Trying to FIX a Faulty 1980s Portable Pinball Machine

[@exactam0]

I got this pinball machine as a Christmas present from my grandparents in 1980. Good times!

[@TH-ku1ro]

If you sat me down with a blank piece of paper and asked me to design a bumper system with one motor and as few other components as possible for cheapness, I'd be there until the end of time. As you rightly say, genius. Great video. Do some more like that.

[@jgodfrey]

Hey Vince, I was gifted one of these (non working) and thought it was too cool to throw away. I found this fixit video via a google search and turns out mine had the exact same fault as your one. I bought a soldering iron, cleaned up the contacts and added some solder to raise the connection slightly and it now works perfectly, all thanks to you. I've been enjoying working my way through your other uploads and you've inspired me to attempt repairs on other faulty items. Keep up the good work!

[@rusty3879]

I dont know why these videos are so interesting, they are simply amazing!

[@charlestaylor2594]

@@adityasindhursamineni and there's no F'in and Jeff'in, that makes it all the more enjoyable. Great vids Vince.

[@Mymatevince]

Wow, thanks so much for the nice comments :-)

[@crazyivan030983]

Only man in the World looking for broken tech for fun not for spare parts :D greetings from Poland :)

[@AlanEversfield-ww1lm]

It sounded like you all enjoyed yourself it just goes to show that people can still have fun with old toys it's nice to see.

[@badcrcz]

Unreal man, I watch most of your vids and watched this one last night. I remembered I had one of these as a kid and wondered what happened to it. I searched ebay and found a guy selling one local, and went and picked it up an hour later. It had the exact same problem with the switch as the one in your vid. Luckily I just watched your vid so I took it apart and the same contacts are corroded. It does work when you mess with the switch just right. I just cleaned it up and it works great now. I already ordered the parts to install an AC adapter plug on the back. No way I'm using five D cells for this thing. Keep up the great vids, love them.

[@Mymatevince]

Excellent, what a result. The AC conversion sounds interesting :-)

[@badcrcz]

@@Mymatevince would love to see how you'd do an ac adapter on it. I was planning on just installing a panel mount jack on the back then after ordering I thought some day someone might have batts installed and use an adapter and fry it. Now I'm thinking I'll either wire the switch off position to the ac plug or use a separate switch to toggle ac or battery or I'll just order a 3 pole dc socket so when ac is plugged in it disconnects batteries automatically. I ordered a 7.5V 1A ac adapter that I think will work. Might do a regulator also just to be safe.

[@Jooligan1]

Great engineering in this toy and robustly made. A shame everything is cheap and nasty nowadays. Keep 'em coming Vince.

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

You are the genius Vince. I love your appreciation for vintage items. God bless you and ypur family. Kind regards. Paul.

[@goopah]

Some engineer had a lot of fun designing this. It's almost a work of art, really, how the cams and gears work so that all the moving parts can operate independent of the others. Someone put a great deal of thought into this.

[@MrDirkles]

The other day my wife watched the one when you fixed the bathroom fan from beginning to end. Just think how excited she will be when she watches this!!

Vince, your score it's over 9000!

[@talon4x4]

I just love the very detailed and thorough approach you take in each video!

[@BurntFaceMan]

I love your videos because you can hear genuine excitement in your voice, (or if things don't work genuine disappointment!) but hearing you fix something and how excited you are, I think your viewers share your glee when you successfully repair things =) Keep up the great work man!

[@BenMillen]

Fixed one of these the other week myself, bought for my boy, works great now, good little game

[@Mymatevince]

Yeah, it is a good little game. Could do with a bit of soundproofing though :-)

[@keithwhisman]

I had that machine, loved it. Spent many many hours playing with it.

[@koumi1]

I love how the switch was serviceable! Just shows in the past everything was serviceable..

[@samuelfellows6923]

paul koumi - well... until you’re bent-up the tabs repeatedly that metal fatigue occurs and they snap off 😕

[@38911bytefree]

HAts off for the mechanics. BRILLIANT. One motor driving all the parts.

[@BluejuiceT4]

Man....you are a legend...i knew I would need this video one day...and that day was today!! Srange noise when switched on like yours....went straight to the switch...sure enough...misdle two contacts corroded! £8.90 well spent I think...thank you!

[@johnrussell8086]

And subscribed. I enjoy fixing up things like this and seeing the results after. Gives me an appreciation for the work that has gone into making them.

[@cackleberryfarm4598]

Yes. So far, this my favorite as well. For your alcohol hands, Vince, we have a product here in the US called "Working Hands". It's a cream/paste you put on your fingers. We use it around here after working and it REALLY helps! It's made by "O'Keefe".

[@JoeBee9]

My brother and I would play this all the time as kids; I think my parents still have it and it’s working to date.

[@CJAB10]

Great video. I couldn’t figure out how to open the counter casing as the screws kept turning and I couldn’t get in to hold the nuts (same as you). The motor gear had slipped off inside and now it’s back to normal! I played this as a kid and now my son can play. It’s definitely louder than I remember ;)

[@swift9431]

I had one of these forgot all about it till now. Brings back memories.

[@chrismalone617]

This was one of my favorite toys as a kid. Played it for hours and hours.

[@mahlapropyzm9180]

Fabulous. Pinball barely exists these days outside the digital world. Back then, toymakers had to be a lot more ingenious than now, just imagine how it would look today, just code running on a screen. I think those are planetary gears that idle under minimal force but allow the rotary motion to be transmitted a bit like a differential.

[@GadgetUK164]

An amazing piece of engineering for a toy!!!! Great job! A really fun video =D Always wanted one of these as a kid but they were so darn expensive! It's a good job I didn't get one of these as a kid, I imagine my parents climbing the walls listening to the noise lol! And yes MFD = uFD =D

[@BuBu1769]

No, no, no. It's MEGA Farad. Back in day, they don't bother with Micro. :D

[@GadgetUK164]

No, it is micro farad! 1 Mega Farad = 1000000000000 uF.

[@Mymatevince]

Thanks Chris, I really enjoyed this one. I think so far it has been my favourite :-) Love the way one motor does it all :-)

[@GadgetUK164]

=D Yeah, a favourite to watch too! Enjoyed this almost as much as the Tamiya!

[@maxmattt]

This brings back memories, I got one of these for Christmas as a kid, although I think it was a newer model because it was in the late 80’s early 90’s. All I remember ( As I’m sure my parents do also ) was it made a hell of a racket and it would drain the batteries in no time and back then D cells were quite pricey. I’m surprised actually that the plastic hasn’t yellowed. Clearly it’s been well looked after over the years.

[@watchmedraw4340]

I think I owned one when I was younger. Bought it at a second-hand shop of course because we didn't have a lot of money growing up as many other people didn't. I liked it.

[@Waccoon]

Oh gosh... a classic part of my childhood, along with my Merlin! Yeah, it was solid as a brick, but chewed through batteries like stink and the noise drove my parents nuts. What fun. I also took it apart out of curiosity, but put it back together and it always worked perfectly. 8) I think my mom threw it out, though, because I've never been able to find it. I'd love to have it again so I could sit it next to my Amiga 1000.

[@SteveNathn]

Very good idea to do a tournament at the end. Great video Vince!

[@bramvandenbroeck5060]

I playes countless houres on this toy when i whas a lil boy! Amazing to see that it still works after almost 40 years!

[@TheOTKGameplay]

The pinball wizard does it again! , great one Vince :D

[@Chaostheory1971]

You're like a kid in a toy shop, Vince lol. Yet another great video!! I remember these from my childhood, nmever had one though

[@Retro_Care]

now I want one, wow very nice design, indeed what you said, genius !! I enjoyed this video Vince, thanks

[@Mymatevince]

Thank you :-)

[@icychill105]

amazed to see they havent changed much since the 80's i had one that was called racing pro pinball and it looks like the same molding just added some extra flippers and springs

[@TheSlysterII]

Great video again Vince, but can I say...WoW! Those are some big batteries lol! And no, there is nothing wrong with being competitive against kids ha ha!

[@etiennevanharen3893]

I can't keep myself from looking at these "trying to fix" video's. The mechanics on that little pinball machine are amazing and I wonder if that motor was as loud when it was new. I think my parents would rather have the "bing" noises then the constant ratlle and humm of the motor. Easy fix this time but still one of the best yet.

[@kins749]

I had one new as a kid, and yes it was that loud out of the box!

[@D3nn1s]

I think that would be the perfect candidate for a brushless rc upgrade with a nice and large lipo :P

[@SparksNZeros]

it's cheap enough to get a replacement metal pinball if you needed to, this was an excellent video as I'd love to get something like this for my dad :D

[@mahlapropyzm9180]

Probably based on a mechanical adding machine (such things existed back in the mists of time).

[@Pyridox]

Thanks, your videos are interesting. The small chrome ball can be replaced with a ball bearing, if you measure the size with a caliper, etc. they sell them on ebay (usually in a lot).

[@Mik3Bravo]

Another great video, surprised to hear you prefer this over some other repairs like the RC car etc. Re 50:55 I think it is important with kids to know you can't always win and it's how you take part/ how hard you try that's important! Losing isn't important if you try hard and have things to get better at. Well done pinball wizard! *goes off to listen to a certain 'The Who' song*

[@Mymatevince]

Haha...Yeah, I am not sure why I enjoyed this one so much. I think because I got it fixed in one go without buying spares. Also I just love the inside workings of this one :-)

[@Mik3Bravo]

@@Mymatevince I think the inner workings are fantastic as well, and free bubble wrap is always a winner. I imagine if one could make some sort of desktop toy/ gadget that was the inner workings of that main shaft (for lack of a more accurate term) alone, expanded slightly and perhaps powered by your hand, it'd do better than Newton's cradle. I'd certainly buy one. Despite my being born in '89, so many of your fixes have me wanting to read/ listen to (not watch) Ready Player One. I'd definitely opt to modify it to accept something other than battery after battery after battery and maybe fit something to quieten/ replace the noisy motor. I'm sure people would be happy to see you modify one of these, even if it was a new(er) one that's working.

[@timothystevenhoward]

Vince's pinball power level...it was over 9000

[@SimonNemeth]

I used to have one of these. They still made them well in to the 90s. I got it for Christmas mid to late 90s. I lost the legs on mine in the end which made it pretty much useless. I liked it though for what it was.

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

Yup. 5:14. Dirty on/off switch. Push down on it gently and work it back and forth. No need to disassemble. :-) Frustrated me to no end to see you rock it back and forth without applying some downward pressure!

[@oldskool7706]

My mate had one of those pinball machines. Good vid Vince

[@Mymatevince]

Thanks :-)

[@HallowedIce]

just awesome i love watching your videos they are pretty cool !

[@VirtuelleWeltenMitKhan]

You have the one thing that I don't have at all....views. Great content, great video. Keep up the awesome work

[@PalmettoMoon]

I'm beginning to think there isn't anything that you can't repair. Great work 👍

[@fredfredburger5521]

I love these videos. This 1 more so because I owned this exact pinball machine and the TOMY astro shooter one also.

[@RetroTechRepair]

Nice vid Vince. I repaired this and its big brother "Astro Shooter Pinball" on my channel, but your vids are better!

[@ItIsNot1984]

OMG! I had one of these as a kid. They must have made them a long time. Mine would have been from the early 90's. I remember it being made by Tomy and not that other brand.

[@brianhealey3528]

Hi Vince, Love your videos I think they are brilliant. I don't know if anyone else has told you this but I will mention it anyway, just in case. I have watched some of your videos where you come across dirty switch contacts, well there is a spray that you can buy called "Switch cleaner or switch cleaning lubricant" one make of it is called "Servisol Super10" and you should be able to get it on line for under a tenner. ( a tin of this stuff lasts for ages) You can use it to clean noisy potentiometers (Volume control switches). on volume control switches spray just enough so that it gets into the switch, then rotate the volume control back and forth a few times to spread it around inside the switch but don't spray gallons into a volume control switch, just enough to do the job. doing this will cure volume controls that crackle when you turn them up or down on radios or amplifiers. With on and off switches like on your pinball machine, just spray into the switch as before and move the switch back and forth a few times and that will save you risking taking switches apart because they don'y always go back together. Warning Don't use switch Cleaner on Mains switches or switches with a high current flowing through them, if you get a bad mains on/off switch or any switch with a high current flowing through it replace it and also if you use it near plastics do a little test to ensure the solvent doesn't attack the plastic first, because it can melt some plastics. Switch cleaner is designed to work on tarnished contacts, so if you have a tarnished contact it will clean the contact and also it has a built in very fine oil to prevent the contact re oxidizing again anytime soon. Switch cleaner lubricates switch mechanisms so if you have a switch that doesn't make that nice click when you switch it or the switch feels a little tight, say a slider switch then after using switch cleaner it should make it feel a whole lot better. If the switch or volume control is warn out switch cleaner will have temporary results or make no difference at all. one other thing, using switch cleaner will stop your hands drying out from using IPA, which over time can become nasty, IPA is a brilliant cleaner but wear gloves if you can and if you have a duff switch use switch cleaner, I hope this helps. Once again Love your videos keep them coming, they are great, all the best Brian

[@Mymatevince]

Thanks for all the info Brian. I appreciate you taking the time to help me and the others reading this :-)

[@brianhealey3528]

No problem Fred thanks for your great video and all the best for 2019

[@MrLeigh221]

i really love ur videos i am like u love seeing how things work and when u fix things

[@jasond2831]

Hey Vince!! Love your videos. I have been repairing electronics as a hobby since I was 18. I am now 41 so its been some years lol. I watch your videos as I am repairing my own stuff :) For those dry hands I recommend Okeefes Working Hands Cream. I also work with paracord a lot and my hands dry to the point they crack so bad they bleed. Not anymore with this stuff. Only takes a small amount. If its not available in your country I'd be happy to send you some!

[@realwizard435]

I aint seen nothing like vince, in any amusement hall!

[@Mymatevince]

Haha :-)

[@realwizard435]

Keep up the good work vince, enjoying these repairing videos!

[@Mymatevince]

Cheers mate :-)

[@lancethompson37]

Wow I really enjoyed that!! My favourite too!

[@Moosetraks21]

Awesome stuff, you dont see mechanically engineering like this anymore because motors and electronics are cheaper than the r and d. Nerf guns however still have complex mechanical mechanisms like this. Very cool stuff. I just bought my first broken ps4 and thought id give it a try.

[@justoneofthesheep]

wow haven't seen one of these in years !! I had one when I was younger (I'm 24 now). my parentshated it because it was so loud!

[@adiposerex5150]

Nice job as always. We had a Tomy Tunes Choo Choo but my son was afraid of it. I think it was the bad music. If I were as clever as you, I could have silenced it.

[@StevenIngram]

wow, that was some clever mechanical logic. The pressure plates are mechanical switches that disengage multiple clutches (engaging various cogs to the drive train). That works out such that the speed of the motor (presumably constant rpm), is the poll rate of the mechanical switches. And it can only ding/advance the score as fast as the motor spins. one could say the RPM controls counter speed. So, that gives you a mechanical version of system clock speed, mechanical switches with a clutching system that behave like relays while sounding a bell and advancing the score. Whomever designed that thing was brilliant.

[@Mymatevince]

Nice explanation. It is a lovely mechanism :-)

[@StevenIngram]

It has features that bear kinship with mechanical computers of old. Like this calculator from the 1800s for example: sites.google.com/a/glnd.k12.va.us/computers/cpu-vs-mechanical-calculator

[@Mymatevince]

Looks great :-)

[@lomclean]

Great stuff! I have a machine from 1979 near perfect but the motor is either jammed or the gears need oil. Hopefully the later. Great toy, they don't make them like this anymore!!

[@Fuzy2K]

48:06 -- That is exactly how I played Space Cadet Pinball on my grandparents' computer when I was little. :P

[@jackcameback]

Sorry Vince, been neglecting you for a couple of weeks, I'm back and loving the vids :-)

[@Mymatevince]

No problem mate, I appreciate the views, glad you like them :-)

[@kidturbo9331]

This is one of them toys your parents wouldn’t let you play with inside because it’s so loud

[@alvaroazariah6116]

instablaster.

[@choonky]

your videos are relaxing

[@maxitenia]

Hi, I like your videos You can use some white grease or graphite paste over the gears and mobile bars to reduce the friction and the noise.

[@garydunlop9488]

Really enjoyed this video so many memories with this game 👍

[@zeewolf1116]

hey Vince... you should get some barrier cream for you're hands before fixing... saying that... you should look after you're hands before and after... especially if your using alcohol based cleaning products... etc Good video again.

[@AerinRavage]

The innards of that cog-shaft remind me of the gearing inside an Armatron 'robot arm' toy. Those are fascinating in exactly the same way! The one thing I didn't see you do once you'd worked out the mechanism is, can it trigger more than one 'bouncer' at the same time?

[@Mymatevince]

I have ordered a faulty Armatron…..really looking forward to see the insides of that :-) I don't think I tried more than one at the same time. I would say yes as the whole shaft is spinning so I think it would be possible to bounce more than one. Maybe the speed would be reduced slightly???

[@vincethod]

That was my thoughts too, the way that thing uses only one motor is incredible, and I'm pleased MMV is planning to fix one.

[@Operational117]

My Mate VINCE Now that christmas is fast approaching, what are the chances you’ll release another “Trying to FIX it”-video before christmas?

[@Mymatevince]

Fingers crossed I will get another one in before the big day :-)

[@pdrg]

Great mechanism, so impressive that these devices use single motors and mechanical genius so BOM cost is low enough to make a profit in a cheap toy.

[@slaytallica136]

I have one of those. It's a later one that has a cardboard playfield. It's not in great shape and missing the feet. Got it at a thrift store. It does have a good ball though.

[@ValeYard13]

Nice! I had one of these. Was super loud.

[@BigEpinstriping]

If you think Atomic Pinball is complicated, try fixing a Tomy Astro Shooter; way more complex (I've restored two of them) Bumpers work the same, but there are additional elements: two kick out craters and a ball cellar. Tomy made some amazing stuff back in the day. Also, be careful with the tops, they're clear styrene plastic, they scratch easily and are hard to replace; You can buff out most of the scratches with Meguiar's PlastX; That stuff works great. Cracks are damn near impossible to fix though.

[@Millay2006]

I wonder if you could feed a little more juice to the motor to speed the start up and then use the pressure switches to switch the motor in so its only running when the ball is in range

[@FairPlay137]

I actually at one point had a version of this simply called "Atomic Pinball", distributed by Tomy... I think it had different artwork? The pitch of the analog electronic ding *could* possibly vary between units? I had quite a few other toy pinball machines, but I'm pretty sure they were given away to the thrift store.

[@scottyb069]

If don't know if you can get new ball bearings that size off the shelf or not, but it looks to be the same size as the one found inside the non return valve of Miele dishwashers. Any Miele tech will have some old ones. Also some Vaseline on those plastic gears wouldn't go astray.

[@02commodorevx]

Your attention to cleaning pleases my OCD

[@sublime90]

i dont know vince....controversial finish to the 2018 pinball wizard competition. chloe needs to challenge that.

[@Mymatevince]

Very controversial but she hasn't questioned it....Shhhhh, let's keep it quiet :-)

[@mdamaged]

Some clever engineering going on back in the day.

[@kirisilvermane]

love the vids...one suggestion: invest a really good quality set of drivers and bits! id suggest the iFixit kit; the driver set on its own is only about £28 on amazon and worth every penny! the kit youre using reminds of one from Lidl and whilst its functional it will round off bits easily. just a thought...get an iFixit kit and you will never regret it!

[@codebeat4192]

Haha, that NOISE! I think this is a nice and fun birthday present for my brother, he also have a mini billiards table from the eighties (doesn't make any sound and completely made out of WOOD) however totally different but I think he will enjoy this game and it looks pretty good. Do you know the game "perfection" (MB)? Different kind, also a very noisy game.

[@chrisoliver3919]

I just got one of these at a local goodwill complete in box. I also had to tear apart power switch and clean it up. Mine however makes a constant chime noise. Ive disconnected both blue signal wires to the board and it still does it so I assumed it was on the circuit board. Recapped it.. same thing. Any ideas as to whats causing the issue. Thanks

[@TheSlysterII]

Competitive Dad lol! Nice video Vince.

[@cassandraclark7359]

Yet another amazing video!

[@Mymatevince]

Thanks so much :-)

[@paulb4uk]

Fairly sure I had one of these when I was younger came up ok after the clean and fix.

[@Mymatevince]

I have memories of it as well but I really can't remember where from. They were out for many years so maybe I got one from a jumble sale or something. Yeah, luckily it came up very clean :-)

[@tinkot]

11:35 Don't want to mess around with it too much. drops it on the ground 😂

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

Before I watch... was it the on/off switch? Check all four sides of the box for a (C) date on the artwork. They changed the box every couple years so that will help you date it to within a year or two. Mine's (C) 1990 and only 4 batteries. A late one.

[@MrTarmonbarry]

Love the way he admires the design feature for locking he ball in place , then proceeds to work on it with it rattling around loose , Hahahaha

[@jjfreer]

OH GOD IM PRETTY SURE WE MUST STILLL HAVE MY/ MY BROTHERS ONE OF THESE SOMEWHERE I USED TO LOVE THIS XD

[@caseyplayz4975]

as always i love your vids also µ is the greek letter for mu, im good at Greek. also you could do free giveaways or sell the stuff you fix to your viewers! i would love that!

[@CLC-1000]

Loved the video.

[@Mymatevince]

Thank you :-)

[@andymee4947]

Great video vince have you tried to fix a faulty mobile phone I think that would be interesting

[@michaelhurley6072]

I got that pinball game for my 9th birthday in 1981!

[@JOCKATEO]

what you should do is fit a adaptor socket on it so you don't always need to use batteries

[@mikethedigitaldoctorjarvis]

That could be done,as long as you match the voltage..i have done it to a few things of mine.

[@Keythong]

I was thinking the same thing, it would be a very useful mod.

[@nathanmead140]

Probably difficult to do because i think the 4 batterys are 2 sets in series then the 2 sets are in parallel for more amps (posibly for power to the motor[s]) it could be done but only by doing some math figuring out the amps needed and doing a little bit of googling and it would be a mod unless a adapter that fits inside the battery compartment were used but there are Ni-Mh rechargeable D size batterys i don't know where to buy them that isn't online.

[@s1mon1231]

Hi, I bought one for myself recently and fixed up a few issues thanks to your video, however I can't find the problem behind the buzzer making a constant beeping noise. Note that whenever a bumper is hit, the noise gets louder, so you get that the 'extra' beeps, but even without playing the buzzer is making the continuous noise from the power on. I've checked the solder points, all seem relatively ok, I've cleaned up the circuit board and cannot see any bridge points along the path. Any ideas how to troubleshoot?

[@pds8475]

In case you don't know µ is the lowercase Greek letter mu. In electronics mu is designated for micro. Although most people say u f when talking about capacitor values it's actually mu f. To answer your question in the video yes MFD and µF are just two different ways of writing micro farad.

[@Mymatevince]

Thanks for clearing that up :-)

[@josephnealeUKscratchcards]

Great video as always

[@Mymatevince]

Thanks :-)

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

A complete cleaning, and re-greasing of all moving internal parts should help the motor run 🏃 quieter. That grease is almost fifty years old, and probably has turned into a tar-like 👍 consistency. Some silicone grease should work fine. The KZbin video 📹 I was watching 👀, was one from Joe's Classic Video 📹Games 🎮. It covers this exact pinball 📌 machine. Your friend, Jeff.

[@steammachine3061]

Revisiting this vid as I recently picked up a boxed version and the bumper action has issues lol

[@pegtooth2006]

This was awesome I want to take a part and I think it's going to be mostly cleaning my 1978 Parker Brothers Merlin game it was a computer game you could play Tic-Tac-Toe, Music Machine, Echo, Blackjack 13, Magic Square (which was my favourite) and Mindbender. which was my second favourite. Six games that you played against the computer (6 bit? Or a blob CPU) LOOK one up with the box. The way the opaque silvery circular membranes work should intrigue you by their looks and designed functionality. I bet you want to find one, in box with manual (more detailed than instructions because there are about a dozen tunes that you can input in about 48(?) Characters. 1 thru 10 buttons and 4 reply/mode buttons. Six AA batteries or DC Input The shape and non slippery case are cool, to me, as well.