resolve one problem, a new one pops up

Feels just like my day job.. Well it seems I've found at least one source for good playfield wood (local wood suppliers just won't respond to emails apparently unless you have a corporate email address).  There's a guy on ebay from Missouri that has what looks to be exactly what I'm looking for, which is 7-ply maple plywood and the price seems pretty reasonable:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310249372131&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

My new problem, inserts.  Yea, you'd think those would be plentiful, but seeing how I had to beg CPR to send me a 1.5" triangle insert because nobody but Australia sells them, seems that aren't as easy to come by.  I would imagine big companies like Stern probably have a direct relationship with the molders that make them, but if you're looking for replacements (or in my case new ones to make a one-off pin) your choices are rather limited.  I'm starting to understand why Ben Heck used the rectangular clear inserts on his Ghost Squad machine, they seem to be plentiful on marco:
http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/PI-112REC-CT

I'd like square inserts, but I want clear, and they just aren't out there.  I also don't like the insert above because it's got that triangular pattern like a bike reflector.  I really like the starburst pattern, it feels very retro and bright.  It would actually be easier if I used round inserts because I can cut out my own holes with a splade tool and a drill as apposed to needing to CNC route square pockets.  Problem is on Marco I'm limited to plain white ones, and they're giant (1.5").  I did find some nice 3/4" round starburst inserts on Pinball resource, only problem is you have to order $50 to establish an account with Steve Young, and there isn't a whole lot else I'd want to buy from him.  I suppose having a 100 inserts on hand wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but I also don't want to horde these.

More playfield real estate

No, I don't intend on designing this into my project, but it's a thought I wanted to jot down.  Most people's complaints about Stern is the re-using of layouts, and everyone's argument is always "well, there's only so many ways you can lay out a playfield".  To that I disagree, there is ALWAYS room for innovation.  If you've ever seen Zaccaria - Time machine, you know this is the pin where there's a bank of pop bumpers below the playfield (with a clear top) so that the ball can loop around, then that section of the playfield raises and suddenly you have pop bumpers accessible (Perhaps this is where John Popadiuk got his idea for Circus Voltaire?)
Anyway, I thought what if you took this idea a bit further and did a much bigger chunk, but instead of just raising vertically, you had 2 playfields that swung up on hinges on opposite sides?  That way you aren't limited to just a feature and a surface, you could literally have playfield chunks that swap out with anything on them (within small limitations).  Be it pop bumpers, drop targets, perhaps a bank of ramps that disappear out of the way, but re-align when they pop back up?  I have no idea how well you could get things to line up, but I know on my Williams Fire! it has ramps that lift up so you get a big horseshoe turn-around, and then when the ramp lowers it allows you access to a ball lock ramp.

Anyway, here's a quick 3d sketch of what I mean (click on the first photo, then hit the right arrow):

On a sidenote, I'm still in search of some decent maple plywood.  I was nearly convinced that marine grade plywood from menards would be ok (I think the coconut island project used that).  And maybe it would be ok, at least for a first crack, but I'd prefer some good wood.  I'm going to contact a couple local lumber places that carries higher end plywood sheets to see what pricing is like.

INNOVATION!

So I have a great idea for a really cool feature in one of the playfields.  Still working on the mechanism, but here's the inspiration:

small update

So I worked on Fire! pinball for a while, got frustrated because the relay part wasn't bad that was causing a section of lights to not work.  One thing I didn't think to check was fuses, it's quite possible when the relay locked on, a fuse popped.  If that aint it, I'm convinced it's something with the logic on the MPU board, maybe even something as simple as the TIP-122 transistor.

Anyway, I decided throw some images on the playfield surface.  It's amazing how a little bit of art can make a big difference.

You may also notice a little figurine on the right side.  I intend on building a man that collapses like one of those donkey toys you may have had as a kid

Another thing I worked on is the record.  Originally I was going to use a CD spindle and a CD, but seeing how the CD cracked without even being installed, I realize that's just not going to be strong enough.  Another thing, a CD is far too smooth.  I could probably add a textured sticker, but those don't seem to do much.  My idea is to not only 3d print a record with some walls that will strengthen it, but add some "grooves" to make it look more like a shiny record.  Except they won't really be grooves, they'll stick out to knock the ball around.  I'm also looking into adding a motor with a gear underneath

 

One thing I can't seem to find is a decent piece of plywood.  Every home depot I've stopped at has crappy warped wood.  I'm sure companies like Stern have a very specific supplier that gives them A grade wood that's perfectly flat.

No updates because winter sucks

I've SO lost my motivation this last month.  Chicago is at 38 continuous days of freezing temperatures (and it won't let up for at least another 10 days).  We've had 60" of snow, 2 extreme cold fronts (-20 degrees actual temp with windchill temps of -50).  Because of this, we're honestly running out of room to even put snow.  This morning's commute was 2 hours (normally takes 45 minutes).

So with that said, not only am I not motivated to model, I'm not even motivated to stop at a hardware store to pickup a sheet of plywood so I can start laying out my whitewood.  I know eventually when things start to thaw (and again we're not talking warm, just above freezing) that my motivation will come back, but right now I'm just so drained from this winter.