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Complete 8 Ball Deluxe LE

Alan,

Re. the target dropper coils - take care with those, AIR* Eight Ball Deluxe has them driven on the 'extended' side of the solenoid extender, and if so the two-diode arrangement is necessary, as with M & M Pac-Man.


* I had a (rare) private service call once, from work to an EBD we'd sold on. The outhole kicker wasn't working, but one of the dropper coils was pulsing instead. It was paired with the outhole coil
 
someone had done exactly the same on my viking when I got it(probably the same op!),it took me a while to realise that one of the coils had been replaced with the 3 prong 2 diode coil and not wired correctly,I assume pins that use these also have a solenoid expander fitted,as that is how it's done on vector
 
^ Cheers - guys yep after I posted this I was scratching my head, so went to look at the schematis, and sure enough the first 2 coils need extra diodes, so I've put them back!
 
I hadn't realised that it's just targets 1/9 & 2/10 in the target bank which use expander-spec coils like that. With two different coils fitted, it could appear to be a operators' poor repair.
 
^ yes it threw me, hence my error initially,, i thought it was a bodged repair but it’s not it’s the way it is meant to be.
 
Relaxing day. polishing
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Still a way to go. I hate the look and feel of the coin reject hopper, so decided to polish it, just to get some polishing practice.
 
After a few days dismantling drop targets and coin door and the topside playfield: lots of rust removal and cleaning:
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Tried to keep each mech separate, so easier to re-assemble. But it’s slowed down the rust removal as i’ve done one at a time.
 
Tested out the flipper coils, two look out of spec, and one is deformed inside anyway - so looks like has overheated. I've been building up a list of parts to get ordered:
  • 3 X flipper rebuild kits
  • two coils Aq-25-500/34-4500
  • Full Rubber set
  • Flipper bats X 3
  • Flipper buttons X 2
  • Pop bumper assembles - may as well replace the whole lot - the current ones are very rusty and pittd metal work, and the plastics are discoloured
  • blue Lane guides
  • blue Star posts
Already ordered:
  • full set drop targets
  • playfield plastics

Need to find an apron decal kit.
 
How about upgrading the flipper mechs to the pre linear models (like in paragon). The earlier ones are much snappier and probably cheaper to buy too. The brackets you have work ok
 
Too late as I’ve ordered the rebuild kits. I don’t mind the flipper action from these.

Still fighting the rust:
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I’ve ordered new thumper bumpers, but may as well rust treat these anyway.

I’ve also tested all the existing lamp sockets. they have surface rust, but the bulbs have prevented the insides from rusting, so are mainly useable, some will need replacing.
 
Too late as I’ve ordered the rebuild kits. I don’t mind the flipper action on these.
We are in full agreement with @AlanJ here😆Never really understood the “upgrade to pre linear flippers “ thing. When the linears are rebuilt correctly without scrimping on parts they are really snappy , reliable and plenty powerful enough.
Our observations are, if your budget allows , be sure to replace pretty much every part of the flipper mechs and associated parts .
For example ; (this list is in order of where folks try and save £ on parts:
1). Cabinet flipper switches . Commonly cause loss of flipper power.
Not often replaced because they are over £10.00 each.
2). End of stroke switches. Crucial to a powerful and reliable bally ss linear flipper set up.
3). Flipper bushing. As this can have hairline fractures barely visible that directly effect efficiency.
And finally new coils if budget allows. As far as costs goes @DRD there is really only a couple of £’s in it. Just our opinions. For what it’s worth.
But always ready to take on board anyone else’s views/experience.
Have a good evening everyone. K.
Oh and Alan, as far as we are aware its only @Mikonos that does EBD L.E. apron decals. As planetary pinball cannot be bothered 😆😉
 
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Man and I thought I had rust to deal with. Amazing work can't wait to see the finished product.
 
I´m looking for a user who wants to order "Eight Ball Deluxe Pinball Aprons" in real metallic vinyl. The user who I restored these pieces wants a cheap restoration, but I´m looking for to make a "deluxe" restoration with real metallic vinyl.


Greetings!
 
This post will add nothing to this amazing thread. All I can say is “wow” and wish you all the best for an amazing project. I can just about clean a board and change a lamp or two. Your aspirational project is just that - inspiring to someone like me. Continued good luck 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
 
More rusty mechs to get off and de-rust
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Thus one, like the others is so rusted it wouldn’t budge. Into the evaporust bath for a day, along with a load more other parts.

Out of the rust bath came all these:
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Did some more playfield strip down, almost there, just a few switches and the thumpers to remove.
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I’ve removed the mylar and glued the top right of the playfield. it broke off as i was prising off the wooden sides.

Once the glue has set, I’ll fill the cracks and then strip the rest of the topside, cover all the holes and lamp sockets and then ready to sand it smooth, there is a lot of flaking paint, so I will sand that off even though the hardtop will cover it.
 
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gluing the playfield back together
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filling the cracks
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tried on the overlay for size:
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sanded an insert as a test:
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Then removed the rest of the things poking through onto the playfield, more rusty parts
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Next job will be to secure loose stuff on the underside, cover all the holes and then sand.
 
All I can say is fair play for taking this on dude. You are doing great work! 😁
 
Second coat of paint on the wood rails
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17 boxes of parts, and more to come which are currently in the rust bath! 😂😂
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Orders in for lots and lots of new parts.

Next job today to sand and clean then base coat the inside of the cabinet.
 
Time to sort out the power supply board
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more rust, so everything stripped off, some to evaporust, the transformers will need hand treating

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two bridges bridge rectifiers need replacing

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done!

board needs a good clean

next it’s onto the score display section. more rust:
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the score display trays are stuck fast to the mdf board, very rusty screws. some have come out but many are jammed. evaporust might just help here but don’t want to wet the mdf otherwise it will swell and turn into weetabix
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Now this is what you call a ground up refurbishment, none of your Andy Backhouse nonsense here. This is going to look beautiful once completed.
 
Painting jobs :
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rearcoin door mounting plate in chrome effect.


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Primer / undercoat inside of cab

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Gold hammerite for the power board/transformer plate.


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Transformer, sanded to remove the rust, primed, then finish in black.
 
Now to the apron and shooter housing:

The apron needs sanding and priming ready for new decals, it’s not bad, but I want it perfect. I’ve straightened out the bent metalwork.
28AC2387-715D-4676-9F66-0AEAE9B4717C.jpegF36865B2-2AED-4EE0-9035-AEE6FC622BD7.jpegA6DDAECA-A725-4EDC-B99E-A5B0BEFD3413.jpegC2661360-9B11-4F52-825B-B328A25FC4E0.jpeg

The shooter housing is missing one of its metal prongs. Really important part of the housing as the ball rests on those prongs. Might be repairable if I can’t find a spare.

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Painting jobs :
View attachment 139025
rearcoin door mounting plate in chrome effect.


View attachment 139026
Primer / undercoat inside of cab

View attachment 139027
Gold hammerite for the power board/transformer plate.


View attachment 139028
Transformer, sanded to remove the rust, primed, then finish in black.
I'd be interested, down the line, how this pans out.Wondering how it will hold up, whether the heat from tranny will bother the paint, or if corrosion comes back, as have minor corrosion on a few transformers on some of my games
 
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