JP playfield swap, opinions wanted on hole protectors

stangbat

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
712
Reaction score
5
Location
Kansas
JP playfield swap, opinions wanted on hole protectors

I'm going to be swapping a NOS playfield into my JP. I'd like opinions on hole protectors. I realize that if you play the game, the playfield is going to get wear. But I figure I may as well minimize damage if possible. The options I see are:

1) Play it and don't worry. In a home use environment the wear won't be significant enough to worry about.

2) Protectors that protect the inside of the hole. This seems like a good idea to protect from the upkick on the Bunker (C) hole, but I'm not sure they are tall enough to protect the edge against balls that roll over but don't upkick such as the Control Room (A) and Power Shed (S).

protectorsmall.jpg


3) Cliffy protectors. Obviously this will prevent all wear except maybe some damage from the protector itself scraping the playfield under the protector's overhang. My current game has Cliffy protectors and they hide the damage, but they are beat up and bent and I won't put these used protectors on a new playfield, I'll order a new set.

If anyone is interested I can document this swap in another dedicated thread. I figured I might start a thread about it to ask for pointers.
 
Last edited:
1) Play it and don't worry. In a home use environment the wear won't be significant enough to worry about.

Depends how much you're planning on playing it. I wouldn't go with this option personally.

2) Protectors that protect the inside of the hole. This seems like a good idea to protect from the upkick on the Bunker (C) hole, but I'm not sure they are tall enough to protect the edge against balls that roll over but don't upkick such as the Control Room (A) and Power Shed (S).

I would use these in areas where the old playfield had wear that I thought I could prevent with these protectors. I don't know enough about that game to be more specific.

3) Cliffy protectors. Obviously this will prevent all wear except maybe some damage from the protector itself scraping the playfield under the protector's overhang. My current game has Cliffy protectors and they hide the damage, but they are beat up and bent and I won't put them on a new playfield.

The damage to the protector may be less on a new playfield. I know Cliffy protectors tend to bend into the damaged areas. I would definitely use Cliffy protectors over nothing at all wherever they were available.

If anyone is interested I can document this swap in another dedicated thread. I figured I might start a thread about it to ask for pointers.

I'm interested.
 
Thanks, Lindsey. I edited my original post to clarify my statement about Cliffy protectors. I'm not saying I would not use them on a new playfield, just that I won't use my current protectors on a new playfield. I'd need to buy new Cliffy protectors.

Although double the price, the Cliffy protectors would probably be the safest bet. And I think that on a new playfield, they won't bend. I'm pretty sure my current ones are bent because they have no support underneath a significant portion of the protector.

The playfield is supposed to be here this coming Tuesday. I'll start a thread detailing the swap after I get it. I have no idea how long this will take, but I don't think it is going to be a super quick project!
 
I'd go with Kerry's protectors. They should keep the holes from getting wear pretty well. Also, if you decide to sell your old PF, I'd be interested in it for some gameroom wall art.

Robert
 
I'd go with the Kerry protectors (mantisamusements). I don't like how the Cliffy's effect game play, if you have a new / unworn playfield the ones in the hole are the way to go, keeps everything as original as possible with extra protection. With the NOS playfield I'd be concerned that the cliffy may scrape the pf along the edge and under the flange.

Jerry
 
Thanks for the input, guys. Maybe I should have waited, but I already ordered the Cliffy protectors. I didn't think they affected the play too bad on my current playfield so I decided to go with them on the new one. While I'm kind of concerned that the Cliffy protector's overhang may scratch the playfield, I'm also concerned that the Kerry protectors aren't tall enough to eliminate edge wear when the ball rolls into the hole. The pictures on mantisamusements.com show a bit of space above the protector. But I know you don't want it to interfere...I guess it is a Catch 22 situation no matter which route you take. Both types of protectors have their benefits and drawbacks.

Also, if you decide to sell your old PF, I'd be interested in it for some gameroom wall art.

Robert
I was planning on selling my old playfield to offset the cost of the new one. I hadn't decided on how I was going to sell it. Your idea of hanging it on the wall is a good one though. Hmmm.... ;)
 
Back
Top Bottom