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Complete Fishy, Fishy, Fishy! - 3 x Fish Tales Restorations
- Thread starter Ant-H
- Start date
just caught this thread. Can you say who the owner of the third Fishtales is. Think it might have been my old one..
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Fish tales does look great in chrome mine has been done but not the apron might have to look into this if it ends up a keeper.
If ever there was a keeper, Fish Tales should be it (alongside BBH of course, for Redneck Corner!)
OP
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Ant-H
Site Supporter
Yeah I agree chrome on FT looks great. When I eventually retire mine, I’ll do the same.
For me me it’s the apron that really makes the difference.
Though I think a close second is definitely a nice black, which Fishy No 3 has. Black armour really helps to frame the bright and colourful artwork.
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Ant-H
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The owner is a member of the forum from the South West
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Ant-H
Site Supporter
These Fish Tales are basically all done. I’ve just got a couple of little jobs to finish on Fishy No1 and 2, then its onto the next games.
I made 3 new sets of ribbon cables and got everything plugged back in and tidied up.
3 CPR mirror back glasses went in next and imo on a FT, they make a big difference. 2 XL screens from @stumblor wete installed in Fishy No1 and 2 with standard colour dmd going in Fishy No3.
Then a quick switch on to check everything still works
As with my other restores, for some reason, I always like add warranty labels last
Then a did a quick final check on the wiring.
Fishy No3 is the first game on its legs, so it’s the first one fully complete
. Though I’ll probably leave the film on the mirror blades until just before they go. The other 2 just need their legs to be installed.
All 3 Fish Tales had their cabinets fully restored but Fishy No3 is the game with its original playfield which I stripped, cleaned and polished within an inch of its life. and imo came out better than I expected.
As I mentioned before, I really like how the gloss black armour frames the artwork on the cabinet and back box. It makes the colours really stand out.
I made 3 new sets of ribbon cables and got everything plugged back in and tidied up.
3 CPR mirror back glasses went in next and imo on a FT, they make a big difference. 2 XL screens from @stumblor wete installed in Fishy No1 and 2 with standard colour dmd going in Fishy No3.
Then a quick switch on to check everything still works
As with my other restores, for some reason, I always like add warranty labels last
Then a did a quick final check on the wiring.
Fishy No3 is the first game on its legs, so it’s the first one fully complete
. Though I’ll probably leave the film on the mirror blades until just before they go. The other 2 just need their legs to be installed.All 3 Fish Tales had their cabinets fully restored but Fishy No3 is the game with its original playfield which I stripped, cleaned and polished within an inch of its life
. and imo came out better than I expected.As I mentioned before, I really like how the gloss black armour frames the artwork on the cabinet and back box. It makes the colours really stand out.
Gloss black is nice ant, also where did you get the wooden inserts for the casting handle,I got one's years ago for the shadow I had and I think it was Manny who did them.
Bobbdobalina
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Ant-H
Site Supporter
I got them from a guy off pinside. He is based in France and offers different wood finishes. They are really good quality as well.
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Ant-H
Site Supporter
Yeah I agree. I would never have thought about doing black on a FT, but the more research I did on colour choices for the armour, the more I started to come round to the idea of going with a gloss black.Outstanding
Gloss black looks great on a few titles especially AFM imo. Never envisioned it on FT but it really works well
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Ant-H
Site Supporter
I’m marking these 3 Fish Tales restore as complete 
The last job was to install the newly chromed legs on Fishy No1 and 2.
For me personally, I really like the chrome look in a FT and when I eventually get round to restoring my game, I’m leaning on going down the same route.
Frustratingly I forgot to take some photos of all 3 complete and on there legs before 2 of them got collected
. Though @Gonzo managed to get some footage of them in a mini line up.
Overall though I’m really pleased with how all 3 turned out and I hope the owners enjoy playing them as much as I enjoyed restoring them.
And after play testing them, it’s reminded me of how much of a fun game Fish Tales is
The last job was to install the newly chromed legs on Fishy No1 and 2.
For me personally, I really like the chrome look in a FT and when I eventually get round to restoring my game, I’m leaning on going down the same route.
Frustratingly I forgot to take some photos of all 3 complete and on there legs before 2 of them got collected
. Though @Gonzo managed to get some footage of them in a mini line up.Overall though I’m really pleased with how all 3 turned out and I hope the owners enjoy playing them as much as I enjoyed restoring them.
And after play testing them, it’s reminded me of how much of a fun game Fish Tales is
Would like to just add a massive thanks to Ant for his unbelievable work on my fish tales.
My FT was fishy 1.
I originally purchased this off a forum member with no intention of restoring etc. but when I got it home and lined it up against my newer pins it really stood out and became clear to me it wasn’t in the sort of condition that I’m happy to live with.
I had seen ants work on here in shop logs and also met him at Pinfest when I discussed doing something in the future. So was a no brainer to reach out to him and it just turned out he was doing 2 others so mine slotted in perfect.
Ants great to work with during the process and always kept me up to date with progress.
It Hasn’t gone into my pin room as i really liked it in our kitchen/diner room. Not that the Mrs agrees
My FT was fishy 1.
I originally purchased this off a forum member with no intention of restoring etc. but when I got it home and lined it up against my newer pins it really stood out and became clear to me it wasn’t in the sort of condition that I’m happy to live with.
I had seen ants work on here in shop logs and also met him at Pinfest when I discussed doing something in the future. So was a no brainer to reach out to him and it just turned out he was doing 2 others so mine slotted in perfect.
Ants great to work with during the process and always kept me up to date with progress.
It Hasn’t gone into my pin room as i really liked it in our kitchen/diner room. Not that the Mrs agrees
I know exactly what you mean. Ant's work is premium premium - I wouldn't go to anyone else. The ultimate confidence of getting ann amazing service.
This is what I've been waiting for!
Absolutely incredible. Great video, but amazing work by Ant.
He did my T2, I have an Addams waiting, and I want him to do my grubby WWF cabinet next.
These Fish Tales are incredible. He told me at Pinfest the video's were in the can and I've been waiting for them to drop.
The attention to detail is stunning... and Gonzo hit the nail on the head - better than new, newer than new, just absolutely insanely good.
The rod, he's got the right rod at the right size. It's things like this, as well as the dying of cable clips that make you wonder what planet Ant is actually from.
He is taking machines that were designed to make money until they were broken down and abandoned, and making them into pristine collectors items for years and years to come.
Thank you for your continued work, Ant.
You are the GOAT of pinball restorations.
He did my T2, I have an Addams waiting, and I want him to do my grubby WWF cabinet next.
These Fish Tales are incredible. He told me at Pinfest the video's were in the can and I've been waiting for them to drop.
The attention to detail is stunning... and Gonzo hit the nail on the head - better than new, newer than new, just absolutely insanely good.
The rod, he's got the right rod at the right size. It's things like this, as well as the dying of cable clips that make you wonder what planet Ant is actually from.
He is taking machines that were designed to make money until they were broken down and abandoned, and making them into pristine collectors items for years and years to come.
Thank you for your continued work, Ant.
You are the GOAT of pinball restorations.
Stunning! All 3 look amazing!
Silverpaolo
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Bertychewster
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i shouldn't have read and watched this! Waiting on Martin delivering my Fish Tails, it's going to look **** now
Theses are lovely. I was looking at getting decals and these look superb. Love the cast button too, much neater.
Theses are lovely. I was looking at getting decals and these look superb. Love the cast button too, much neater.
OP
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Ant-H
Site Supporter
Thank you for all the positive comments and @Gonzo for making the video.
Working on these 3 Fishy’s has been great and really enjoyable, plus I really appreciate all 3 owners giving me free reign and their trust to do pretty much what ever I wanted on their games
I’ve had a few messages asking what games are next in the workshop and if I do this full time.
Currently I do this around my day job so basically weekends and evenings. However the plan is to move next year, then I’ll go full time on the restores
In regards to the next few projects, for the remainder of this year, I have 3 x T2’s to restore, including @Big Phil T2 which has earned its retirement from Its years of service at pinfest
Plus a TOM which had a Kruzman playfield going in.
Then plan for the start of 2025 are 4 super mint WH20 restores. Possibly a 5th if I can fit it in the workshop
Working on these 3 Fishy’s has been great and really enjoyable, plus I really appreciate all 3 owners giving me free reign and their trust to do pretty much what ever I wanted on their games
I’ve had a few messages asking what games are next in the workshop and if I do this full time.
Currently I do this around my day job so basically weekends and evenings. However the plan is to move next year, then I’ll go full time on the restores
In regards to the next few projects, for the remainder of this year, I have 3 x T2’s to restore, including @Big Phil T2 which has earned its retirement from Its years of service at pinfest
Plus a TOM which had a Kruzman playfield going in.
Then plan for the start of 2025 are 4 super mint WH20 restores. Possibly a 5th if I can fit it in the workshop
I’m lucky enough to see @Ant-H work on a regular basis. These 3 fish tales are stunning from the feet up, nothing has been left untouched. Put any of Ant’s restores next to a brand new machine and you would choose the restored one all day long.
Ant is the reason I’ve restored some of my collection. Thank you for your guidance and most of all your encouragement, along with your help.
The sooner you do this full time, the better, and for all those that are on the waiting list you’re in for a treat.
Congratulations to the owners of Fish Tales you own a masterpiece.
Ant is the reason I’ve restored some of my collection. Thank you for your guidance and most of all your encouragement, along with your help.
The sooner you do this full time, the better, and for all those that are on the waiting list you’re in for a treat.
Congratulations to the owners of Fish Tales you own a masterpiece.
Just watched the video. Awesome!