Mobile restoration service?

[Dinsdale]

Hi all

Hoping this is the right forum. I've been doing some reading about all sorts pinball related. I have a game in mind and I want to be prepared with all the details should one come up.

I think I have delivery covered (Martin), but I do wonder if there are people willing to travel to your home post-delivery and restore the machine?

I'm thinking things such as:

- flipper rebuilds
- ball replacement
- playfield coating
- replacing lights with LEDs
- replacing/fixing sound system
- other troubleshooting

I know some of these would take longer than others, and I'm not sure if stuff can be prepared remotely but are there people out there that do this?

I know it's very daunting at first and there's probably stuff I could do myself once I have it in hand, but I just wondered.

Any advice appreciated

 

[Gonzo]

Your location is very vague. Maybe pop a town or region in an you'll get some suggestions.

 

[AlanJ]

Yes there are people who will travel to you to do on-site maintenance and repair:

- flipper rebuilds - can be done on-site, but this really is something you can learn to do yourself.
- ball replacement - take out the ball or balls and chuck em in the bin - put some new balls into the game - you can do this!
- playfield coating - specialist job, cannot be done on-site, involves a lot of work - stripping the playfield. Even applying a drop on "playfield protector" involves removal of much of the upper playfield parts.
- replacing lights with LEDs - can be done on-site, generally you can do it yourself. Some games have bulbs that are hard to get to requiring parts to be removed to get to them.
- replacing/fixing sound system - replacing easy, swap the board, fixing - sound boards are usually the hardest boards to fault find and fix - so usually best to send away to a specialist to repair and return.
- other troubleshooting - any other issues, post up a thread on here, and the good folks of this forum will soon help you figure out if it's something you can fix or adjust yourself, or whether it needs more professional assistance.

The other regular tasks are general maintenance cleaning, replacing rubbers - again you can learn to do this or pay someone to come out and do it.

Go for a game that is in good condition, no worn out playfield, and that has been well maintained.

 

[Dinsdale]

Your location is very vague. Maybe pop a town or region in a you'll get some suggestions.

Thanks. I'm in North East England!

Yes there are people who will travel to you to do on-site maintenance and repair:

- flipper rebuilds - can be done on-site, but this really is something you can learn to do yourself.
- ball replacement - take out the ball or balls and chuck em in the bin - put some new balls into the game - you can do this!
- playfield coating - specialist job, cannot be done on-site, involves a lot of work - stripping the playfield. Even applying a drop on "playfield protector" involves removal of much of the upper playfield parts.
- replacing lights with LEDs - can be done on-site, generally you can do it yourself. Some games have bulbs that are hard to get to requiring parts to be removed to get to them.
- replacing/fixing sound system - replacing easy, swap the board, fixing - sound boards are usually the hardest boards to fault find and fix - so usually best to send away to a specialist to repair and return.
- other troubleshooting - any other issues, post up a thread on here, and the good folks of this forum will soon help you figure out if it's something you can fix or adjust yourself, or whether it needs more professional assistance.

The other regular tasks are general maintenance cleaning, replacing rubbers - again you can learn to do this or pay someone to come out and do it.

Go for a game that is in good condition, no worn out playfield, and that has been well maintained.

Wow, great stuff. Thanks. I did know there was some stuff I could do myself... at least I know the more complex stuff could be sorted out.

The game I want is T2. I'm actually going to enquire about a machine at an amusements. Not sure if they'd even sell but if they would I'll travel there and take a look at it.

 

[JT.]

The game I want is T2. I'm actually going to enquire about a machine at an amusements. Not sure if they'd even sell but if they would I'll travel there and take a look at it.

It would be worth registering on here then placing a wanted ad too.

Bear in mind, operators are notorious for poor maintenance and hacking mechanics and electronics rather than paying out for spare parts. A routed machine (i.e. used on site somewhere) like that would be a far more risky proposition to a newbie than buying something well maintained by a trusted member on here. If you did go for a routed machine though, it would be sensible to take someone experienced with you - someone on here local might volunteer, or pay one of the guys who maintains machines for a living to do it (most are active on here)

There is a great sticked post by @s000m with a wealth for info for newbies too: https://www.pinballinfo.com/communi...-came-in-knowing-nothing-about-pinball.52584/

 

[Dinsdale]

It would be worth registering on here then placing a wanted ad too.

Bear in mind, operators are notorious for poor maintenance and hacking mechanics and electronics rather than paying out for spare parts. A routed machine (i.e. used on site somewhere) like that would be a far more risky proposition to a newbie than buying something well maintained by a trusted member on here. If you did that, it would be sensible to take someone experienced with you - someone on here local might volunteer, or pay one of the guys who maintains machines for a living to do it (most are active on here)

There is a great sticked post by @s000m with a wealth for info for newbies too: https://www.pinballinfo.com/communi...-came-in-knowing-nothing-about-pinball.52584/

Funny you mention that thread, I read it last night and thought it was incredible.

I'll place a wanted ad and I'll see about taking someone along.

Noted about the amusement thing - that's partly why I was hoping for advice on restoration. If the game is in really bad shape, I probably wouldn't touch it - but if it was just a few snags and the backbox electronics looked ok (eg no battery leakage) I may take it.

I read a comment that the machine I want doesn't have sound. I'd factor all this into the offer price.

 

[Dinsdale]

Turns out I can't post an ad without being a site supporter, and when I click that link to be a site supporter I get an "oops" message. Will try again later. Thanks again!

 

[Lecari]

Turns out I can't post an ad without being a site supporter, and when I click that link to be a site supporter I get an "oops" message. Will try again later. Thanks again!

@Paul can you advise?

 

[Pick Holder]

As a rule about 150 miles max from Brum is my area

Take on larger jobs in my workshop

 

[Paul]

Turns out I can't post an ad without being a site supporter, and when I click that link to be a site supporter I get an "oops" message. Will try again later. Thanks again!

To Post a "wanted" Ad, Much like a sales ad, You need to be a site supporter : You can donate and be a "site supporter" here : https://www.pinballinfo.com/community/account/upgrades

It does remind me - have added a "links Directory" to my list of things to do....

 

[SteadyP]

Hi all

Hoping this is the right forum. I've been doing some reading about all sorts pinball related. I have a game in mind and I want to be prepared with all the details should one come up.

I think I have delivery covered (Martin), but I do wonder if there are people willing to travel to your home post-delivery and restore the machine?

I'm thinking things such as:

- flipper rebuilds
- ball replacement
- playfield coating
- replacing lights with LEDs
- replacing/fixing sound system
- other troubleshooting

I know some of these would take longer than others, and I'm not sure if stuff can be prepared remotely but are there people out there that do this?

I know it's very daunting at first and there's probably stuff I could do myself once I have it in hand, but I just wondered.

Any advice appreciated

What game did you have in mind? You mightn’t need to do much maintenance depending on what you’re after. Many helpful folk can talk you through most things through the forum if you need technical advice

 

[Dinsdale]

What game did you have in mind? You mightn’t need to do much maintenance depending on what you’re after. Many helpful folk can talk you through most things through the forum if you need technical advice

The game I'm after is T2. I'm a huge Terminator fan and I think this would go great in my spare room. I'be actually just got the dimensions to see if it'll go up my stairs (which has a corner turn).

 

[Spandangler]

The game I'm after is T2. I'm a huge Terminator fan and I think this would go great in my spare room. I'be actually just got the dimensions to see if it'll go up my stairs (which has a corner turn).

Getting a pinball machine up stairs with a turn is no mean feat. It’s actually very dangerous if you’re not careful.
The best thing to do would be split the machine into 3 parts. Head. Cabinet. Playfield. And then it’s pretty easy. Just a pain in the butt with all the connectors.
Pretty sure @windoesnot used to have the pleasure

 

[windoesnot]

Pretty sure @windoesnot used to have the pleasure

Last thing I'd call it was a pleasure Gaz

You need help and do it in 3 pieces (head, playfield, cabinet). Absolutely make sure all connectors are labelled up.

I did find though that newer Spike based Stern games I could do on my own as they weight next to nothing and there's barely any connectors in the head and playfield to disconnect

 

[Pick Holder]

If you have wooden floors upstairs then a pinball upstairs will be heard thru out the downstairs. Nothing to do with the weight but quite a few people regret putting it upstairs.

If you buy a pinball. You will have to get used to doing maintance yourself.

Us repairers are very busy and it can take weeks to get to some jobs.

Bring the game to me in brum for a day and I will give you a condensed course in pinball care. I do this for a living so yes I would charge!

If you arent interested in lifting up the playfield ever then pinball ownership may not be for you!

 

[Dinsdale]

Thanks guys. All noted. I would like to get into the playfield, and I don't mind disconnecting and reconnecting but photos and labels will certainly be done prior.

Also donated to the site