XMLE Iceman ramp icicles mod done!! *pics*

just got done settling on my icicles mod for my XMLE Iceman ramp, and I think it looks pretty sweet! If I was more adept and confident with that kind of thing, I would have liked to run some blue or white EL tape/wire underneath the icicle strips and hooked it up to the GI to light up the icicles, but it looks pretty good the way it is. Very happy with it! Decided to post pics because I've read a lot in the other XM threads about you guys wanting icicles on the Iceman ramp, so here's what it looks like!

DSC_0403.JPG DSC_0405.JPG DSC_0406.JPG DSC_0411.JPG

#2 11 years ago

JDA

Tweedlefuzz

Inactive member

Royal Oak, MI

12y 27,650 673 3

Ha! they look cool.

#3 11 years ago

CCM

KingPinGames

Kingpin Games

Wisconsin Dells, WI

12y 112K 4,155 15

looks good, like it should have always should have been there.

#4 11 years ago

CPC

CraigC

Pinside member

Elmhurst, IL

11y 63,600 1,443 31

Looks good, better than just the stickers. I really wish the ramp was clear so you could see through it.

-c

#5 11 years ago

DOC

shlockdoc

Pinside+ Frequent

14y 110K 4,400

Are you selling any sets - if so i would like to be the first to ask

#6 11 years ago

HAR

shovelhed

Pinside member

Napa, CA

12y 83,550 2,426 1 20

Very good job. Looks factory.

#7 11 years ago

CAM

Jediturtle

Pinside member

Awesome! How did you do it?

#8 11 years ago

WRP

EmptyLogic

Pinside member

12y 59,550 1,045

looks alot like these
http://www.statuaryplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=764

#9 11 years ago

RJC

Rcade

Pinside member

Not those ones Stevedave. Similar, and I thought about those ones, but the issue is that they're 4-5" long strips, and the sides for the ramp are 17 3/4" long on the left, and 18 1/2", so it might look sloppy to have 4 1/2 strips of icicles crammed together, so I ended up not going that route.

I could be shifty, and make a profit on them by selling them to you guys, but I can't do that to fellow pinsiders, so I'll just spill the beans on them. Easiest mod ever....

My goal when looking for what to use was to find something I could take off later if needed, and something that would be long enough to go on the ramp sides in one piece. As it turns out, after weeks and weeks of scouting eBay and the Internet, I found THE perfect item...

....go on eBay and search "Dept 56 icicles" what you're looking for is the set of 4 18" long mini icicles. Meant to be used for model villages/train sets, these are perfect, and INEXPENSIVE!!!

Once you get em', you'll have to cut off about 1/4" of whichever ones you put on the left side of the ramp. But other than that, I used super sticky double sided craft glue-tape to adhere them to the ramp, and used TWO rows of icicles (staggered for better effect) on each side. It is almost as if Stern had these things in mind when making the ramp, they're frigging perfect.

That's all for now, scurry to eBay and gobble yours up while you can, an inexpensive and great looking mod, with minimal risk and time investment!

Hope this helps, happy modding guys!

#10 11 years ago

SKB

Eskaybee

Pinside member

12y 155K 12,960 40

That looks sweet, very nice job.

#11 11 years ago

6S3NC3

Pinside member

15y 74,400 1,288 26

Looks great and factory!

#12 11 years ago

BRI

BriGuy5

Pinside member

Round Rock, TX

13y 47,650 753 4

Very nice, just ordered a set for $12 free shipping. Thanks for the tip!

#13 11 years ago

RSG

tatman9999

Pinside+ Frequent

Lisle, IL

14y 113K 4,655 48 31

Just ordered a set also. Thanks

#14 11 years ago

FPG

luvthatapex2

Pinside member

North Wales, PA

11y 129K 5,769 7 100

Nice job, I like it!

#15 11 years ago

RJC

Rcade

Pinside member

Np guys, just doin' my duty to "pay" the community back. Although eBay sellers are going to be confused as hell as to why these model accessories from the 70's are selling like hotcakes, lol

#16 11 years ago

CAM

Jediturtle

Pinside member

You are the man! Got my order in from Amazon. $12 with free 2 day Prime shipping. Woo! Thanks again for the tip.

#17 11 years ago

000

DCfoodfreak

Pinside+ Pro!

12y 115K 9,908 8 15

Looks awesome but wont the balls bash the heck out them and break pieces off?

#18 11 years ago

RJC

Rcade

Pinside member

Never had ball get even close to hitting them yet, but I suppose it's possible. If it happens, I'll just buy another set for 12 bucks, no biggie.

#19 11 years ago

CHR

charles4400

Inactive member

Los Angeles, CA

11y 60,300 827 17 7

Awesome find and awesome mod thanks for sharing it! Big thumbs up!

#20 11 years ago

JRB

exflexer

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 86,150 1,650 1

I put Icicles lights on mine.

#21 11 years ago

BRO

pinball_customs

Pinball Customs

12y 69,550 3,450

Very cool.. I was gonna make some of my own up but this saves me the trouble. Thanks for sharing

PS. there's nothing wrong with selling mods, some of us pay for the hobby that way..

#22 11 years ago

MFM

MMuller

Inactive member

Buffalo, MN

14y 69,050 1,019

Thank you for sharing i love mods.

#24 11 years ago

RJC

Rcade

Pinside member

ebay.com link: Dept 56 Village Icicles

I know guys sell mods, I have no prob with that because it's usually something they create and put time into, no qualms there. My issue is that I thought it would be "douchy" if I just bought a bunch of them up, didn't tell anyone where I got them, and then resold them for a profit without doing anything extra with them. I dunno, maybe I'm just an awful entrepeneur and American, lol

#25 11 years ago

YBX

yancy

Pinside member

West Dundee, IL

11y 122K 7,204 25

Awesome find, I've been looking for a cute way to add some holiday cheer to my Barbie dreamhouse.

#26 11 years ago

BRO

pinball_customs

Pinball Customs

12y 69,550 3,450

OP
Quoted from Rcade:
I know guys sell mods, I have no prob with that because it's usually something they create and put time into, no qualms there. My issue is that I thought it would be "douchy" if I just bought a bunch of them up, didn't tell anyone where I got them, and then resold them for a profit without doing anything extra with them. I dunno, maybe I'm just an awful entrepeneur and American, lol

Haha yeah true enough.. There are a lot of guys who do exactly that I'm afraid. I know of a guy who attaches dollar store items to shooter rods and sells them for $60. Lame!

#27 11 years ago

CRG

Toasterdog

Pinside member

Clearwater, FL

11y 95,550 3,646 2 46

Very cool to post that. I don't even own a XMLE and I bought a set, just in case lol.

Ebay link for a seller that has more than 10 available and they are $6.00 with free shipping too.

#28 11 years ago

TDA

The_Dude_Abides

Pinside Moderator

Northern California, CA

14y 137K 9,468 151

Cool mod for sure thanks for sharing the info and pics with us much appreciated!

#29 11 years ago

MSF

marksf123

Pinside member

Ormond Beach, FL

12y 77,650 1,799 14 8

Nice Mod - thanks for sharing

#30 11 years ago

MSF

marksf123

Pinside member

Ormond Beach, FL

12y 77,650 1,799 14 8

Quoted from Toasterdog:
Very cool to post that. I don't even own a XMLE and I bought a set, just in case lol.

Ebay link for a seller that has more than 10 available and they are $6.00 with free shipping too.

ebay.com link: Dept 56 Village Icicles

Thanks - I pick up a set too - and i had around $5.00 in ebay bucks so it was a $1.00 mod.

#31 11 years ago

SJG

HemiOrange09

MI Pinball Refinery

Muskegon, MI

12y 110K 3,628 10 2

Those are sweet looking.... just ordered mine off eBay for $6.... nice added touch to the ramp.

Thanks.

#32 11 years ago

BRI

BriGuy5

Pinside member

Round Rock, TX

13y 47,650 753 4

Doh! I overpayed.

#33 11 years ago

MVM

markmon

Inactive member

Hillsboro, OR

13y 98,300 13,010 21 81

They are sold on amazon with prime shipping also.

#34 11 years ago

CRG

Toasterdog

Pinside member

Clearwater, FL

11y 95,550 3,646 2 46

Quoted from Toasterdog:
Very cool to post that. I don't even own a XMLE and I bought a set, just in case lol.
Ebay link for a seller that has more than 10 available and they are $6.00 with free shipping too.
ebay.com link: Dept 56 Village Icicles

Hah! When I posted this link 3 had been sold, now 18 have been sold. Seller should send some beer $$ Rcade's way for posting this mod. Has to be like WTF is up with the run on icicles.

#35 11 years ago

CAM

Jediturtle

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from Rcade:
Not those ones Stevedave. Similar, and I thought about those ones, but the issue is that they're 4-5" long strips, and the sides for the ramp are 17 3/4" long on the left, and 18 1/2", so it might look sloppy to have 4 1/2 strips of icicles crammed together, so I ended up not going that route.
I could be shifty, and make a profit on them by selling them to you guys, but I can't do that to fellow pinsiders, so I'll just spill the beans on them. Easiest mod ever....
My goal when looking for what to use was to find something I could take off later if needed, and something that would be long enough to go on the ramp sides in one piece. As it turns out, after weeks and weeks of scouting eBay and the Internet, I found THE perfect item...
....go on eBay and search "Dept 56 icicles" what you're looking for is the set of 4 18" long mini icicles. Meant to be used for model villages/train sets, these are perfect, and INEXPENSIVE!!!
Once you get em', you'll have to cut off about 1/4" of whichever ones you put on the left side of the ramp. But other than that, I used super sticky double sided craft glue-tape to adhere them to the ramp, and used TWO rows of icicles (staggered for better effect) on each side. It is almost as if Stern had these things in mind when making the ramp, they're frigging perfect.
That's all for now, scurry to eBay and gobble yours up while you can, an inexpensive and great looking mod, with minimal risk and time investment!
Hope this helps, happy modding guys!

What kind of tape did you use? Was it the double sided foam stuff (can't see it in your pic, so probably not), or the double sided "Scotch" type tape? Or something else all together? Did you just tape the second set right over the top of the first set? Do you figure it is removable if need be in the future?

Thanks!

#36 11 years ago

JAY

VisitorQ

Pinside member

Danville, PA

12y 93,050 3,550 5 62

Not Bad!

#37 11 years ago

RJC

Rcade

Pinside member

ebay.com link: Dept 56 Village Icicles

I'm not sure the exact brand, bit it's not scotch or foam, it's like glue. It dispences in little squares, I just cut a bunch of them up to size and placed them ever quarter inch or so. And yes, I put more glue tape on the first set to hold the second set, have to have very steady hands though to make sure it lines up correctly. And it is reversible, just pull them off, and rub off any excess glue tape that's still left over...plus it should be covered up and unnoticeable due to the lip on either side of the ramp.

I used the glue tape rather than hot glue or epoxy for the sole reason that I wanted it to be reversible with no cosmetic compromise. Placed the glue tape on the top edge if the first set, so that it adheres to the underside of the ramp lip, then put the glue tape on the back side of the second set, so that it's not noticeable once you stick it to the face of the first set.

Hope this helps!

#38 11 years ago

TDA

The_Dude_Abides

Pinside Moderator

Northern California, CA

14y 137K 9,468 151

I think what Rcade used may be very similar to this product.
http://www.amazon.com/UGlu-UGLU6-Adhesive-Kit/dp/B003FGSD96/ref=sr_1_6

#39 11 years ago

DAD

playernumber4

Pinside member

Macomb, MI

12y 68,550 2,438 5

Damn....all sold out

#40 11 years ago

DAD

playernumber4

Pinside member

Macomb, MI

12y 68,550 2,438 5

Ah...some other listers have them. Thanks much!

#41 11 years ago

LITZ

Pinside member

Anchorage, AK

12y 59,400 1,163 7 19

I bought mine for $6 also from that eBay link, thanks for posting that! Instead I used 1/2" sticky dots from Michael's to attach. Cannot play test until I get my new Aux board from Stern which will ship tomorrow. I did separate a small segment of the icicles near the ball guide on the right inner area. I assume that portion will stay put while the rest moves towards the left during the Iceman mode. The ball rolls fine down the ramp though and does not pose a problem.

He still has 2 left of the village icicles. And they are the perfect length. for the outside of the ramp. The inner ramp will require breaking off a couple icicles to make it a hair shorter.

photo.JPG photo(1).JPG

#42 11 years ago

MAB

pinballlooking

Inactive member

12y 54,650 1,400 5

It looks great. Nice mod.

#43 11 years ago

CAM

Jediturtle

Pinside member