QUESTIONS and GUIDES

Why are your playfields the most inexpensive reproductions we see out there?

When CPR expanded from two guys working on pins in their basements to two guys trying to make parts for their pins in the basements we knew we had to have the right tools and have them in house. Jobbing stuff out like the other guys meant that playfields had to be expensive to support the high costs. What we were scared of was that once the $800-900 Medieval Madness and $1000 Attack From Mars playfields were all made who would make the less in demand parts. If you have to sell a playfield  that you made hundreds of for $1000 what chance would older games that would only warrant 30 or 40 ever have? None, because you'd have to charge twice or triple just to cover your costs. Just not going to happen. There had to be a better way.

Turns out we think there is. We cleared out our basements and filled them with expensive commercial equipment just like the original playfield factories used to have to produce playfields.  Every tool, rig, jig, and machine that they had - we bought similar (or painstakingly built our own!).  We wanted everything required to make playfields, plastics, and backglasses IN-HOUSE.   *Literally* in house... we mean in our houses!!   Now we're a couple of regular pinball hobbyists who have (in the long term) reduced our overhead costs and eliminated the outrageous professional billing that cripples the expenses of outsourced playfield projects shipped around to woodshops, print shops, etc.  It's just a different way of doing things, and a different philosophy on longevity and being within the reach of most pinball hobbyists affordability - not just the rich ones with rich games  :)

When we started this hobby venture, we KNEW that within a couple years down the road all the A titles would have been made and the ONLY way affordable playfields were going to be possible was by eliminating the "old way" people went about reproducing playfields and plastics and re-inventing the method.  We knew it was going to be a huge frontage of expenses, with a very long term haul to cover our initial expenses, but with the patience of many years we knew it would work out. We're still waiting for that day, but hey, it's a hobby!

How are the playfields printed?

All our playfields are genuine spot-color silk-screened just like the old days, on our big American M&M Viking press.  They are convection-baked after every color at 250 to 350 degrees to cure the enamel inks one-by-one.


Where does the artwork come from?

We used to think that the original artwork was the best but we used original twice and both times the screens had errors on them. According to sources we spoke with the final production films usually went to the print shops to make the playfields and most often it was a one way trip. Films left at behind at Bally or Williams were usually preproduction and only the long lost final production artwork was the real deal.

Lately we have used our Art Team almost exclusively, these guys and gals are fanatics just like us. They recreate the original artwork from production parts, usually NOS. They have the added advantage of looking backwards and seeing where mistakes due to production limitations, last minute productions changes etc were made and could be corrected to what the original artist had in mind.  With their keen eye for detail they often spend hundreds of hours tweaking the artwork until it's near perfect. When we get the artwork we can compare it to the actual part and have the option to further tweak everything to make it as close to perfect as we can.


Where do the inserts come from?

All the inserts we use come from the same original factory molds used for the last 50-60 years in Chicago, and from the same factory that made them for your original playfield !   We occasionally have to deal with lost molds, but have our own made at the factory to produce the same part, from their equipment.


What kind of wood are CPR's playfields made from?

Our wood is now genuine American Hardwoods Inc 17/32 Maple plywood, which is the actual wood used for playfield manufacturing in Chicago for the last 50+ years.  It is still being used today for Stern pinball playfields, and comes from the same mill (made in the USA) that has been making it for Churchill Cabinet in Chicago since the beginning.  It is the best play field wood in the world, and special thanks goes to Mr. Roger Duba of Churchill Cabinet for all his support in our negotiations for CPR access to this exclusive stock of wood that is only run a few times a year by ONE mill.  Our new relationship with Churchill and American Hardwoods is yet another step in authenticity and quality that we have wanted to make for a long time.  Their special blend of veneers, cores, and tolerances are exclusive to this wood and pretty much a secret recipe that won't even be disclosed to us ! 


How do I know what is going to be made in the future?

Take a look at what the Art Team is designing.  That is essentially your crystal ball into CPR's future product line.  When they design it, we make it.  It's that simple.  Some artists may take 2 weeks to prepare their project, others may take 2 years.  They all work at their own pace, and will deliver results on their own timeline.  Please don't email us to inquire about deadlines or expected production dates of items you see the Artists working on.  There are no deadlines or expectations.  We're all in this for the hobby, and the Team works at this stuff as their private lives allow it. 


Nothing that the Art Team has chosen to design is of any interest to me or my collection.
I want (insert part here) to be made.

In the repro arena, the egg comes before the chicken.  Everything stems from artwork.  If there is something you want CPR to put on its calendar, get the artwork to us.  Artwork doesn't come out of thin air, though.  Far from it.  It takes work, skillz, and dedication.  There are ways to get your artwork to come to fruition:   a) If you bump into one of the artists on RGP, at a show, or at a pinball party, you can try your chances at pitching them your project idea.  No guarantees - they are busy.  b) Draw the artwork yourself  c) Commission a colleague, buddy, or relative to do the artwork.


What about "third party" themed pinball parts?

While CPR had some luck at a few simple third party themed repro parts, they are not the norm and take a tremendous amount of effort to secure the proper permissions from VP's and lawyers who manage those rights.  In 2009 and onwards we are chock full of enough generic-themed projects to keep us busy for years, we simply don't have the time or resources to reach out and make all those phone calls and legal maneuvers to line up simple or complicated third party permissions or licenses.  As of Jan 1 2009, if an Art Team member or external project torch carrier is interested in a third party themed repro part to be made, CPR needs to be approached with complete written permission/licensing in hand before the project can be accepted.  That way the road to production is clean and wide.




MISCELLANEOUS GUIDES


REMOVING BELL POSTS from Original Plastics
FLIGHT 2000 Plastics - Installation Help & Video
(this also helps with ANY riveted bell-post removal from old plastics)

Click here for Guide



Reproduction Playfield - Swap Prep and Care Help
Click here for Guide


Reproduction Plastics - Swap Prep and Care Help
Click here for Guide


Reproduction Backglasses - Swap Prep and Care Help
Click here for Guide






BASICS of VECTOR TRACING TUTORIAL

SLIDE SHOW (PDF)  Click Here to Download   (6.1 MB)

AUDIO GUIDE (MP3)  Click Here to Download   (11.5 MB)