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Thread: wall street journal article... no more EM pinball fixers?

  1. #1
    Waste not, Want not mudfud's Avatar
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    Default wall street journal article... no more EM pinball fixers?

    well, they don't know about us, do they?

    my dad cut this out for me a few months back, after he and mom so nicely drove to Moro Bay area to help me pick up my first EM, the SF machine.

    given how many mechanical switches and relays there are, I really could see the repair of many EM machines too expensive for average folks.

    are the newer ones easier to maintain, since they have more electronics to handle the switching?

    hope you all had a happy turkey day, and didn't gain too much weight last week
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  3. #2
    Pachi Puro emmadog's Avatar
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    Default Re: wall street journal article... no more EM pinball fixers?

    Hmm well from what I've read, EM's are easier to maintain, more reliable, and easier to troubleshoot. No sensitive electronic components to fry and chips to seat wrong.
    I just got thru watching This Old Pinball vol. 1and 2, and i have to say it's got tons of great info, especially things to look for and do's and don'ts. For example, I never woulda thought to not use contact cleaner on these machines.

  4. #3
    Pachi Puro pinball wizard's Avatar
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    Default Re: wall street journal article... no more EM pinball fixers?

    my first machine was a gottlieb wedgehead,i got it when i was 13 years old,and taught myself how to work on it.those em's aren't that hard to fix.like emmadog said,no electronic stuff to fry.

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: wall street journal article... no more EM pinball fixers?

    Here is a link to the article for those who want to read it.

    In Short Supply: Pinball Wizards Who Can Fix Old Machines - WSJ.com
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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  7. #5
    Chicken Fried Steak takethecastle57's Avatar
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    Default Re: wall street journal article... no more EM pinball fixers?

    When I got my 1977 Roy Clark cocktail S.S. pinball just lamps and brunt "Sunflower" pop bumper top s needed to be replace and i got it for $250 .

    I see the listings over here in California for pinballs and alot of them want $2,000 for the machine and it might need some work others say that they have had the pinball machine "Shopped" top to bottom overhaul . oh well the wall street journal doesn't really do a good job in researching before they print an article .
    When things don't go right the 1st time , Step back ,Take a break and come back renewed. RGS

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    Eye Shooter Frank A's Avatar
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    Default Re: wall street journal article... no more EM pinball fixers?

    I would rather work on EM's versus electronic machines. The mechanical logic is easier for me. I have a repair guy who only works on EM 's and another person who will work on both. There are still plenty of guys who work on pinball machines. The issue is that they are not working cheaply any more. Average guy gets $ 80 to $ 100 per hour plus travel time. If anyone needs a repair guy in NJ, PM me and I will give you the information on how to contact them.

    Frank A
    Frank A
    Lower Delaware

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