Alrighty,
As stated in my move a Pinball thread, I've taken the plunge on an EM machine that needs some work. I have no prior pinball experience aside from a 1984 Bally that I have which is in great shape and I have performed no maintenance on. The list that this machine is long, details below:
1969 EM Williams Machine - Post Time
Horse Racing theme
Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (5), Slingshots (4), Standup targets (7), Add-a-Ball feature
Cost $200 and some gas money
The goal of this machine is to restore to decent looking/working condition, and give to my father in law. He's in his 80's and was a big pinball fan that spends most of his current time at the track betting hose races. This machine seemed like a perfect fit.
Pics attached, descriptions below:
Cosmetic issues:
- Entire cabinet needs to be repainted. Cab should be a generic white with Blue/Red angled striping, Cab currently wears bright yellow paint with florescent writing. I will prime and paint white, and then stencil new striping. I'm not going for 100% restore, so I may modify the striping for my taste, and possibly add some horse elements to make it look nicer.
- Wood sides are mostly ok, not sure what prep I should do before paint
- Legs are very rusted, not sure if I should bother trying to clean or just replace, generic legs available yes?
- Glass is good and currently removed
- Playing surface appears ok but is very dull
- Most of features appear to be ok, mis-matching of flippers is apparently correct per other pictures that I have seen
- Missing the instruction card on how to play, want to track down info and retype
- Backglass looks good, some flaking but I'm ok with it, would repair if not hard/obvious when viewed
Mechanical:
- Right flipper doesn't work, apparently worked not too long ago, hoping this is easily remedied
- Some lights are out, hoping this is just bulb replacement
- Scoring apparently sticks at times, I will have to test and research
- Power switch is missing, machine comes on when plugged in, I want to add power switch. And the power cord is not original and a little sketchy, want to replace
- All rubber/bands need to be replaced
- Sound - I have no idea if sounds are working correctly or not, it's been a looong time since I heard an EM machine play. When on and a ball moving, sounds are made, but don't know if sounds right or not, maybe I'll record and post once cleaned up a bit for feedback
- I'm sure there is more wrong, just don't know details yet
Interesting:
Inside the cabinet was the coin catcher (old possibly original) and a whole bunch of stuff. Looks like any repairs/maintenance performed stored any old parts in the cabinet itself. Lots of wires, fuses, bolts, bulbs, old rubbers/bands, wine botle opener, blade shaver, some small tools, junk mostly. I went through and kept anything that I could possibly use on the machine or as a reference item. Few mechanical pieces that I'm not sure what they are, but looks like they were remoed from machine and (hopefully) replaced. Hard to tell what was part of the Pinball and what was part of an old Kerosene heater as there was a manual and parts of that stored in there as well.
First steps are to get it off the dolley and onto a workable platform (boxes? Sawhorses?) for examination and paint and work. Once painted I will either put on old or new legs and try to get it up to speed.
Way over my head but very intrigued. If able to pull this off I would love to repeat and have a couple old machines. Pics below as promised, the full machine pic in good shape is just for reference!