Author Topic: Non-Working Pinball Machine (Read 3031 times)

Havoc · « **on:** March 21, 2006, 02:54:54 pm »

I have always really liked pinball machines but never had the money to afford one ... recently however I came across an older williams machine (1979) that only lights up and they are asking fairly cheap money for as it is not working. What is too much to pay for a non-working machine and is what is the ballpark figure to have it serviced assuming its in repairable condition? Any input would be very appreciated. Thanks

clanggedin · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2006, 03:03:55 pm »

What's the name of the pin??

ClubNinja · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2006, 03:04:46 pm »

Specifically, we'd need to know what the game is. Some are more or less desired than others.

Generally, what is the condition of the playfield and backglass? Are all of the playfield pieces intact? Are all of the boards in the head? These questions are all important when valuing a game - especially a non-playing one.

Havoc · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2006, 03:56:42 pm »

Thanks for the replies.... its called "Flash" and is manufactured by williams. I found this link that gives a good description
http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=871

yugffuts · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2006, 04:09:24 pm »

There is a non-working, untested FLASH for $150 in MD (dunno if that's the one you're referring to). Figure that you can get the boards straightened out, but you'll want the backglass and playfield to be relatively intact, cause you don't want to have to track them down later.

Not that this will help with value for FLASH, but I bought a non-working Strikes & Spares (late 70's Bally) for $200 a few months back as my first project pin. Some might say I overpaid, considering there was some PF wear and acid damage on the MPU. However, I was able to fix it, and sell it and turn a slight profit, so I came out ahead in cash and knowledge.

If you're just getting into pins, and want to get your feet wet with regard to repairs, pick it up, even if it costs a bit more than people suggest. That way, when a pin you want turns up, you'll have some experience that you can put to work.

D_Zoot · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2006, 04:35:49 pm »

Flash, in my opinion, is one of the great pinball machines of that era.

To put a value on any pin you must consider a few things. Is the game complete? Are all the electronic boards in place? How is the playfield, cabinet and backglass?

If the game is complete, with average condition (some wear and evidence of use) playfield and cab, with a decent backglass (only small minor flaking or less), then $200 - $300 for a non-working machine would be a reasonable price. If the paint is flaking off the cab, or the playfield has sections of paint worn down to the wood, or the backglass is flaking badly then adjust downward. If it's minty it would be higher.

A fully working Flash in good condition usually goes for $500 to $700 on average.

One of the most important factors is how bad do you want it?

If it's complete, just non-working, don't be afraid. Repairing the electronics is well documented on the net, or there are many that will do board repairs for a reasonable price.

D

grantspain · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2006, 04:59:26 pm »

Most pins suffer from burnt plugs,bad joints,bridge rects,transistors-the pictures look good.

ChadTower · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2006, 05:07:53 pm »

Dude, he hasn't posted any pictures.

grantspain · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2006, 05:40:23 pm »

Sorry i thought that link was for the pin he was buying,lo siento soy estupido ingles

Havoc · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2006, 08:34:40 pm »

well it must have been worth the price as its already gone ... I appreciate all the replies though. Listed and sold in hours, oh well gonna keep looking anyway

ChadTower · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2006, 08:51:52 pm »

A decent pin will sell in minutes.

Havoc · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2006, 09:24:02 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on March 21, 2006, 08:51:52 pm

A decent pin will sell in minutes.

yeah I am begining to find that out

ChadTower · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2006, 09:37:39 am »

Anyone know if Flash is a good game? I was looking at one last night but didn't end up buying it.

ClubNinja · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2006, 10:30:02 am »

I've heard good things about Flash. It's also common as dirt, which is a bonus if you're looking for one.

Ken Layton · « **Reply #14 on:** March 22, 2006, 10:40:57 am »

Yes, Flash is an excellent game. Back in the glory days we had a couple dozen of them on our route. All of them ended up with worn out playfields from excessive play!

I just fixed a basket case one a couple of months ago. It was dead and it had been stored in a barn! Naturally corrosion had taken it's toll on the circuit boards, connectors, and lamp sockets. I've got at least 30 hours of labor into it, but it's now up and running and ready to go on location again.

RayB · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2006, 01:49:58 pm »

Ken, where do you put such old pinballs, that they will still make money?

grantspain · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2006, 06:48:08 pm »

We have a world cup 94 and a casino high roller in my arcade and they take serious good money,always clean and well serviced,perhaps $200 a week each.And i love working on pins,in our other arcade we have 2xdemolition man ,2x wwf,wc94,casino hi roller,addams gold and a theatre of magic-absolutly class gear,oh and a goldeneye which is crap

Karetaker · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2006, 06:51:25 pm »

I always like that pin. I bought a Flash that wasn't working for $100. I fixed it and sold it for $500. Then I bought it back from the people I sold it to for $200. Then I sold it again for $500. I haven't seen it since.

grantspain · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2006, 06:57:42 pm »

Quote from: Karetaker on March 22, 2006, 06:51:25 pm

I always like that pin. I bought a Flash that wasn't working for $100. I fixed it and sold it for $500. Then I bought it back from the people I sold it to for $200. Then I sold it again for $500. I haven't seen it since.

buy it back again and again,you would have a class little business there!

SirPeale · « **Reply #19 on:** March 22, 2006, 07:59:36 pm »

Quote from: RayB on March 22, 2006, 01:49:58 pm

Ken, where do you put such old pinballs, that they will still make money?

Depends. Some places people love older pins, and some they crave far newer stuff.

May be a place you don't *want* a newer pin to go, like a thrash bar or something.

Ken Layton · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2006, 12:29:58 am »

RayB:

My friend has games in a local "retro" pizza restaurant. They love all the old classics and people play the hell out of the games. They have been asking for this Flash pinball and soon we will be installing it there.

Havoc · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2006, 12:12:40 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on March 22, 2006, 09:37:39 am

Anyone know if Flash is a good game? I was looking at one last night but didn't end up buying it.

Chad I think you are in the same area as me, so it was probably the same pin ... didnt see it up close but looked like it was in OK shape. There was another machine listed that was called scorcerer which also looked fairly nice.

ChadTower · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2006, 01:06:09 pm »

That's not the one. The one I was looking at was in a warehouse in a row of about 20 pins.


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news