STL Dorks Unite!

[LLUncoolJ]

Well, check out 4th place on Midevil Madness next time bitches...I played that game probably 10 more times and didn't sniff the kind of score I had on the first game.

I'm about to jump off my super diet and back into just cutting back. PW79, when I was talking to you, I could snell that Redbull and Vodka and was about to go over the edge. Then I was playing Whodunnit and some dude was standing there eating a quarter pounder...cruel and inhuman.

Pretty good time. Obviously I didn't end up taking my son, so it would've been a perfect night to get boozed up. I found that my level of play was actually pretty consistant as opposed to it declining inversely proportional to my beer intake.

Didn't wind up cutting a deal with Chuck, even though he was offering some pretty good deals on what he had to sell. The most intriguing was the Who's Tommy...a decent machine, but his is pretty rough and from what he said, it used to be a lot rougher. Dammit, I really wanted to just kick back and play some games, relax, and maybe buy a couple of beer signs at the April Super Auction, but it looks like I may be still looking to buy a pinball after all.

[pinballwizard79]

I couldn't keep the ball in play for more than prob 30 seconds @ a time the entire night.

Next time I will be sober, I have more fun there without the booze for some reason.

My goal now its to knock your name off the MM & TOM

[LLUncoolJ]

Ironically, other than MM, the game I logged the most plays on all night was ToM. Of course I couldn't get anything going. I had one game where I cracked a billion, but I had 800K and 2 extra balls on the first ball. So 200K on the next 4 balls...F-.

I like having a few drinks there better. I am far and away a better player sober, but I can play a lot longer fueled up a little. BTW, I am getting off of the super diet after tomorrow and going back to cutting back. So if I make it out there by chance this weekend, I'll have the playmate cooler in tow.

[JeepMonkey]

Dr. Dude in KC for $1000.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/tag/1612402764.html

[LLUncoolJ]

There's a Pinbot for sale about 100 miles from here for $850. I also got an email from Chuck this morning saying that he just got 5 or 6 new machines in. Johnny Mneumonic and No Fear, the rest are pre- system 11 games...Gorgar, space shuttle, etc.

I may take a look at the No Fear...not really into the theme that much, but I played Chuck's other one and it is actually surprisingly fun.

[JeepMonkey]

I saw that Pinbot for $850.  Not a bad price if the consition is good.

I have always heard negative things about No Fear.  When I finally got to play it I thought it was fun.  It is all shots up to the top of the playfield, nothing in the lower or middle playfield.  I like shooting up the playfield.

[pinballwizard79]

Right before I blacked out & nearly pissed on the floor I think Chuck said he was parting out a few machines for the LCD project....

You should be the test rat of the pack & build one (you make the expensive mistakes so we wont have to).

[JeepMonkey]

Arcade auction in Kansas City, Sunday March 7th.  They usually don't post there games until the night before or morning of the auctions.

I have been to a dozen or so.  IMO, it is a good time with a good selection.  The number of pins has been strong lately (8-12 each time) and not all crap titles.

I will be attending.

http://www.unitedamusement.com/dateslocations.php

[LLUncoolJ]

If it were a saturday, I might think about taking a roadie. But Super Auctions is only 5 weeks away.

Right before I blacked out & nearly pissed on the floor I think Chuck said he was parting out a few machines for the LCD project....

You should be the test rat of the pack & build one (you make the expensive mistakes so we wont have to).

Hell, if Chuck is building one, why would I need to be the test rat. I can't wait to play it...that way I will know if I even want to lay out the funds. Tell him to try Hyperpin...I'm interested in knowing how that performs.

[JeepMonkey]

LL - You have PM.

[pinballwizard79]

Unfortunately I am the guy building this for Chuck.

He supplies the cabinets, we both buy our own hardware/displays & then his tools & wood working people do all the routing & etc to recess in the 46LCD & other modifications that require the precision, tools & skills I lack. Then I do all the tech work  

[Flake]

Unfortunately I am the guy building this for Chuck.

He supplies the cabinets, we both buy our own hardware/displays & then his tools & wood working people do all the routing & etc to recess in the 46LCD & other modifications that require the precision, tools & skills I lack. Then I do all the tech work  

So your building two?  Will Chuck have his setup at his arcade?

[pinballwizard79]

Yes @ building 2

I dont know if he will put that in the arcade or not....he prob will

This wedding is setting me back some "tokens" so it will be a few months before anything major happens. I will prob just start on the cabinet repair/clean/fill/prime & etc when I get back in a few weeks so you guys totally have time to build one first  

I have a 46" upstairs that I will be taking off the wall soon just to test out first tho so maybe that will motivate me to work faster  

[LLUncoolJ]

JM, I am now a member of your ranks. I pulled the trigger on that CJ7. It's at the mechanic right now to fix a suspension/steering issue. Pretty scary at 50 mph, but hopefully a cheap fix. Now I just gotta wait for it to get warm enough to drop the top.

[JeepMonkey]

Congrats!  Glad it worked out.

Post up some pics when you get it back.

[Mauzy]

JM, I am now a member of your ranks. I pulled the trigger on that CJ7. It's at the mechanic right now to fix a suspension/steering issue. Pretty scary at 50 mph, but hopefully a cheap fix. Now I just gotta wait for it to get warm enough to drop the top.

Arcade games, pinball machines AND sweet classic Jeeps? Moving to Edwardsville in August just keeps getting better! A nice CJ-7 has been a post college goal of mine ever since I got a Cherokee as my first vehicle, thus getting a foot in the door of the Jeep world.

[LLUncoolJ]

Yeah, it's quite a life...other than the yearly kick in the nuts known as property taxes and the corrupt polititions, Illinois ain't too bad. Good luck in the Jeep pursuit, you're gonna have to deal with a lot of hillbillies. Then again, trying to find pinballs on Craigslist is no picnic either.

[Mauzy]

Yeah, I've lived in Illinois for about 6 years now. Its not bad, where I've been (central, east central) is RIDICULOUSLY flat though.

As for dealing with hillbillies, I got an eye opener a few years ago driving through the part of Kentucky my dad grew up in. I would hope having a little of that backwood Kentucky blood would help help me a bit.

[LLUncoolJ]

Arcade auction in Kansas City, Sunday March 7th.  They usually don't post there games until the night before or morning of the auctions.

I have been to a dozen or so.  IMO, it is a good time with a good selection.  The number of pins has been strong lately (8-12 each time) and not all crap titles.

I will be attending.

http://www.unitedamusement.com/dateslocations.php

How was this? Did you wind up going? If so, any new toys?

[JeepMonkey]

I did not go.  The only thing I was interested in playing was a Whirlwind.  I would have played a few games of TZ though.

Here is a list of the pins they had.
Cue Ball Wizard
Dracula
Monopoly
Playboy 35th Ann Pinball
Whirlwind Pinball
Twilight Zone Pinball
Shoot Out Pinball
Lethal Weapon Pinball
Doodle Bub Pinball

My jeep is getting to the point where I need to get a second vehicle and make the jeep a toy / winter vehicle.  It can still be a daily driver, but it just hit 12 years old and 110K miles.  So with a new(er) car purchase (thinking 350Z) and I just paid off a big chuck of my mortgage, means the pin fund is a little low right now.

[LLUncoolJ]

Whirlwind on CL today $1075. Damn near closer for you than me though, half way to the Lake. It is a very intriguing system 11, right up there with Funhouse.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/vgm/1636746461.html

I hear ya on the finances. Obama ought to give me a medal for single handedly stimulating the economy this spring.

[YoGaBaR]

Anyone going to CPs this weekend? I was thinking of going Sat.

[LLUncoolJ]

I'd like to, Chuck emailed me this morning to let me know his No Fear is done, although the price went up. It was a slam dunk at $1400, but $1600 is pretty borderline. Anyway, if I go for open pinball, it will be saturday.

[LLUncoolJ]

going to CP tonight, should be there around 8 with vodka in hand.

[LLUncoolJ]

CP's popularity seems to be growing. Must've been date night, far and away the most girls I've seen there. And some were decent looking...well done dorks.

I made the mistake of taking wife and letting her have input in the latest pinball purchase. Apparently No Fear isn't good enough, but she thinks Fish Tales would be fine. Problem is it's not for sale and if it were, it would likely blow the budget by $800-$1000. Sorry, if I'm gonna blow my budget out off the water, I may as well buy TSPP.

Did anyone catch that TZ on craigslist sunday for $800. The ad said the cabinet and everything were in great shape, but just quit working. I didn't inquire, but the ad was gone pretty quick. Either the guy was full of sh*t or somebody got a helluva deal.

[pinballwizard79]

I'm baaaaack

Spent a week @ the Venetian, got married, drank until I forgot, ate until I was sick, shot machine guns, drove a dune buggy, saw lake meade/grandcanyon/mojave from a helicopter, rode in 3 limo's that I can recall, blacked out on the rooftop 52 stories high outside, played a $750,000.00 pinball machine & ate @ Hash house a go go (from the show "Man Vs Food") & to top it off I will be @ CP's with some Blue Moon this Saturday night.

But I missed a TZ for $800?

FML

[LLUncoolJ]

Damn, all I do is drink and gamble in Vegas. We're planning on going next spring for the 10 year anniversary. We got married at the Flamingo, but it wasn't as eventful as yours.

PW79, why don't you go scout that Fish Tales for me in Lake St Louis, you're a lot closer than I am. Dude is not real forthcoming with details and photos. I don't know why you bother listing on Ebay & CL with a description this vague and 1 photo taken from across the room:

Williams Fish Tales Pinball machine for auction.  Private seller so no fancy listing--just a reasonable price.  Check out all the fancy listings out there, I have the same game.  Recently serviced by professional technician.  All modes, targets, gates and progressions work properly.  Big fish works, ramps work, ball locks work, multiball and video modes all work.  Very pure playing machine.  One light bulb is out on the stretch the truth meter and the 3 inch cosmetic piece on casters club has been removed.  Free play but can be converted.  I have keys.

[LLUncoolJ]

Congrats!  Glad it worked out.

Post up some pics when you get it back.

Got the Jeep out of hock. Could've bought a crappy pinball (or a significant upgrade) for what it cost me. New ball joints, u joints, caster adjustment and replaced brake lines. The good news is the mechanic said I did pretty well on it. The lift was solid and correct and the offroad add ons were pretty costly. But most importantly, it doesn't scare the sh*t out of me at 45 mph anymore.

[JeepMonkey]

Nice score!   

One thing I really like about the CJs over the TJs is the lack of plastic panels.  I wish I had the metal dash.

[pinballwizard79]

Lets get it muddy!!!!!

[pinballwizard79]

So I went through hell to have my 42 plasma wired/fished/powered over my fireplace about 4 years ago during construction right?

Then the 42 breaks & the service plan = a massive pile of money back on a technology that decreased in price = a 46 Sony Bravia LCD for the free = F yeah!

One problem...the outlet & AV boxes are too low for a 46" since the bracket has to go up & if it went up it would cover up the outlet & if it went up above the outlet then it would be seen = F that

So the wife says "Use that 46 LCD for your pinball project & buy me a cheap 42 rather than move the outlet up 3 inches, repaint, drywall repair & etc"

Me = awesome

Chuck = wide body cabinet

LCD pinball = holy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- I really get one now

[LLUncoolJ]

this is shaping up to be a big-ass mini-pin. Party at your house when it is done (with you supplying drinks and hors d'oeuvres of course).

I guess I'm gonna go out to Lake St Louis this weekend and take a look at that Fish Tales. I told the guy that the best I would be able to do is in the $1400-$1500 price range, depending on whether the mylar needs to be removed. According to Pinball Jim, that is not difficult on a diamond plated playfield...although his skillset is probably a little higher than mine. Anyway, at that price, I can probably resell it when I get bored with it.

Still waiting for Obama to give me a medal for singlehandedly stimulating the economy this winter/spring.

[LLUncoolJ]

Super Auctions this Saturday
I didn't make it to see the Fish Tales. It's just a borderline call from the pics I've seen. And if I drove 70 miles each way and the guy wouldn't accept what I offered, I'd be pissed. Not to mention it pretty much rained all day, and I'm pretty sure I didn't want to haul it home in the rain.

Oh well, vacation immediately following SA, then pool construction begins. I've got plenty to keep me busy for a while.

[pinballwizard79]

Yeah after I get the LCD pin completed I will fo show host something... warning: in my town hors d'oeuvres are white castles.

[JeepMonkey]

I miss White Castle.  We had a couple here in KC, but they shut them all down a few years back.  The frozen ones just aren't the same.

Someone needs to put up a list of pins and prices from the super auction here.

[LLUncoolJ]

I'll see what I can do. I don't expect much as far as pinballs, plus it is supposed to rain. Once again, I have this thing about hauling pinball machines in the rain. So if it's crappy out, I will likely be playing games and having some beers instead of watching the auction.

Maybe Brewmania will be worthy.

[Flake]

Damn the auction is this weekend.  I forgot about it and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to exit early from work 

LL your as bad as your Dad as far as looking at the weather forecast.  Its the midwest for god's sake, you know those forecasts are about as predictable as a female's mood swings.

[LLUncoolJ]

I don't think the weather will be an issue either way. I'm sure they will have 4 or 5 SS machines in average to crappy shape. If there is anything decent, it will go for 20% more than it's worth (probably via buyback) and that's not including the extra 20% you have to shell out for premiums and taxes. No, I see me investing in beer signs, and then beer.

[Nemss316]

Hey, I just happen to see this thread here! I'm from Belleville, IL. Anyone going to the arcade auction Saturday? It'd be fun to hang out w/ other STL area dorks.

I'm also hunting for a 19" arcade monitor for my cab. I've replaced my busted monitor with an LCD, but I haven't had any luck finding a replacement. Any ideas??

[LLUncoolJ]

Check with the guy on craigslist that posts from Madison, IL..he'll have several empty cabinets for sale. But he sells parts out of machines, he may have something. He is at almost all of the auctions too, so if you cut a deal with him, maybe he'll bring it with him and save you a trip. I think his name is Dave, but I'm not 100%.

I'll be the fat dude lurking around the pinballs machines drinking Miller Lite.