Author Topic: Twilight Zone! (Read 31544 times)

ChadTower · « **on:** April 14, 2005, 10:19:35 am »

My workplace is having a charity auction and is auctioning off lots of excess stuff. In there are two pins, both in excellent shape but nonworking:

Twilight Zone
The Shadow

If this goes right, I could get both very cheap... now just to see if I can scheme a key to the TZ and see if the backup battery has leaked...

Stingray · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2005, 10:36:59 am »

Nice! Good luck!

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2005, 10:51:42 am »

Holy crap, asked around... a good, shopped TZ sells for $2200...

Stingray · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2005, 12:31:17 pm »

Doesn't suprise me. There are about three or four pins that are tied as coolest of all time in my mind, TZ is one of them.

Here's hoping that no one else at the auction knows what those are worth.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2005, 12:32:40 pm »

It's an intranet online auction. So far, there appear to be three interested parties, including myself. Current price is $150. Auction ends the 26th.

Buddabing · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2005, 12:43:49 pm »

Definitely buy the machines!

What if it is a couple of blown fuses that are keeping them from working?

I'd go at least $1500.

ChadTower · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2005, 12:50:50 pm »

Quote from: Buddabing on April 14, 2005, 12:43:49 pm

Definitely buy the machines!

What if it is a couple of blown fuses that are keeping them from working?

I'd go at least $1500.

It's not blown fuses, I know that much. One has some minor switch issues, the other I'm not sure of. These are in need of a real shop job as they have had a high failure rate here. That's why they're being auctioned off. I'd imagine connectors need replacing, switches need adjustment, etc etc... nothing major or costly, but a good amount of labor. I doubt they will go that high, but the question is if I can go that high if need be.

ChadTower · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2005, 03:56:20 pm »

Whoa... I posted to a couple of pin mailing lists... people have come right out and offered me $1800 and they would arrange shipping for the pair. There's no way they're going to cost anywhere near that much.

Witchboard · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2005, 04:15:20 pm »

Depends on if a local pinhead catches wind of your auction. He'll give you a run for your money.

ChadTower · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2005, 04:25:39 pm »

Like I said, it's a closed auction in my workplace. The person would have to be an employee of this company or else have someone inside the company bid for them.

cholin · « **Reply #10 on:** April 14, 2005, 04:45:08 pm »

Quote

or else have someone inside the company bid for them.

HINT HINT

ChadTower · « **Reply #11 on:** April 14, 2005, 05:07:49 pm »

A few people have replied trying to get that from me.

I say that I work at EMC in Walpole, MA.

ChadTower · « **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2005, 12:34:52 pm »

Awesome! I won them both...

Twilight Zone: 910
The Shadow: 625

I will have many pics coming once I get them home.

Buddabing · « **Reply #13 on:** April 26, 2005, 12:47:27 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 26, 2005, 12:34:52 pm

Awesome!

ChadTower · « **Reply #14 on:** April 26, 2005, 01:03:16 pm »

That's one option... I'm considering fixing the TZ, selling it, and buying a Star Wars and Major Havoc with the profits.

Troz · « **Reply #15 on:** April 26, 2005, 01:14:40 pm »

Unbelievable prices! Congrats on your score!

Stingray · « **Reply #16 on:** April 26, 2005, 01:27:34 pm »

Wow! Outstanding deals on both, very nice!

-S

Witchboard · « **Reply #17 on:** April 26, 2005, 02:23:45 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 26, 2005, 01:03:16 pm

That's one option... I'm considering fixing the TZ, selling it, and buying a Star Wars and Major Havoc with the profits.

By the time you finish playtesting the TZ after you fix it, you won't want to sell it.

ChadTower · « **Reply #18 on:** April 26, 2005, 03:08:35 pm »

Hell, I'm reading about it now, and don't want to sell it. The Golden Earring song being the game music may seal it for me.

Stingray · « **Reply #19 on:** April 26, 2005, 03:10:17 pm »

I'd have a very, very hard time letting go of that TZ.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2005, 03:20:41 pm »

Luckily I just happen to already have a copy of the This Old Pinball vid where they were working on a TZ...

nostrebor · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2005, 04:01:37 pm »

I cant believe no one has called you out on your mega gloat yet...

Let me be the first to say, You Stink!

VERY nice score on those pins. Maybe I'll go home and play some Vpinball now

slycrel · « **Reply #22 on:** April 26, 2005, 05:05:12 pm »

* slycrel cries.

I've been looking for a TZ or addam's family pin that's a reasonable price and (relatively) local to the midwest so I could try it before I buy... sounds like you got a killer deal on a couple fixer-uppers.

Enjoy.

Shape D. · « **Reply #23 on:** April 26, 2005, 05:31:40 pm »

or you could infuriate everyone here and mame the twilight zone.

and yes I know its a pinball machine not an arcade cabinet

Dire Radiant · « **Reply #24 on:** April 26, 2005, 08:18:55 pm »

Go wash your mouth out with soap!

ChadTower · « **Reply #25 on:** April 26, 2005, 09:40:51 pm »

Oh, when I get them home I'll get some pics... these aren't fixer uppers. These are small fixes to showcase machines, especially the TZ.

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #26 on:** April 27, 2005, 04:27:45 am »

Lucky bastard.

I love that freaking Twilight Zone machine.

It really is the most over the top pin ever created.

nostrebor · « **Reply #27 on:** April 27, 2005, 08:23:04 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 26, 2005, 09:40:51 pm

Oh, when I get them home I'll get some pics... these aren't fixer uppers. These are small fixes to showcase machines, especially the TZ.

*Rub, rub, rub, rub*

Me: "hey Chad, whatcha doin?"

Chad: "Oh, not much. Just rubbin it in"

*Rub, rub, rub, rub... *

Yes. We would like to see some pics of your newly acquired treasure. Thank You.

ChadTower · « **Reply #28 on:** April 27, 2005, 12:59:45 pm »

They're still at work. I was going to bring them home today but it's raining.

EDIT: Just handed in the check, so they are officially mine.

Stingray · « **Reply #29 on:** April 27, 2005, 01:55:44 pm »

And the rest of us officially hate you.

Can't wait to see the pics!

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #30 on:** April 27, 2005, 02:06:49 pm »

Hrm... when I ran the diagnostics, it was actually a couple of months ago. I just talked to one of the IT guys, whose area is near the machine. He told me they tried to plug it in recently and it wouldn't power up.

Now, granted, he's an idiot... but I wonder if someone else messed with it after I did the diagnostics.

Buddabing · « **Reply #31 on:** April 27, 2005, 02:43:28 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 27, 2005, 02:06:49 pm

Hrm... when I ran the diagnostics, it was actually a couple of months ago.

ChadTower · « **Reply #32 on:** April 27, 2005, 02:50:01 pm »

Quote from: Buddabing on April 27, 2005, 02:43:28 pm

Heh, he probably couldn't find the on switch.

Don't sell the TZ! It's a much sought-after title, the number-one pinball machine of all time on several lists. It'll only appreciate in value. You'll regret selling a machine in such good condition. The TZ will be the cornerstone of your collection.

You know... I bet you are right about the power switch.

EDIT: You were totally right about the power switch. I plugged it in, flipped the switch... boom, power, lights, and the self test. Some very minor repairs and I'm off. Damn I wish it weren't raining today so I could have brought it home.

pointdablame · « **Reply #33 on:** April 27, 2005, 03:22:53 pm »

man, I'm very jealous. Make sure you take a lot of pics for us

ChadTower · « **Reply #34 on:** April 28, 2005, 07:45:56 am »

Okay, it's a clearer day today, I'm going to try to move the TZ if it doesn't start raining again.

lordsaryon · « **Reply #35 on:** April 28, 2005, 10:09:03 am »

Quote from: slycrel on April 26, 2005, 05:05:12 pm

* slycrel cries.

I've been looking for a TZ or addam's family pin that's a reasonable price and (relatively) local to the midwest so I could try it before I buy... sounds like you got a killer deal on a couple fixer-uppers.

Enjoy.

**** Hi-jack ****
There is an Adam's Family in Saint Louis, PM me and i'll tell you where
**** Hi-jack ****

ChadTower · « **Reply #36 on:** April 28, 2005, 10:33:39 am »

I've never played an Adams Family... is it that good?

Chris · « **Reply #37 on:** April 28, 2005, 11:07:39 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 28, 2005, 10:33:39 am

I've never played an Adams Family... is it that good?

It's up there with Twilight Zone. Probably better actual game play than TZ, but not as popular a theme.

Check your TZ to make sure it has the Powerball, a white ceramic ball mixed in with the other balls.

--Chris

Shape D. · « **Reply #38 on:** April 28, 2005, 02:06:56 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 28, 2005, 10:33:39 am

I've never played an Adams Family... is it that good?

In my opinion its the holy grail of pinball machines, and I want one. It was designed by Pat Lawlor, who also designed TZ.

oh and both of them fully refurbished go for about $4200

GGKoul · « **Reply #39 on:** April 28, 2005, 02:21:47 pm »

I just want a Funhouse and a World Cup 94 pin.

Chris · « **Reply #40 on:** April 28, 2005, 02:23:45 pm »

Mmmm... Funhouse...

I'd be happy just to have a TZ backglass in a frame...

ChadTower · « **Reply #41 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:05:43 pm »

Grr. I'm trying to move it now... they can't find the key to the backbox. Luckily, the lock plate is on the outside so the screws are exposed. They're security Torx... and of course, my bits are at home. I may run to Home Depot in a few to see if they have them.

GGKoul · « **Reply #42 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:23:13 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 28, 2005, 03:05:43 pm

Grr.

Stingray · « **Reply #43 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:29:08 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 28, 2005, 03:05:43 pm

I may run to Home Depot in a few to see if they have them.

They do, at least the one near me does.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #44 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:43:47 pm »

Nope, I had three employees trying to find them, they did not have them, or at least all the King's horses couldn't find them.

I tried the Bic pen trick, they're too rigidly in there.

GGKoul · « **Reply #45 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:48:25 pm »

Ya, for some reason Home Depot dont sell security Torex bits. Had to go to a speciality place to get my set.

Stingray · « **Reply #46 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:51:03 pm »

Oh, I missed the "security" part of that. I bought a set of regular torx at home depot. Not sure where to get security torx bits, unless you know someone who drives a Snap-on or Mac tool truck.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #47 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:53:14 pm »

I have some, but they're at home (45 mins away). I do a lot of work on game consoles and many consoles/cartridges use them.

Shape D. · « **Reply #48 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:53:32 pm »

Quote from: Stingray on April 28, 2005, 03:51:03 pm

Oh, I missed the "security" part of that. I bought a set of regular torx at home depot. Not sure where to get security torx bits, unless you know someone who drives a Snap-on or Mac tool truck.

-S

we sell them at my wotk but I don't think that will do you any good. were in wisconsin.

ChadTower · « **Reply #49 on:** April 29, 2005, 01:34:13 pm »

Ugh. Excuse me while I throw up a bit.

I'm at work, I have the backboard down, I have it all wrapped up... it's on sawhorses... I can't find anyone willing to hold one end in place while I lower the other end off the sawhorse.

I had to try it myself. I've done it with smaller machines easily.

It didn't work this time. The other sawhorse came out and the player end of the machine slammed down. There is structural damage to the right player corner. It is repairable, but now I'm terrified of what damage may have been done inside.

I couldn't find anyone willing to help. Sigh.

ChadTower · « **Reply #50 on:** April 29, 2005, 02:07:10 pm »

Okay, it's in my car. Took a hard look at that corner. It's not structurally unsound, but it is far weaker than it was. The wood didn't break but the layers of the MDF are somewhat separated. What is the best way to fix that? I assume there is a way... maybe a simple glue and clamp?

Stingray · « **Reply #51 on:** April 29, 2005, 02:22:49 pm »

The glue & clamp idea sounds worth trying. Sorry to hear that you dropped it.

-S

nostrebor · « **Reply #52 on:** April 29, 2005, 03:59:42 pm »

Chad,

Is it really MDF? Could you post a pic?

If you have the clamps, it might be repairable with CA glue (super glue) Definitely do some research first, as you only get one shot at this kind of repair.

ChadTower · « **Reply #53 on:** April 29, 2005, 04:06:47 pm »

I can post a pic when I get home, but whatever the wood is, it's definitely manufactured and layered. The only two things I know of like that are plywood and MDF... it's not BROKEN, a couple layers separated.

ChadTower · « **Reply #54 on:** May 01, 2005, 03:40:55 pm »

Okay, the TZ is in my basement... it is currently up on sawhorses until I fix the corner issue. I'll shoot out some pics for suggestions in a bit, but I suspect that what I need to do is remove the leg bracket and the corner butt, reglue the MDF layers, add a new corner butt, and then put the leg bracket back in. There is no aesthetic damage from this.

Let me know if there is a flaw in my repair plan...

I ran some diagnostics... the error messages are all the same. The clock tests properly, the gumball machine is hard to tell since it thinks the balls are MIA but it did try to dispense... I only saw one lamp that looked out.

And yes, I will have pics for you folks soon. If there is anything specific you want to see, let me know.

nostrebor · « **Reply #55 on:** May 01, 2005, 10:22:00 pm »

Here's to hoping it is plywood! Much easier to fix.

It sounds like the corner is the only damage from the fall? Hope so.

ChadTower · « **Reply #56 on:** May 01, 2005, 10:48:45 pm »

Oddly enough, after the fall, two of the self test errors are now gone. I haven't opened it up yet, first is the corner repair which should take a day or two of mostly glue drying.

Wade · « **Reply #57 on:** May 02, 2005, 11:39:30 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 26, 2005, 12:34:52 pm

Awesome!

ChadTower · « **Reply #58 on:** May 02, 2005, 11:43:59 am »

Yep, though $2000 would be a clearance sell it NOW price.

I'm looking for some pipe clamps right now to fix that corner... I should be able to repair it so you could never tell it was damaged.

I'm tempted to fix the Shadow and try and trade it for a Guns N Roses, actually... sell OTHER stuff to keep the pins.

The way I see it is this: I keep the TZ, get it nice and working and well taken care of, and it's worth $2500-$2800. That's two mortgage payments if I ever need it.

Flinkly · « **Reply #59 on:** May 02, 2005, 08:41:40 pm »

PICTURES!!!

ChadTower · « **Reply #60 on:** May 02, 2005, 09:25:09 pm »

Sorry, been extremely busy the last day or two, I coach 5-6 year old baseball and we've had some games, etc.

ChadTower · « **Reply #61 on:** May 03, 2005, 10:09:56 am »

I have some photos, but no photoshop to make them appropriate for the web... trying to locate a copy now.

Buddabing · « **Reply #62 on:** May 03, 2005, 10:36:28 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on May 03, 2005, 10:09:56 am

I have some photos, but no photoshop to make them appropriate for the web... trying to locate a copy now.

GIMP

ChadTower · « **Reply #63 on:** May 03, 2005, 02:20:41 pm »

Flinkly · « **Reply #64 on:** May 03, 2005, 07:09:51 pm »

awesome...

now i have one more name to add to my "I officially hate you" list.

ChadTower · « **Reply #65 on:** May 03, 2005, 07:15:23 pm »

Okay, picked up some corner clamps. The problem is that they won't really clamp on, there is too much stuff in the way that isn't meant to be removed at the top, and not enough lip to grab onto on the bottom. I will have to bring them back and locate a set of pipe clamps. I've had no luck finding pipe clamps locally so far.

nostrebor · « **Reply #66 on:** May 04, 2005, 08:26:04 am »

The corner damage doesn't look too bad. The good news is that it is plywood.

If it were mine to fix I would approach it this way:

1. Go to the local drug store and pick up a few large needle diameter syringes. As bad as that damage is, you'll need to inject glue way up in between the layers. I personally would use white Elmer's glue as it has longer open time and very similar hold characteristics as wood glue.

2. I would cut a 12" wide piece of MDF or plywood that would fit tightly in the bottom against the bottom board. This board would support the edges that hang down, helping to compress them under clamping pressure. I would wrap the edges of my board in packing tape, so I didn't glue it to the machine.

3. Looks like a set of bar clamps or pipe clamps will be the best. Use a block of wood to distribute the pressure over the damage - this will give the flattest finish repair. The block needs to be flat and true and i would cover the face with that packing tape again (wax paper also works, and might be better for preventing tape residue from getting on the sideart)

4. I would clamp across the front and across the bottom, trying to get even pressure across the block. F-type bar clamps would be best - they have a little more "leg" length so you can reach further away from the edge.

5. I would do a couple dry runs. Make sure that the pressure goes where you need it, the plywood closes nicely, etc.

6. Inject between the layers with glue (syringe

) and clamp, keeping the glue off the art with a damp rag.

7. Wait 24hrs and remove clamps. Play a game

Oh... BTW, nice TZ!

Dave.

SirPeale · « **Reply #67 on:** May 04, 2005, 08:41:46 am »

Wow...you really have cleaned up that basement, haven't you? I see actual walking room. More room for more games!

You'll have even more room once you relinquish that Tank II.

ChadTower · « **Reply #68 on:** May 04, 2005, 09:04:49 am »

Quote from: Peale on May 04, 2005, 08:41:46 am

Wow...you really have cleaned up that basement, haven't you? I see actual walking room. More room for more games!

You'll have even more room once you relinquish that Tank II.

Nostrebor, thanks for the advice. Good call on the syringe, I was going to use a popsicle stick. Could you elaborate some on the 12" piece of wood? 12" square, inside the cabinet? 12" x 1", underneath and in the corner? There is something there I'm missing.

Peale, yeah, it's a BIT cleaned out... mostly, that room you see is the result of taking all the stuff and stacking it in a corner you can't see so that I had working room for the TZ. The other side of the basement is pretty much the same as it was before, though I am working to clear that of as much as I can. Certainly a lot of misc stuff will go, some arcade parts, and very likely a cab.

nostrebor · « **Reply #69 on:** May 04, 2005, 09:32:11 am »

Sorry. I have a hard time getting the picture out of my head and onto paper.

The idea is to support the edge of the split board that hangs down below the bottom of the bottom of the cabinet. In my thinking you will have to clamp all the way across the cabinet width. The board I'm thinking is a 3/4" plywood piece, 12"x the width of the inside face of the two sides of the cabinet. It sticks underneath the cabinet, between the sides, flat against the bottom. This gives something to push against when you clamp, and squeezes the separated plywood back together.

I can draw a picture tonight and post it tomorrow if you like. I am much better at pictures than words

Dave.

ChadTower · « **Reply #70 on:** May 04, 2005, 09:57:39 am »

Quote from: nostrebor on May 04, 2005, 09:32:11 am

Sorry. I have a hard time getting the picture out of my head and onto paper.

The idea is to support the edge of the split board that hangs down below the bottom of the bottom of the cabinet. In my thinking you will have to clamp all the way across the cabinet width. The board I'm thinking is a 3/4" plywood piece, 12"x the width of the inside face of the two sides of the cabinet. It sticks underneath the cabinet, between the sides, flat against the bottom. This gives something to push against when you clamp, and squeezes the separated plywood back together.

So what you're saying is, add a strip of wood that creates a NEW lip on the inside against which I can clamp, right? Would that have to be 12"? I think I get what you're saying, and it makes some sense, but is 12" necessary?

Damn, I'm a carpentry newbie too. This arcade stuff requires so much knowledge about so many things. I had no idea when I got into it I'd end up an amateur electrical engineer, TV repairman, and carpenter.

nostrebor · « **Reply #71 on:** May 04, 2005, 10:12:22 am »

Nope.

Pic will follow... soon I promise.

nostrebor · « **Reply #72 on:** May 04, 2005, 10:45:42 am »

If you save the pic it's bigger and easier to read. The idea behind the board on the bottom is just to support the plywood hanging below the bottom so you can clamp without "bending" the sides in. once the glue is dry, the board comes out and goes away. It simply transfers the clamping pressure through the side, so the plywood is squeezed back shut, rather than just bent in.

Just experiment with clamps/blocks/etc. until you find the right combination to get the plywood to close back up, then do the working combination with glue added to fix it.

Dave.

ChadTower · « **Reply #73 on:** May 04, 2005, 11:23:55 am »

I see what you are saying... I don't think bending the sides in is an issue, the bottom of the cabinet is solid and secure... the reason the lip down below is hard to grab onto is that it's only like a half inch to begin with, and with some minor chipping over the years it's not square enough to grab in that minor a space... I think if I repair the plywood itself by using the pipe clamp underneath (across the width of the machine), that shoud definitely do the job. The syringe is a great call, but I don't see the steps you describe as necessary. Now, I do have another cabinet that I have plans to do exactly that for...

nostrebor · « **Reply #74 on:** May 04, 2005, 12:27:46 pm »

OK...

At least I finally got my point across. I very much stink at written descriptions

ChadTower · « **Reply #75 on:** May 04, 2005, 04:44:01 pm »

That's okay, much appreciated. I don't seem to be able to get any real syringes (MA sucks, everything is against the law). I did get some children's medicine droppers. They are the same thing, much cheaper made, with a shorter nose. It should be good enough, inject the glue and then spread it around with a screwdriver or popsicle stick.

I also picked up a pair of 3/4" pipe clamps ($15 ea), a pair of galvanized steel pipes (72" $10, 48" $8). I should be all set to get this done, but can't do it tonight.

If folks want I can try to get some pics of the process and maybe write it up.

Flinkly · « **Reply #76 on:** May 04, 2005, 06:17:32 pm »

well, if you feel it's a lost cause, i'll take that poor TZ off your hands...for free.

but seriously, lets get this thing back in action and lookin good.

nostrebor · « **Reply #77 on:** May 04, 2005, 06:54:51 pm »

Weird?? You cannot buy syringes over the counter? I often get some seriously weird looks, especially after I say "I want the biggest thickest needles you've got!".

Maybe the girl behind the counter is just too scared to tell me no

Once I explain what I am using them for, they usually relax. I have repaired a lot of furniture using hypos. It works fantastic, especially for injecting glue under veneer.

ChadTower · « **Reply #78 on:** May 04, 2005, 10:01:22 pm »

I bet it does, I believe you. Here in MA the state is run by wackos. I'm surprised it's not illegal yet to walk up to the counter at all.

GGKoul · « **Reply #79 on:** May 05, 2005, 09:50:35 am »

So when can we see some pics of the pins?

nostrebor · « **Reply #80 on:** May 05, 2005, 11:15:16 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on May 03, 2005, 02:20:41 pm

Pics

ChadTower · « **Reply #81 on:** May 05, 2005, 11:45:01 am »

Yep, likely bringing the Shadow home tomorrow, that's the TZ as it currently stands.

ChadTower · « **Reply #82 on:** May 05, 2005, 07:01:22 pm »

Wow, just tested the Shadow... it works. I was able to play a pretty full game with it, though the LED display is out. That could be as simple as a fuse or burned connector... or the whole LED, but either way, it's pretty damn functional.

ChadTower · « **Reply #83 on:** May 05, 2005, 09:27:28 pm »

I have the first step of corner repair drying now. That lengthwise, right side board that has slightly separated is glued and clamped with a pipe clamp. I have pics but can't load them up right now.

ChadTower · « **Reply #84 on:** May 06, 2005, 10:06:54 pm »

UPDATE:

The Shadow is in my basement now, we played it for a while today but terribly leveled and hard to manage. It seems to work pretty well, one or two parts on the playfield don't work and the LED display is out. Excellent shape, though, pics coming.

Futzed around with the TZ, too. Discovered the balls are NOT missing, they were all in the same hidden playfield trough. I tried to get American Demon to let me pay him for the powerball he so generously sent me, but he wanted none of it. I'll repay him by helping someone else out the same way. I took a look at the trough where we found the balls, and sure enough, the popper in it had a wire broken off. My friend (who was helping me) resoldered that wire and at least the diagnostic message in the self test went away. It still registers with no powerball, but we can get it to acknolwedge all steel balls now. We powered it up, it shot three balls up to the gumball machine but had a hard time popping them into it. So, clearly, there is some work to be done, but it's coming along fairly well. The gluing I did of the right cabinet side took excellently, next up is to chisel out the corner support and try to get that corner fully repaired. I may try to inject some glue into the other front corner as well... if I can find some needles.

ChadTower · « **Reply #85 on:** May 07, 2005, 02:00:55 pm »

Update:

I took all of the gameplay parts out of that corner, and chiseled the broken support out gently. It looks pretty good, came off with only a small amount of force. I did notice that the other corner, with the instability is starting to loosen a bit. I think I will make a better effort to get the hypodermic needle and inject glue into that while I have the whole thing clamped down... may as well make it as strong as can be.

I noticed a huge flaw in my plan, though, as I was sizing up the piece I bought for the new support. The other corner has a triangular support piece because it HAS to be that way in order to fit under the leg bracket. The piece I'm trying to use is roughly the same size but rectangular. Now, I don't have any tool with which I could cut that piece lengthwise with any ease... can triangular pieces be bought, maybe a woodwork specialty shop? Precut? The two saws I have are a hand circular saw and a powered zip saw... doubt a decent lengthwise cut can be made with either, certainly not with my skill.

Any recommendations?

AlanS17 · « **Reply #86 on:** May 07, 2005, 02:26:57 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 28, 2005, 10:33:39 am

I've never played an Adams Family... is it that good?

It's the best!

ChadTower · « **Reply #87 on:** May 13, 2005, 09:03:22 am »

Got a suitable corner support cut. It's poplar, so it's pretty damn hard wood. I used a power zip saw and just trimmed small bits off until it was very close to what I needed, then held my powersander upside down and held the support on it to finish the shaping.

ClubNinja · « **Reply #88 on:** May 13, 2005, 11:24:01 pm »

Man, I already can't wait to come back over and stare at those machines. Locating the missing balls in the TZ and fixing that solder point made for quite a nice afternoon. How easily amused we are.

ChadTower · « **Reply #89 on:** May 28, 2005, 11:55:12 am »

UPDATE:

Finally have some time this weekend. Between graduations, birthdays, and the job change, I haven't had time to even look at this stuff.

This morning I just got the new corner support in. Screwed, glued, it looks good. I also filled all of the holes from the leg bracket by putting glue in there and snapping off toothpicks in the holes. A little extra support never hurts. No pics of this part of the process because my wife took the camera with her someplace.

I used white glue so the drying time will be most of today. Tomorrow I'll redrill the holes in that support for the leg bracket bolts, put the inner half of the leg bracket back in, and I should be good to get it back on its legs so that I can lock the playfield up and work on the functional issues.

ChadTower · « **Reply #90 on:** May 30, 2005, 05:07:03 pm »

Pics coming soon, but it is back on its legs now.

ChadTower · « **Reply #91 on:** May 31, 2005, 11:14:43 am »

Up next: repairing the ball trough opto. I found it last night, just have to figure out how to test and repair this sucker.

ChadTower · « **Reply #92 on:** May 31, 2005, 12:22:09 pm »

Woo!

I probably won't do the mod, but this should give me more than enough info to make the repair.

ChadTower · « **Reply #93 on:** May 31, 2005, 09:54:38 pm »

This is without playfield glass or the width rails that hold it in place... but it's back on legs, baby!

ChadTower · « **Reply #94 on:** June 02, 2005, 09:12:21 am »

Okay, I got the trough proximity sensor working (switch 26). It needed adjustment, very common on TZ. Now it detects steel balls but not the powerball. There must be a second detection mechanism in there somewhere that detects any ball and works in combo with the proximity coil to determine if the ball is steel or ceramic. Now to locate that second switch and fix that.

I have also noticed that the ball popper, the coil that pops the balls into the gumball machine, does not work that well. Playing with it manually shows it to be all gummed up. Taking it apart and cleaning or replacing the coil sleeve should bring that back too.

Other than cleaning, that should be the extent of what I have to do to get this sucker back to good standing.

HyperHautian · « **Reply #95 on:** June 02, 2005, 10:08:52 am »

Yeah, Adam's Family is awesome! I remember when our arcade got one.... took me right away from all the other arcade games for quite some time.

I would love to have one also!

KenToad · « **Reply #96 on:** June 02, 2005, 10:13:16 am »

Awesome machine, Chad. I never saw that one in my arcade, but the show was great. It sounds like you've done some good work to get it up on its feet again.

Cheers,
KenToad

ChadTower · « **Reply #97 on:** June 02, 2005, 10:14:55 am »

Quote from: KenToad on June 02, 2005, 10:13:16 am

Awesome machine, Chad.

KenToad · « **Reply #98 on:** June 02, 2005, 10:19:40 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on June 02, 2005, 10:14:55 am

Too bad I actually caused the damage to that corner myself. Eh well, lesson learned the hard way and it is repaired now.

Yeah, I saw that. Don't sweat it. It's making it right again that matters.

Cheers,
KenToad

ChadTower · « **Reply #99 on:** June 10, 2005, 08:44:03 am »

Okay, did a little more last night. Now that the proximity switch is working, I need to get the three trough switches (15, 16, 17 IIRC) working. I went into snigle switch test mode last night, and with balls in the trough, all three were closed. I need to find out if they are supposed to be closed.

ChadTower · « **Reply #100 on:** June 10, 2005, 09:52:10 pm »

Nyerf. So I'm working on the gumball popper... I study carefully how I took it apart so that I can reverse it to put it back together. I take the coil sleeve out, it's clean. I play with all of it away from the machine... good action. Wonder what the problem was, putting it back together the way I found it. Bad action, the plunger keeps being pushed against the rails, wrecking the action. WTF. It just won't go straight... I study the diagram in the book 4-5 times... and realize that the way it was installed was wrong, and THAT was the problem. I put it back in properly, WHAM good action. The person who last serviced this popper put it back together with one of the brackets on backwards. I don't think this coil ever worked well after that service.

Lesson #1 for me: Don't ever assume that the way you found it is the way it's supposed to be.

I'm going to take the related trough out while I'm in it and clean the thing out. It looks like someone wrote in there with black crayon.

ChadTower · « **Reply #101 on:** June 12, 2005, 01:51:42 pm »

YEAH! I was able to play my first test game! I had to be careful, as the glass isn't there, but I was able to get a game going and slap the ball around some without faking switches and such. Awesome!

That ball trough and assembly are back in, smooth action, the trough is transparent now. Good stuff. The more I work on this machine, the farther the end of the tunnel gets, as I see what good work does and how much more I can do.

ChadTower · « **Reply #102 on:** June 13, 2005, 08:52:56 am »

Played a few more test games with the pin badly leveled. Everything seems to function well except the slot machine... kicker works fine, though, and the slot only fails when the ball is hit back into it during gameplay. A little investigation leads me to believe the slot machine microswitch is dead. I'll try to jump it and see if I can get it to register... this is one of the last gameplay items that needs fixing, the rest is all cleanup/refurb stuff. Of course, I don't have much game money to spend at all this summer, so it may stay this way while I move on to cleanup items on this and my other pins (work that doesn't cost anything but time).

ChadTower · « **Reply #103 on:** June 17, 2005, 10:13:17 am »

Took out another metal trough and a second plastic trough and completely cleaned them. It's amazing how much of a difference that is making, these things were FILTHY. I still have one more plastic trough to go, the biggest by far with several switches on it. It will be a bit of a pain but I can get it done this weekend.

Still need to get up more pics.

ChadTower · « **Reply #104 on:** June 20, 2005, 10:17:44 pm »

Cleaned out two bumper coils and replaced the sleeves. Quite a few more to go but I have to wait, don't have any more in stock. I have an order coming in this week that should be enough to cover this machine and 2-3 more.

ChadTower · « **Reply #105 on:** June 22, 2005, 09:56:54 pm »

Cleaned/replaced sleeves on 4 more coils tonight... 6 down, 10 to go.

ChadTower · « **Reply #106 on:** June 24, 2005, 08:59:52 am »

Took apart and cleaned the right main flipper mechanism, replaced the coil sleeve.

ChadTower · « **Reply #107 on:** June 24, 2005, 11:35:19 am »

Note:

Dropping a tiny screw down the inside of a raised playfield sucks balls. They're next to impossible to find, but you have to find it, so it doesn't short something out or get stuck in a moving part.

SirPeale · « **Reply #108 on:** June 26, 2005, 08:19:55 am »

Two words: magnetic screwdriver.

ChadTower · « **Reply #109 on:** June 26, 2005, 10:23:17 am »

I have one... the screws are so many different sizes, and many of them aren't notched, they are hex screws. I'm going to have to learn how to magnetize regular ones, since I'd have to buy about 45 magnetic tools to fit all the various sizes of screws and nuts.

SirPeale · « **Reply #110 on:** June 26, 2005, 09:20:17 pm »

If you have a speaker just slide it against the magnet quite a few times, until it's to your liking.

ChadTower · « **Reply #111 on:** June 27, 2005, 08:49:21 am »

I figured it was something like that, thanks. I'll use the subwoofer magnet in the TZ itself.

ChadTower · « **Reply #112 on:** June 28, 2005, 09:29:47 am »

Last night, disassembled/cleaned/replaced sleeve on the right kicker coil.

ChadTower · « **Reply #113 on:** June 29, 2005, 11:25:35 am »

Two more coil sleeves/cleaned coils last night. I only have an hour or so most of the time to work on this thing... it's getting there!

ChadTower · « **Reply #114 on:** June 29, 2005, 09:51:25 pm »

Two more coils tonight... seems like they never stop, though there's only 16.

ChadTower · « **Reply #115 on:** June 30, 2005, 04:19:39 pm »

I was just googling for info on the different rom revisions and came across this tidbit in an article written by the software's original author, about a home version of the software he wrote:

Quote

Mute and Pause function - Have you ever been in the middle of a great game of pinball, only to have the phone ring? Well, Twilight Zone, now has a feature to allow you to pause your game. Catch the ball on a flipper then tap the Extra Ball button. The flipper will be held, and the game will go silent. To resume play, hold in the flipper button and tap the Extra Ball button again. (The game will resume automatically after 15 minutes.) This function can be disabled by a new adjustment, "MUTE & PAUSE OK."

This pinball machine has a pause.

nipsmg · « **Reply #116 on:** July 01, 2005, 09:13:24 am »

Just like Visual Pinball, but real!

I want one.

ChadTower · « **Reply #117 on:** July 01, 2005, 09:33:49 am »

A bit more research shows the pause to only be in the home version, and the home version is freeplay only. I want to eventually have matching token mechs in all of my machines. So, I may not go with this. I don't like the idea of having a coil energized for minutes at a time anyway.

ChadTower · « **Reply #118 on:** July 05, 2005, 11:11:24 am »

Two more coils rebuilt. The only remaining coils to clean/replace sleeves are the big ones, the main flipper mechs. I'm not going to do a complete rebuild as I don't have the cash for rebuild kits, but I will completely disassemble them and clean everything in them, replace the sleeve. I don't think the parts are worn out enough to really need a full rebuild with replacement parts other than the sleeve.

ChadTower · « **Reply #119 on:** July 05, 2005, 06:36:45 pm »

Just finished up the last two coils... now to lower the playfield and test some stuff out.

ChadTower · « **Reply #120 on:** July 05, 2005, 06:46:26 pm »

Just played a quick game... WOW. The coils POP now, the ball flies around 3x faster and cripser than it did two weeks ago. What a DIFFERENCE!

ChadTower · « **Reply #121 on:** July 06, 2005, 02:19:44 pm »

Just ordered up some #44 and #555 bulbs. Next process is to clean all of the bulbs, replacing any that are either dead or burned in the process. I will also clean the plastics through which all the bulbs are shining, which should really jack up the lights.

I ordered replacement balls, too, except the powerball, which was generously donated to me.

AmericanDemon · « **Reply #122 on:** July 06, 2005, 09:50:17 pm »

Sounds like you are really moving forward on this! Good work!

Chris · « **Reply #123 on:** July 06, 2005, 11:07:46 pm »

So when are you going to have us all over for a game?

ChadTower · « **Reply #124 on:** July 07, 2005, 09:43:06 am »

Pics can be coming, I just haven't had much time to take pics AND work. Thanks for the good comments, they are appreciated. I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel here, finally. I'm about a third done with cleaning the lower playfield bulbs and lenses now, I haven't seen any permanently burned yet but they are pretty dirty.

Chris, what type of drive to MA are you looking at?

Chris · « **Reply #125 on:** July 07, 2005, 09:50:03 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on July 07, 2005, 09:43:06 am

Chris, what type of drive to MA are you looking at?

15 hours. Could be worse...

ChadTower · « **Reply #126 on:** July 07, 2005, 09:55:53 am »

I bet you could find another Twilight Zone a lot closer than 15 hours, though...

Chris · « **Reply #127 on:** July 07, 2005, 10:01:05 am »

Yeah, there's one in a bar less than a mile from here. But I'll bet it's not in nearly as nice a condition as yours will be when you're done with it...

Actually, a lot of pinballs have been popping up here (Augusta, GA), but most of them are in just horrid condition, like they've never ever been cleaned. I'm tempted to buy some ninja gear and gallons of Novus and break in at night to clean those suckers....

ChadTower · « **Reply #128 on:** July 07, 2005, 11:38:17 am »

Oh yeah, pins on location are usually terrible now. Ops don't maintain them at all it seems. There is a Waterworld on my way home from work that looks like it's never been waxed, it has dead switches all over it. I went to Salem Willows this past weekend (a major arcade/small amusement park) where they have a lineup of probably 15-20 high end pins. They all were working like crap, very poor coil action and half of them had 'faulty' coin mechs that took quarters but didn't give credit.

Hell, now that I think about it, I probably lost $5 that day to coin mechs that didn't give credit on various machines. It was too many to be coincedental.

I'm really enjoying working on this one. It's made me damn glad I have three more pins next to it, all of which I can bring up to the same standard to which I'm bringing the TZ. They should keep me busy through the fall.

ChadTower · « **Reply #129 on:** July 08, 2005, 09:03:55 am »

Cleaned a bunch more bulbs/lenses last night. Tonight I should finish off the under playfield lights. Then I can move on to the translite and the playfield itself. The playfield is going to take a while, there are so many toys on this machine.

ChadTower · « **Reply #130 on:** July 09, 2005, 06:01:44 pm »

New balls and bulbs are here... almost done with underplayfield bulbs, I should be done with those today.

ChadTower · « **Reply #131 on:** July 11, 2005, 08:37:39 am »

Finished up the lights. Two or three are still either out or dim, I'll look into those later. The rest are much improved, much brighter. I started dismantling the lower half of the playfield, taking each piece apart and placing the parts into a ziploc bag with a label in it. I'm taking tons of pictures, too, so I can reference them if I can't remember exactly how things were. Sometime this week, the lower half should be ready for cleaning and waxing.

ChadTower · « **Reply #132 on:** July 18, 2005, 11:59:10 am »

I ordered one of these for some polishing work, and have a random orbit sander that I can slap a buffing pad on for the main areas. That should be enough to get this sucker done.

I don't know how much time I'm going to spend on it for the next month, though. A friend has convinced me to get back on the football field and given that I'm nowhere near proper game shape, I'm going to spend the next month of evenings doing cardio and a good bit of lifting.

ChadTower · « **Reply #133 on:** August 14, 2005, 07:46:32 pm »

Okay, back to it. I have the bottom half of the playfield disassembled and have a first run of cleaning with novus 2 in on it. Looks better. I may do another run with novus 2, then probably put 3-5 coats of Turtle Wax on it.

When that's done, I'll put the bottom half back together and start on the top half, which is where all the big toys are.

ChadTower · « **Reply #134 on:** August 14, 2005, 09:06:04 pm »

Okay, did two cleanings of lower half with Novus 2, and one coating of Turtle Wax so far.

ChadTower · « **Reply #135 on:** August 15, 2005, 09:31:28 pm »

A second coat of wax on the lower half of the playfield. I think I'll do 5, then completely clean all of the elements that are currently off, and then put them back. That's when I probably attack the mini playfield.

ChadTower · « **Reply #136 on:** August 18, 2005, 10:42:26 am »

Coats three and four. One more coat, then I start cleaning those lower playfield items and reinstalling them.

ChadTower · « **Reply #137 on:** August 19, 2005, 11:53:19 am »

I was planning on doing coat 5 last night, but instead I got drunk and watched the Patriots game.

ChadTower · « **Reply #138 on:** August 21, 2005, 10:18:21 am »

5th coat of wax. Gave the lower outlane assembly a disassembly, thorough cleaning, some Novus 2 for scratches, and some Novus 3 for shine and dust repellant. It's back on the playfield now.

I will keep doing this with all of the lower playfield parts except the flippers, which I'm going to do later.

ChadTower · « **Reply #139 on:** August 21, 2005, 07:54:25 pm »

Same for right outlane assembly and right slingshot assembly.

Buddabing · « **Reply #140 on:** August 21, 2005, 09:19:08 pm »

So, have you decided what to do with the Shadow pin?

And where are the pictures of your work-in-progress?

ChadTower · « **Reply #141 on:** August 22, 2005, 09:56:16 am »

No pictures, I barely have time to do the work itself. I'll post some soon but I just don't have enough time to do the work and document it too.

The Shadow I'm going to shop and repair as well. The DMD is out on that one, I haven't investigated but it's probably the controller board. I hear that is a fairly common fix and there is a kit available. A few resistors, a couple transistors, and you're good to go. Certainly easier than diagnosing a video PCB and fixing it. I'll probably keep the Shadow until I'm tired of playing it and then sell it off and buy one I want long term like Freddy, Royal Rumble, or Phantom of the Opera.

Of course, unless I lose my job or something, in which case when it is shopped it is worth roughly one mortgage payment.

Pik4chu · « **Reply #142 on:** August 22, 2005, 02:42:05 pm »

Small noobie question... where are you ordering all these parts from? and this 'book' you are refering to?

forgive my noobish curiosity

ChadTower · « **Reply #143 on:** August 22, 2005, 02:44:07 pm »

Various online vendors, though most of them I have gotten from PinballLife.com. Good service and prices.

The book, I assume, is the manual that came with the game.

ChadTower · « **Reply #144 on:** August 22, 2005, 03:41:54 pm »

Just ordered a rubber kit... may as well put that in while I'm dismantling all of the playfield parts.

ChadTower · « **Reply #145 on:** August 25, 2005, 09:10:02 am »

Left slingshot assembly and removed the rails that go from above the rocket to the left outlane. Now I can clean/wax the area under the rails and clean the rails as well as the plastics in the rocket's immediate area and slightly above.

Stingray · « **Reply #146 on:** August 26, 2005, 04:04:16 pm »

I guess I lost track of this thread when it got moved in here from Arcade Misc. You've really made a lot of progress since I last looked in here. It's going to be like new when you're finished.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #147 on:** August 26, 2005, 07:05:44 pm »

Yep, I'm going through this thing with a toothbrush.

Stingray · « **Reply #148 on:** August 29, 2005, 12:32:21 pm »

I have a hard time turning loose of stuff that I've put the kind of time into that you've put into this pin. Adding in the fact that this is IMO, one of the all time greats, I'm sure I'd own it a good long time if it were mine. In any case, good luck with whatever you decide you want to do with it.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #149 on:** August 29, 2005, 12:51:04 pm »

The main issue is that I have played 3 or 4 TZs since I got this one and... well... wasn't all that impressed, at least on the surface.

ChadTower · « **Reply #150 on:** August 30, 2005, 11:00:01 am »

New rubbers came in. I replaced a few, but the flipper bats have enough residue from the old black ones that now I have to take the bats out and give them a thorough cleaning. Dammit.

Stingray · « **Reply #151 on:** August 30, 2005, 02:51:23 pm »

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right and all that other inspirational nonsense. This thing's really going to sparkle when you finish it!

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #152 on:** August 30, 2005, 03:01:02 pm »

It will, though I may not do 100% of the aesthetic work now. Everything in the playfield will be done but things like coin door, cabinet touchups, leg refinishing can wait.

I helped a friend shop out an Andromeda this past weekend. It was so rewarding, being able to fully shop a pin in one day. I have two other early 80s SS pins that can be done in a week or so that I really want to get done now.

ChadTower · « **Reply #153 on:** August 31, 2005, 09:42:58 am »

Cleaned off a couple small playfield items and them removed the miniplayfield.

Then my 4 year old asked me to play with him so we went upstairs and played with the box of WWF figures.

Alas, he seems to think Billy Gunn is the best guy.

AmericanDemon · « **Reply #154 on:** August 31, 2005, 08:14:12 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on August 31, 2005, 09:42:58 am

Alas, he seems to think Billy Gunn is the best guy.

You mean Kip James?

ChadTower · « **Reply #155 on:** September 03, 2005, 05:27:01 pm »

Quote from: AmericanDemon on August 31, 2005, 08:14:12 pm

You mean Kip James?

Yep... that's the one. It's amazing, his look hasn't changed a bit in the last ten years. Does he age? I was watching him the other day. When you see him in the ring with TNA guys he looks like he's 8 feet tall.

ChadTower · « **Reply #156 on:** September 04, 2005, 03:51:49 pm »

Lower half of the mini playfield completely disassembled. Every part given a toothbrush cleaning, then polished with Novus 2 and 3. Lower half of the mini playfield itself given two runs with Novus 2 and then 5 coats of wax.

ChadTower · « **Reply #157 on:** September 05, 2005, 10:55:35 am »

Finished the miniplayfield. Now to clean/polish/wax the area under it, and the other items that are easier to access with the miniplayfield off.

ChadTower · « **Reply #158 on:** September 05, 2005, 12:59:27 pm »

Area under the miniplayfield is done... next up, that weird isolated slingshot on the left under the miniplayfield, and the things in the top left corner that are easier to get at while the miniplayfield is off. Stuff like the gumball machine.

ChadTower · « **Reply #159 on:** September 05, 2005, 06:15:25 pm »

Did that weird slingshot, which is apparently not a slingshot, just some rubbers. I cleaned a couple flasher tops, etc, but I'm really getting tired of this. I think I'm going to just clean the ramps and the top half of the playfield itself, finish replacing the rubbers, and put the game into place. I'll do the rest of the stuff next time I wax the thing. I want to move on to other projects.

Stingray · « **Reply #160 on:** September 07, 2005, 12:11:37 pm »

Lets see some pics after you put it back together. This thing should be glittering by now.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #161 on:** September 07, 2005, 12:25:41 pm »

I haven't touched the cabinet other than that structural repair, but yeah, the playfield is coming together very nicely.

ChadTower · « **Reply #162 on:** September 07, 2005, 04:04:48 pm »

Cool:

ChadTower · « **Reply #163 on:** September 10, 2005, 03:34:48 pm »

Top half of the playfield given the Novus 2 treatment. All remaining ramps cleaned, the lanes under them as far as I could reach without dismantling the ramps. One coat of wax so far on all cleaned playfield areas. Many flasher domes and misc plastic parts taken off, cleaned under the faucet, given Novus 3.

ChadTower · « **Reply #164 on:** September 12, 2005, 10:00:39 am »

Finished all the lanes, ramps, etc that I could reach.

Tried to put the miniplayfield back on, had enough trouble that I was near tossing it through the backglass, so I put it down and haven't touched it since saturday.

Stingray · « **Reply #165 on:** September 12, 2005, 03:37:58 pm »

Always a good idea to put the expensive & fragile part down before you get POed enough to throw it.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #166 on:** September 14, 2005, 11:34:07 am »

Okay, this suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks.

The check I originally wrote out for these two machines JUST CLEARED. I would swear it cleared in May, and I'll look back through my statements, but if I'm wrong... then my family is really hurting over the next couple of months. Leading into Christmas. We simply can't absorb a $1500 hit right now, especially since I just got a letter from the IRS stating that there was a mistake on my 2003 taxes and I owe $700. I have to verify that one too.

Gigantic bills are just falling out of the goddam sky. I may have to sell this and possibly the Shadow too, and soon.

Stingray · « **Reply #167 on:** September 14, 2005, 11:49:58 am »

That sucks. Wonder what happened with the check. That's an awfully long time for it to have just been floating around out there.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #168 on:** September 14, 2005, 11:58:20 am »

I contacted the facilities woman at my old company. She is the one who gave me all the inside info (including the keys) on those machines before they went up for auction. She had actually tried to get the company to let her GIVE me the Shadow in exchange for fixing the TZ, but the IT group bitched about it. Apparently they would have rather had two broken machines than one working one.

She told me that it was HR's deal, that they managed the auction, but that also pretty much everyone involved with it no longer works there.

Buddabing · « **Reply #169 on:** September 14, 2005, 12:19:20 pm »

D--n.

I guess you could sell the TZ on Ebay, Mr. Pinball, or rec.games.pinball. Recent sales on Ebay went from 2000-2500.

If you can net $500 from the sale, you'll have gotten $500 and a free Shadow pinball for all your work on the TZ. That's not too bad.

ChadTower · « **Reply #170 on:** September 14, 2005, 12:26:33 pm »

Yeah, it is an option. I'm betting I could find a local buyer in that range rather than Ebay or Mr Pinball, too.

Stingray · « **Reply #171 on:** September 14, 2005, 02:05:05 pm »

I would expect the TZ to be a quick seller. It certainly makes plenty of collectors top ten pins list.

-S

AmericanDemon · « **Reply #172 on:** September 14, 2005, 07:15:27 pm »

Especially in the condition you have it in now. Cleaned and primed for a sale. I hate to hear about this man, but you'll make it through. Sucks you are gonna get rid of it.

ChadTower · « **Reply #173 on:** September 17, 2005, 05:14:29 pm »

Miniplayfield back on, not electrically reconnected yet. I can't find the screw/nut that hold the feeder rails in place, though... I'll have to try and replace them.

ChadTower · « **Reply #174 on:** September 17, 2005, 05:45:27 pm »

Gumball light and cross playfield rail cleaned and reinstalled.

ChadTower · « **Reply #175 on:** September 17, 2005, 07:08:39 pm »

Rocket kicker reinstalled, playfield out trough cleaned and reinstalled.

It's in a good place to take some nice pics, but my wife misplaced the digital camera.

ChadTower · « **Reply #176 on:** September 17, 2005, 07:44:47 pm »

Took the flipper bats out for soaking to remove dirt and residue from black rubbers. I didn't realise you could just loosen a nut and yank them out, I thought I'd have to disassemble the whole thing. Cool.

ChadTower · « **Reply #177 on:** September 17, 2005, 10:15:44 pm »

Soaked the flipper bats in water and dishwasher detergent... no effect. Soaked them in pure isopropyl alcohol, rubber parts came off, but general dirt above where the rubber was mostly remains. That's good enough for me, I can replace the bats later if I haven't sold the pin by then to try and keep my house.

ChadTower · « **Reply #178 on:** September 17, 2005, 11:28:53 pm »

Flipper bats are as clean as they're going to get... will reinstall them, and put new red rubbers on them, tomorrow.

ChadTower · « **Reply #179 on:** September 18, 2005, 12:50:33 pm »

Put the flipper bats back in. Fired this puppy up... oh man, you should see this thing. The lights are so much brighter and clearer and you can practically see your reflection in the playfield. The best part, no errors, which means I didn't break anything while I had everything all apart. Need to find the camera.

Left to do: Remove and clean translite, clean off the white lamp board behind the translite. Put the trough hood back on. Print out some spiffy instruction and price cards. Clean the glass, put the glass back on.

ChadTower · « **Reply #180 on:** September 18, 2005, 04:25:04 pm »

I guess I spoke too soon. Tried to fire it up to play, immediately the DMD said "check fuses F114 and F115".

ChadTower · « **Reply #181 on:** September 18, 2005, 09:14:22 pm »

Helpness

ChadTower · « **Reply #182 on:** September 18, 2005, 09:45:25 pm »

Sonofabitch. F114 shattered while I was trying to take it out. DAMMIT.

ChadTower · « **Reply #183 on:** September 19, 2005, 07:45:27 am »

Very depressing. I have to hunt around town today to try and find the right fuses and a fuse puller, knowing the chances that the problem is actually blown fuses are very small.

ChadTower · « **Reply #184 on:** September 19, 2005, 06:52:04 pm »

Unexpectedly... I popped in a new F114, and it came right up! Don't know if it will burn out F114 again shortly, but for now, it's up and running once more. Just have those same last items, and then to get it moved into position and leveled.

ChadTower · « **Reply #185 on:** September 20, 2005, 01:17:00 pm »

Just got another big, unexpected bill.

This machine has got to go. Just posted on a local pinball list, mr pinball is next.

Wade · « **Reply #186 on:** September 20, 2005, 01:32:22 pm »

Mr. Clean Magic eraser and some Novus 2 will make white flipper bats look like new, and get all that black rubber junk off.

Where do you live again? I'm thinking it's too far from me, but I just can't remember.

Where's the ad? Any pictures of it other than the ones when you first got it?

Thanks,
Wade

ChadTower · « **Reply #187 on:** September 20, 2005, 01:36:57 pm »

I haven't taken recent pictures yet, but likely will have to now. I was able to get it all off with the alcohol. Now all that is left is a minor bit of really sunken in discoloration that isn't going to come off. Just makes it a bit off yellow rather than new looking.

I'm in Massachusetts.

SirPeale · « **Reply #188 on:** September 20, 2005, 06:31:04 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on September 20, 2005, 01:17:00 pm

Just got another big, unexpected bill.

crap, now what?

ChadTower · « **Reply #189 on:** September 21, 2005, 07:32:39 am »

Don't even want to think about it enough to post it up here. Maybe later.

ChadTower · « **Reply #190 on:** September 26, 2005, 10:21:06 am »

Wow, this turned into a giant mess in a hurry. I posted it for sale on Mr Pinball, RGP, and the Boston Pinball Association. Several members of BPA (most of whom have been trying to acquire this machine from me, BTW) turned on me in a major way. I've been wading through email after email questioning my character, integrity, everything down to my shoe size. All because I wanted to sell this machine during a personal financial downturn.

I hate everything.

ChadTower · « **Reply #191 on:** September 26, 2005, 07:31:09 pm »

It won't be around long, but here are pics....

AmericanDemon · « **Reply #192 on:** September 26, 2005, 08:44:33 pm »

Damn man. Thats a fine looking Twilight Zone.

SirPeale · « **Reply #193 on:** September 26, 2005, 08:57:07 pm »

How exactly did they turn on you? You wouldn't sell it, you shopped it out, and now you're selling it. What on earth could they possibly say?

ChadTower · « **Reply #194 on:** September 26, 2005, 09:02:29 pm »

Well, it started out as "you took advantage of our help" then it was "you didn't sell it to us at a discount", and then multiple people who had tried to lowball me, tried to sabotage my sale by openly questioning my character and saying I was a scammer. It got really ugly.

SirPeale · « **Reply #195 on:** September 26, 2005, 09:15:41 pm »

Took advantage of their help? It's not freaking rocket science. Oh, no, poor babies don't get to buy a fully shopped pin for $1.26!

Like the baby stabber, F them.

ChadTower · « **Reply #196 on:** September 26, 2005, 09:19:05 pm »

F the individuals that sent me all the flames and personal attacks, anyway. BPA as a whole is good. It does, like any other net group, have some individuals who are jerkwads.

ChadTower · « **Reply #197 on:** September 28, 2005, 08:59:35 am »

The pin is under agreement.

DarkKobold · « **Reply #198 on:** September 28, 2005, 09:58:18 am »

So wait, you bought a pin for cheap, using legit inside info. You shopped said pin from a 1.5K machine to a 2K machine. You asked for help on a message board, where the help has no strings attached, ala BYOAC...

And people are pissed?

Got any links? I'd love to see people bitching and moaning over stupid ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

ChadTower · « **Reply #199 on:** September 28, 2005, 10:05:36 am »

I paid $1550 or so for the TZ and a Shadow.


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news