Pinball Ownership 101 - What to look for when buying a used game, maintenance, and more!

We sit in on an information session that was held by our local pinball enthusiast group. Alex Bakker and Dan Horne walk us through some of the first things they look at when they are buying a used pinball machine, run through the anatomy of a cabinet, and review some basic maintenance and repair items. This video is the perfect place to start if you are curious about buying a pinball machine, or have recently bought one, but are maybe scared to attempt your own repairs on it, and might even have some good tips for a seasoned pinball veteran.
Some useful sites where parts and cleaning supplies can be found:
www.ministryofpinball.com/
www.marcospecialties.com
www.passionforpinball.com (Cliffy Protectors)
www.pinballlife.com
www.nitropinball.com (Our favorite Canadian Pinball Distributor!)
colordmd.com
www.canadiantire.ca - Mother's Wax
Amazon.ca - California Gold Surf City Garage Killer Chrome and Simple Green cleaner
Other good sites:
www.starship-fantasy.com (replica ramps, playfield, plastics etc)
www.pingraffix.com (pinblades)
mezelmods.com/ (mods etc)
www.tiltgraphicsinc.com (pinblade equivalents)
ksarcade.net (slower and more expensive for shipping than arcade shop)
www.arcadeshop.com
littleshopofgames.com
pbresource.com (especially good for Gottlieb - Steve only takes cash or money order though)
Calgarypinballenthusiasts.com

[@TomHaroldArt]

Great video, thanks for posting it! I'm looking into getting a game in the future, and this is invaluable in knowing what to look for with a used game purchase and maintenance down the road.

[@chaddentandt9868]

Always have enjoyed the hands on videos. I agree with another video that dives further into cleaning disassemble and reassembly of playfields for those who don't have experience. Thanks !!

[@StevenQDeadrock]

Here is a timestamp summary of the video: (HH:MM:SS) 00:00:00 - Introduction by Josh 00:00:48 - Alex introduction 00:03:30 - Dan introduction 00:04:30 - Overview of the session 00:05:35 - Part 1: Exterior of the machine 00:08:05 - Potential deal breaker (example from TFTC) 00:11:20 - Where to get help in Calgary 00:12:00 - What Dan looks for on the exterior of the machine when making a potential purchase. 00:12:55 - Plastic leg stand-offs. Do they protect? 00:15:03 - Leg bolts, how tight should they be? What to do if you strip a leg bolt? 00:16:20 - Should I keep my machine covered? 00:17:35 - Cleaning the glass. Special solution is needed for Invisi-glass. 00:19:06 - How to clean the outside of the machine? 00:20:25 - How to remove stickers from the cabinet. 00:21:40 - Powder coating exterior parts. 00:23:50 - Alex gives his opinion on the different types of glass available (Standard, Invisi-glass, Stern HD, Roman PDI) 00:26:52 - Tip: Never slide the glass out with the coin door open. 00:27:05 - Exterior body repairs. 00:28:05 - Installing Vinyl Graphics (kzbin.info/www/bejne/inSwkpd_hsZ1fZI) 00:28:38 - Checking the power cord. 00:29:30 - Where to purchase glass. 00:31:35 - Part 2: Back Box 00:34:40 - Color DMD - LCD vs LED 00:36:10 - What to look for in the back box as a potential buyer. 00:36:30 - Remote battery holders. 00:39:45 - Driver board 00:41:15 - Tip: Verify all of the fuses when you get a game home. 00:42:40 - What things would be a potential deal breaker? 00:43:38 - Where to get replacement fuses in Calgary? 00:45:40 - Speakers 00:46:40 - Back box latch & head bolts 00:47:40 - Where to store the back box keys. 00:49:10 - Part 3: Playfield Topside 00:49:40 - What would be a potential deal breaker with the playfield top side? 00:50:30 - What is planking? (example shown on Diner) 00:51:40 - Visually inspecting the playfield. 00:53:20 - Playfield cleaners. 00:55:28 - Waxing a playfield. 00:56:14 - What to do when you get a machine home? 00:56:44 - How long does it take to clean a machine? 00:59:15 - Tip: When taking a game apart have lots of magnetic trays and take lots of pictures. 01:01:42 - What is ghosting? (example shown on Ghostbusters and Spiderman) 01:02:21 - Flickering LEDs - this can be related to the power saving mode of the machine. 01:03:23 - Where to buy LEDs in Calgary? 01:04:40 - The shooter lane, what are we looking for? 01:07:22 - Mylar, what is it and where should it be used? Recommendation to add mylar to the ball exit of any machine. 01:09:33 - How to remove mylar? 01:11:30 - Cliffy Protectors 01:14:15 - When to replace pinballs? Which ones will magnetize faster? 01:16:43 - Should the pinballs be removed before lifting the playfield? 01:17:36 - Part 4: Playfield Underside 01:17:49 - Power utility plug. 01:18:55 - Playfield kickstand. 01:19:37 - Tilt bob. 01:20:33 - What to look for on the playfield underside. 01:22:00 - Recommendation that you rebuild the flippers when you bring a used game home. Small fixes to the flippers can make a big difference. (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH2VpWulq72ma7s) 01:24:25 - Tip: Replace coil stops on all new Sterns 01:26:07 - Shaker motors. 01:26:42 - How Alex was able to put a shaker into a 2003 LOTR. 01:29:23 - Importance of turning a machine off before doing work. (Alex shares a story of him damaging a machine not following this advice.) 01:31:36 - Changing bulbs. (Quick comparison of two different colors of bulb under the same insert.) 01:34:20 - Manuals & schematics 01:36:00 - Spare parts to have on hand. 01:38:46 - Tools that you should own. 01:41:36 - Opto issues. (Example of TNA) 01:42:53 - Using the switch menu to help troubleshoot. 01:45:15 - Soldering. Never solder with the game powered up. Don't solder on your playfield. 01:45:52 - Fixing a wedge light by bending the wires back in place. 01:46:40 - Restoring the shine on metal parts. (Auto Sol) 01:50:37 - Video close out by Josh

[@TheCanadianArcade]

This is awesome! Thanks for indexing it! I will copy this into the description.

[@juanmanuelgarcia199]

thanks so much for this video. I am thinking of buying my first game and this is packed with a lot of information that comes from experience.

[@johnnygirling55]

Great video! Covered the basics really well!

[@netropolis]

Digikey is right here in Winnipeg... who knew! just one of the many things I have learned from this channel.

[@frauenhm]

This was an amazing video for newbies. Nice job!!

[@MrServo]

Best pinball channel of the interwebs...despite being Canadian.

[@Prairieshutterbug64]

Excellent video thank you for sharing so much great information for newbies like me.

[@garydinsdale]

I just wanted to say thank you for this video. I'm thinking of buying a Terminator 2 pinball machine but wanted to know what to look for generically first. This video really helped. Thanks again from the UK!

[@TheCanadianArcade]

No worries Gary! As much as Chance says he hates that game personally, we know its not a universal sentiment. :D

[@christopherrivera880]

Thanks for recording this!!!

[@hbobby927]

Thank you for the information. Very helpful

[@WOLV3RIN355]

Great video guys, thanks

[@vhex6589]

Thanks for the very informative video! i'd definitely be interested in a 201 more advanced video, perhaps showing actual removal of play-field pieces and cleaning or replacing of them.

[@TheCanadianArcade]

Absolutely! The organizers and I were just talking about possible topics lastnight! We’ll be making something happen sometime soon here over the next little while! Cheers!

[@tomcaron8297]

Wow. Great info. Thank you!

[@nolesdennhardt8986]

Awesome lot of great tips

[@timohendriks6650]

17:11 were dit you get those kick ass blankets ? I love them :)

[@rschultzie17]

thanks really good tips

[@vpxtrailers9395]

Good video thanks

[@collectionmaster1016]

Good one guys

[@ElectricAutoharp]

very informative

[@QuadriderFMX]

Excellent video. Thanks for the help! Looking to buy my first entry level machine for around $1500-$2500 usd any recommendations and can I find a decent machine within this budget? TIA

[@TheCanadianArcade]

For your budget, you are probably looking at an early 80s solid state, to a mid 90s machine. Josh's very first machine 4 years ago was a Data East Rocky & Bullwinkle for about $2500 Canadian dollars (about 1900 USD) in nice condition. You will need to join a local pinball enthusiasts group on facebook, or keep an eye on the classifieds to find a potential machine. In the meantime, play as much pinball as you can, lots of different games to expose yourself to a variety and you will figure out what kind of games you like. Watch lots of game play videos, read on pinside owners club threads for particular games to see what sorts of issues people have with that game, so you know what you are getting into. Join a pinball league, hopefully there will be other collectors in the league, and perhaps they can connect you with local sellers. Sometimes people in leagues selling games prefer to sell to people they know through the league for an easier transaction.

[@Itsaslotmachine]

I’m thinking about getting a pinball machine 🎰

[@TheCanadianArcade]

Do it!

[@Itsaslotmachine]

What’s your favorite Pinball machine?

[@CasperInkyMagoo]

@@Itsaslotmachine that’s a very difficult question. It’s like ice cream, there’s a flavor out there for everyone. Does that make sense?

[@Itsaslotmachine]

@@CasperInkyMagoo Yes it does, still trying to find the right flavor

[@CasperInkyMagoo]

@@Itsaslotmachine You can play games by era. You can play games by theme. You can play games by playfield layout. There's a lot out there. Once the world gets back to being normal I suggest playing as much as you can. Playing at a very good pinball arcade is what pushed me into ownership and its one of the best decisions Ive ever made.

[@puretoronto]

So who’s the Scott guy with the LEDs?

[@TheCanadianArcade]

If you are in the Calgary area, ask on the Calgary Pinball Enthusiasts Facebook group and if he is still selling them, you should be able to connect with him there

[@fliperama78]

muito bom amigos

[@dennisd4027]

Your buddy is texting with his index finger Come on man...

[@lander77477]

5:56 Awkward!!

[@spacecowboyfpv5511]

Vinyl "DECK-ELS " lmao. it is pronounced " DEE - KALZ "