TECH: Flattening out inserts that have curved?

[dtf]

How do you flatten out inserts that have curved inward (down into the PF)?
I have a bunch of these on my Bally 'Odds & Evens' (1973, roulette theme
pin) and I don't know what to do. I saw the TOP #1 video where they
flattened some sling plastics by heating them with a heat gun, but I don't
know if it really makes sense to do that with PF inserts, because in the
video, the warped plastic suddenly gets soft and collapses and they throw a
heavy book on top of them. I wouldn't want the entire insert to suddenly
collapse all soft -- that wouldn't help.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

Thanks,
-- Rob

Also, can you buy new 'blank' white inserts anywhere? (I could stencil put
my own roulette numbers on them).

[Sue]

We flattened playfield plastics by just immersing them in boiling water
- no need for a heat gun.

Sue

--
Sue
(sk...@tele2.co.uk)
(STTNG:WW:IJ:CFTBL:Shadow:TZ)

[Luke and Nicci]

I've heard of people putting the plastic between two pieces of glass, under
the rear window of a car on a hot, sunny day.

Sounds like it would work.

Luke
TZ, TAF

dtf <d...@on.aibn.com> wrote in message
news:8md79.6104$DO6.1...@news20.bellglobal.com...

[pin...@si-net.com]

If there's no graphic printed on it then pop it out and rub the topside back
and forth over some fine sandpaper until flat. Then wetsand it with finer grits
and eventually use Novus to shine it up. This worked great for me.

Marvin Giesting

[GoosePimp]

It's been covered a lot but a cookie sheet in the oven on the lowest
setting, two playfield glasses on the kitchen floor. When the plastics start
to "flatten" in the oven, pull the sheet out, lay them on one glass and put
the other glass on top. Wait about 5-10 minutes. Like new.
--

GoosePimp (StompS)
Portland, OR
http://www.geocities.com/pdxinvestr/Stomps.html

[Cliffy]

Rob.. heh heh, I apologoize for some of my cohorts here who can't even
seem to be able to read your subject line! Geez! C'mon guys.. he's not
asking about plastics!

Okay, concave inserts can be leveled in place fairly easily. First you
absolutely MUST get the playfield level in both directions. Got it? Ok.
Now, assuming all the inserts are clean clean clean you can simply drip
water thin super glue on top to bring them up to the level of the
playfield. I've used 2 part clear epoxy also, either will work. Let
cure. If needed you may block sand with 600 wet and then polish with
Novus 2.

Good luck!

--
Cliffy
http://home.attbi.com/~crinear

[Ron Strom]

Hey folks, I think the original poster is talking about the INSERTS IN
THE PF, not the plastics.
--
Ron -- CARGPB7
Remove the OBVIOUS to email.

In article <3d5e1...@news.iprimus.com.au>,
luk...@twilight.iprimus.com.au says...

[Luke and Nicci]

Ooops !

Sorry all ...... I got carried away when I thought I could help someone
after reading the first reply post !

: P
Luke

Cliffy <cri...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:3D5E7F56...@attbi.com...

[Rick Force]

Hi There,
What I have done is to use a piece of wood dowel that is close to or
the same **diameter as the inserts and from undernieth the playfield,
LIGHTLY tap them out (upwards). Then from the top of the playfield,
clean out the old glue from the hole (being careful not to change the
size/ shape of the hole....don't remove too much material), reglue
with wood glue and reinsert the insert back in (downwards). You may
have to tap the insert back in, so use a thick cloth/ towel and place
it over the playfield and the insert, then tap the insert back in with
a block of wood (small piece of 2"X4" works well)..this is larger than
the area of the insert, so it places evcen pressure on the insert to
go in level and that cloth/ towel keeps the playfield and insert from
being damaged. DON'T tap TOOOOO hard or you might crack the insert or
dent the playfield...the cloth/ towel will protect from this IF you
are not too hard on the tapping.
**NOTE: Some inserts may give trouble coming out with just the
dowel, OR, for odd shaped ones, you'll have to use a small blade screw
driver around the edges of the insert to losen/ cut the glue, then the
dowel to pop it out. The round ones are by far, the easiest to get
out. Good luck, Rick.

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