Fathom Backglass

This page describes the Fathom Backglass I purchased for the Fathom game I'm restoring. One of the reasons I was able to purchase the game at a decent price is the backglass was missing. A Fathom backglass is next to impossible to find. Knowing this, I threw caution to the wind and picked up the game anyway. I enjoy pinball and I heard the game play was good so I figure I could restore the game and play it until the day came where I could find and purchase a Fathom Backglass.

The pin-gods must be looking over my shoulder. First I score the game practically in my backyard and then a NOS backglass shows up on eBay. I paid dearly for the backglass, but considering how rare the glass is and pristine condition of this particular backglass it was actually a decent price. Combining the price of the game itself and the price I paid for the NOS backglass, I still got the game at a somewhat decent price. I'll put a few $$ into parts for rebuilding the mechanicals, $$ for stencils/paints and a set of reproduction plastics from PinballRescue. It should look practically brand new when I'm done.

I wanted to drive from Louisville Ky to Atlanta Ga. to pick up the backglass in order to ensure that the product would arrive 100% in tact. I've heard a lot of people having horror stories with their backglass getting destroyed while in transit. The money didn't keep me up at night (it was insured), but the fact that I might not ever see a Fathom Backglass again in this condition made me very nervous.

Well, as things worked out, I couldn't make the drive. I talked to Bill Ayers and he assured me it would get their incident free. He said they've only had one incident. He actually was very calming so I told him to go for it.

For 4 days I checked the mail, knowing it would take 4 to 6 days. On day 4 it arrived. I came home from work, with a major thunderstorm getting ready to let lose , to find a huge package on my front door step. Could it be? YES! Then panic sunk in...it could have been stolen; it could have gotten drenched - we all know what water does to backglasses! Oh well, the point is it didn't.

Below are some pictures I took while unwrapping the prize possession. After seeing this backglass I now know why they call it one of the "most beautiful pins ever made".

Since this was a NOS Backglass, I had to install the Chrome Lift Channel and Black Edge moldings. I purchased these from Marcos. These items were more expensive than I thought they would be - $20 for the Chrome Lift Channel & $18 for the 3 Black Edge moldings. Sheesh, it sure does cost to have an NOS Backglass!! I had to purchase a roll of FRICTION TAPE ($3) from Lowes to help hold the Chrome Lift Channel onto the Backglass, otherwise the Backglass would keep slipping out of the Chrome Lift Channel. This trick was posted on RGP by Ray Johnson.

*(PICTURE HAS BEEN REMOVED)*	Here is the carton the backglass was delivered in. Its sitting in front of my Fathom to give you an idea of scale. See the big Orange FRAGILE sticker, its on both sides. The dimensions are 36 x 5 x 30. To help protect the backglass, the inside of the carton was loaded with foam peanuts and misc. Styrofoam pieces.
*(PICTURE HAS BEEN REMOVED)*	This pic shows the backglass wrapped in a double layer of bubble-wrap. You also can see the Styrofoam protectors on the edges along all four sides. The protectors went all the way to the corners.
	Here is another picture showing how the backglass was protected by bubble-wrap and Styrofoam along the edges.
	Like a surgeon, I carefully sliced away the packaging material layer-by-layer. Once the bubble-wrap epidermis was removed I was left with a protective white paper wrap.
	Here is the front. My first impression was WOW!! It was perfect! No chips, no cracks, no breaks - IT HAD ARRIVED ALIVE! Its breathtaking. I didn't realize how gorgeous the deep shades of blue would be. I didn't realize all of the mirroring effects used throughout the backglass. This picture does not do the backglass justice. The backglass is 100 times nicer in person.
	Here is the back. No lifting. No cracking. No bubbling. Nothing but perfection. Unbelievable how something could be kept in storage for over 20 years and still look brand, spanking new. Now I understand why its so collectible.

This page was last updated on 09/04/04