Plywood fix? Elongated hole…

[Arizona_928]

Can anyone recommend a product/method to fix this hole? Current setup is using a 1 inch metal post and large washers, but the post keeps taking a beating…

[Dixie]

Um, use a metal sheet instead of plywood?

(Trying to be helpful and not a smart ass, promise. And what the heck is that?)

[herr_oberst]

This would be a fun project.

Using a cardboard template for reference, I'd cut the bad wood out, make a wood patch to precisely fit the cutout, make an oversize plywood backer, glue the backer to the back of the playfield, the patch to the frontside and redrill the hole.

I might even incorporate the shaft of the flipper into the overall patch.

Things I'd be careful of:

Take care with the shape of the patch, keeping it as small as possible and no sharp corners.
Try to match the species of the wood to the playfield or at least the character of the wood, ie hardness
Make sure the patch was the exact thickness of the playfield
Use thin plywood for the backer
Use strong glue to attach the new fresh wood
Carefully sand the top of the playfield, keeping the sanded area to a minimum
If I were feeling artsy, try to match the graphic using masks and brush paint.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Dixie

Um, use a metal sheet instead of plywood?

(Trying to be helpful and not a smart ass, promise. And what the heck is that?)

Oem is a metal post that is threaded for a nut on the bottom side.

Silverball Mania

[zakthor]

Wood not strong enough. Could you bolt a metal plate above below and let that support the bolt?

[cabmandone]

Get a dowel rod larger than the post, drill the dowel to the post size, get a hole saw the size of the dowel, cut out the bad and wood glue in the dowel. Or you could epoxy in a brass bushing the original post would fit in.

What size thread is the post? Maybe you could use a wood threaded insert or a T nut?

[porsche930dude]

Jb weld then touch up paint and redrill it. Then weld the post to a plate that you can screw on the back with like 6 screws.

[Arizona_928]

I like the idea of a complete cut out, as that area has been worked on multiple times. However, I am playing with rewriting a new game and really do not want to tear apart the back of the playing field (yet).

This is the post in front of the horseshoe, so not critical to the function of the game. Bolt is a 10-24.


Here’s an oem setup.

[Dpmulvan]

Fiberglass resin then put a huge washer over the smaller washer on the back.

[gregpark]

Longer bolt, fill bumper and void with gooey epoxy,, mall washer and nut on the bottom

[dad911]

I would soak the plywood around the hole with thin super glue. Insert one of these 10-24 threaded wood inserts, top flush with the playfield:



https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=23864&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyIPDBhDBARIsAHJyyVj-RPPBI82BFlRMiM1Ah2NzfDCpqSeC7Gn-07WgEXT99xonjUSebksaAoS-EALw_wcB

Then build up around the insert with epoxy putty or powder & superglue.

[cabmandone]

10-24 thread seems like a T nut or threaded insert is the easy button.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Oem is a metal post that is threaded for a nut on the bottom side.

Silverball Mania

Thanks, in that case I vote for Cab's fix. I think it'd be the least noticable.

I'm also fascinated that there's no computer chips in it. It makes me realize 1980 was a long time ago. I can't believe I've only aged 20 years since then.

[Arizona_928]

You guys have really great ideas !

I ordered some of the correct red plastic posts and started to dremel out the bad wood. I also raided the hardware store for inserts and t nuts. For epoxy, i really like the overkill aspect of the 5:1 marine epoxy. I’ll circle back with an update when parts come in.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Dixie

Thanks, in that case I vote for Cab's fix. I think it'd be the least noticable.

I'm also fascinated that there's no computer chips in it. It makes me realize 1980 was a long time ago. I can't believe I've only aged 20 years since then.

What’s really fascinating about these solid state machines is how simple one can boot them up with modern hardware.

[javadog]

That plywood is seriously deteriorated. Threaded inserts aren't a good idea for plywood, much less deteriorated plywood.

If you can enlarge the hole to the point where you find good wood on the edges, then glue a plug into the hole. Epoxy a steel plate on the back side, as large as can be fitted to the area in question. If the red plastic thing is hollow, machine a metal plug to epoxy to the top side of the playing field, to give the plastic thing some lateral stability that doesn't rely upon the screw to hold it in place. Bolt the entire mess together.

[aschen]

I personally would try something in this family secured from underneath maybe even mounted to a larger plate or some fiberglass patch underneat, could get a sheet of thin baltic birch glued down first as a doubler from underneath as well. Can get this at hobby lobby or similar. Id fill the top with Bondo and do cosmetic touch up. This will hold up

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/threaded-inserts/screw-mount-nuts-2~/

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/threaded-inserts/adhesive-mount-nuts-2~/

[gregpark]

Mall washer