My first pin - **Updated With Problems**

[Sir Headless VII]

So I am going to go pick up my first pinball machine on Wednesday (one of these ). Is there anything I should know about picking up and transporting a pinball machine. I am planning on taking off the legs and folding down the backbox (hopefully they have the key I didn't ask them that) and probably putting it on some blankets or something to cushion it. Anything else I should do. Specific things to look for when I pick it up?

[pinballwizard79]

Yes, do all of that.

Also run it through a switch error check to find out if there are any existing errors, warning: if the settings, scores & etc are reset that wont help because its only going to state the item(s) that were not initiated after x number of games.

BUT!

You can put it into active switch mode & push every little thing to make sure all is well, even if it isn't though the problem is just a loose solder usually.

ALSO, look for browning on the clips.......its not a deal breaker because that always happens over time (fricking GI clips always seem to burn over time no matter what), it just means you better replace em before your board gets ruined (that's priceless advice).

When you get it home adjust the pop bumpers, replace the nylon sleeves & increase the pulse to "hard"...........that will get you by until a full rebuild.

Have fun & "GET IN THE RING - OH YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

Also, it will break in a week like all new acquisitions do 

[Visitor Q]

Take the balls out!

Transport it flat and be sure to cushion the head from the side rails.

[Sir Headless VII]

So the machine is home now and I am really happy with it. I paid $750 and everything seems to work but 1 or 2 lamps (of course I know nothing about pinball so take that with a grain of salt). It is missing the lock for the back glass but it doesn't seem like it will fall out and I'm not really worried about someone stealing it or messing with whatever is behind it. It also has no topper but I don't care about that. The coin doors have 1 and 1/2 mechanisms and nothing that catches accepted coins. The second doesn't have the bit that decides if your coin is a quarter so it doesn't work as of now but I figure I could make a ramp from the input to the switch to count a credit and then that side would accept anything. What I would really like is to make the side that does work take Canadian quarters instead of American ones. Canadian quarters are lighter and slightly thinner. I see I can buy new ones from Happ that take Canadian quarters but is there any way to modify the one I have? Also since I don't really want to make money with it ideally I would make it so once a credit has been counted the coin would fall into the coin rejected area so you can get it back without opening the coin door. For now I think I'll set it to free play.






Also how do you make the pictures so they are small and get bigger when you click on them?

[pinballwizard79]

cool pin 

[ChadTower]

Nice condition.  That game is on my very short DMD wantlist.  Just haven't found one in my area at the right moment.

[Jeff AMN]

Nice condition.  That game is on my very short DMD wantlist.  Just haven't found one in my area at the right moment.

You aren't a big fan of the DMDs?

I haven't played WWF Royal Rumble since it was on location, so it's been quite a while. I think Data East games are knocked down a peg in their ratings by default, simply because they are Data East. However, there are a few of them that are just as good as anything Bally/Williams put out. I think Jurassic Park is a top 20 SS pinball machine. It has deep modes, tricky shots, a fast and consistent flow, great DMD animation, and very strong use of its theme.

[ChadTower]

You aren't a big fan of the DMDs?

Not as much as the intermediate era solid state games or certain early SS games.  Just don't seem to enjoy the overly complex DMD games as much.

[Jeff AMN]

You aren't a big fan of the DMDs?

Not as much as the intermediate era solid state games or certain early SS games.  Just don't seem to enjoy the overly complex DMD games as much.

Yeah, a lot of DMDs can have their flow broken up by long animations on the screen while the ball is being held in the subway or something like that. But for a lot of them, the DMDs do add to the overall game experience.

[ChadTower]

But for a lot of them, the DMDs do add to the overall game experience.

But not something positive to everyone.  If the DMD isn't a functional part of the gameplay, and that would be the video modes I mentioned not liking, then it's not adding anything functional that the older displays don't do.  What do I care if there is an animated cow floating across my score during gameplay?

[pinballwizard79]

Obviously I agree with Jeff regarding DE.

Take advantage of the current lack of interest in DE pinball.

Also this economic recession/depression is really bringing the prices down on these things, it seems houses & bank/insurance stocks were not the only thing at their peak 3-4 years ago.

[Visitor Q]

Welcome to the world of pinball and you new addiction.

[Sir Headless VII]

So, the first thing has broken on my machine. Its just a drop target though (the second D on the left D-E-A-D targets) the target part has snapped off. So I am going to have to replace it, is there a place in Ottawa I can buy a new target or am I going to have to go online (either way any suggestions would be welcome). Also is there a place I can get  a new sticker or graphic for it? Anyone have any tips on replacing a drop target? I have never done any repairs on a pinball machine before so a step by step guide would be super helpful.

[pinballwizard79]

Just go to pinballlife.com & get some sega targets, get a few extras while your at it because it will prob happen again some day.

Decal artwork can be found online @ http://www.ballsofsteel.net/?a=viewmachine&id=2820 (I dunno whats up with that "D" on there so it looks like you get to play with that one in order to make it work)

You can print the labels on decal paper & cover with mylar or numerous other things like packing tape (idea stolen from PBJ who stole it from who knows where).

Thats all you've broke so far?

Must be nice LOL.


EDIT: I stand corrected regarding all new pin acquisitions breaking within a week. It appears to have taken a month, my apologies 

[Sir Headless VII]

Ok, if I am ordering online anyways is there anything else I should order along with these (bulbs, rubber kit, common capacitors) to cut down on the pain of paying $20 sipping a 1.50 part? Or does the shipping not work like that and if I order more it will just cost me more. On the subject of that the flippers on the upper playing field seem weak to me, I have no intention of rebuilding them now but I guess I could get the parts for it.

[Charles4400]

I like to have extra switches and diodes available...nothing worse than having a switch go bad and having to order and wait for that one switch (ok maybe alot of things are worse but its still not fun  )... also have diodes on hand for the switches too:
http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=173&parent=0

I agree with pbj on not needing an entire flipper rebuild but instead of cleaning the sleeves, just buy new ones...they are less than a buck a pop ($.50 range) and really does put the zip back in your flips!

But if you want to learn about fixing your pins and what does what and how....for the learning experience it's not bad to get a rebuild kit...you'll learn tons by changing out parts....just make sure you wire the coils correctly or you'll be learning how to replace transistors on the board quicker than you might like!

[shardian]

Seriously, if the flippers are weak, just cleaning the coils sleeves will fix 99% of the problem.

Thanks to Clay Harrel, everyone has gotten this idea that weak flippers = complete rebuild.  Unless there's an obvious mechanical problem, cleaning will work wonders.

Exactly! I was not about to drop big money on flipper rebuilds. New $2 coil stops, plus a complete cleaning = perfect flippers.

[Visitor Q]

Ok, if I am ordering online anyways is there anything else I should order along with these (bulbs, rubber kit, common capacitors) to cut down on the pain of paying $20 sipping a 1.50 part? Or does the shipping not work like that and if I order more it will just cost me more. On the subject of that the flippers on the upper playing field seem weak to me, I have no intention of rebuilding them now but I guess I could get the parts for it.

Try Bay Area Amusement, you can get small items shipped first class mail for less than 2 bucks!

[Sir Headless VII]

When I goto their site the cheapest shipping i can get on 1 drop target is 13.95. It's a moot point now since I have already ordered from pinballlife but it would be nice to find a place i can order small things and not get bent over on shipping charges. I live in Ottawa Canada by the way.