CFTBL - What to look for when purchasing

[news.pacificnet.net]

I am considering adding to my collection, and have found a CFTBL locally
from a private pinball hobbyist. I remember playing it a long time ago, but
not much more about it. I will take a look personally tonight.

What should I look for, or be concerned about ? I have read about the snack
bar hole, and will pay close attention to the wear around there. Is this
where the ball locks ?

The seller says that there is no credit dot, or errors upon starting the
machine, which I will verify, but some machines seem to not display a "dot"
even if there are problems when powering on the machine (my friend has a
STTNG with a couple of errors on startup, but we don't see the "dot").
Does the CFTBL have this "dot" on it's display if there are errors ?

This machine would be an addition to my TZ and EBD. I want a game that's not
easy, which I would not get bored of in home use. I wish I could afford IJ,
but I'm lucky I talked my wife into this one :)

Anything I'm missing that I should be aware of ? Is it easy to maintain ?
Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Devon

[Lloyd R Olson]

Look it all over for visual problems. Check each switch in switch edge test,
test each solenoid in solenoid test, check each flasher if flasher test. Play
a bunch of games on it. Then check for any test reports. If I reset a pin,
there are no credit dots either, even if everything is broken. Check the
flipper linkage for signs of wear. Examine the bottom of the cabinet for dirt,
parts, screws or bolts, metal filings or sawdust. LTG :)

news.pacificnet.net <i_devo...@REMOVEhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ucduleg...@corp.supernews.com...

[Iain Odlin]

On Wed, 24 Apr 2002 11:34:17 -0700, "news.pacificnet.net"
<i_devo...@REMOVEhotmail.com> wrote:

>This machine would be an addition to my TZ and EBD. I want a game that's not
>easy, which I would not get bored of in home use.

Those two ideas are not necessarily mutually exclusive, you know.

That said: I personally find CFTBL to be a very easy pin. I like it for
several other reasons (implementation of theme, holograph, music), but
depth and difficulty are not two of them. If you're looking for "Twilight
Zone" difficulty, you're going to have to find a different pin.

-Iain

[Devon]

Thanks,

So the test report will tell all ? I'll make sure to check that. Shouldn't
the display flash errors upon starting the machine, then I go into the test
report to view what the errors are exactly ? You say you have no dot's
either, is that on a CFTBL or just generally. I know my TZ display's the dot
occasionally on the ball trough error, but I tweak the board a bit
underneath and it goes away. My friend's STTNG doesn't display a dot even of
there is an error reported on startup. I thought that machine did display
one.

As far as difficulty of the machine/playability, I just want another machine
to play which will be enjoyable (that I can afford) and this machine seems
like it will be in very good condition, is in my price range, and the price
is not jacked up by a vendor. It also seems to be fairly popular, so that if
I wish to trade it for another, I shouldn't have much of a problem.

I love my TZ, but I also really enjoy EBD for a change of pace, and that is
not really difficult, but just plain fun.. Others I have considered would be
IJ ( can't afford/condition ), FH ( can't find a good condition/reasonable
price - but this would be my best possability ) WW ( boulder condition? ),
STTNG (friend has/wait for him to sell), AF (can't afford/condition).

"Lloyd R Olson" <l...@ssbilliards.com> wrote in message
news:HlEx8.43799$Rw2.3...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

[Lloyd R Olson]

Test report won't tell all. Game reset or batteries pulled and put back in and
errors go away. And a slow switch ( because of dirt gunk, or being fastened
down too tight ) may pass test reports but fail in game play. Anything coming
up in test report should be checked, not always something broke, but worth
looking at.

So best to check everything you can think of. In diagnostics you have switch
edge test, solenoids test, flasher test, DMD test, bulb test, etc. Use them
all. Don't be afraid to get your nose in there and look it over.

Does is look like it's been kept up, or stored outside. Overall clean, or hard
to get at areas skipped over.

Can you take it home and play it, or will you spend a week cleaning and fixing
it ? LTG :)

Devon <i_devo...@REMOVEhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uce8ft5...@corp.supernews.com...

[darkslyther]

Does Star Trek TNG Show a credit dot? I have never seen one on my machine
even though I know I have had issues. Is there a way to make it appear or
put it in a certain mode?

Thanks Keven

"Lloyd R Olson" <l...@ssbilliards.com> wrote in message
news:HlEx8.43799$Rw2.3...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

[Devon]

Thanks for the help. I may have more questions after I get back from viewing
it, or I may have another machine :)

Devon

"Lloyd R Olson" <l...@ssbilliards.com> wrote in message

news:hsFx8.43901$Rw2.3...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

[Lloyd R Olson]

If a switch hasn't been activated in ten games or thirty balls, batteries fail
and game resets, power failures, lots of things will make a credit dot appear
on STNG.

Of course be prepared, now that your game has never displayed it, it will
probably always have one from now on. LTG :)

darkslyther <darks...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ucea0uj...@corp.supernews.com...

[Cliffy]

Check that the hologram works and is green in color. If it is not moving
back and forth it has a motor problem. If the image is blue or purple it
is dying and if so it should help you get a better price. Be aware that
the holo is no longer available and no one knows when or if they will be
reproduced.

Check for hole damage at the Snack Bar scoop, I have a protector to
repair this but far better if you can get a game without wear there.
Almost certainly the Snack Bar and Kiss lane plastics will be broken.
This is due to the scoops flexing upwards and hitting the plastics.
Repros are available for these.

Check the up/down ramp to make sure it works. The small coil here is
often bad but is available.

Good luck and enjoy!

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

[bobg...@aol.com]

What to look for:
1. broken plastics - snack bar, kiss, and left slingshot,
2. right slingshot warped
3. Wear around snack bar hole
4. Hologram is bad (looks blue instead of green)
5. Burnt GI connectors on power driver board
6. Faded cabinet - especially the green
7. Playfield hinges broken (for some reason very common on this game)
8. playfield window tabs broken off (look from under the playfield)
9. Translite bad (scratches on the back)
10. Cracks at entrances to ramps and on the ramps themselves.

Bob

[Jurjen Oskam]

On Wed, 24 Apr 2002 11:34:17 -0700, news.pacificnet.net
<i_devo...@REMOVEhotmail.com> wrote:

>even if there are problems when powering on the machine (my friend has a
>STTNG with a couple of errors on startup, but we don't see the "dot").

I thought the STTNG also has a credits dot? Since I'm interested in one,
I'd like to know if it has a "dot" or not...

--
Jurjen Oskam * http://www.stupendous.org/ for PGP key * Q265230
9:23am up 66 days, 21:56, 1 user, load average: 0.00, 0.00, 0.00

[Aeneas Verhe]

"news.pacificnet.net" <i_devo...@REMOVEhotmail.com> wrote in message news:<ucduleg...@corp.supernews.com>...

Check the 'newbie' pages at my homepage, they describe tests in detail:
http://users.pandora.be/averhe/pinball/

only thing on Creature specific I can add is to check the hologram..
if the motor still works so it shows (go into the tests), and check
that the hologram is still visible and hasn't faded.

Apart then that general rules apply: check for broken plastics,
wear on the playfield, certainly near kickout holes, and check for
broken ramps. Also find some pictures of the playfield of the machine on
the internet, to compare if the machine you're looking at isn't missing
parts on the playfield (i.e. whole plastics which are just missing, but
you don't notice because you don't know something has to be there).

ciao,

Aeneas.

[Victor Ireland]

In article <ucduleg...@corp.supernews.com>, i_devo...@REMOVEhotmail.com says...

> I am considering adding to my collection, and have found a CFTBL locally
> from a private pinball hobbyist. I remember playing it a long time ago, but
> not much more about it. I will take a look personally tonight.
>
> What should I look for, or be concerned about ? I have read about the snack
> bar hole, and will pay close attention to the wear around there. Is this
> where the ball locks ?
>
> The seller says that there is no credit dot, or errors upon starting the
> machine, which I will verify, but some machines seem to not display a "dot"
> even if there are problems when powering on the machine (my friend has a
> STTNG with a couple of errors on startup, but we don't see the "dot").
> Does the CFTBL have this "dot" on it's display if there are errors ?
>
> This machine would be an addition to my TZ and EBD. I want a game that's not
> easy, which I would not get bored of in home use. I wish I could afford IJ,
> but I'm lucky I talked my wife into this one :)
>

You're definitely not going to get bored. This game is HARD. On that subject, make sure that
no one has drilled a center post between the flippers. I've seen a few like this to make the
game easier, but it's definitely not factory.

Also, if you can play first, try to get into multiball and hold the flippers where possible
to see if it will reset during heavy power drain. This would indicate bad or weak
rectifiers, a common problem with this machine, I've found.

In multiball, take note of the creature hologram under the playfield (through the window).
Is it green? If it's blueish or blue it's begun deteriorating, and there's no way I know to
fix it and no replacements available.

Check the white sticker on the back and see if it is 110V (US only) or 220V (meaning that it
was shipped overseas and reimported into the US then converted back to 110 power). If the
voltage is scratched off or the sticker missing, it's probably a reimport. Not a big deal,
but if you're getting it as a collector's machine, worth noting.

That's about it!

--
Don't Believe the Hype -
Vic

[TOMMY Tutalidge]

The first thing i'd look for is the metal deflector piece that deflects the ball into the kisses
hole. I haven't played a creature from the black lagoon pinball machine in 8 years that had that
metal piece.

[Joe Phillips]

Does anyone know where to get the repro plastics for the snack bar & kiss lanes?

Thanks,
Joe

[Lloyd R Olson]

You might check with Ray Johnson and see if he has any of the Alan Myer stuff
left. LTG :)

Ray Johnson
Action Pinball & Amusement
E-Mail: st...@actionpinball.com Web: www.actionpinball.com

Joe Phillips <phillip...@msn.com> wrote in message
news:1d2b8157.02042...@posting.google.com...

[Cliffy]

Mine has it and everyone elses I've ever seen has it. Maybe they new you
were coming and took it off, John ;-)

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

[Otto]

You have to remember that the machines Tommy plays have had the flippers
broken off for the past 8 years also. All the machines have been missing a
leg too.

:>)

Otto

"Cliffy" <cri...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:3CCE20F4...@attbi.com...