(Topic ID: 28788)

Worst hack/repair you ever saw.

By mcclad

11 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 4,631 posts
  • 731 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 11 hours ago by ajfclark
  • Topic is favorited by 312 Pinsiders

You

Linked Games

No games have been linked to this topic.

    Topic Gallery

    View topic image gallery

    68714440943__356B9A98-CA54-4C2A-A85D-8E5C24E9F1AA (resized).jpeg
    68714440123__30A6C9F0-7A87-4D13-882F-CC6C530664AA (resized).jpeg
    362393458_1478280539605169_7357000172916421133_n (resized).jpg
    20240316_180228[1] (resized).jpg
    IMG_0602 (resized).jpeg
    IMG_0603 (resized).jpeg
    20240307_145101 (resized).jpg
    20240303_172813 (resized).jpg
    20240219_201720 (resized).jpg
    20170518_080740.jpeg
    20240226_162953 (resized).jpg
    received_922481939573164 (resized).jpeg
    IMG_2329 (resized).JPG
    IMG_4571 (resized).jpeg
    IMG_4569 (resized).jpeg
    IMG_4568 (resized).jpeg

    There are 4,631 posts in this topic. You are on page 46 of 93.
    #2251 4 years ago

    Nothing wrong with that. When a switch broke on the route, you used what you had or wnet to a Radio Shack or other electronics store and grabbed whatever would work. Heck, Wico, Great Amusement Emporium, Penn-Ray etc all sold universal switches to route operators to keep in the parts room.

    #2252 4 years ago

    When you don't know how to terminate wires, you just use a strip from another machine and splice the wires in. 2 extra feet? No problem.
    IMG_20191117_233428 (resized).jpgIMG_20191117_233428 (resized).jpg

    Or you twist wires together and then jam pins into a connector. This one is heavy.
    IMG_20191117_233506 (resized).jpgIMG_20191117_233506 (resized).jpg

    #2253 4 years ago
    Quoted from MrBally:

    Nothing wrong with that. When a switch broke on the route, you used what you had or wnet to a Radio Shack or other electronics store and grabbed whatever would work. Heck, Wico, Great Amusement Emporium, Penn-Ray etc all sold universal switches to route operators to keep in the parts room.

    While they may not be the "worst", I enjoy seeing the operator hacks in here, especially when followed by an explanation from an operator.

    #2254 4 years ago

    Originally these were in top of each other, sandwiching the plastic in place, but they vibrated loose in transit.

    IMG_20191118_215347 (resized).jpgIMG_20191118_215347 (resized).jpg
    #2256 4 years ago

    I received some old pinball boards in trade for repairing an MPU. There were five system 7 displays included that weren't working. No words other than no solder bridge too far...

    Three had broken nipples but I can probably save the other two.

    IMG_1545 (resized).JPGIMG_1545 (resized).JPGIMG_1532 (resized).JPGIMG_1532 (resized).JPG
    #2257 4 years ago
    Quoted from Robotworkshop:

    No words other than no solder bridge too far...

    Can you say "short circuit"? WOW.

    #2258 4 years ago
    Quoted from Robotworkshop:

    I received some old pinball boards in trade for repairing an MPU. There were five system 7 displays included that weren't working. No words other than no solder bridge too far...
    Three had broken nipples but I can probably save the other two.[quoted image][quoted image]

    salvageable, but were the displays outgassed?

    #2259 4 years ago
    Quoted from yaksplat:

    salvageable, but were the displays outgassed?

    Three had the glass nipple broken off the back so those are gone. Could put replacement glass on those if needed. The other two I'm going to remove all the excess solder, clean the boards, and solder properly with fresh solder.

    I've never seen that many solder bridges all at once like this.

    #2260 4 years ago
    Quoted from ChilePin:

    My eyes!!![quoted image][quoted image]

    Ummm, is there a recluse spider hiding under the hack in the picture???

    #2261 4 years ago
    Quoted from EvanDickson:

    Ummm, is there a recluse spider hiding under the hack in the picture???

    Wow ! Good eye. Can’t tell if recluse or wolf spider.

    #2262 4 years ago

    Anyone know if this is some sort of hack or a legit model? Traces to the top and bottom resistors have been cut. And a diode run to the top resistor. This is a sega cpu from an xfiles
    15746304913336460738500460053714 (resized).jpg15746304913336460738500460053714 (resized).jpg

    #2263 4 years ago
    Quoted from pinball_ric:

    Anyone know if this is some sort of hack or a legit model? Traces to the top and bottom resistors have been cut. And a diode run to the top resistor. This is a sega cpu from an xfiles
    [quoted image]

    That's a legitimate mod from a service bulletin.

    #2264 4 years ago

    Not that bad, just a creative operator who had to get the game earning..

    20191125_162956 (resized).jpg20191125_162956 (resized).jpg
    #2265 4 years ago

    Playfield damaged a bit hmm..
    Lets paint it green!

    WhatsApp Image 2019-11-25 at 21.53.10 (resized).jpegWhatsApp Image 2019-11-25 at 21.53.10 (resized).jpeg
    #2266 4 years ago

    Looks like the painter has my ability to match colors.

    #2267 4 years ago
    Quoted from RobDutch:

    Playfield damaged a bit hmm..
    Lets paint it green! [quoted image]

    Saw this on a Fathom once. Just a weird oval over the countdown bonus wear, one side was painted green and one side was painted blue.

    #2268 4 years ago

    How about a doorbell as an extra credit button?

    Ha, this is on a for sale ad in northeast Arkansas right now.
    00707_cHz4EokfAhZ_1200x900 (resized).jpg00707_cHz4EokfAhZ_1200x900 (resized).jpg

    #2269 4 years ago
    Quoted from FLASHBALL:

    How about a doorbell as an extra credit button?
    Ha, this is on a for sale ad in northeast Arkansas right now.
    [quoted image]

    https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/doorbell-clubknock-before-entering#post-4163778

    10
    #2270 4 years ago
    IMG_20191125_135450538 (resized).jpgIMG_20191125_135450538 (resized).jpgIMG_20191125_135457650 (resized).jpgIMG_20191125_135457650 (resized).jpgIMG_20191125_135515844 (resized).jpgIMG_20191125_135515844 (resized).jpgIMG_20191125_135519250 (resized).jpgIMG_20191125_135519250 (resized).jpgIMG_20191125_135544378 (resized).jpgIMG_20191125_135544378 (resized).jpg
    #2271 4 years ago
    Quoted from PINTEC:

    [quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

    Is that a Tri-Zone?

    #2272 4 years ago
    Quoted from PINTEC:

    [quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

    That is a creative fix for a warped/bowed play field. I'll give it a thumbs up.

    My guess is that if you take it off you will be reinstalling it in short order.

    #2273 4 years ago

    I've recently got this creatively touched up F14 playfield for parts. Yes, that's all under a layer of clearcoat...

    DSC_0707 (resized).JPGDSC_0707 (resized).JPGDSC_0709 (resized).JPGDSC_0709 (resized).JPG
    #2274 4 years ago
    Quoted from koen12344:

    I've recently got this creatively touched up F14 playfield for parts. Yes, that's all under a layer of clearcoat...[quoted image][quoted image]

    I sent an NOS deadly weapon playfield out to HSA for clear coating a while back. I kind of ended up with the same thing. Hand painted lettering on a couple if inserts. I sent it back to have them redo it, and they ended up making it worse. I was very disappointed with that.

    #2275 4 years ago
    Quoted from koen12344:

    I've recently got this creatively touched up F14 playfield for parts. Yes, that's all under a layer of clearcoat...[quoted image][quoted image]

    "BALS"

    #2276 4 years ago
    Quoted from RobDutch:

    Playfield damaged a bit hmm..
    Lets paint it green! [quoted image]

    Turns out it was a sticker
    Have to be very gentle or else I will tear off all the paint.

    #2277 4 years ago
    Quoted from ForceFlow:

    I sent an NOS deadly weapon playfield out to HSA for clear coating a while back. I kind of ended up with the same thing. Hand painted lettering on a couple if inserts. I sent it back to have them redo it, and they ended up making it worse. I was very disappointed with that.

    Good help is hard to find. Maybe this was a contributing factor in the HSA owner closing shop. Got tired of the hassles.

    #2278 4 years ago
    Quoted from cottonm4:

    Good help is hard to find. Maybe this was a contributing factor in the HSA owner closing shop. Got tired of the hassles.

    Who knows. The reason I went with HSA was that they had a good rep, showed off a lot of their work, and wasn't crazy expensive (just mildly expensive). Maybe my experience was a fluke, I dunno. At some point, I'll probably hand it off to someone else to fix, but I already have about as much into that one playfield as a whole new deadly weapon game

    #2279 4 years ago
    Quoted from ForceFlow:

    Who knows. The reason I went with HSA was that they had a good rep, showed off a lot of their work, and wasn't crazy expensive (just mildly expensive). Maybe my experience was a fluke, I dunno. At some point, I'll probably hand it off to someone else to fix, but I already have about as much into that one playfield as a whole new deadly weapon game

    Any pics?

    #2280 4 years ago

    Original NOS state:
    20160518212203154.jpg20160518212203154.jpg

    First time:
    20160805201656431.jpg20160805201656431.jpg

    Second time:
    20170109204517808.jpg20170109204517808.jpg
    Note that not only was the lettering hand-painted, the original lettering is still below it. So there are two layers with lettering, which also doesn't make it look too great.

    Also, bad key lining:
    20160805201634533.jpg20160805201634533.jpg
    When I do keylines, I make sure to match the shade of black that's actually on the playfield. I never use the black that's straight out of the bottle, which is what HSA did here.

    #2281 4 years ago

    Started cleaning a Black Pyramid I bought a couple weeks ago.
    I guess somebody super glued the pop bumper caps on.
    Already ordered replacements from Marco.

    IMG_4178 (resized).jpgIMG_4178 (resized).jpgIMG_4179 (resized).jpgIMG_4179 (resized).jpg
    #2282 4 years ago
    Quoted from Coindork:I guess somebody super glued the pop bumper caps on.

    This might be the right tool for that.

    2344BBD6-056A-4A92-B700-D9C99E93C854 (resized).jpeg2344BBD6-056A-4A92-B700-D9C99E93C854 (resized).jpeg
    #2283 4 years ago
    Quoted from Coindork:

    Started cleaning a Black Pyramid I bought a couple weeks ago.
    I guess somebody super glued the pop bumper caps on

    This one I can understand. I have an EBD with similar caps. The plastic clips break off during normal play. I bought repro caps and within a week one of them broke off.

    #2284 4 years ago
    Quoted from bintzknocker:

    This one I can understand. I have an EBD with similar caps. The plastic clips break off during normal play. I bought repro caps and within a week one of them broke off.

    Same. I have, with clients permission, just super glued these back on as well. Bad design, they just don't last long. Chuck an LED in there and glue it together.

    #2285 4 years ago

    So that's why my coins are jamming... Ha.

    20191124_192615 (resized).jpg20191124_192615 (resized).jpg20191124_192620 (resized).jpg20191124_192620 (resized).jpg
    #2286 4 years ago
    Quoted from statictrance:

    So that's why my coins are jamming... Ha.[quoted image][quoted image]

    Is that wire holding the coin mech. to the back of the door? Why is it there?

    #2287 4 years ago
    Quoted from RandyW:

    Same. I have, with clients permission, just super glued these back on as well. Bad design, they just don't last long. Chuck an LED in there and glue it together.

    I may wind up doing that if them breaking us a problem. Either way the ones on the machine need to be taken apart, cleaned, bulb replaced etc.

    #2288 4 years ago
    Quoted from Coindork:

    I may wind up doing that if them breaking us a problem. Either way the ones on the machine need to be taken apart, cleaned, bulb replaced etc.

    If you only use two small drops, you can pry the cap back off when/if needed also.

    #2289 4 years ago
    Quoted from RandyW:

    Same. I have, with clients permission, just super glued these back on as well. Bad design, they just don't last long. Chuck an LED in there and glue it together.

    How about using hot glue? A little bit of heat and they will peel right off in a condition to be reapplied.

    #2290 4 years ago

    A dab of Silastic/RTV/clear Silicone adhesive works great and remains pliable.

    #2291 4 years ago
    Quoted from cottonm4:

    How about using hot glue? A little bit of heat and they will peel right off in a condition to be reapplied.

    I'm not a fan of hot glue, plus the glue gun takes up a lot of valuable space in my already cramped toolkit. So it's a no go in my case.

    #2292 4 years ago

    Note: to fix Bally's new thumper bumper design... one has to use two#4 or #5 /#6 screws to mount the cap.
    1) One has to drill two small holes inside the new style thumper bumper body... if replaced with newer style, the holes maybe predrilled.
    2) Set caps to proper alignment...
    3) Drill two small holes in top cap that align with small holes inside the thumper bumper body.
    4) Carefully screw in the two screws through the top cap into the body.
    5) Black screws are the best...
    ---EBD is tricky because of the thumper bumper assemblies are mounted in odd angles.

    15
    #2293 4 years ago

    These are nails in the switch stacks of the score motor

    711ED3DF-A704-4406-8BA2-AB2F285672CB (resized).jpeg711ED3DF-A704-4406-8BA2-AB2F285672CB (resized).jpeg
    #2294 4 years ago
    Quoted from koen12344:

    I've recently got this creatively touched up F14 playfield for parts. Yes, that's all under a layer of clearcoat...[quoted image][quoted image]

    Misspelled and permanent.....great combination.
    no-ragrets-temporary-tattoo-thumb (resized).jpgno-ragrets-temporary-tattoo-thumb (resized).jpg

    #2295 4 years ago

    I am to busy shopping out my pinballs so I let my kindergarten aged child touch up the cabinets .

    20191202_160053 (resized).jpg20191202_160053 (resized).jpg
    #2296 4 years ago
    Quoted from king-pin:

    I am to busy shopping out my pinballs so I let my kindergarten aged child touch up the cabinets .[quoted image]

    Looks like pretty good coverage.

    #2297 4 years ago

    Cuz those EM's generate a ton of heat inside the head.

    Screenshot_20191205-092049 (resized).jpgScreenshot_20191205-092049 (resized).jpg
    #2298 4 years ago
    Quoted from sohchx:

    Cuz those EM's generate a ton of heat inside the head.[quoted image]

    Maybe to allow noise to escape to make it louder? That’s too bad because the head isn’t in awful shape either.

    #2299 4 years ago
    Quoted from Murphdom:

    Maybe to allow noise to escape to make it louder? That’s too bad because the head isn’t in awful shape either.

    Don't be silly!

    It's so you can flip it over and have wiring run out other end; in case you want to make it a reverse wedge head!

    #2300 4 years ago
    Quoted from sohchx:

    Cuz those EM's generate a ton of heat inside the head.

    Makes wiring in a topper easier

    There are 4,631 posts in this topic. You are on page 46 of 93.

    Reply

    Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.

    Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

    Donate to Pinside

    Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!


    This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/worst-hackrepair-you-ever-saw/page/46 and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.

    Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.