Jump to content
This Topic
  • Announcement

    The HyperSpin 2 early access beta is here!

    We’re starting the first public testing phase with Platinum Members to keep the scope manageable while we test the current feature set and begin to add more. In the future, we’ll provide a version for basic members as well.  On behalf of the entire HyperSpin team, we look forward to another exciting adventure with our community.

My first Pinball Machine Koolbrez67


koolbrez67

Recommended Posts

Posted

I've been wanting to get a pinball Machine for a long time. My Favorite one when I was a kid was F-14 Tomcat. I was like 7 years old when it came out and had the best light show I had ever seen. So when the time came and I could get my hands on one I picked up F-14 Tomcat. I've got some pictures of it and I will continue to post my progress on restoring it back to a clean working machine.

GEDC0437.jpg

It looks like it was dropped at one point on it's side minor damage but I can fix it with some clamps and wood glue. The side art is in very good condition.

GEDC0438.jpg

Needs a lot of cleaning and new locks.

GEDC0439.jpg

GEDC0440.jpg

GEDC0441.jpg

GEDC0443.jpg

GEDC0444.jpg

GEDC0445.jpg

GEDC0447.jpg

GEDC0452.jpg

GEDC0453.jpg

GEDC0454.jpg

Posted

It must be great to get the one you remember as a kid, good luck with the restore.

It looks in good condition, can I ask how you found it, was it in a basement somewhere and the owner wanted the space?

Thanks

Posted

It was a good feeling bring the unit in and just looking at it all dusty and in need of repairs. I just kept nodding my head saying I can wait I will take my time and fix you right. I look forward to playing it once I am doing cleaning and fixing every thing up.

I remember the first time I got to play the game. The pizza place It was at had nothing but Williams games. It was in the middle of the room with a defender on one side and a broken down Hyperball next to it. I never got to play Hyperball at least a working on til I went to CAX. Joust and Robotron were in the corner. All the Older guys would be over there playing Robotron. But what a light show back then It got my attention for sure. I remember at first the game was a quarter monster and it would eat my quarters up. But after a couple times going to that pizza place I think it was a straw hat Pizza . I got good at it and then the Pizza wars started and Straw hat lost and Roundtable won. That was the end of that pizza string for a long time.

Posted

If I ever have the space for something like this, I'd be like a kid in a candy store, firstly going to pick it up I'd be pissing my pants with excitement and then finally getting it home. It must be a great feeling.

Anything that makes you feel 7 years old again, no matter how dusty, must be great.

Posted

Congrats! I also picked up my first pin a little while back. I ended up getting a Nascar. Don't be surprised if you start getting the itch for more...I know I have.

Posted

So I've started slowly cleaning the unit up.

GEDC0456.jpg

It's coming a long really nice now.

GEDC0457.jpg

I still have a lot of work but at least its looking pretty good now.

GEDC0458.jpg

First start up test failed had to replace some fuses and read the error codes. Looks like I will replace every bulb but I'm thinking about going led on the unit. I need to replace all the rubber and clean and polish everything. Also I will have to rebuild the front flippers and i might need a new motor for the topper.

GEDC0459.jpg

Here is a couple little vid links to show how everything is coming along.

http://s80.photobucket.com/user/koolbrez67/media/F-14%20tomcat/GEDC0467.mp4.html

http://s80.photobucket.com/user/koolbrez67/media/F-14%20tomcat/GEDC0465.mp4.html

Posted

Before going LED, keep in mind that there are pro's and con's. LED's do not have that natural "slow to glow" look that incandescents are known for, so LED's are very much on or off. So what it will look like is more of a "strobing" affect than a nice "pulsing". It is kinda hard to explain, but I can link to a nice video of it. That is what to expect from the matrix (inserts). As far as the General Illumination, they are not as affected by this problem, but LED's in the GI can just simply be too bright or cause a sort of strobing based on the AC power supplied. The matrix problem can be fixed with what is called a "Herg LED OCD" controller which is a little PCB board that is installed into the backbox. I have not had a chance to see one in person, but I hear they make LED's perform similar to incandescents. The general illumination can be made easier on the eyes by using frosted bulbs which help keep the brightness down a little.

Those are the con's, but there are some really good things about using LED's. First, you can color match inserts to really give the play field "pop" without having to go with blinding brightness. And another great thing is that LED's typically last a lifetime meaning you will spend less time replacing bulbs. LED's also consume FAR less power and create FAR less heat! Here is that video:

look closely at the insert at about the 30 second mark.

Oh yeah, if you haven't already, you need to become a member of pinside.com. They have all the info you will ever need to troubleshoot your machine or any other info you could imagine!

http://herg.homeip.net/ledocd/index.html

Posted

"color match inserts to really give the play field "pop" That's really what I was looking to do with the led's. Also the star post lights I want them really bright. Kinda like this.

I've read about a couple people doing half and half with the lights because they like the soft pulse but like the reds and blues to pop with color. Thank you again for your time to comment it gave me a lot to think about.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...