Fire Queen Part 2…

Since my last post, I’ve completely gone through the playboard on Fire Queen, and cleaned and adjusted all of the switches and contacts.  I found several relay coils which appeared to be burnt.  Some of them showed signs of having shorted out, so I’ll have to get replacements.  I’ve also gone through all of the components in the head except for the score reels.  Due to some of my wife’s various projects, the playfield is still awaiting color touch-up.

I’ve compiled a list of parts which Fire Queen will need.  Some of the parts I already have in stock – leftovers from other projects.  I did manage to find a better backglass for Fire Queen.  I’m hoping that will be delivered this coming week.  As for the old backglass, we’re probably going to touch it up as best we can, and sell it as wall art.  Touching up a backglass is and extremely difficult task, as you not only have to match the colors, but translucency as well.  For wall art, the backglass image can be repaired, but if the image is backlit, it will not look right (as the repairs will not be translucent. 

In going through the game, I found several contacts and wires which were broken.  It makes me wonder if the reason the playfield is in such good shape is because the game broke or didn’t work right, and therefore rarely or never got played.

I had a good close look at the body today.  I’ll start cleaning it in the very near future, and determine whether I can get away with touching-up the paint on the body, or if it will need a full repaint.

I’ll let you know more later…

 

House Call Part 3

On Friday, I have another appointment with Spirit of ’76.  I expect that it will be a relatively short visit to finish up the last of the game.  According to the owners of the game, except for the 100s reel not advancing the 1000s reel on player 1, the game has been playing “better than ever”.  It is no longer giving points to multiple players, and the ball is flying around the playfield.

I expect my trip on Friday to be my last there.  Aside from fixing the player 1 scoring, I plan on replacing several burnt out bulbs behind the backglass, and I’m going to adjust the center pop bumper so that it will fire more easily.

As an additional note, the new backglass for Target Pool arrived today.  We unpacked it, checked it out, and it looks beautiful!  I can’t wait to get that game finished!

 

Getting back to business…

It’s been the weirdest year so far!  Work has been crazy, and every time I try to get something pinball related accomplished, it gets overruled by something more imperative…

However, the plans are to get back to work as soon as possible, and part of that will include getting back to Target Pool.  I started working on Target Pool in October, but then shelved the project when word came out about a reproduction backglass to be released in 2011.  I just got word that the backglasses are now available, and I’m set to grab one.

Mechanically, Target Pool is pretty much ready to go.  Cosmetically, not so much.  The cabinet will require sanding and painting as the original paint has cracking on it.  The paint easily comes of in flecks is rubbed, and the machine has received some touch-up work.  As much as I’d prefer not to, a full cabinet repainting is what Target Pool really needs to make it look nice!

Before any of that can happen, I’ll need to create stencils for the cabinet paint, and find close matches for the colors as well.  I’m also going to have to figure out how to apply a webbing coat for the cabinet – I guess I never start with easy projects!

Target Pool will also be modified mechanically. Last fall, I installed the PBR yellow dot flipper coils on it.  The ball flew across the table, but it seemed too easy.  I’m going to remove the yellow dots and replace them with orange dots which are a little less powerful.  I don’t want to slow the game down too much, but if it’s too easy, it won’t be a lot of fun to play either…