In Progress Will I ever enter - The Twilight Zone

[AlexP]

Ok,
Long time lurker on here but first real time posting.
A bit of background, been in the hobby since the late 90’s mainly enjoyed fixing up machines and then selling them on to fund the next one, took a break after moving house and having a child 10 or so years ago.
Last year I picked up my favourite machine (TZ was first ever machine I owned) to get me back into the hobby.
I decided to “outsource” the cabinet refurb to Ant from the forum and tackle putting a new Mirco playfield in myself, which was all going fine until I found that somehow I’d cracked one of the inserts and made a mess trying to fix it. So now I’m back to the start with a playfield No 2.
Putting this restoration on here as motivation for me to get cracking, so feel free to throw me some abuse or encouragement to get this completed.

Apologies in advance.

Alex

 

[cmrl9]

Good luck, twighlight zone is a complex game.

I've striped and cleaned one the top half, there nothing particularly challenging. It's a master of design very easy to work on, well the top half was. Still a lot of parts and mechs to fit.

My only advice is to get the dolly thing to hold the playfield.

You can get them in Europe but can't remember where I toyed with getting one, but haven't had to replace a playfield (yet)

 

[cmrl9]

@s000m will be able to point you where to get one from if you need

 

[Ant-H]

Looking forward to seeing this Alex

Did Mirco send you the replacement in the end? Have you installed the new wooden rails on it?

If it’s a Mirco I’d definitely recommend getting them on there to avoid any bowing which seems to happen quite frequently with repro playfields due to the wood that they use.

 

[AlexP]

Looking forward to seeing this Alex

Did Mirco send you the replacement in the end? Have you installed the new wooden rails on it?

If it’s a Mirco I’d definitely recommend getting them on there to avoid any bowing which seems to happen quite frequently with repro playfields due to the wood that they use.

Ant,

Yes I got a replacement playfield but it was not free, I got it at a “discount” after a few emails.

Gonna try the rails this weekend!

Wish me luck.

Alex

 

[s000m]

@s000m will be able to point you where to get one from if you need

Weird that @ mention didn't work.

Anyway here's the rotisserie.

Playfield Tipper - TOP construction

Playfield Tipper - TOP construction Speelveld Tipper Speelveld ROTISSERIE

www.pinballshop.nl

Enjoy burning your money this games a money pit with all the parts!

 

[s000m]

Also if you're not getting the playfield done with a new clear coat you absolutely MUST use cliffy protectors. That clear coat will 100% chip without them.

 

[AlexP]

Some of the before pictures (mostly cabinet)

 

[Mozie]

Just make a diy rotisserie for cheap unless you plan on swapping alot of playfields your only ****ing away money otherwise.. but then again this is the hobby where everyone ****es away money on a regular basis

 

[Ryker]

Good luck bringing her back to life

 

[drhex]

Personally just cleaning the top, take the pf out, lay it on its face and transfer the underside to the new one, back in the game and populate top. No need for a rotisserie that way.
And looks like you have set yourself up for a lot of work here including the backbox.

 

[AlexP]

Right so I actually made a start!

Last time I did this I ended up with a cracked insert, so was extra careful this time.

Bought one of these "pullers" from Amazon and cut some cork backed wood to use as a buffer on the top side.
Seems to work OK.


For all those who spotted I only install 2 per bumper.


Old vs New


Jet bumper bodies installed.

 

[s000m]

Did you remember to burr out the clear?

 

[AlexP]

Did you remember to burr out the clear?

There did not seem to be much in there, but gave it a tickle.

 

[AlexP]

OK on a roll now, fitted Ant's replacement wooden ball guides, no photo of the process of clamping, measuring and striaghtening, this is them fitted.




Some T-Nut's fitted




Shooter lane guide fitted (rear). Nice screwhole alignment on the closer ball guide.


Fixed with a Dremel and a steady hand.

 

[Ant-H]

Looking good Alex. I’m sure your find that it won’t be the only dimple on the new playfield that doesn’t line up.

The oak rails came out great and spy on now you’ve fitted them

 

[AlexP]

More slow and steady progress, emphasis on the "slow"

A smattering of posts installed.


Ball guides.






Has anyone ever noticed the two designs of these posts? I though it was just damage but looking in my spares I discovered several with the fluted section (left).

 

[AlexP]

A little progression, the original playfield is looking pretty sparse now.



Rocket kicker taking shape.


The before.


And the afters..

 

[AlexP]

A little more progress. Some mech's getting a clean and installed.


Gumball machine stripped down, clean and installed.



A few plastics installed.


Original playfiled is now pretty much empty bar the ball shooter sensor. What are the opinions to do with this tired playfield?

 

[drhex]

Keep it with the machine. Point an UV lamp at it to know why.

 

[AlexP]

Targets and tunnels update:

 

[AlexP]

A little more work on the underside.