and hopefully then find a home for it. Well to my surprise it looks like the electrical is a total mess. Among other things: There is one more 11 pin male jones plug (2 total) then there are female jones receptacles of any size. There are no 11 pin female receptacles. The back box has three female jones receptacles, the middle being 10 pin. There is not a 10 pin male connector. Among a few other weird issues. See pics. Any suggestions on what is going on, and what do I do with this mess? Did I get a Beauty cabinet, and cabinet electrical? At this point I am seriously considering the parting out or "coffee table" options.
Update: just found a Pin hobbyist buyer today who has a better electrical background that I do, and who didn't mind the different cabinet. Hopefully he can get it working. But if anyone has any ideas about what is up with the electrical in this game, I would he happy to pass the info along to the buyer.
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Started minor refurb of my 1952 Twenty Grand just picked up a few weeks ago. Decided it just wasn't worth trying to fix the numerous play field issues. Very bad and wrinkled paint around the two lower pops, serious ball wear into the wood above both lower "kick" out holes. All of which had been badly touched up in the past. Just did light touch up to both lower areas and -------- just couldn't leave it that way.
Used alcohol and sanding to clean up the area around the pops, then airbrushed the yellow back in. Used same method to clean up lower play field areas and have filled with wood filler. Now for the mixing, matching, and painting. Wish me luck.
2019-08-25 16.03.07 (resized).jpgIMG_4259 (resized).JPG2019-08-27 07.57.35 (resized).jpg2019-09-14 08.12.40 (resized).jpgIMG_4055 (resized).JPG2019-09-14 08.12.50 (resized).jpgIMG_4255 (resized).JPGQuoted from Murphdom:What are the odds
york.craigslist.org link
Wish it were closer would see if I could make one really nice machine.
Quoted from Murphdom:It’s really not that expensive to ship it if you can find someone to grab it for you.
Thanks, but too much going on to try to look into shipping a game. And can't imagine cost would be less than what a game is worth to ship clear across the country.
Quoted from DCRand:Started minor refurb of my 1952 Twenty Grand just picked up a few weeks ago. Decided it just wasn't worth trying to fix the numerous play field issues. Very bad and wrinkled paint around the two lower pops, serious ball wear into the wood above both lower "kick" out holes. All of which had been badly touched up in the past. Just did light touch up to both lower areas and -------- just couldn't leave it that way.
Used alcohol and sanding to clean up the area around the pops, then airbrushed the yellow back in. Used same method to clean up lower play field areas and have filled with wood filler. Now for the mixing, matching, and painting. Wish me luck.[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
Well for anyone interested. Progress so far, lots of family stuff at the moment so Pin work time limited. Debating whether to do black and white and lettering touch up and call it good. Or keep trying to get the blue suit and yellow dress better.
941231D6-7415-475A-8C34-67D2D44043E6 (resized).jpeg4EA99E46-16B7-496D-8159-C57D2ACC8ED5 (resized).jpegB686633F-32DA-4494-87BA-017DD3D48303 (resized).jpegQuoted from DCRand:Well for anyone interested. Progress so far, lots of family stuff at the moment so Pin work time limited. Debating whether to do black and white and lettering touch up and call it good. Or keep trying to get the blue suit and yellow dress better.[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
Further progress, painting and touch up done. Metal work polished. Mylar over most of yellow woman and guy in suit. Working on rubber, flipper, and pop bumper install now. Could use a new set of plastics.
2019-10-21 07.18.29 (resized).jpg2019-10-21 07.18.38 (resized).jpg2019-10-20 20.17.07-1 (resized).jpgQuoted from Murphdom:You could scan them and touch up the artwork yourself and then make your own. I haven’t done it yet but there are a few threads on it and it seems relatively simple. I’ll probably do it eventually but I’m focusing on other elements of my project right now.
yep, probably what I will end up doing if ever get the time.
Quoted from Hyperball91:Well, I guess I can save you the trouble DCRand...what do you think of this? Look close enough? I think I got her hair and nose right...and the missing piece of course.
This is just a preview png, my original tif is much larger if you like it and decide toWow, thanks. Will send pm.
Twenty Grand update, almost finished. Waiting for 1 part from PBR to get 100k bell working. Other than that pf touch ups done. Steppers all degunked, electrical problems all fixed, legs refinished, pf metal cleaned and polished. Game also has original coin box, schematics, back box cover, score cards. Looking still for Pf apron cover paper.
8D0C1937-0F87-4A36-AB93-813D69490642 (resized).jpegCD443AF6-6900-43E3-8C42-EADB7FF3B657 (resized).jpegEADEB388-C789-4717-969E-436F0DD17B46 (resized).jpegF2AE3015-20E5-4C94-8FB0-2B792A9CE00D (resized).jpeg1270062E-22D0-4A5C-8E4D-0CD91B5FEC6B (resized).jpegQuoted from AlexF:Wow, that cleaned up real nice. Good job.
Came out better than expected. But don’t zoom too close on the guys suit in the lower pf. Balls had worn ruts deep into the wood on both sides from the auto flipper holes about 6” into the pf. Wood fill and painting were a bear. Now both sides covered w Mylar, after waxing so can be removed later. And right side of cabinet trashed and faded. Must have sat near a window for years.
Quoted from o-din:Not sure how enthused you are, but up until at least a few months ago, this was still available.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/williams-twenty-grand-backglass
Listing pulled, and probably don’t want to spend that much. Can’t keep the game, so going to be selling it.
Quoted from Gotemwill:Nice work making this game presentable again. Another one saved from the dust bins of time!
Thanks. Now just need to find a buyer. Listed on Pinside and FB.
Quoted from Inkochnito:Please scan those score cards and send me a copy of the files.
Sorry completely forgot. Can you pm me with a reminder? Or I will surely forget again.
Quoted from ChipScott:Wanted to share a recent addition.
Really feel lucky to have acquired this game.
Needed just a couple minor things and a few minor touch-ups, but overall its looking and playing really well!
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Looks great. Very nice acquisition.
Quoted from JethroP:My DANCING DOLLS is going up for sale. Shopped and working 100%. Does $700 sound high, low or about right?
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Man, wish I had room. Probably wouldn't be a keeper though as really don't like gobble holes.
Quoted from presqueisle:Here’s a 1953 Gtb Quintette. I’ve showed it here before, but since it’s for sale...here it goes again. It’s my oldest, but nicest original pinball, all things considered. The legendary DirtFlipper did the clean up on this, and was nice enough to part with it a couple few years back. I’m anticipating a move next year so I’m selling a bunch of my games. I have some other woodies listed too (All DF specials).
5 gobble holes! Many ways to win credits, including landing in the gobble holes! See, gobble holes aren’t all bad.
All original, beautiful pf and caps.
Game in the Madison WI area.
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Beautiful game. And yes, gobble holes are all bad. Lol
Quoted from Pmoore66:Picked up a 1940 Bally Triumph in a package deal. Incredible backglass for 80 yrs old. Someone cut one of the wiring harnesses in the backbox. I spent a few hours comparing wire colors and jerry rigging a jones plug from a WMS Big Deal project machine. A dangerously corroded power cord, a few blown fuses, some switches that needed adjustment and she started up. I will post some pics and a video after I have solved an issue with the #5 and #10 in the backbox. In the meantime, here are a few pics of the passive bumpers and conservative and liberal adjustments...
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Nice game. Had half of one once, Triumph back box and play field, in an unknown cabinet.
Quoted from BeachPickle:From my limited experience, it seems there was a misguided era of “restoration/preservation” where people unfortunately used oil based Polly on the playfields. The factory lacquer will of course yellow over time, but nowhere near the
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Sooooo I took a huge chance a few years ago. Had a Spot Bowler that had been shellacked or lacquered. I don't think it was poly. I used denatured alcohol, a plastic putty knife, one of those kitchen scrubby's that look like someone took a piece of plastic string and wound it into tiny curls. NOT a scotchpad. Then very carefully working one area at a time, applied the alcohol, let it soak for a few minutes, used the scrubby lightly to roughen it up, then carefully the plastic putty knife. At the end of a full weekend, was able to remove everything. Did a small amount of paint damage, but very little. The dark blue did develop a whitish haze in places, but after a couple of waxings and some time, it turned back to blue. Pics below are before - top, after - bottom, and the after was just after the first waxing.
BTW: These days I do a lot of paint touch up on some 60's and mostly 70's games. But always been afraid to try it on this game.
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Quoted from BeachPickle:Yah that’s probably not in the cards for me. I’m a graphic artist, and am drawn to the artwork almost as much as the gameplay.
You can see the nice vibrant colors hiding out underneath where the “clear” has chipped / worn away.
Actually, it’s a very rare, limited edition model called Lightening Dull..
For comparison:
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BTW: If you want to get rid of the 70's era wood grain vinyl pop ring protectors. Look up the freeze technique, basically air spray keyboard cleaner, turned upside down and sprayed on the vinyl. Most of the time that will do it. Had one game where it didn't, and used a hair dryer (NOT a heat gun) to soften the vinyl and that worked.
Quoted from tfduda:I have them on a few machines and haven't removed them as I am worried about what is underneath. How did your playfield look?
And aren't these from the 50's?
Actually don't know if they are 70's, but see them on a number of 70's era games. And they look like the wood grain contact paper my mom and I used on things in the 70's. Playfield below varies. If they were put on as a preventative measure, it can look pretty good. But often they were put on after damage, and you could have wear into bare wood. But since I touch up paint anyway, I don't worry about that too much.
1949 Genco Camel Caravan
Santa came early this year and enclosing some pix and a video of a freshly restored 5 ball game. I’m partial to the late 40 and early ‘50s woodrails, especially the GENCO games.Beautiful.
Had been kind of ignoring my one wood rail, just played it once in a while the last year or so. Had a number of small nagging issues. But decided to give it a complete tune up last week and it’s playing better than ever. Has one small intermittent glitch that I couldn’t completely fix. But it doesn’t affect play. Really has brought back the fun of playing it. And while I have done and learned a lot about play field repair and touch up since I bought this game. Still not willing to take a chance on making a mistake with this play field. So will just continue to keep it well waxed and enjoy it as is.
BCE6BD62-9F3E-4C92-A7EC-AE4443309D9D (resized).jpegC81CC2EA-4C49-441C-AFD6-EAC0AB729137 (resized).jpegQuoted from jrpinball:That's a good 'un. I think it's equally as hard to find in good condition as is "Mermaid".
Thanks JR. You helped me with advice when I first bought it as a blue painted, lacquered playfield, wouldn't even light up, wreck. Always appreciated that, thanks.
My Spot Bowler came with blue legs, and a blue cabinet. Under the blue on the legs, was a coat of red. Pretty sure both leg colors were painted after manufacture. They are now back to a nice natural wood. (And the cabinet is down to the original art).
Quoted from PinballFever:Were they blue inside the bolt holes? Mine were which is why I think they were factory painted red.
Sorry, been so long I don't remember. when get a minute will pull a leg bolt and look.
Quoted from Nikrox2:Sexy Legs? Added new levelers to these...looked like they had been chewed on by a varmint but cleaned up nicely. (IMO)
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Very sexy legs. But a little disappointing what we consider sexy legs at our age. LOL
Quoted from Mopar:Well, Fun House is pretty much ready for the line up.
Was missing a bell and the Knocker, but I was able to piece
them together. All else was complete including the 5 & 25
cent coin switches. I have all Bumper Skirt colors on hand,
except for light green. Only had one, so after the next order,
2 of them will have to be put on, but for now the old ones are
working okay. Also, the non-active Bumper at the top I'd have to think
should have a Dome "Points 10 When Lit) cap. (scores 10 when lit).
The 1 and 2 Trap Door lights when the Trap Doors were unlocked
were in reverse. The soldered wires on the Change Unit Step Up all
looked factory, but after some testing, the wires for the #1 & 2 Trap
Door coils were reversed on the Change Relay. All is good now, and I
can see this machine being played in the 50s. She's a nice little multi-
player, and honored she'll be going in the line up..[quoted image][quoted image]
Nice looking pin room.
Quoted from oldcarz:Here's a video of it, as requested:
https://vimeo.com/128299295
As with all my titles, I am appreciative for the restoration help and guidance from Pinrescue...
Joel
Great pop bumper action for a wood rail, and multi ball too. LOL Playfield looks like a 99 out of 100. Nice.
Quoted from Mopar:Thanks. My 3rd one, but the additions absolutely 100% has to stop here. haha
Wish I had the room for an addition to the house. But thinking of building a Pin shed, insulated, heated and cooled, in the back corner of the back yard. Would hold about 10 games. Probably a late winter, spring project.
Quoted from Mopar:10 additional pins set up is quite a bit, but be careful.
I tried that and it turned into pin storage. So I tried it
a 2nd time, and same thing. haha..
Hopefully my love of playing will avoid it becoming storage. Plus only have 1 wood rail now, would let me add to that total. My Spot Bowler is lonely. Although have had a couple others, just not keepers like SB. BTW: anybody have ideas for a back corner of a slightly larger than typical back yard shed, looking for ideas. Planning at the moment, building in the corner, with two "wings" going each way slightly.
Quoted from tfduda:Accidentally hit “send post” before I had a chance to add a photo and finish the post above about the Times Square...
There are a couple of bare spots on the playfield (in front of the automatic flippers in the lower corners) and the bottom of the backglass has some flaked off paint, but otherwise is complete and is now working as it should.
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I had to replace the pop bumper skirts as these were warped and resembled Pringle’s chips. This machine has the skirts with metal rods and graphite rings and so I had to modify a pair of skirts I had on hand by cutting off the plastic extensions on them, drilling a small hole and transferring the rods from the original ones to the new ones.
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Nice job on the pop skirts. I had one where the skirt and rod was damaged. Used a modern skirt, cut the post and drilled a small hole thorough the middle. Then pressure fit a slightly larger long thin nail through the middle. Worked great.
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