Midway S.A.M.I.

OHEMIO

Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2011
Messages
599
Reaction score
3
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Now that everything is zen with my CDI Ski I'm moving onto the mechanical restoration of the S.A.M.I. Since I bought this one in Oregon I've been worried due to the fact there were no keys if this game was complete.

So I took out the Milwakee drill, my cobalt bits, and began to drill out the locks.

I was happy to find that the game was complete and not butcherd. My Midway Cobra was and it took a while to figure out the wiring. Furthermore excited when I saw the film in the projection unit.

So I removed the projection unit to clean and the film looks a little ratty near the edge that rides on the motor gear. The counter read 58K games so if it was the original film I'm lucky it's still intact at all. I'm guessing oil and 42 years have siezed everything up.

Those of you that have a S.A.M.I. I have a few questions. What did you clean your film with? Did you have some wear on the ridges the film rides in. I'm thinking that I can take this out. Turn it inside out. Turn the film around and install it on the good edge.

Any suggestions would be helpful. I know they're was an inquiry about pulling S.A.M.I. owners together to have film(s) made.

After the S.A.M.I I'll work on the Panzer and I believe that essentially the same type of game.

Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated!
 
Last edited:
hey OH

i just purchased a SAMI and i have another one coming in the next few weeks. awsome freaking game. There are instructions on the net about the film calibrate. I have a couple spare films of it if you might need one. they have some scratches on them so i dont know how well they look on the screen. but the sides with the holes are in good condition. The one thats in my machine that i have now is in real good shape, i have a brand new repro versionof the film that i might change out someday, but for now the one thats in there is nice.. and if i do, ill let you know

As for cleaning them i have know idea. id be worried about any liquid on them, also anything abrasive could show.

but on a side note, id love to get the PANZER to put next to this machine.. You got a real awsome deal that day you purchased both of those machines on ebay.. definitly a great score.. if you get the panzer running id love to see a video of it playing...
 
Luckyman

Regarding the file. I appreciate the offer and may take you up on it. As you may or may not know I just moved in April 12'. I've recently found that my next door neighbor's son owns a camera/photo processing center. Specializing in hi end camera's not like the big box stores. I'll be speaking to him very soon with regards to my film situation and I'll let you know what he recomends to clean and may see if he can reproduce or has a restoration service.

Maybe he can help us all...I know pinut has a S.A.M.I. and so does clmoore.

Regarding the Panzer. It's actually sitting in my garage unrestored with two of my other restored games - CDI Twin Riffle and Midway Cobra Puck Bowler. Because I have first floor laundry they placed a 28" door on my basement. I can't fit either down they're at this point.

So I have two choices - sell all three or install a larger door in to my basement. Furthermore my reasoning for this is that I cannot fit a Whirlybird or Chopper due to the shear width down into the basement. Those are two games on my want list. Along with a devil or raider and a few others.

At first I was set on selling them. Hard to let them go once you have them in your grasp. May have to send the wife with money away for a few days on the shopping spree...

If I do sell or trade the Panzer it will be restored at minimum mechanically first I'll let you know...and I will send a vid when completed.

Have a good one...congrats on the S.A.M.I.

OHEMIO
 
Last edited:
Luckyman

I may be looking at an LED option for this projection unit. I would retain the fan and the original socket for those whom would want to keep it's originality. However just seems like a lot of major heat for no reason at this point? Of coarse I'll have it up and running in it's original state first before I proceed with the conversion.

Pinut, clmoore have you thought of doing something like this?

OHEMIO
 
if you work out an led , that would be cool. one thing always in the back of my mind is if the fan craps out, you wont really know it till the film melts. i dont have the time right now to do an led, so if you are successful, let us know.

if you google, there are professional products to clean and condition film, but they arent cheap, and who needs a pint or quart to do a sami film. i used novus one , no problems.

there was a guy a few years ago made repro sami films, but they had frame lines. the originals do not. i'm sure it can be done though. i have a spare NOS film i might be willing to let someone dupe.

i also have a lot of paperwork , schematics and instructions regarding the alignment of the film. believe me, you never get it right unless you know how they want you to do it. hit me with an email address, i'll hook you up.

mike
 
if you work out an led , that would be cool. one thing always in the back of my mind is if the fan craps out, you wont really know it till the film melts. i dont have the time right now to do an led, so if you are successful, let us know.

if you google, there are professional products to clean and condition film, but they arent cheap, and who needs a pint or quart to do a sami film. i used novus one , no problems.

there was a guy a few years ago made repro sami films, but they had frame lines. the originals do not. i'm sure it can be done though. i have a spare NOS film i might be willing to let someone dupe.

i also have a lot of paperwork , schematics and instructions regarding the alignment of the film. believe me, you never get it right unless you know how they want you to do it. hit me with an email address, i'll hook you up.

mike

i have a repo of the film, no lines here...
 
that's good to know. when i bought my game and was looking for a film, i was told the repro had frame lines. later on at work we were talking about 35 mm still cameras. a guy said new film is one long piece, and the camera makes the frame lines. at that point i was thinking , then why would a repro have frame lines? at that point i found the nos film, and didnt give it any more thought.

hopefully , more repros can be made/
 
To clean film, you use "Film Cleaner". That said, Urbanski Film sells FILMRENEW (http://moviecraft.tripod.com/supplies.html) which I've used and it works great. The only problem is, it's only sold in quarts for $20. If anyone buys some and has a bunch left over, PM me and I'll buy the remainder from you. I'm running real low (and I collect 16mm films and have a SAMI lined up).

Good Luck,

-Al-
 
thats the stuff i was talking about, and i couldnt justify the costs.
 
Novus 1 - You had to be nervous pinut? Won't be back to restoring the SAMI until next weekend. Have to finish some trim work in the condo. I'll start posting restoration pics soon. Thanks for the tip on the Novus 1.

OHEMIO
 
the guy i bought it from said he cleaned it with windex, but it still was pretty cruddy.
 
There was a guy selling reproduction films on eBay not too long ago. He sold his game and some other parts. I have not gotten back around to working on my SAMI, but have it on my list. Was having trouble with the mangled metal parts on my joystick housing - all banged up from rough play. Did lots of work then found a complete joystick from another midway game that was a drop in replacement.

I like the LED idea. Who ever gets to it first then...
 
cnlmoore

Good morning. I don't believe that I'll have as much trouble. I can see how some spoil kid beat the crap out of my joystick believing that he could get the missle to the right or left further than what the restrictor plate would allow. My top plate is worn to the right but all that being said still centers pretty well.

Once I have up and running I'll have to see how game play is affected.

Regarding the LED set up I have a Panzer Attack which believe is the same set up so it's worth the time and money investment. Essentially with the films being scarce it be a shame to ruin the game due to a burned up film. Pinnut said it fan turns off and film will be a gonner.

I have the schematics and manual. I was lucky that my game came with both. I plan on posting a restoration vid/pics. Hope you get to your S.A.M.I. soon...

Have a good one...OHEMIO


There was a guy selling reproduction films on eBay not too long ago. He sold his game and some other parts. I have not gotten back around to working on my SAMI, but have it on my list. Was having trouble with the mangled metal parts on my joystick housing - all banged up from rough play. Did lots of work then found a complete joystick from another midway game that was a drop in replacement.

I like the LED idea. Who ever gets to it first then...
 
I have one of the reproduction films NEW that I will be selling soon. I don't know what to ask for it so I may just go the ebay route. I also have an NOS SAMI soundboard I would consider selling for the right price. I should have at least one other original film but I would have to check the condition of it.
 
If you want to clean the old film, just go to your local hardware store and pick up a small can of VM&P naphtha. It's perfectly safe to apply to film, but pay close attention to the warning label. It evaporates quickly and the fumes are bad for you, make sure you work in a well ventilated area.
 
SAMI for sale ... And others

I have a SAMI parts machine for sale. I will sell the whole machine for $100.00.ust pick up in Brick, NJ. I prefer to sell the whole machine, but will part it out. I also have other project/ parts machines for sale. I have a Sega Jet Rocket(looks nice),Sega Grand prix(nice cabinet), Chicago coin Wild Cycle, sega Missile . If you are interested in anything, email me
Kovalski3 AT COMCAST DOT NET
 
Back
Top Bottom