1930s Atlas Grip tester restoration

[ddstoys]

Hi everyone - finally taken possession of a 1930s Atlas Grip Tester. It looks to be complete except the back door and coin box, if it even had one. I can't wait to begin restoring it.
I've found the John zuk videos on you tube and that's what I'm aiming for.

Does anyone know where I'd get my hands on the artwork to make a set of the decals?

[badpenny]

You could try going to http://www.retrodecals.com/cat.htm and then wading your way through all of the links there.

Until somebody else comes along.

[john t peterson]

Try Roger Hilden at: http://www.crowriver.com

Roger is first class. He has a section devoted to arcade game decals. There is a set called "Early Grip Test decal set DC 215" that may be what you seek.

J Peterson

[badpenny]

Ha Ha! Crow River is one of the links in the http://www.retrodecals.com/cat.htm list that I recommended John.

You take the high road (being a pilot) and I'll take the low road (being a troglodyte) and I'll be in late as always.

I remember the DC 3 (I flew in one once) wasn't the DC 47 the military version? Is the 215 interstellar?

BP

[treefrog]

There is one of these machines for sale in the next Coventry auction on 1C. Appears to have the original front decals in place. The top has been stripped. Getting a good image you can print onto decal paper, there is a post on here about this and how to do. Your machine looks like it is on old penny which is nice

[ddstoys]

Thanks guys Crow River had the set

[john t peterson]

BP. You are correct; the military version of the DC3 is the C47. I never flew in one but did Captain a Convair 580 for about a year. It's similar to the DC3 but on tricycle gear as opposed to a tail dragger. What is a 215?

J Peterson
Ancient American pilot

[badpenny]

The DC 215 is what you were recommending to our new best friend ddstoys as being suitable to meet his needs ............

There is a set called "Early Grip Test decal set DC 215" that may be what you seek.

[john t peterson]

BP; Please don't expect me to remember what I said or wrote more than 15 minutes ago. I have "old-timers" and it's….it's….what was I saying??

J Peterson
Sharp as an American tack

[ddstoys]

Some good news - I've been emailing Roger about modifying his decal set to read "1 Penny" instead of "1cent", as my coin insert says "1 penny" as we didn't change to decimal (dollars and cents) till 1966.

[ddstoys]

Well she was pretty badly rusted but I've managed to get it all apart without ruining anything except a few bolts

[ddstoys]

Here's a photo of the decal Roger at Crow River made up for me. What a guy! Can't wait to get the parts back from the chrome platers.

[ddstoys]

I'm very excited - I got back the cabinet and chrome work for my grip tester now it's time to reassemble.

[ddstoys]

Well decals have been applied and everything was given a test assemble. I need to fabricate a couple of internal brackets to stop the handle flexing and something for the front bolts to thread into.

When it arrived these brackets were external and looked terrible.

Getting close now

[gameswat]

Next job is to figure out how to rotate those pics before posting!! hahaha

[ddstoys]

These were posted on my phone and look fine. Gotta love technology

[wembleylion]

Photos; right way up or wrong way the Grip tester looks great whichever way up they are.
Brilliant restoration, well done

John

[ddstoys]

Here are a few before and after pics a great little app on my phone lol