FS: Star Wars Episode 1 slingshot plastic protectors

mattosborn

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FS: Star Wars Episode 1 slingshot plastic protectors

I've had these protectors done for months now.... I just haven't had time to put them up for sale (I was going to put together a nice webpage with online ordering when I did my site redesign... but I haven't found time to work on my site at all lately). Anyway, I need to start selling these, as I layed out some significant cash to get them made.

I've designed some protectors for the slingshot plastics on Star Wars Episode 1. If you own a SWE1 pin you know how prone those pieces are to damage, and how expensive they are to replace (if you can even find them). The standard fender washer trick just doesn't work here because of how pointy the slings are. My protector is 1/16" thick laser-cut clear PETG plastic that goes beneath the sling. It is in the shape of the sling with a very slight overhang along the edges exposed to ball strikes.

Here's a pic of the bare protector:
SWE1_protector.jpg


Here it is with the slingshot plastic on top of it:
SWE1_sling_with_protector.jpg


You may be wondering why the two round holes are oversized. There are good reasons for that.
One allows the protector to slip down around one of the mounting posts so that it does not change the height of the return ramp (the ramp support is mounted on top of that post):
SWE1_protector_postpassthrough.jpg


The second oversized hole allows you to install the protector without having to remove/modify the post that is mounted to the slingshot plastic.
Here's a view from below showing how we stay away from that post screw head:
SWE1_protector_frombelow.jpg


And here's a pic of what you'll receive (they will be shipped with the protective masking still on both sides so they will not get scratched):
SWE1_set_with_masking.jpg


Price is $15 for a pair of protectors, plus $5 for shipping. PayPal accepted.

Thanks,

Matt
 
These look very nice. Unfortunately, my SWE1 machine has the fender washers under the corners (from the factory) and this had scratched some of the paint, so that would show if I got these :(

You cant see it through the fender waskers, so I will keep them on, but if I get some new slings I will definately hit you up.

Chris
 
These look very nice. Unfortunately, my SWE1 machine has the fender washers under the corners (from the factory) and this had scratched some of the paint, so that would show if I got these :(

You cant see it through the fender waskers, so I will keep them on, but if I get some new slings I will definately hit you up.

Chris

That's a bummer.... Is it because they installed the fender washers with the sharp sides up? (metal washers typically have a rounded edge on one side and sharp edge on the other)
Those washers don't protect the pointy edges of these slings... you're going to be really bummed if you crack one.... :(

The only way I was able to get a set of new slings was to buy an entire set of NOS plastics (which I only needed a few pieces from). If anyone is looking for a particular plastic for SWE1 just let me know, as I most likely have it.
 
I have a SW:E1, but must be missing the potential damage/danger to the originals. Please explain further.

Scott C.
 
I can vouch for these... GREAT item!
Much easier to install my NOS plastics knowing there is a better chance they will survive!

Thanks Matt!
 
I have a SW:E1, but must be missing the potential damage/danger to the originals. Please explain further.

Scott C.

I've never seen a SWE1 in the wild that didn't have busted slingshot plastics. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen one on eBay either that didn't have at least one broken. The pointy edge close to the flippers is always cracked off. The fender washers that came on the game do not provide any protection... one airball off the flipper and your sling is busted.
All P2K machines came with a goodie bag that contains an extra pair of slingshot plastics. You see the RFM bags up for sale on eBay all the time, as those slings rarely break. But never the SWE1 bags... because they've all been used!
If you've got unbroken slings then you really should consider protecting them before it's too late. NOS replacements are hard to come by. There is a set on eBay right now though ($50 BIN + $10 shipping):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370473504765

Not a bad price... I've seen them go for more.
 
I have a couple sets with the protective masking removed (just to show some people what they look like). They'll be packaged nicely so they don't get scratched up. $15 shipped per set (that's $5 off the regular price).
 
I've never seen a SWE1 in the wild that didn't have busted slingshot plastics. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen one on eBay either that didn't have at least one broken. The pointy edge close to the flippers is always cracked off. The fender washers that came on the game do not provide any protection... one airball off the flipper and your sling is busted.
All P2K machines came with a goodie bag that contains an extra pair of slingshot plastics. You see the RFM bags up for sale on eBay all the time, as those slings rarely break. But never the SWE1 bags... because they've all been used!
If you've got unbroken slings then you really should consider protecting them before it's too late. NOS replacements are hard to come by. There is a set on eBay right now though ($50 BIN + $10 shipping):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370473504765

Not a bad price... I've seen them go for more.
Thanks for the info. My previous SW:E1 was in the wild, but both plastics were fine. My current SW:E1 playfield is from an NOS kit and again no issues with those plastics.

Hmmm... I'll review the info again.

Scott C.
 
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