Great work. I was skeptical at first due to the guy throwing his tools on the wires like he wouldn’t care but as I saw that he checked every single wire and restored every bit of the machine, I was speechless. Perfect work!
Yeah, video would be 100% better if you just nix the narrator. Half the time the narrator is describing something that isn't happening on screen. The other half he's just...wrong.
@@KirksCORNER-1983 Trouble is Kirk. Thumbnails are created as clickbait by AI. As are the narrations on most vids. Its a growing trend and i despise it. I would never click like on these " masterpieces "
An amazing transformation here!! Nice job!! Everyone loves the Pinball machines. This brings back the nostalgia and one of our favorite "free time" pastimes.
Yeah, so much time spent on that, so little time on playfield disassembly, cleaning of parts, rebuild mechs, and reassembly. I'm over here thinking "it takes me 30 minutes to rebuild a drop target bank"
What's scary is one of the Data East games of the era ... like Star Wars. EVERYthing has to work 100% or the game wigs out, causing a massive hive outbreak for the Tech. From head to toe!
I do love a pinball machine. My only criticism is that most of the commentary is inaccurate. Ie. When he says he's installing LEDs in the speaker when in fact he's putting LEDs in a bumper. I agree with previous comment, it's a rebuild not a restoration. Nevertheless, it's great and the LEDs will not need replacing in the same way as the old incandescent bulbs.
Instead of criticism we should educate as you did. I never played pinball machines - or computer games for that matter. But I do admire the beauty of the machines.
@@hendrikdebruin4012 yes, pinball is great because unlike computer games it's a physical machine that when you play it you can feel all the mechanism moving inside. I guess it's a bit like the difference between a driving game and a real car. You should definitely play one if you get the opportunity mate, but be warned, they can be very addictive. ✌❤🇬🇧
yeah, 17:17 "the artisan modifies the boards removing batteries and replacing them with SRAM" uhhhh what? It's like saying "he modified the car. He removed the engine and replaced it with a mini fridge."
This is not technically restoration. New art, LEDs in place of incandescent lamps, solid state devices for efficiency is called rebuilding. Restoration is a very delicate technique in which you are just touching up and making minor repairs in order to keep the original look and feel. One must take not to devalue the item which happens a lot. Patina is the character of an aged item.
Pinball was VERY important with my friends and I. Going to the local small town bowling alley with a slug of nickels was a good time!! Way before the Fish Tales machine. “Gapping” the flippers to catch the ball and hold it so you could line up the perfect shot, knowing where on the side of the machine to give a whack to get a “match” and win free games. It worked more often than not!! Great times.
Any man who can look at that wire loom and not run in absolute terror is a wizard in my book. I would sit with it for hours frozen, not knowing where to start.
I’ve ordered a terminator 2 machine which is now being refurbished, I hope to learn how to maintain and preserve it so I can pass it to my kids. It’s a part of pinball history and also my own.
The LED's are surely more reliable and brighter, but I think it loses something with the harsh white LED's they used rather than the warm glow of incandescent bulbs. At least they could have chosen an LED with a warmer colour temperature to better emulate the original look.
Dude put on new side art and added a battery mod. Fish Tales is a deserving machine and the guy did awesome work, but it wasn't like he rescued a Joust pinball from a mineshaft.
@@petetomaszek4273 True, but it didn't even show parts most pinball owners deal with like working on the playfield. Instead we got 20 minutes of cleaning glass and removing sideart.
The narrator didn't know what he was talking about. Games of this era used AA batteries to retain settings between power cycles, but alkaline batteries sometimes leak and destroy the logic board. It's a pretty common modification for folks to remove the battery board, desolder the existing ram chip, install a socket, and install NVRAM (non-volatile ram) that retains settings between power cycles. I just did it on a Taxi pinball machine this past week, and have installed it on other games in the past. The video in the narration didn't even show the logic board or this modification.
Beautiful restauration and great upgrades. I understand nostalgia, but I think the original designers would've used the new components if they were available back then
I love the restoration I would of loved to find out how he diagnosed the control boards I wish they hadn't skipped that. I am sure would of had some kind of shop manual with specs on each board
Righteous mission! Outstanding work! I would have liked more detail on how they restored the playfield.... & if any clear coat was applied to enhance protection.
I have a rare Dragonette wood rail pinball machine from the early 1950s in mint condition. Just need to have the wiring checked and the back glass is peeling.
my dad used to fix these machine, was almost like he was alive again for a moment... today's atms look like stone age inventions compared to the arcade machines like this =) both on outside and on inside bank atms got nothing compared to this =)
Yeah, watch without sound. Mark Ritchie’s *MASTERPIECE* gone to seed. That’s a crime against humanity. 🤦♂️ I just saw a HUO in mint condish w topper for $10.9k. Wish I coulda. 🤷♂️
Love playing Fish Tales on Pinball FX3 and Pinball FX (Zen Studios) on both PS4 and my Nintendo Switch. I actually got the opportunity to play the real game itself along with "Black Rose" and Stern Pinballs "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" last year at the Yegpin Pinball expo in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada.
Would love to know where you can still get the vinyl for the cabinets. Assuming that is an aftermarket group for those? That made such a difference in and of itself.
Williams is and always have been best brand period. I never seen Fish Tales but it sure looks fun. My favorite was High Speed. Where would you get those vinyl graphics?
I love how the narrator in these Masters Of Craft videos never has any clue what they are talking about and most likely haven't seen the video, it's a bit like a Steven Seagal movie, entertainingly bad :p Great restoration/rebuild btw.
Fish Tales is not a forgotten gem. It's still regarded as a classic.
100%. I feel like anybody that has even basic knowledge of pinball knows fish tales.
It’s also one of Mark Ritchie’s best games, and sold 13,640 units, his best selling game.
I think they meant this particular example was forgotten somewhere.
@@petercolquhoun2086 That makes a lot more sense
Wanted to watch this. But I can hear the tiktok voice.
it's just a pleasure to see old artisans working on those beloved machines there been doing that long before is was born
Great work. I was skeptical at first due to the guy throwing his tools on the wires like he wouldn’t care but as I saw that he checked every single wire and restored every bit of the machine, I was speechless. Perfect work!
Yeah, video would be 100% better if you just nix the narrator. Half the time the narrator is describing something that isn't happening on screen. The other half he's just...wrong.
Thats the joys of AI. Get used to it 😱
And get an American to speak.
@@KirksCORNER-1983 Trouble is Kirk. Thumbnails are created as clickbait by AI. As are the narrations on most vids. Its a growing trend and i despise it. I would never click like on these " masterpieces "
Simple solution, just don't watch it
@@Mikeman3524 not so simple; don't watch it after watching it?!
This is exciting to see!
As a pinball repairman myself I also get pinball machines working and I am also working on my LaserCue full restoration.
Where does one get replacement graphics?
An amazing transformation here!! Nice job!! Everyone loves the Pinball machines. This brings back the nostalgia and one of our favorite "free time" pastimes.
Great memories playing this as a young teenage kid, great work on the restoration
Yes, I agree.
"All existing metalwork, including the legs...are painstakingly taken off"
Tech removes just a few allen screws lol
But the AI used to generate the script doesn‘t know that!
Yeah, so much time spent on that, so little time on playfield disassembly, cleaning of parts, rebuild mechs, and reassembly. I'm over here thinking "it takes me 30 minutes to rebuild a drop target bank"
I had no idea how many pieces of electronics were inside a pinball machine! Wow that’s crazy
What's scary is one of the Data East games of the era ... like Star Wars. EVERYthing has to work 100% or the game wigs out, causing a massive hive outbreak for the Tech. From head to toe!
wait until you see the inside of an EM pinball machine
Go watch technology connections and he goes into DETAIL in to a 1980’s I think pinball machine
*Wow what an incredible transformation. Amazing work. Well done*
I do love a pinball machine.
My only criticism is that most of the commentary is inaccurate.
Ie. When he says he's installing LEDs in the speaker when in fact he's putting LEDs in a bumper.
I agree with previous comment, it's a rebuild not a restoration.
Nevertheless, it's great and the LEDs will not need replacing in the same way as the old incandescent bulbs.
Instead of criticism we should educate as you did. I never played pinball machines - or computer games for that matter. But I do admire the beauty of the machines.
@@hendrikdebruin4012 yes, pinball is great because unlike computer games it's a physical machine that when you play it you can feel all the mechanism moving inside.
I guess it's a bit like the difference between a driving game and a real car.
You should definitely play one if you get the opportunity mate, but be warned, they can be very addictive.
✌❤🇬🇧
yeah, 17:17 "the artisan modifies the boards removing batteries and replacing them with SRAM" uhhhh what? It's like saying "he modified the car. He removed the engine and replaced it with a mini fridge."
@@benjaminaburns 😂😂😂
@@benjaminaburns Looked like he was replacing capacitors. So yeah, not even right on the batteries.
Pinball machine restoration just became my favorite thing. I hope to see a lot more of this.
This is not technically restoration. New art, LEDs in place of incandescent lamps, solid state devices for efficiency is called rebuilding. Restoration is a very delicate technique in which you are just touching up and making minor repairs in order to keep the original look and feel. One must take not to devalue the item which happens a lot. Patina is the character of an aged item.
Pinball was VERY important with my friends and I. Going to the local small town bowling alley with a slug of nickels was a good time!! Way before the Fish Tales machine. “Gapping” the flippers to catch the ball and hold it so you could line up the perfect shot, knowing where on the side of the machine to give a whack to get a “match” and win free games. It worked more often than not!! Great times.
I 100% want to see that Star Trek TNG pinball machine get restored! My old Arcade haunt use to have one that I played on.
The final frontier!!!!!
That wiring harness was incredible!
What a fantastic renovation The artisan knows his job well thanks for sharing.
The guy can afford a Rolex, but not a decent drill?
A Rolex is such a huge waste of money. Get a Timex. :) (do they even still make those?)
Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.
I remember playing one of these machines! I love playing pinball.
That is beautiful. A lot of hard work and patience went into fixing up and restoring that pinball machine. Excellent work I must say.
Any man who can look at that wire loom and not run in absolute terror is a wizard in my book.
I would sit with it for hours frozen, not knowing where to start.
Tolle, sehr schöne Arbeit ! Die herrlichen, alten Flipperautomaten, zehnmal besser und authentischer als der ganze Elektronikkram !
I’ve ordered a terminator 2 machine which is now being refurbished, I hope to learn how to maintain and preserve it so I can pass it to my kids. It’s a part of pinball history and also my own.
Nice acrylic crystal no-date Sub watch. Beauty from the ‘70s by the looks of it.
1992
@@ronm3245I don't consider 1992 vintage
The LED's are surely more reliable and brighter, but I think it loses something with the harsh white LED's they used rather than the warm glow of incandescent bulbs.
At least they could have chosen an LED with a warmer colour temperature to better emulate the original look.
Interesting video but a lot was left out ... mainly focuses on the cabinet resto.
Thank you for this video, truly incredible!
I love the restoration of old or defunct things, but nothing generates the endorphins like superb attention to detail. Well done!!
Dude put on new side art and added a battery mod.
Fish Tales is a deserving machine and the guy did awesome work, but it wasn't like he rescued a Joust pinball from a mineshaft.
Master of pinball restoration 👍👍👍
This is a LOT of work, well done!
Really really nice. It’s good to see the vibrant colors of the original brought back to life
The end result looks great! Unfortunately the video showed little more than contact paper installation. I didn't learn a thing.
Personally, I watch these types of videos for entertainment purposes rather than to learn techniques.
The video would be a few years long if they described every aspect. Pins are insanely complex machines.
@@petetomaszek4273 True, but it didn't even show parts most pinball owners deal with like working on the playfield. Instead we got 20 minutes of cleaning glass and removing sideart.
Pinball machines have very complex features.
Williams Pinball Machines are beautiful and so much fun to play . I have always wanted a TAXI Machine for my home .
Oh yeah!
TAXI is one of my all time favorites!
Simple and fun, and with great music! 🎶
Amazing Restoration 👍🏻👍🏽👍🇬🇧🇬🇧
"Batteries replaced with SRAM" - Wouldn't that require a major redesign of not only the board, but the underlying code as well?
The narrator didn't know what he was talking about. Games of this era used AA batteries to retain settings between power cycles, but alkaline batteries sometimes leak and destroy the logic board. It's a pretty common modification for folks to remove the battery board, desolder the existing ram chip, install a socket, and install NVRAM (non-volatile ram) that retains settings between power cycles. I just did it on a Taxi pinball machine this past week, and have installed it on other games in the past. The video in the narration didn't even show the logic board or this modification.
I'd have to guess the ramps and plastics were in fair shape. The new screen looks amazing! Really well done!
My Fish Tales cabinet is faded the same. Looks so good to see the Red.
Looks perfect to me.
Great jop you the best master congratulations
Absolutely phenomenal
I was wanting to see him put one of those old talking/singing fish as a replacement up top lol.
Beautiful restauration and great upgrades.
I understand nostalgia, but I think the original designers would've used the new components if they were available back then
I love the restoration I would of loved to find out how he diagnosed the control boards I wish they hadn't skipped that. I am sure would of had some kind of shop manual with specs on each board
Where will you get someone to replace this guy
Righteous mission! Outstanding work! I would have liked more detail on how they restored the playfield.... & if any clear coat was applied to enhance protection.
Fantastic restoration
I have a rare Dragonette wood rail pinball machine from the early 1950s in mint condition. Just need to have the wiring checked and the back glass is peeling.
This is the game they had at the campground we went to as kids! I was never any good, but it ate my quarters just the same! 😁
I love them.
Thanks for rescueing.
I own a Fish Tales, it's a great pin.
my dad used to fix these machine, was almost like he was alive again for a moment...
today's atms look like stone age inventions compared to the arcade machines like this =)
both on outside and on inside
bank atms got nothing compared to this =)
I appreciate this video; I am looking to restore my Cactus Jack's, and this gives me a good idea of what the process will involve.
Used to love this one when i was younger. Sure its no Addams family or Theater of Magic but i do love it!!
A part of that original charm is gone with the overly white LEDs.
I must do this to all my machines one day
"The artisan..."? I feel like you've missed the tone of what we are watching. I still watched but I chuckled several times.
I love pinball machines. Always so fun to play.
Very well done sir.
Well done
Were the original pictures on the decals replacement? If so how did he get new decals?
This kind of machine is a masterpiece. Love it!
When blasting your metal parts, did you use sand as the medium?
Yeah, watch without sound. Mark Ritchie’s *MASTERPIECE* gone to seed. That’s a crime against humanity. 🤦♂️
I just saw a HUO in mint condish w topper for $10.9k. Wish I coulda. 🤷♂️
Nothing like that free game KNOCK of a pinball machine
❤❤awesome work 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Sou muito fã de Pinball. Parabéns pelo trabalho!!! um dia terei um só para mim 😁
passion project
WOW!!!! Great job! It's fantastic! ❤
Wow that is a lot of work especially with the electronics.
Great Job !!!
It looks great and you did a wonderful job restoring it as well!!!!
I enjoyed your video so I gave it a Thumbs Up
Great video. Sadly people capable of restoring pinballs machines is getting less and less.
Very cool!! That was an amazing restoration!!
Fish Tales is a great game, good to see it getting some tlc.
Love playing Fish Tales on Pinball FX3 and Pinball FX (Zen Studios) on both PS4 and my Nintendo Switch. I actually got the opportunity to play the real game itself along with "Black Rose" and Stern Pinballs "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" last year at the Yegpin Pinball expo in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada.
How long did it take to fix and upgrade this table?
I'm so jalous. Great work.
The artisan should explain what he is doing. The narration is useless.
nice hack job on the backside of the board. thats a fail point for sure
Wow! Well done!!!! Just wow! Instant subscribe right here!
It's amazing to think that all those circuit boards taken out of the head can be replaced with a bramble of Raspberry Pi SBCs.
I wonder from where he got the original artwork?
How to reassamble all that stuff?!….i would go crazy with all that parts…
Would love to know where you can still get the vinyl for the cabinets. Assuming that is an aftermarket group for those? That made such a difference in and of itself.
Lots of places online offering replacement decals, mine come from Australian but plenty of quality sellers. Google is your friend 👍
Interesting, I last week removed 3 from a very hoarded house and sent them to auction, all need work, wondered how they came apart
Fish Tales should've had a singing fish on the top for more interactive fun.
Williams is and always have been best brand period. I never seen Fish Tales but it sure looks fun. My favorite was High Speed. Where would you get those vinyl graphics?
Wait...what was the point of removing the artwork completely? It looked pretty good as it was
It was extremely faded
I thought this was going to be a video from joe's classic video games
Looks as it must taken a lot of manhours work, so how much do you charge the customer for such a restoration?
The narrator makes me feel like I am watching, "How it's made."
I don't dislike the restoration. Just clicked the wrong icon.
Great work!
Was there an attempt to save the original graphics?
It isn't a Rembrandt!
So what. IMO, it would have been better to try and keep the original graphics.@@platinaatje6134
They were originally red faded to yellow. Way too far gone, and replacement graphics are easy to come by.
This was great work , own a Creature from the black lagoon myself .
How long from start to finish was it ?
I love how the narrator in these Masters Of Craft videos never has any clue what they are talking about and most likely haven't seen the video, it's a bit like a Steven Seagal movie, entertainingly bad :p
Great restoration/rebuild btw.
been doing pinball resto on my channel for 8 years..never cracked 1500 views on any of em..impressive!