Source for Vintage Machines

[gorgo35]

Does anyone know a good source for vintage pachinkos besides eBay and Pachinkoman? I've already got bit by eBay and Pachinkoman is down to one machine.

Thanks,
Steve

[rdmkr1]

What kind are you looking for????? And you got flea markets ,estate sales and public auctions,,scan the classifieds,and make calls(inquire)

[gorgo35]

I'm looking for restored machines.

[jc1444]

Look no further Arby Coffee is on the board here and he has many machines that he has refurbished. His work is the best!!

[gorgo35]

That's very true, in fact, I've already bought one from him. But, he doesn't have any of the old lever release machines, which is what I consider to be vintage.

[logicprobe]

eBay is about all I know of to find vintage machines. Or if you're lucky enough to find a serious collector that has restored them already... IF that's the way you want to go.

How did you get "bit"?

Take in all you can here about "vintage" using that search function... before your next purchase, but I'll sumarize a bit.

There are places on vintage machines to LOOK for trouble. Avoid a cell (playfield) that has what "might" be dirt, in a pattern spreading out from the pins. If it looks like it's around the pins, chances are it's water damage. Avoid it. It's behind the face and you can NOT clean it off. Someone not knowing better probably soaked it with a spray bottle, instead of giving it a proper cleaning.

Study photos here of the backs of the machines. Grab images that people have submitted here, and just compare them to an image that's in the auction. Many machines are different... but you'd be surprised how many are alike. If there's everything there that's supposed to be... I'd take another chance.

If the seller doesn't have a photo of the back (OR a good photo of the cell)... ask them for one. If they can't supply it for some reason... or they don't answer your message... forget them.

Half the fun of these old timers are cleaning them up and getting them as close as possible to looking new.

If the one you already purchased is truly junk... then look for one just like it, only better shape now that you know what to look for. At least you'll have spare parts for the next one.

And, of course, you could also place a wanted ad in the PachiTalk auctions.

Good luck in your quest. :flybye:

[ocpachinko]

I want pictures (front and back) of the machine you got bit with too! Maybe there's hope!

[slothappy144]

I had some luck with Ebay, I have 2 vintage machine that I have working fine. One seller is sending me info on a machine his brother still has, I will forward it along if you are interested and of course if I am not!
The first one I bought from Mike Kipp, works great! I just fixed the last switch (2 of 2)so it is 100% operational, I converted it to (2) AA batteries so bulbs are cheap. I might replace the 'New Vangurd' with mikes other machine. If I need the space I will pass it along for cost+shipping.
EBay tip: always ask seller a question, for more pictures, closeuips of known damage, etc. good sellers will help you out, avoid the bad ones!

[gorgo35]

Right now I'm waiting for PayPal to decide on the dispute I made against the seller. No point in thinking about a restoration if it's going back.

Mike G, Yes, please forward any info you have. I'm still looking.

Also, thanks for all the help/advice so far, it's definitely appreciated.

Steve

[slothappy144]

We here at Pachitalk are always glad to help, that's why we are here.
I will PM you once I get more details on the new vintage machine.
Best of luck on your paypal dispute.

[lisaflah]

i found my amazing vintage machine in an antique store.

the bad news is it takes time to hunt them out -- not too many quick fixes for vintage lever one-ball machines.

the good news is when you find one you will treasure it dearly.

[slothappy144]

Here is a great example of a machine that was improperly cleaned, and it was such a nice vintage, these play great with this model there is no 'reach-around' as there is the hopper for the 'lost' balls.
Hmm. I am having trouble with the image. ah better. notice the 'ghosting' around every possible hole in the playfield.

[luckydog]

This one looks overpriced, the playfield looks like it is stained too!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-PACHINKO...QQcmdZViewItem

[gorgo35]

Well, I decided to keep the machine and restore it. The playing field was in good shape but it was packed really badly and a lot of the plastic in back was damaged during shipping. I've finished cleaning it and patching it up and, mechanically, it works really good now.

Now for the electronics. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this type of Sankyo? I'm mainly trying to find out how the micro-switch needs to be hooked up. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I'd really like to get the light/lock covers for the right side of the front of the machine. It's probably a long shot but, if anyone has some spares, please let me know, I'll make it worth your while.

Thanks,
Steve

[chmer01]

Also, I'd really like to get the light/lock covers for the right side of the front of the machine.

I am in the middle of fixing up my vintage also. The electrical was shot to ! The rubber light holders were crumbling so I hade to toss mine. I went to Radio Shack and used these http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062372&cp . They work great and with a little care you can bend the mount tab to whatever position you need. Hope this helps.

Luckydog-
I know what you mean by over priced. I sat there watching this and still cant figure out why.


Eric

[gorgo35]

Actually, I was thinking of using white LED's instead of bulbs. Has anyone tried this?

[Hillbilly_Savant]

An LED will work in ok in some places, such as the 'out of balls' light. If the center lights up, it doesn't work so good. The LED just doesn't put out the same width of a light beam as regular, and the reflector behind the bulb doesn't make the beam light up the whole plastic. They do make LED bulbs for flashlights, and I haven't fooled around with these yet, but I had some very powerful white LEDs and wasn't happy with the results. I have a couple machines with Jackpot lights on the side, and LEDs will work good with these. Just as long as the light doesn't rely on a reflector dish for all its power, your good. I just use regular bulbs, and find a nice 9v+ ac adapter at a thrift store for cheap. You want to find one with an output of 500mah or greater.
Just hook it up like you would a battery. A 12 volt adapter is even better (hard to find though), just make sure your lights are 14v (radio shack).

[slothappy144]

I went to radio shack and picked up a 2 battery holder and put standard flashlight (xeon) bulbs in my Nishijin , nice and bright and I can get replacements at the grocery store now.

[gorgo35]

I guess bulbs are the way to go then.

As far as hooking them up goes. My Sankyo has bulb locations at the upper right and upper left of the playing field as well as one on the right side of the machine, outside the playing field.

I believe that the upper left one is for the balls out switch and the right, outside the playing field, one is for the win switch. If that's the case, then the upper right is either another balls out light or another win light.

Can someone with a Sankyo verify this for me?

Thanks,
Steve

[slothappy144]

No sanko but Nisijin and Daiichi both have low ball light upper left hand corner viewed from front. Daiichi has win light just below the low ball light, Nisijin win is in middle flower, very cool. I am considering moving the win to center of the Daiichi.