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I have a NOS Pilwin backflash from Jim Bryan that I am going to use on my Pilwin, ( one day!) I consider this to be OK. The repro Elevenses type back flashes that Melvin Wright produced, were screen printed onto clear plastic. I think if you are going to repro them they should be as the originals were done, not paper laminated. This is my opinion.
I believe in conservation rather than restoration.

I think we all agree in conservation rather than restoration what I cant understand is some people seem to think restoration is not acceptable even if the original is past conservation.
The quote above is a case in point in a way as if you do use the Jim Bryan backflash you will be "restoring " the machine not "conserving" it"
the golden rule in museum conservation is "The goal of conservation is never to make something look “new” again" You could make the argument that as the backflash is NOS it would be original but you would still fall foul of the golden rule of conservation.If an operator had bought the pilwin backflash back in the early days to replace a damaged original he would have been restoring it and conserving it. Using one of the Jim Bryan produced elevenses backflashes wouldnt be true restoration because, as you say,they are not the same design as the originals

All this over a pilwin lol

bryans fan wrote:I have a NOS Pilwin backflash from Jim Bryan that I am going to use on my Pilwin, ( one day!) I consider this to be OK. The repro Elevenses type back flashes that Melvin Wright produced, were screen printed onto clear plastic. I think if you are going to repro them they should be as the originals were done, not paper laminated. This is my opinion.
I believe in conservation rather than restoration.

What I should have put was, "I believe in conservation rather than restoration, whenever possible."

I like how one reply to replacing plastic backflash for a printed paper one and made me chuckle a lot today so I have put it as quote of the day i.e. SHINY MACHINES FOR SHINY HOUSES!!

This explains so much, as my house is like a sh!*t hole

I appreciate everybody’s views on originality and restoration, but I felt that in this instance it is too far gone. I have taken it into my local printers and they are going to scan/ photoshop it and print it onto a piece of thin plastic for me. They did one for me about a year ago for an Oliver Whales Allwin De Luxe using an image from the resources page and I was very happy so hopefully they will do a good job on the Pilwin artwork.

I picked up my new backflash today from the printers and I think they’ve done a pretty good job, what do you recon?

My next move is to sort out the mech and build a new cabinet, as I haven’t got access to a complete machine I have a few questions. As you can see from the photos at the beginning of this thread I am missing a few pieces and the photos I have found aren’t really zoomed in enough. I would greatly appreciate help with the following;

Cabinet, I need to know the thickness of sides, top, bottom etc, height of cash tray, depth of cabinet and if anyone has any close ups of the construction that would be great. Also was wandering which thickness of glass to use 4mm or 6mm.

Mouths, I am missing all the mouths so could do with some photos in order for me to make them, they look pretty simple but I’m not sure of the internal layout of the mouths.

Little piece of track, I have noticed from looking at photos of a complete machine that there is a small piece of track to the top left (next to the clowns left eyebrow). Was wandering how this is attached and is it adjustable?

Payout hopper and coin slide, some decent square on internal photos would brilliant showing the pieces I am missing.

I know I am asking a lot so any help would be greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance. Cheers

The sides, top bottom etc. are made out of 14mm thick wood, the depth is 150mm, the cash box area is 80mm.
My glass is 4mm.
The little piece of track is adjustable.

Backflash looks mint.

Top man Widget, that info and your photos are going to help me lots. So glad I found this site, much appreciated mate.

No problem mate, if you need anything at all just give us a shout.

Was just wondering how the cabinet on a Bryan’s machine is constructed. Is it screwed/nailed together? Also I was going to do a cash door with a one sided lock and was wondering how thick it should be and how it is kept in on the non-lock side (dowels, tongued etc.). Photos are always good.
Thanks in advance.

All the wood's the same thickness, cash drawer is dowels and cabinet is nailed together.

Widget's advice is spot on as always. I would just add the dowels are metal.

Thanks for the info, that clears things up.

A lot of times the backflash cracks and are sadly no good. I don't mind at all new ones as they keep the machine looking fresh but also I try to keep as much original as possible but this cannot always be done due to the age and sometimes down to the fact they can be barn finds and in poor condition.

I have finally got my corner pieces back from the chromers so I have managed to get the machine back together. I’ve had everything ready to go for weeks now so I am glad that I could get it all up together and try it. Just need to paint the infills in the corner pieces. I have to say I am very chuffed at how it has turned out and have really enjoyed the project. I have attached some before and after pictures and I had to make/fit a number of new pieces including; complete cabinet, payout bowl and coin funnel, coin slide, payout hopper, ball mouth, small piece of track, hinge halves and locks.

The cabinet looks very good

Very impressive - I admire your skill

Amazing mate - well done. Another one saved from the scrap heap.

Thanks widget, your photos and info where invaluable and cleared a lot of things up, cheers