Where to buy a Pinball Machine

djkeogh

Alright,

I'm moving into a new house soon and am setting up the garage as a games room. I'm looking to buy a pinball machine whether it be new or old and was wondering if anyone knew anywhere other than e-bay to get one.

I've been trying to find Irish suppliers but the closest I have found is a company called Electrocoin in the UK and they only have 2 types of machine in stock and I'm not interested in either one.

I'm figuring there are people out there who know these things. Is it possible to buy them 2nd hand from Arcades like Quirkeys even?

Any input will be appreciated.

Cheers

Retr0gamer

Probably your best bet to to ask around arcades if they want to get rid of any. Some will have old machines in the back. However they will probably be in bad nick, cigarette burns are the least of your worries, so be prepared to do so repair work.

Emcee Kenna

Yeah, your best bet is to get out the Golden Pages and phone about seaside arcades. Many may not have what you want but those calls will lead you on to other people who will. It's all about getting leads and sourcing contacts, really.
Sourcing that pinball machine or arcade you want really is about keeping your ear to the ground.

*EDIT*
I know 'Arcade Retro Games' in Belfast used to supply a range of pinballs, JAMMAs and dedicated machines. Google them or get a contact in yell.co.uk.

You could phone Lasers in Newry, if they don't have one they'll know someone who will.

Jerichoholic

I'm absolutley fascinated with pinball, it's become quite the addiction to me. When you get your table expect to make a strange new frien that pops around for tea

LoGiE

I would have thought there pretty hard to come by these days. I always remember seeing pinball machines by there dozens covered with cloth and that was in the early 90's! They couldn't compete with the Jamma's of the day. Still it would look absolutely savage in any gamesroom! I think a lot of people would be interested in where and how much you pay for one so keep us posted!

Triangle

There's a company in Tuam (Co. Galway) that sells this type of stuff. Used to be called Tuam Automatics. The information I have is out dated but the company that bought them out still resides in the same location under a different name.

I can drop you the old numbers and you could try em - give me a shout if you want them.

defenderdude

Hi
I went through a spate of pinball collecting and restoration a number of years ago. (sounds like an Pinball Anon meet)
In all I must have had 20; some of which were:
Twilight Zone, Addams Family, The Getaway, Fish Tales, World Cup Soccer, Bride Of Pinbot, Dracula, Funhouse... etc.Too much room:eek: or was it not enough?
I've only got one remaining which is a Williams, Star Trek The Next Generation. (my faveourite of em all)

I'm not sure what type you are looking for but I collected Williams machines. Best makers imo.
Get a make that you can get spares for easily and cheaply.
They are quite hard to get hold of now.
Most operators stopped using them because of the relative difficulty in keeping them running - what I mean is - they sometimes get balls stuck, bulbs go, piss-heads kick em about, they take up as much room as three poker machines... it's all about the money, nothing else except what makes most money per square foot. Pinball was bound to loose.


If you come across a pin, give it a real good going over. Get something from 1990 onwards as they self diagnose and even auto repair when it finds a problem.
Run the full diagnostics on the machine before you buy it. If it doesnt work be very careful, unless of course you are comfortable with repairing it yourself or paying some guy 50 euro/hour just to look at it... :eek: The seller might say it's something simple but be careful...

Get one with as nice artwork as possible. It really affects the value.

I cant really give you any help in where to look as all the operators I know have either sold or scrapped all their pins. They are quite hard to find - unless they're junk. Be fussy.


They are fantastic fun and although my first love is Video Arcade Machines, pins hold a special attraction - with the lights, sounds, size... and most importantly: everyone can play them - from kids of 2 to grandads of 72. The gameplay can be as simple or as complicated as you want.

Now for the hard sell...

It just so happens - I know where there is a beautiful Star Trek TNG for sale;)
Not cheap tho, but it comes with boxes of spares, manuals, free tutorial and free delivery/set-up, and it's even on free play !!! You can even come and see/play it for free. It's amazing!!!
I've heard that people with this pinball machine even have extra sex appeal and are more successful in getting promotions at work! well, lol, maybe not...:( but it's real nice;)
Unfortunatley the price is about 1500 euro ono. (That's the bad bit.):mad:

Seriously, if you want to have a look at it (no strings) - just to get a feel and close-up look at one, please give me a shout. Once you see one (guts n all), it's easier to know what to look out for - and what to avoid.:eek:
Good luck m8
Aidan
aka defenderdude

djkeogh

defenderdude wrote:

Twilight Zone, Addams Family, The Getaway, Fish Tales, World Cup Soccer, Bride Of Pinbot, Dracula, Funhouse... etc.Too much room:eek: or was it not enough?

Well thats quite a few you've had over the years. I love the Addams Family machine. One of my favourites of all time. I've always had a great love of pinball machines and it's always been an ambition to own one and finally I'm in a financial position to splash out on one.

I haven't had any luck sourcing any other than the original company in the UK who are stocking the New Stern Machines that come out but they are charging £2500 sterling without tax or delivery which is way too much.

Defender Dude are you selling the Star Trek Machine you have yourself or you just know someone who is selling one as well. I could well be interested.

defenderdude

Hi
sorry if I was misleading.
I am looking to make room and am considering selling it. It's not used much and I dont want to relegate it to the garage but wifey wants the room back and a piano in it's place I'm under no pressure to sell it but I would love to see it going to a good home and being used!

The prices you have seen (£2.5K) actually sound low for new machines to be honest - typically a fish tales,start trek etc. is that price from pinball heaven and more for cleaner ones.:eek:

I've always said I'd never sell it, but times change and kids n wives get demanding. lol:o

I'd recommend you have a look at it anyway, no obligation, so at least you know what to look for incase you see one that you really want.
I'm in Newbridge (kildare). PM me if you want pics, my email address etc...
Thanks
Aidan.

--amadeus--

I have a 1960's Gottlieb Big Casino classic pinball table that I have been planning on tarting up and putting into a games room for a looooong time.

It's all complete, original glass, etc but (here's teh bad news) it's been in my gaarage and then shed for a couple of years so I doubt if it's still working. That said it was when it was put away so with a bit of WD40 and sanding of contacts, etc I'm sure it will fire up pretty easily. It'll also need a full repaint.

To get an idea of her click here

Drop me a PM through here if you're interested - I'll let her go to teh best offer from someone with the time to put her back together in a fitting home...

deadl0ck

Buy and Sell is worth a look also.

I have a Star Trek: The Next Gen that I restored and it's a great pin.

I also have a Doctor Who in storage in Sweden that I want to ship over....just need somewhere to put it