Pinball Machine Construction Tutorial
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JohnBoy
Joined: May 14, 2008
Topics: 110 Replies: 517
Topics: 110
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I decided to take a different approach and use this blog/forum to publish the build instructions for these kits. It's a lot easier than custom-authoring HTML pages!
Step 1: Paint the parts. Decide on the color you want and paint them on all sides.
Note that you will need to remove the protective masking from the clear acrylic parts:
Step 2: Cut the color labels. I have a paper-cutter that is perfect for this, but I've also used a straight-edge and X-Acto knife. If you goof and cut a sticker in half, don't sweat it: you might be able to apply the broken pieces of the sticker anyway, and if you're careful it will look Ok. If you really screw it up, just email me and I'll send you another set.
Step 3: After the paint has completely dried, apply the stickers to the parts:
Step 4: Start with the clear table/playfield piece. Carefully apply a small amount of adhesive to the straight edges:
I don't recommend applying glue to the tabs. Also, I strongly recommend using Canopy Glue ("Formula 560"), as it dries completely clear. This is very helpful with a kit like this.
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JohnBoy
Joined: May 14, 2008
Topics: 110 Replies: 517
Topics: 110
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Step 5: Apply the glue to both sides of the playfield table piece. Be sure to note the orientation of this part. The end that has a longer extension from the tabs is the rear. Be sure to dry-fit this part with the side frames first.
Squeeze the parts together gently to spread the glue out a bit. Then set it down and look at it head-on to make sure the parts are straight and perpendicular:
Step 6: Glue the scoreboard rectangle piece to the rear struts piece. Be sure it is nice and flush with the edges, for a nice appearance:
Step 7: Next glue the back-glass frame on top of the scoreboard rectangle. Again, take care to ensure it is straight and flush with the sides.
Step 8: After the table top and side frames unit has dried, apply glue to both ends. Again, don't bother gluing the tab itself:
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JohnBoy
Joined: May 14, 2008
Topics: 110 Replies: 517
Topics: 110
|
Step 9: Attach the table top and side frame unit to the rear struts and scoreboard unit.
The tab should fit right into the slot, and the rear of the side frames should be flush with the struts/scoreboard part:
Step 10: Glue the front end of the table top and sideframe unit:
Step 11: Apply the front struts part:
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JohnBoy
Joined: May 14, 2008
Topics: 110 Replies: 517
Topics: 110
|
I don't have pics of this yet, but the last two steps are to just apply the same Canopy Glue to the edges of the glass covers for the scoreboard, and the table top, and drop them into place. Actually, I don't even glue the table top glass cover, as it fits pretty snugly and gravity does it's job.
Hope this helps, and please feel free to post questions, comments, add photos, make suggestions, etc.
Cheers,
John
Progress: