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Owning a Pinball Machine

FrankieGFrankieG Posts: 9,100
in All Encompassing Trip
Anyone here own a pinball machine?
I'm thinking about maybe trying to see if I can buy one cheap and fix it to make it work or buy one that's already working. Anyone ever do this? Anyone own a new one? Where'd you buy it?
Looking for tips on where to look, how to get my hands on the wiiring diagrams, spare parts websites, etc.
2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7

Comments

  • frozenwithsaltfrozenwithsalt Posts: 765
    Good luck. A pinball machine is definitely on my wish list, preferably a Star Wars one or knight rider. A custom PJ machine would rock... Hit F5 button 200 times with the ball and earn Wrigley GA ;)
  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave Posts: 42,031
    we had one when i was a kid, loved it.
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  • Empty GlassEmpty Glass Posts: 12,329
    Do you have a favorite bar/pub you go to? If so and they have games, talk with the bartender. They may be able to get you in touch with their guy and hook you up.
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  • frozenwithsaltfrozenwithsalt Posts: 765
    edited June 2014
    I've been looking for one of those arcade tables, preferably Pacman but donkey kong or frogger would be good too.
    Post edited by frozenwithsalt on
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,948
    That would be awesome. I love pinball machines. It would be really cool.for your guests too. I do wonder if I'd get sick of it after a few months though... maybe there is a pinball community that has a trading system set up. Every few months swap a machine with someone. :-?
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mookeywrenchmookeywrench Posts: 5,895
    I imagine they would be fun if you live alone.

    Not sure how long I could tolerate the sounds of , "kerplunk, cachunk, bing, ping, TWEETWEETWEE, plurrrrup, reenk, roink, wammo" when you're not in the mood to hear it.
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  • madtowndavemadtowndave Posts: 4,012
    I would love to have either a Star Wars or one of the newer Metallica machine. Maybe one of these days.
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  • oceaninmyeyesoceaninmyeyes Posts: 4,646
    My sister had a really cool vintage one that she got at an auction. It was a lot of fun. There is also a pediatric dentist in town who owns multiple machines and rotates them in his waiting room. Here's an online source: http://pinrescue.com/index.html
    And the sun it may be shining . . . but there's an ocean in my eyes
  • chadwickchadwick Posts: 21,157
    edited June 2014
    madtowndave said:

    I would love to have either a Star Wars or one of the newer Metallica machine. Maybe one of these days.

    http://www.metallica.com/news/20130411-359099.asp
    looks like metallica has four pinball machine models to choose from

    "Stern Pinball is the leading producer of pinball games and all machines are engineered and manufactured by hand just outside of Chicago, IL. Recent popular machines have included AC/DC, the Avengers, X-Men, Avatar, Iron Man, and Spider-Man. For more info visit www.sternpinball.com."


    heck i just enjoy hearing a pinball machine & seeing the lights go. neat stuff. these two sisters i grew up w/ had these cool parents w/ a upright pac-man arcade model in their basement. that was the bomb. i also like the table models like galaga
    http://youtu.be/WbtEVgvKSsE

    pool tables & air hockey tables... cool beans
    Post edited by chadwick on
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  • FrankieGFrankieG Posts: 9,100
    Empty Glass said:

    Do you have a favorite bar/pub you go to? If so and they have games, talk with the bartender. They may be able to get you in touch with their guy and hook you up.

    That's a good idea, thanks!


    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
    2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
  • FrankieGFrankieG Posts: 9,100
    Oh, Galaga might be on the list before a full out pinball machine. I love galaga haha
    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
    2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    I know there are companies that now cator to individuals now that the arcades have gone the way of the dodo. And you can switch machines out in case you get bored with one. I'm not sure if it is cost effective or not.
  • FrankieGFrankieG Posts: 9,100
    Jason P said:

    I know there are companies that now cator to individuals now that the arcades have gone the way of the dodo. And you can switch machines out in case you get bored with one. I'm not sure if it is cost effective or not.

    Hmm, that sounds cool. Do you have a link to a company? I'm not sure if I will get really tired of 1, or if I will get more competitive since I would fully understand it.
    I'm also looking to learn about hte inner workings, so I'm not sure if they would want me opening it up and messing with it. :))
    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
    2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,007
    Ah! I love the thought so much because when I was in college and living in San Francisco in the early 70's I shared a flat with a couple of guys and one of them had a pinball machine in the stairwell. We played that thing constantly such that I changed my major to Pinball Studies. Those were good times! I still remember it... a little green passed around, the darkened stairwell with only the glow of the pinball machine, taking turns playing, the pings and flashing lights... and of course... TILT!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
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  • JonnyPistachioJonnyPistachio Posts: 10,217
    brianlux said:

    Ah! I love the thought so much because when I was in college and living in San Francisco in the early 70's I shared a flat with a couple of guys and one of them had a pinball machine in the stairwell. We played that thing constantly such that I changed my major to Pinball Studies. Those were good times! I still remember it... a little green passed around, the darkened stairwell with only the glow of the pinball machine, taking turns playing, the pings and flashing lights... and of course... TILT!

    Awesome Brian :)

    I owned an early version of the arcade style Golden Tee golf game. They were selling them at Sports Authority for about $500, so me and the roommates split it. We broke it within two months and returned it unfortunately. We left the house more often after it was returned haha
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  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    To get a quick fix if you have a playstation or xbox, download Pinball FX 2. They have really good tables and themes and it is relativily cheap. Lots of Star Wars and Marvel themes, but also a lot of great original tables as well.
  • FrankieGFrankieG Posts: 9,100
    Jason P said:

    To get a quick fix if you have a playstation or xbox, download Pinball FX 2. They have really good tables and themes and it is relativily cheap. Lots of Star Wars and Marvel themes, but also a lot of great original tables as well.

    This might sound strange but I don't own any video gaming system... but thanks for the suggestion!

    Looking at websites, it looks like I will ned to buy it very used/broken and fix it myself because new ones are way out of my price range. :)) But fixing it up and understanding how it works is part of the reason why I want to own one, so I need to start looking down that road, I think.
    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
    2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    FrankieG said:

    Jason P said:

    To get a quick fix if you have a playstation or xbox, download Pinball FX 2. They have really good tables and themes and it is relativily cheap. Lots of Star Wars and Marvel themes, but also a lot of great original tables as well.

    This might sound strange but I don't own any video gaming system... but thanks for the suggestion!

    Looking at websites, it looks like I will ned to buy it very used/broken and fix it myself because new ones are way out of my price range. :)) But fixing it up and understanding how it works is part of the reason why I want to own one, so I need to start looking down that road, I think.
    There is a PC version and an IOS version ... put the ipad version starts to hurt my fingers from tapping the screen too much

    here is a link to the Pinball FX 2 site .... pinballfx.com/
  • FrankieGFrankieG Posts: 9,100
    Jason P said:

    FrankieG said:

    Jason P said:

    To get a quick fix if you have a playstation or xbox, download Pinball FX 2. They have really good tables and themes and it is relativily cheap. Lots of Star Wars and Marvel themes, but also a lot of great original tables as well.

    This might sound strange but I don't own any video gaming system... but thanks for the suggestion!

    Looking at websites, it looks like I will ned to buy it very used/broken and fix it myself because new ones are way out of my price range. :)) But fixing it up and understanding how it works is part of the reason why I want to own one, so I need to start looking down that road, I think.
    There is a PC version and an IOS version ... put the ipad version starts to hurt my fingers from tapping the screen too much

    here is a link to the Pinball FX 2 site .... pinballfx.com/
    Awesome, thanks!
    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
    2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,007
    JonnyPistachio said:

    brianlux said:

    Ah! I love the thought so much because when I was in college and living in San Francisco in the early 70's I shared a flat with a couple of guys and one of them had a pinball machine in the stairwell. We played that thing constantly such that I changed my major to Pinball Studies. Those were good times! I still remember it... a little green passed around, the darkened stairwell with only the glow of the pinball machine, taking turns playing, the pings and flashing lights... and of course... TILT!

    Awesome Brian :)

    I owned an early version of the arcade style Golden Tee golf game. They were selling them at Sports Authority for about $500, so me and the roommates split it. We broke it within two months and returned it unfortunately. We left the house more often after it was returned haha
    Haha! Yes, JonnyP., pinball machines are highly addictive!

    Computer games can be fun but what I always liked more about pinball is that involves more of the body- pushing that thing with more than just the hands, putting your weight into it such that you're constantly on the verge of "tilt", twisting, listing, lunging always on the verge of going over the edge. Pete Townshend and The Who certainly knew what that's all about!

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













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