The Getaway, missing standard star post and hole that goes through playfield

[zxspectrum16k]

I could use some advice, guys, just to fix up a 'The Getaway'. I spotted a hole in the playing field near the top left pop bumpers. I think a standard starpost should be connected there using a wood screw.

I have a few questions:
- What size screw should I use? I have spare starposts.
- The current hole goes all the way through the playfield. I don't think this is correct. When I try to screw it in, it may not attach properly. I've read some solutions online. Which solution is recommended, considering this post will be hit frequently?
- One suggestion is to fill the hole with toothpicks and wood glue, then screw the post in. Do you have any recommendations for the type of glue to use?
- Another suggestion is to use a nut and bolt instead of a screw. What size of nut and bolt should I use?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ashbo]

Same on mine, this is from January. Don't remember this being anything other than a machine screw and bolt.

 

[Moonraker]

I'm pretty sure it should be a through the playfield hole with either a T- nut or locking nut on the underside. This is because a normal woodscrew gets pulled out due to the amount of hits this post receives during play. The original post probably broke and the operator fix is to remove the remaining bolt leave the post out, which stops it from happening again.

 

[Ashbo]

Looks like a machine screw and bolt. Won't start lifting the playfield tonight if I know what's good for me

As @Moonraker says, look at the dirt on those rubbers that were new recently

 

[Ashbo]

Ok it's not a bolt but a t-nut on the other side of the playfield

 

[zxspectrum16k]

thanks for the help @Ashbo @Moonraker , i will get ordering one

 

[Asiapinball]

Craig dm your address and I will get in the post to you.

 

[Asiapinball]

From the pic of your new playfield it looks like original fitment was a screw as there is no through hole for a bolt and t nut. But it will be much better to have a bolt and t nut. I have made this type of modification many times for posts that get high impact. You just need to make sure nothing gets in the way if the t nut but @Ashbo pic shows there is room and it looks like his has already had the modification.

 

[Asiapinball]

You may need to drill the hole through the playfield. Small pilot hole first and then halfway in on each side with the correct size drill bit.

 

[Asiapinball]

https://imgproxy.pinside.com/6sUdgStRgqduvDmaRdK5glRzpO_XryFpQNolvLsGoQg/rs:fit:2048:2048/q:85/fn:Pinside_forum_8357536_2/aHR0cHM6Ly9vLnBpbnNpZGUuY29tLzUvNzcvMzkvNTc3MzlhMDYyMmMxYzA4NTA1ZDY3MjgxYzM4YjQxMzczOWU1YWFjYi5qcGVn

I think it is meant to be a double star post on there. It looks.like it from @Ashbo pic and also link on pinside I don't have spare double star post.

 

[zxspectrum16k]

Cheers, mate, you are a star. Do you know the size of the screw for reference?

 

[zxspectrum16k]

i have a spare double post mate

 

[zxspectrum16k]

deleted

 

[zxspectrum16k]

strange, i have seen it different in people machines, with the double and rubber going on the one at the back, and a single on this one

 

[zxspectrum16k]

this from the manual shows you, what I mean

 

[ronsplooter]

@zxspectrum16k you might want to remove your address and phone number from this thread and send privately

 

[Asiapinball]

Cheers, mate, you are a star. Do you know the size of the screw for reference?

The machine screw is 1 3/4" thread is 8-32

 

[zxspectrum16k]

@zxspectrum16k you might want to remove your address and phone number from this thread and send privately

yeah, thought it was a message,
my bad

 

[Andy B]

I have some T-nuts and machine screws in my bag of tricks if you don't want to order just those Craig - but I'm guessing you're just going to use it as an opportunity to order a load of other stuff as well

Andy N at Pinball Mania used to sell a "Big Bag" of assorted hardware - I think Phil at PH also does the same. I have found that Big Bag of Bits invaluable over the years.

I don't know why you don't man up though and just do the playfield swap out...you know you want to!

 

[Asiapinball]

Yeah, man up Craig! You must have been in this crazy hobby at least a year now!

 

[Andy B]

Assorted bag of bits - Pinball Heaven

Over 200 common nuts, bolts, screws etc for your pinball machine. Here’s what you get: 10 – #10-32 Black Socket Head Bolts 10 – High-Collar Lock Washers 25 – #6 x 3/8″ Unslotted Hex Head Wood Screws 25 – #6 x 1/2″ Unslotted Hex Head Wood Screws 5 – #8 x 1/2″ Unslotted Hex Head Wood Screws 25...

www.pinball.co.uk

 

[Pick Holder]

The manual also shows prototype playfields in a lot of instances. I can not remember getting a made up rubber set that they base on the manual covering everything on the game. I am always one short or the sizes are slightly incorrect.
The manuals used to be printed before the games were built.
Correct me if I am wrong (historians or people from the hobby pre 1995....) but Bally Williams used to make a game for the amount of time it hit the demand and then stopped. There was no 're-runs' back then. Except for maybe Addams,,,

 

[drhex]

Correct, no reruns but they had a really good idea of how many they would need - it was a pipeline, game had to sell until the next could go in the line. Something not selling was a big issue as it meant the line wasn‘t producing (pretty much as in any industry) until the next game was ready. This is what killed pinball at Williams as SWEP1 was a complete dud for various reasons while Wizard Block wasn‘t ready…

 

[zxspectrum16k]

Yeah, man up Craig! You must have been in this crazy hobby at least a year now!

@Andy B @Asiapinball ha ha Playfield swap deffo for next year, using the excuse that I want to leave the field for a while as the coating seals.
Just got some protectors from Col , next job install them and fix the post and compete rubber switch over. Than park it, whilst I have a look at that TZ.

Thanks everyone for the help.