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Well, Now I Own A Pinball Machine Too!
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<blockquote data-quote="jaredmorgs" data-source="post: 72648" data-attributes="member: 459"><p>Having watched far too many TNT Amusement YouTube videos about this era of pinball, you need to watch for the following areas on the board.</p><p></p><p>Picture 1 - looks pretty clean in there!</p><p></p><p>Picture 2 - this may look a bit "hacky" but doing this battery mod will probably have saved the boards from serious damage.</p><p></p><p>Picture 3 - These two boards are inter-connected by a terminal block connector, correct? If so, you should take off the screws in line with the connector that joins the two boards. This, according to Tom Tuckey of TNT Amusements, is the biggest source of failure on this era of games (the pins shorting out on the metal plate).</p><p></p><p>When you get a chance, do the following future-proofing mods to the board:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Take off all boards and reflow silver solder on all connectors.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keep an eye on those big red resistors in the last picture. They look like they are running really hot (based on the discolouration).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Watch this video for tips on Black Knight that are also relevant to Firepower <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QCuLzF95XQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QCuLzF95XQ</a></li> </ul><p></p><p>When restoring the machine, I approached a table repair the following ways (opinions on this forum may differ - use your own noodle to filter the suggestions).</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Remove all plastics</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Remove rubbers</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Remove flipper bats and soak them in metholayted spirits to get rid of the rubber buildup on them. Check for cracking in the rod/bat union, and the tips of the bats (common places for hairline cracks to appear).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wash all painted plastics (with the white backing on them) in soapy detergent (it is probably the most gentle thing you can use).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Use Metholated Spirits on all clear plastics to really smash the chrome dust off.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If the playfield is in good condition (that is, it is still pretty well sealed) you can use Metho on that to really cut the dust off.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If the playfield is in poor condition (exposed wood), then use something like a furniture polish (I used a product available in Australia called Mr Sheen, which was cheap and lifted the chrome dust really well). Novus 2 is also a good choice, but more expensive.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Consider replacing the GI and light circuits with LED light kits. SKILL_SHOT/JPelter/others can help you heaps with this easy mod. Watch some TNT Amusement videos of game of the same era to get a feel how to accent coloured areas properly.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">LED mods will also significantly reduce the load on the GI and Light circuits in the game, which will ensure the molex connectors do not overheat again on your game.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If you can't afford anything else, keep a stock of flipper plunger sleeves and plunger/links in stock. Having these maintained correctly will make a huge difference to your enjoyment of the game.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Completely rebuild the flippers. Backstops, plunger and links, Coils (if you feel they are weak). You'll thank yourself for doing it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Check out <a href="http://www.firepowerpinball.com/" target="_blank">http://www.firepowerpinball.com/</a> for some targeted resources. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></li> </ul><p></p><p>Thats all I can think of at the moment. Good luck with restoration.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="jaredmorgs, post: 72648, member: 459"] Having watched far too many TNT Amusement YouTube videos about this era of pinball, you need to watch for the following areas on the board. Picture 1 - looks pretty clean in there! Picture 2 - this may look a bit "hacky" but doing this battery mod will probably have saved the boards from serious damage. Picture 3 - These two boards are inter-connected by a terminal block connector, correct? If so, you should take off the screws in line with the connector that joins the two boards. This, according to Tom Tuckey of TNT Amusements, is the biggest source of failure on this era of games (the pins shorting out on the metal plate). When you get a chance, do the following future-proofing mods to the board: [LIST] [*]Take off all boards and reflow silver solder on all connectors. [*]Keep an eye on those big red resistors in the last picture. They look like they are running really hot (based on the discolouration). [*]Watch this video for tips on Black Knight that are also relevant to Firepower [URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QCuLzF95XQ[/URL] [/LIST] When restoring the machine, I approached a table repair the following ways (opinions on this forum may differ - use your own noodle to filter the suggestions). [LIST] [*]Remove all plastics [*]Remove rubbers [*]Remove flipper bats and soak them in metholayted spirits to get rid of the rubber buildup on them. Check for cracking in the rod/bat union, and the tips of the bats (common places for hairline cracks to appear). [*]Wash all painted plastics (with the white backing on them) in soapy detergent (it is probably the most gentle thing you can use). [*]Use Metholated Spirits on all clear plastics to really smash the chrome dust off. [*]If the playfield is in good condition (that is, it is still pretty well sealed) you can use Metho on that to really cut the dust off. [*]If the playfield is in poor condition (exposed wood), then use something like a furniture polish (I used a product available in Australia called Mr Sheen, which was cheap and lifted the chrome dust really well). Novus 2 is also a good choice, but more expensive. [*]Consider replacing the GI and light circuits with LED light kits. SKILL_SHOT/JPelter/others can help you heaps with this easy mod. Watch some TNT Amusement videos of game of the same era to get a feel how to accent coloured areas properly. [*]LED mods will also significantly reduce the load on the GI and Light circuits in the game, which will ensure the molex connectors do not overheat again on your game. [*]If you can't afford anything else, keep a stock of flipper plunger sleeves and plunger/links in stock. Having these maintained correctly will make a huge difference to your enjoyment of the game. [*]Completely rebuild the flippers. Backstops, plunger and links, Coils (if you feel they are weak). You'll thank yourself for doing it. [*]Check out [URL]http://www.firepowerpinball.com/[/URL] for some targeted resources. :D [/LIST] Thats all I can think of at the moment. Good luck with restoration. [/QUOTE]
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