 |
|
|
| It's well understood that once you get a pinball machine, it won't be long before that single machine grows to two, three, or more and unless you like to walk around jangling a bunch of keys hanging from your belt loop, you'll also be looking for somewhere to store those coin door keys. Pascal Descloux thinks he has the solution with a range of classic pinball signs designed to give you a place to hang your keys.
The sign is made from sheet metal, printed on one side with your chosen design and drilled to accept five key hooks. It also has four mounting holes - two on each side. It measures 36cm x 15cm (14.125" x 5.75") and weighs in at 165g (6.5oz) complete with the hooks. The hooks are supplied in a separate pack which you fit yourself. They are secured on the back with a small nut.
The nuts increase the overall thickness of the sign slightly and mean you shouldn't screw the sign to the wall too securely or you'll bend it at the corners. Alternatively, fit another nut or a standoff of the same thickness (or more) behind the sign at the mounting points.
The rear of the sign is brushed metal and although it's not especially attractive, nobody should see it when it's mounted on the wall. Of more concern are the edges which are also plain metal. The sign is just thick enough to be good and weighty without any obvious flex but you can still see the unpainted metal on the edges if you look closely. A quick run over the edges with the trusty black Sharpie and that problem was fixed, but perhaps it should be done during manufacturing? The style of artwork harks back to the flyers from the '50s and looks attractive in real life with strong colours without becoming overpowering or looking out of place.
The printing uses dithering to generate the graduated colours which looks a little patterned when viewed up close but isn't an issue at normal viewing distances and seem appropriate to the era of the design anyway. Apart from the version shown above, there are two other designs available, both of which keep to the same classic style. All feature five key hooks although it would be possible to drill additional holes and add more hooks if you needed to hang more than five keys, or you could just buy another sign.
Although there have been key hangers made before, none have been as stylish and attractive as these. You don't have to use it for your game's keys of course. It would be perfectly at home anywhere in the house but our sample sign will certainly be gracing the walls of the Pinball News game room. The key hanging signs cost €25.00 plus shipping of €5-€8 and are available by e-mailing Pascal who is in Bordeaux, France.
|
