Well struggled a lot with various issues with the pinball machine and changed various bits and bobs trying to get it *just* right..

Now have a fair few tables set up and it seems a bit better, also strengthened the legs with some pinball leg iron work (they moved a lot when the machine was pushed backwards and forwards, it weighs a fair bit after all!).

Decided to rip out the insides which were to hold the LCD screen and Mainboard electronics and instead used a runner along the edges of the case for the LCD and a small PC case for the mainboard and everything else (makes working on it easier too).. This meant that I removed the drawer and bought two keys and then used the draw back as a locking plate … looks ok.. so not too bad.

Ordered up a couple of 50mm fans, got them and released the holes where 50mm (whoops) so ordered some more 70-mm fans for that instead , then decided to go for a back board to hold some speakers (bought some cheap car ones) and provide a surround for the LCD in the backbox.. Not only that left a section for a marque/logo of sorts.. Going to try and get my LED panel in here

Starting to look very good now, so I have a few issues to overcome and these are -

• Custom lockdown bar (thinking some sort of plastic heated up and bent to shape maybe.. Hmm..
• Side rails need to be stuck down as they keep coming up
• Tilt function and solenoid coils for noise of flippers.

In other news I am nearing the end of this project and thinking of something else to get my teeth into.. I’m starting to think about the software/hardware to drive the LED panel I’m building (kind of strange to build the panel then design the driving hardware but I have taken a rather elegant approach of making smaller panels now and daisy chaining them together meaning they can do other things too

I was intrigued when someone mentioned making my own guitar.. I’m very tempted however I think I may buy a cheap one and pimp it out instead with LED/LCD stuff.. Hmm… Not sure..

Finally going to play with SDR again.. and my radios.. Oh and maybe play a computer game or have some fun other than thinking builds lol.. after all have to enjoy the article in the end eh?