5/25/2023 0 Comments Vintage pinball machinesUnder the hood (playfield) - If the seller is kind enough to show you the back glass then they shouldn’t have a problem lifting the playfield up for you. If the paint is flaking or chipping off the playfield you’ll want to keep on looking. This means relatively flat and smooth with no missing inserts or bare wood showing. Playfield- You are going to want the playfield to be in at least “good” condition. If it is clean then you can be more confident in how it’s been cared for over the years. Also pay attention to the cleanliness of the back glass cabinet. ![]() You will also want to inspect the boards for corrosion. These will sometimes leak and can cause serious issues with the machine. If the game is a solid state check the batteries on the boards in the back glass cabinet. Behind the back glass- If you are able to do so, have the seller open up the back glass so you can see behind it. Even the reproductions can run in the $150+ range. The back glass (or translite) is probably the hardest item to replace because although some reproductions are made for more popular machines, they are not made for all. Back Glass- Besides basic functionality of the machine it is important to inspect the cabinet, playfield and back glass. (On newer machines you can also run diagnostics tests in the ‘Service Menu’ to check for errors in the machine’s operation.) Some things to look for are scoring inaccuracies, faulty pop bumpers, faulty vertical upkicks and bad switches or solenoids. Some issues with machines don’t come up but every so many games and you want to make darn sure those issues don’t magically appear when you get it home. Basic Functionality- First things first: PLAY THAT THING! If you can play it before you buy, do it! Play it 5 times in a row…then play it 10 more times. There are some basic issues that anyone can look for: What to look for- Pinball machines are handmade and contain 100’s of moving parts, so inspecting one for everything that could be wrong is a pretty tall order for your average pinball fan buying their first machine. It is strongly recommended that you see and play the game before buying. Ebay and other online retailers also sell used pinball machines but the shipping costs can become a little expensive. This isn’t always an option if you live in a less metropolitan area though. If there is a local club or pinball league, those are even better because you can get to know the local collectors and get their insights as well. Where to buy- A good place to start is your local online classifieds or craigslist. Most machines made in the last 20-30 years are roughly these dimensions, but make sure to get exact measurements to be sure it’ll fit into your desired location. Size of pinball machines- Pinball machines come in all sorts of shapes and sizes but a general idea of the measurements would be around 55" L x 27" W x 75.5" H and weigh around 250 pounds. LCD displays have been around for the last few years in new pinball machines. LCD screens can display extremely high quality graphics, animation and even movie and TV clips. Liquid-Crystal Display or LCD machines are similar to DMD but with a larger LCD display. Dot Matrix Display or DMD machines are Solid State machines with a display that is used both for scoring and low-res video. Solid State or SS machines are controlled by an electronic microprocessor. ![]() Usually a lot of moving parts and switches. EM games are relay-based machines controlled by a score motor and stepper units. Type- There are a few different types of machines starting with Electro-Mechanical or EM. With brand new machines starting at about $5,500 a used machine might be the route for you. Most avid pinball players have their favorite machines to play and the ultimate goal is to have your very own inside your home. Something about the flashing lights, ringing bells and lightning fast silver ball draws people in and won’t let them go. Pinball is a timeless game that has seen a resurgence in the last few years, with new pinball arcades popping up around the country.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |