**NEW** Reproduction Atari Centering Bellows

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Daviea

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The wait is about over with!!

Brand spanking new REPRODUCTION Atari Centering Bellows:

CenteringBellows01.jpg


Notice the metal rings.

CenteringBellows02.jpg


Notice the nice shiny, freshly molded elastomer (polyurethane).

CenteringBellows03.jpg


These things look beautiful, if I do say so myself!!

These reproduction parts are made using both of the metal rings inside and outside for structural stability... plus I'm using a specially formulated polyurethane mixture which gives the same amount of "stiffness" as the original rubber counterpart. This is the part that took me the longest. I had to get the formula perfected!!

These reproduction centering bellows comply to original form, fit and function on every level, plus the use of polyurethane material offers a serious upgrade and far exceeds the original Atari specification. The tear strength on polyurethane is immense compared to rubber.

Furthermore, these feel *exactly* right when installed. They're not too stiff, they're definitely not sloppy either. They're absolutely perfect! I couldn't be any happier with the way these turned out.

Anyhow, I've been working on this project for awhile now. The original Atari centering bellows were made from compression molded rubber which worked OK, but had a very limited lifespan as well as SHELF LIFE. The parts always fail nearly the same way - the middle ring pulls away from the rubber or it simply tears the rubber.

Since I have the original molds, I was entirely determined to go with making the reproductions exactly like the originals (with rubber) but after running off a few, I discovered that even brand NEW parts made from rubber failed too quickly. It seems to me that the part was simply engineered to fail. That's sad.

As a note, I've yet to get a polyurethane reproduction to fail even under exaggerated abuse testing. And, trust me, I know how to abuse a mechanical part like nobody else. LOL

Finally, we're going to have a *perfect* replacement centering bellows for Foodfight, Red Baron and Battlezone controllers. I'm looking forward to getting these into your hands. You'll LOVE them!!

Ok, so I've only run off enough for testing and I'm about to make the production run (1-2weeks once I start). I need to presell about 100 of these to pay for the polyurethane before I commit to them.

If anyone is interested in jumping in now, the price is $20ea including shipping anywhere in the world. Buy one, buy a few....just buy them ASAP. My paypal email is [email protected]

If you've been waiting on this part, now is the time to cough up some support and get one. :)

Thanks guys

Dave
 
Last edited:
wow those are much nicer then the all rubber all white ones available elseware. ITs about time somebody reproed something that looks just like the original.

Thanks for making this stuff, and keep up the good work!

mike
 
Sucks I just paid for two rubber ones from the alternate source just last week.

I'm with you Friz, I just bought some not that long ago. I had a chance to buy some original NOS ones, but when I picked one of them up I got black marks on my finger tips from the disintegrating rubber. So I bought a pair of the white ones. Now we find out that the good stuff is coming....:(

Dave, don't let my comments distract you. You make grade A #1 repros. I just wish you had done them 6 months ago.

ken
 
I'm with you Friz, I just bought some not that long ago. I had a chance to buy some original NOS ones, but when I picked one of them up I got black marks on my finger tips from the disintegrating rubber. So I bought a pair of the white ones. Now we find out that the good stuff is coming....:(

Dave, don't let my comments distract you. You make grade A #1 repros. I just wish you had done them 6 months ago.

ken

I just bought 3 whites last week! It's been said before, but this hobby really is all about timing.

Put me down for three!
 
Yep timing is everything, I put off buying a set because I had to many other projects going on. But decided I needed to get this fixed, and started looking, and what do you know. Poly ones.. Very nice!

2x for me
 
The wait is about over with!!

Brand spanking new REPRODUCTION Atari Centering Bellows:

CenteringBellows01.jpg


Notice the metal rings.

CenteringBellows02.jpg


Notice the nice shiny, freshly molded elastomer (polyurethane).

CenteringBellows03.jpg


These things look beautiful, if I do say so myself!!

These reproduction parts are made using both of the metal rings inside and outside for structural stability... plus I'm using a specially formulated polyurethane mixture which gives the same amount of "stiffness" as the original rubber counterpart. This is the part that took me the longest. I had to get the formula perfected!!

These reproduction centering bellows comply to original form, fit and function on every level, plus the use of polyurethane material offers a serious upgrade and far exceeds the original Atari specification. The tear strength on polyurethane is immense compared to rubber.

Furthermore, these feel *exactly* right when installed. They're not too stiff, they're definitely not sloppy either. They're absolutely perfect! I couldn't be any happier with the way these turned out.

Anyhow, I've been working on this project for awhile now. The original Atari centering bellows were made from compression molded rubber which worked OK, but had a very limited lifespan as well as SHELF LIFE. The parts always fail nearly the same way - the middle ring pulls away from the rubber or it simply tears the rubber.

Since I have the original molds, I was entirely determined to go with making the reproductions exactly like the originals (with rubber) but after running off a few, I discovered that even brand NEW parts made from rubber failed too quickly. It seems to me that the part was simply engineered to fail. That's sad.

As a note, I've yet to get a polyurethane reproduction to fail even under exaggerated abuse testing. And, trust me, I know how to abuse a mechanical part like nobody else. LOL

Finally, we're going to have a *perfect* replacement centering bellows for Foodfight, Red Baron and Battlezone controllers. I'm looking forward to getting these into your hands. You'll LOVE them!!

Ok, so I've only run off enough for testing and I'm about to make the production run (1-2weeks once I start). I need to presell about 100 of these to pay for the polyurethane before I commit to them.

If anyone is interested in jumping in now, the price is $20ea including shipping anywhere in the world. Buy one, buy a few....just buy them ASAP. My paypal email is [email protected]

If you've been waiting on this part, now is the time to cough up some support and get one. :)

Thanks guys

Dave
Ug, my BZ mini could use a new set, but I'll have to wait a bit to get some. Hopefully, there will be some spares...

Scott C.
 
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