What's new
By:
Pinball info

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

New to forum and pinballs.

Obese Daemon

Obese Daemon

Registered
Joined
Jul 12, 2025
Messages
7
Location
Derby
Hello all, I have a love for pinballs and arcades as a whole and as I have started tovcreep further into being an adult it's something I've had a growing interest in collecting.

I am based in Derbyshire in the east midlands but could get a van/travel outfield some within reason I wouldn't want to go Scotland or London but Manchester and other Midlands cities closer etc.. all would be much more doable.

Currently searching for my first pinball but don't have a huge budget probably £1500 top end currently but I also don't mind the machine being older/needing some restoration work as long as the machine is more or less functioning at a base level.

I know the budget is pretty low and my desired machine is well I'm not sure, I have played a variety and of course the newer ones have all the extra features that keep you going back but to start off looking for something less extravagant/possible project.

Thanks, Cieran
 
Hi Cieran, have a browse through the Machines For Sale subforum and see if anything catches your eye. In the current market you can get some 1980s machines for that budget.

You will see mention of Martin, he’s a courier who specialises in arcades and pins so if the machine is further afield you could always get him to deliver for around £120.
 
Hi Cieran, now is certainly a good time to dip your flipper, prices are coming down and certainly the age/type/level of game you might want, is definitely in your price range.
The best advice I can give, is not only to buy within your budget, but also your skill set... By this I mean, that there is nothing worse, in any hobby, (I've had loads of arcade cabs before I moved over to pins), than having buyer's remorse, as the realisation of what has just arrived, being way above what you can fix.
Don't get me wrong, pretty much everything can be fixed or replaced, and the great folk on here will always help out with endless advice, but still, for your first make sure you ask plenty of questions and understand what you are getting.
If you are great at soldering and electronics, then a pin with these issues but a solid cabinet and playfield, could save you some money. Or conversely if you are handy with wood (fnar) then as long as the electronics are working, a battered broken cabinet, might not be an issue..
My first pin was essentially working, but lathered in dirt, some common parts missing/broken, and in need of a lot of love. It's a great way of getting to know a pin, how they work, etc, just don't bite off more than you can comfortably chew.
If you are ready to buy, then put up a wanted ad, with some rough ideas of what you are after and see what pops up.
Also try and get to Pinfest in August, where you can try your hand at loads of tables, and you might just find something that clicks.
 
Hi and welcome. Your budget will get most 80s pins. Theres a late 80s one listed here now. Have you considered this one?
ronnie63

No Longer Available Thread 'Bally Party Animal PRICE DROP!'

Time to sell this!

In decent condition a few marks and scratches as you might expect but ready to plug in and enjoy. Comes with manual

The good
New repro back glass
New playfield glass
New ramps
New rubbers
Nvram installed
Nice clean boards
Displays nice and bright
Everything works
Comes with some spare used plastics and the old ramps

The not so good
Few marks and dings
Legs need a refurb
Some lamp insert decals partially lifted with Mylar removal but have been touched in
Backbox bottom left was damaged and been repaired but strong angle brackets were fitted to both sides to strengthen...
  • Like

Well within budget and i’m sure @ronnie63 will organise the above mentioned Martin to deliver it to you. Its £120 he charges from Scotland so cheaper than you hiring a van and fuelling it up. Search Martin the delivery man on here for his feedback. All of us rely on him to move pins about. Much easier getting a courier to drop it to your door than you doing the driving 😎
 
Taxiturn said:
Hi Cieran, have a browse through the Machines For Sale subforum and see if anything catches your eye. In the current market you can get some 1980s machines for that budget.

You will see mention of Martin, he’s a courier who specialises in arcades and pins so if the machine is further afield you could always get him to deliver for around £120.
Click to expand...
Thanks, yeah I am just lurking a little and getting a idea for what I want not incase direct rush to acquire my first one as I want it to be right now just have it for the sake of it and I'm sure many will follow once I do start.
 
neil1637 said:
Hi Cieran, now is certainly a good time to dip your flipper, prices are coming down and certainly the age/type/level of game you might want, is definitely in your price range.
The best advice I can give, is not only to buy within your budget, but also your skill set... By this I mean, that there is nothing worse, in any hobby, (I've had loads of arcade cabs before I moved over to pins), than having buyer's remorse, as the realisation of what has just arrived, being way above what you can fix.
Don't get me wrong, pretty much everything can be fixed or replaced, and the great folk on here will always help out with endless advice, but still, for your first make sure you ask plenty of questions and understand what you are getting.
If you are great at soldering and electronics, then a pin with these issues but a solid cabinet and playfield, could save you some money. Or conversely if you are handy with wood (fnar) then as long as the electronics are working, a battered broken cabinet, might not be an issue..
My first pin was essentially working, but lathered in dirt, some common parts missing/broken, and in need of a lot of love. It's a great way of getting to know a pin, how they work, etc, just don't bite off more than you can comfortably chew.
If you are ready to buy, then put up a wanted ad, with some rough ideas of what you are after and see what pops up.
Also try and get to Pinfest in August, where you can try your hand at loads of tables, and you might just find something that clicks.
Click to expand...
Thankyou I understand what you are trying to say no point buying something just because or if it's cheap for it to then sit around or not be made use of/fixable I'm very hands on and don't like any tech and things that I think are repairable to be left to rot or laying around etc.. always try to fix things up or salvage what's possible first. Is good advice and have definitely had a look at pinfest possibly too!
 
Jason Catrine said:
Hi and welcome. Your budget will get most 80s pins. Theres a late 80s one listed here now. Have you considered this one?
ronnie63

No Longer Available Thread 'Bally Party Animal PRICE DROP!'

Time to sell this!

In decent condition a few marks and scratches as you might expect but ready to plug in and enjoy. Comes with manual

The good
New repro back glass
New playfield glass
New ramps
New rubbers
Nvram installed
Nice clean boards
Displays nice and bright
Everything works
Comes with some spare used plastics and the old ramps

The not so good
Few marks and dings
Legs need a refurb
Some lamp insert decals partially lifted with Mylar removal but have been touched in
Backbox bottom left was damaged and been repaired but strong angle brackets were fitted to both sides to strengthen...
  • Like

Well within budget and i’m sure @ronnie63 will organise the above mentioned Martin to deliver it to you. Its £120 he charges from Scotland so cheaper than you hiring a van and fuelling it up. Search Martin the delivery man on here for his feedback. All of us rely on him to move pins about. Much easier getting a courier to drop it to your door than you doing the driving 😎
Click to expand...
Ooo looks interesting and working but needing some work and restro would be the ideal machine not super familiar with the theming and such but looks colourful and has multi player which is always nice.

Definitely also a huge plus having someone who can likely transport machines to avoid the hassle of vans and everything too!
 
Pop Bumper Pete said:
Stop, get out now before you buy your first game!!!!!
These things multiply and they can take over your house and your life!
Leave now and save your sanity
Click to expand...
Haha I mean that wouldn't be so bad and if my collection starts to grow too much I can start to exhibit them etc.. you just want the machines all for yourself really I see how it is haha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom