Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

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Chris Silver
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Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Chris Silver »

It's a stab in the dark that people will see this thread before buying their first pin. I wanted to jot down things that they should keep in mind. Add on if you have any good pointers.

Don't transport with the head up. Take the legs off as well.

Don't think you're doing anybody any favours by painting the cabinet anything other that the original art. Petina is way more preferred over losing a machines identity.

Do lay the backglass on its face when working on the boards. Don't lay it on the painted side. There a good chance you can damage it.

Don't leave the backglass in very cold temperatures and the bring it in. It'll flake and destroy the artwork.

Do remove the playfield glass and give the playfield a solid cleaning. Replace the ball while you're at it. Not only will the game play better, but you'll also greatly extend the life of your playfield. Dirt and a bad ball will wear it away like sandpaper.

These are just a few pointers. Any more good points anyone?
Pins: Spirit, Centaur II, Af-Tor, Avatar, Embryon, Timeline, Baby Pac Man, SkyJump, Night Moves, Split Second
Gone: Space Station, Top Score, Flash Gordon, Solar Fire, Haunted House, Fire (x2), Vector, Bally Playboy, Tropic Isle, Beat the Clock, Blue-Chip, Disco, Punk!, Lightning, Time Fantasy, 8 Ball Deluxe LE, Double Dragon, Stellar Wars, Alien Poker, Panthera, Elektra, Blackout, Black Hole, Black Knight, Silverball Mania
WTB: Medieval Madness, Rush
Its better to have played and lost than never to have played at all.

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Azatotht »

Do not lay the pf glass directly on concrete and make sure you don't hit anything hard with the SIDE when handling it.. or else you'll have a nice diamonds collection :D
I am the monster that breathing men would kill.
I, am Dracula... (and you're not!)

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Chris Silver »

Do not oil or grease anything in a pinball machine other than the spinner and shooter rod. You can do what you want to a Time Warp because that game sucks anyway. ;) lol
Pins: Spirit, Centaur II, Af-Tor, Avatar, Embryon, Timeline, Baby Pac Man, SkyJump, Night Moves, Split Second
Gone: Space Station, Top Score, Flash Gordon, Solar Fire, Haunted House, Fire (x2), Vector, Bally Playboy, Tropic Isle, Beat the Clock, Blue-Chip, Disco, Punk!, Lightning, Time Fantasy, 8 Ball Deluxe LE, Double Dragon, Stellar Wars, Alien Poker, Panthera, Elektra, Blackout, Black Hole, Black Knight, Silverball Mania
WTB: Medieval Madness, Rush
Its better to have played and lost than never to have played at all.

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Murphelman »

Don't change the bulbs with the power turned on!
Own
Stern: , Iron Maiden, Godzilla, TMNT., Foo Fighters, Rush, Meteor
Bally/Williams:Dr. Who, Jack*Bot, Demo Man,
Data East: Nothing
Gottlieb: Strange World
Bally: 8 Ball Deluxe
Williams:
JJP: N/A
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Baywatch, Starship Troopers, Taxi
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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Azatotht »

Murphelman wrote:Don't change the bulbs with the power turned on!
Or simply raise the pf either :FP: Blown a BSD bridge like that once... :(
I am the monster that breathing men would kill.
I, am Dracula... (and you're not!)

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by tombiosis »

Check fuse values closely; do not over-fuse.
Pins: 8BDlx, Rush Pro, The Walking Dead Pro, Iron Maiden Pro, Deadpool Pro, Tommy.
Gone but not forgotten: 6M$M, Fish Tales, Sorcerer, WPT, Elvis, Centaur II, Sure Shot, Firepower, Big Buck Hunter Pro, JP pro, EBD1984.

WTB: Fathom, TSPP, BSD, GOT.


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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Chris Silver »

Do change the batteries if you're not sure of their age.
Pins: Spirit, Centaur II, Af-Tor, Avatar, Embryon, Timeline, Baby Pac Man, SkyJump, Night Moves, Split Second
Gone: Space Station, Top Score, Flash Gordon, Solar Fire, Haunted House, Fire (x2), Vector, Bally Playboy, Tropic Isle, Beat the Clock, Blue-Chip, Disco, Punk!, Lightning, Time Fantasy, 8 Ball Deluxe LE, Double Dragon, Stellar Wars, Alien Poker, Panthera, Elektra, Blackout, Black Hole, Black Knight, Silverball Mania
WTB: Medieval Madness, Rush
Its better to have played and lost than never to have played at all.

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by sylvain »

In addition to check all fuses for proper value and type (good advice from tombiosis above: do not overfuse!),

- check and fix any frayed wires inside, poor hacks;
- check and replace the AC plug if its ground prong had been broken-off;
- Turn the machine OFF before unplugging or replugging any connector on boards and displays;
- NEVER use a metal tool to adjust switches under the playfield with the machine powered ON, especially for a solid state machine.

I have seen (then fixed) many machines over the years with prior poor dangerous hacks that were absolutely a fire or electrocution hazard,
or after someone blasted some logic chips on the MPU after using a metal tool under the playfield, shorting solenoid voltage to the switch matrix.

-Sylvain.
Looking for Bally Star-Jet, The Wiggler, Williams Magic City, Grand Lizard, Swords of Fury, 1986 Pinstar Gamatron, and a few others.
Collecting & repairing electro-mechanical and solid state pinball machines with quality and care for 40+ years already.
Serious and fun hobby, powerful nostalgia !

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by uberhare »

Don't own just 1. Never plan on just 1, make room for 5 or more :)
Now playing....Dr Who, Pinbot, Black Hole, Mars GOW, Supersonic, Moon Flight, Firepower
Now fixing...Circus, Force II

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Mrhide »

LF: GrooveCoaster Machine, shmups or any PCB, specifically Namco System 1 (Pacmania), let me know what you have!

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Mrhide »

my favorite is still #6! :lol:
LF: GrooveCoaster Machine, shmups or any PCB, specifically Namco System 1 (Pacmania), let me know what you have!

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by WARLOCK »

I love and respect every members opinions on this thread...
I love you all.. You miss the point of the intention of it. ( for someone new )

But are you "insane" and recounting your first purchase? (for this new person)
HMMM>>>>> OP, remember your "first purchase"'? (We are recounting from experience)

It taints our perspective.
Absolutely.

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by WARLOCK »

Buy what you want.
Buy what you really love.
Don't listen to anyone else at all.
You are the only one that is correct.

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by WARLOCK »

I could say more - No
I could advise - No

Engage - Your choice
Buy/Sell - You decide

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by WARLOCK »

All the best
Love the idea's

This is for you
No one else tho

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Chris Silver »

A lot of great information there. That guy uses a hell of a lot of exclamation throughout his topics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pins: Spirit, Centaur II, Af-Tor, Avatar, Embryon, Timeline, Baby Pac Man, SkyJump, Night Moves, Split Second
Gone: Space Station, Top Score, Flash Gordon, Solar Fire, Haunted House, Fire (x2), Vector, Bally Playboy, Tropic Isle, Beat the Clock, Blue-Chip, Disco, Punk!, Lightning, Time Fantasy, 8 Ball Deluxe LE, Double Dragon, Stellar Wars, Alien Poker, Panthera, Elektra, Blackout, Black Hole, Black Knight, Silverball Mania
WTB: Medieval Madness, Rush
Its better to have played and lost than never to have played at all.

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by andre »

Buy something that is 100% working.
It will break soon enough...

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by Chris Silver »

Do remember to grab all the parts before you leave.

Keys, legs, ball, bolts

I've left excited or in a hurry and forgot something before.
Pins: Spirit, Centaur II, Af-Tor, Avatar, Embryon, Timeline, Baby Pac Man, SkyJump, Night Moves, Split Second
Gone: Space Station, Top Score, Flash Gordon, Solar Fire, Haunted House, Fire (x2), Vector, Bally Playboy, Tropic Isle, Beat the Clock, Blue-Chip, Disco, Punk!, Lightning, Time Fantasy, 8 Ball Deluxe LE, Double Dragon, Stellar Wars, Alien Poker, Panthera, Elektra, Blackout, Black Hole, Black Knight, Silverball Mania
WTB: Medieval Madness, Rush
Its better to have played and lost than never to have played at all.

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Re: Buying You're First Pin - Do and Don't

Post by OTTOgd »

Chris Silver wrote:Do remember to grab all the parts before you leave.

Keys, legs, ball, bolts

I've left excited or in a hurry and forgot something before.
Great recommendation!

Yep, I was too excited as well, once. Forgot the legs. Only another 45 minute drive back east, through traffic again. And then another 45 minutes home. An extra 1.5 hours on the road, at least. ugh.

Don't forget your tools either! I bring small drill, wrenches and screwdrivers for bolts and ground screws.

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