Williams Jokerz - Rebuilding Level 3
Ramps and upper mini-playfield

The upper playfield proved to be a big headache in this project.  It was molded from some type of styrene/polycarbonate that is very thermoplastic and also prone to discoloration.  It tends to get fractures and crazing over time as well.  I was lucky to find a used one that was still intact and rebuildable.

• They made the thing with two posts on each side which are constantly pulled together by a rubber band.  This was designed to keep pinballs from falling off the mini playfield.  Unfortunately, over time the plastic in which the posts are mounted gives way, distorts and cracks, ruining the piece.  I installed rigid aluminum plates underneath to take the strain off the plastic (see below).

Click a picture to see an enlargement.

Stripped upper playfield	3M saves the day	Who needs rivets?	Rivet-less detail

Rebuild complete	Backside	Reinforcement	In place

 
The left ramp had the typical entrance breakage, so I used some thin stainless steel where required (anywhere the ramp is damaged or can take an edge-on hit from a ball).  The protector is attached using 3M double-stick foam tape and a screw.  During rebuilding, it's important to ensure no ramps can take an edge-on hit from a ball.

Left ramp entrance	Right ramp	Right ramp's left edge	Right ramp's right edge

Additionally, the ramps must not be mounted with any stress...if a ramp must be "tweaked" or bent for a mounting hole to line up, then it might crack where it is stressed.  After a total rebuild like this, I had numerous instances of misaligned holes on ramps; all I did was enlarge the hole in the plastic in the appropriate direction and cover that with a washer.

Center ramp	Up the middle	Ball launch ramp	Interesting cabinet defect

 
Back to Jokerz index

Back to Pinball index