This is going to make some of you laugh and some of you weep, depending on what kind of
person you are.

A while ago a new client brought over two machines for shop over-hauls. He drove up in an
open pick-up with the machines strapped in, and fully assembled - No, I'm not kidding. I
immediately told them that this was not at all a safe practice. The boss fellow said that
they were from Joliette and jokingly made fun of us "city folk" not wanting to lift
anything too heavy. I told him that this had nothing to do with it as I helped them unload.
I thought nothing more of it.

Once repaired, cleaned up and tested I called him to come and get'em. The big boss man sent
one of his workers. After verifying that everything was fully functional and to his liking,
I began the disassembly. I showed him what he had to do to reconnect the backboxes and he
seemed progressively nervous. He said that he would not be able to put all those connectors
back properly and insisted on putting the heads back on once they were loaded on the
pick-up. I said OK to that. But then, he insisted on putting the legs back on while we were
at it. No, I said, "Pas une bonne idée !" I insisted that he not do this, but he was very
adamant and said that there was no problem since he had done this before. I know I said,
but it's not a good idea. He paid his boss's bill while mocking my prudence. He left with
the machines proudly peeking their heads more than half way above the cab.

A half hour later I get a call on my cell phone from a humbled lackey asking if I can find
him a complete head for the Fathom. He was calling from the side of the 132 and he told me
that at least the Night Rider was not beheaded from the wind pressure. I told him that I
would ask around, so I am asking here at MAACA after exhausting my other sources including ads on
Mr.Pinball & dealing with Alouette. I know alot of you guys have Fathoms, maybe you made one
good machine from two, let me know what you have and are willing to part with, I basically need the electronics, a backbox and the backglass, condition not too much of an issue - apparently these guys told me that they are willing to pay for their mistake, let's find out how much.

When it comes to backboxes, the only true custom part is the backbox light panel. If you have one or make one, practically any Bally backbox can be used. I have done 3 myself, all built from scratch, wired, painted and even serialized to match the cabinet... but it is a long job.

As for the electronics, all can be found, but yikes...

And for the backglass... lol... I may be your only hope. I currently have 2 spares. Not mine, but I have them. I have sent a PM to who owns them, asking him what he wants for them.

I also have 2 Fathoms here, so making you a template to cut your own backpanel is not a problem. But you are still stuck making a lot of wiring.

Your chances of finding a backbox are slim to none...

Here are my estimates:

Backglass: anywhere between 200 and 500$
Donor machine (for backbox and wiring): 100 bare to 500$ if complete
MPU: 100-150$, more if new
Solenoid driver: 75$
Displays: 200$
Lamp driver: 40$
Squalk-N-Talk board: 100$
Materials: 150$

...I don't see it costing much less than 1200$ BARE MINIMUM if you get lucky with parts.

Best bet? Sell what's left of the Fathom.

Quoted from Sparky

Best bet? Sell what's left of the Fathom.

And i would be interested if that's what he decide to do since i'm looking for a Fathom populated playfield.

pm or email me please.

...so there's a fathom head somewhere on the 132?! LET THE HUNT BEGIN!!  

1 minute later!

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.pinball/browse_frm/thread/36ac669211e4a232?hl=en#

SPARKY - Please let me know the price for a backglass when you get news. If that comes through I can put the rest together maybe with a template of the light panel as you suggest. I have old Bally backboxes & most of the electronics except for a squak & talk, the correct cables & the EPROMS (I have a used 35 I can fix up) - Query, worst case will the Alltek work on that model ?

AZATOTHT - I had told the client that if we couldn't get everything together I'd buy the cabinet off him for parts, but if you are interested I will definitely not part it out, the damn thing is all cleaned up and played beautifully before its' head hit the road.

MR.HIDE - I think you may find little, little, little pieces, he was doing over 100 when the pedestal gave. Thanks for the lead on the glass, gives me an idea, I will wait for Sparky's contacts to come through.

Thanks for your help guys, I will keep you posted once I have all the data and do the math before making the pitch to the client.

Quoted from RAB

SPARKY - Please let me know the price for a backglass when you get news. If that comes through I can put the rest together maybe with a template of the light panel as you suggest. I have old Bally backboxes & most of the electronics except for a squak & talk, the correct cables & the EPROMS (I have aused 35 I can fix up) - Query, worst case will the Altec work on that model ?

Yes, the Alltek works on Fathom. I have 5 Allteks and I tried one on Fathom last month. It ran fine.

Quoted from Sparky

Yes, the Alltek works on Fathom. I have 5 Allteks and I tried one on Fathom last month. It ran fine.

If you wanna sell one of those 5, let me know..  

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What a terrible story.. proof right there that laziness never pays off.  "Can you find me the head and backglass to one of the most sought after classic machines in all the land please?"  Heh.. good luck  

Quoted from RAB

[b]AZATOTHT - I had told the client that if we couldn't get everything together I'd buy the cabinet off him for parts, but if you are interested I will definitely not part it out, the damn thing is all cleaned up and played beautifully before its' head hit the road.

Awsome, definitely let me know if he goes that way !

Thanks.

Quoted from machine.slave

If you wanna sell one of those 5, let me know..  

(

200$ each.

quote=1358]
[b]AZATOTHT - I had told the client that if we couldn't get everything together I'd buy the cabinet off him for parts, but if you are interested I will definitely not part it out, the damn thing is all cleaned up and played beautifully before its' head hit the road.[/quote]

Quoted from Azatotht

Awsome, definitely let me know if he goes that way !

Thanks.

To be honest, that would be the best way. Less hassle.

Quoted from Mrhide

...so there's a fathom head somewhere on the 132?! LET THE HUNT BEGIN!!  

Je crois que le backglass est cassé ....