Buying a pinball machine

[Boat]

As a kid, I've grown up playing these machines. I can honestly say I've always wanted one and currently I'm the closest I've ever been to buying one.

For those of you who purchased one, can you share your experience? Anything from price, issues, where you got it. Any pinball maintenance/experts on beyond?

Edit More Deets: Looking for an older machine 90- 99. No new machines.

[ExtraSlow]

SML is one of the go-to spots.

[Seth1968]

I've never purchased a pinball machine, but I'm thinking of doing so.

I mastered this one, and want it back:

[Boat]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
SML is one of the go-to spots.

I will probably be buying from SML

[Boat]

Originally posted by Seth1968
I've never purchased a pinball machine, but I'm thinking of doing so.

I mastered this one, and want it back:

Awesome. I've been playing the buck hunter one at crossiron, thats pretty fun. Although I pretty much like all pinballs.

My dad has this one:

[Khyron]

Would love to get T2 in my house.

[Gorilla]

SML has a Kiss one at the Cross Iron Mills Mall, super nice.

[littledan]

i spent half of my grade 8 year playing lethal weapon 3 pinball at my local mac's store lol. we could go for 2 hours on about $0.75.

[Khyron]

- edit DP

[bulaian]

I remember playing this one at Wizard's Castle in Marketmall. I would love to be able to play it again

[Boat]

Originally posted by Gorilla
SML has a Kiss one at the Cross Iron Mills Mall, super nice.

I saw it. 7 grand is rediculous for an older machine unless you're a huge fan, or its gameplay is good. I'm going to get a lesser known one which is highly rated for gameplay

[C_Dave45]

Wow...I think I just decided on the next addition to the poker room. Does anyone here have a pinball machine? Do they break down often? Hard to repair? Looking on Kijiji, there are quite a few available, starting from around $900 up to the $2500 ball park. Anything to watch out for?

This would be a perfect addition to my poker room!!!

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by C_Dave45
Wow...I think I just decided on the next addition to the poker room. Does anyone here have a pinball machine? Do they break down often? Hard to repair? Looking on Kijiji, there are quite a few available, starting from around $900 up to the $2500 ball park. Anything to watch out for?

This would be a perfect addition to my poker room!!!

First world problems? No wait, you ACTUALLY work for a living.

To repair one of those bad boys is going to be a never ending process. That's assuming the parts ($$$) are even available.

[big A]

I used to own this one,

http://www.pinrepair.com/gtb/tropic.htm

Once I was doing carpentry work for a guy when I seen some old games in his warehouse. None of them worked but in the deal he gave me Tropic Isle and that old one where the rifle is attached at a pivot point and you shoot at moving targets.

I made a deal at SML where they get to keep the rifle game in trade for a full refurbish of Tropic Isle.

Well 7-8 years ago times were rough and I sold it to a collector

[dirtsniffer]

Buuuump.

Anyone here have a pinball machine still? Looks like the cost has increased over the last few years.

Know anywhere to go play them now?

[The_Penguin]

I bought one used out of the bargain finder back in the mid 90s.
They're pretty easy to maintain, and a bitch to move.
I think I paid $300, and almost that much to get it moved. I see they're insanely more expensive these days.

[mushi_mushi]

I don't know much about pinball machines but since I haven't seen it mentioned I will throw it out there. What about hyperpin, this is a pinball emulator that allows you to play pinball games much like hyperspin does for old school games.
There are lots of youtube videos that demonstrate what it is. Technically it might not be a real pinball machine but I think the variety of playable games would be far more appealing to me than just getting a single pinball machine. There are plenty of kits out there or you could build your own. Just some food for thought.

[Seth1968]

^ Isn't that like having a blow up doll instead of a real woman?

...not that I'm implying the latter would be more enjoyable than the former.

[mushi_mushi]

^ Beyond group buy? nah forget it everyone here has a g/f or wife that's at least a 9 out of 10 On a serious note those hyperpin setups look sick. Im not talking about downloading a rom and playing it on the pc.

You basically get a large tv, put it in a pin ball cab, add buttons and vibration effects to the cab. The experience looks like it comes close to the real thing, be it I havn't tried it. Here is one example:

[BigShow]

I have a few of them, paid between $5-6k per game and the next ones I want will all be about $8k games. The prices have just soared over last couple years but it's cool hobby for sure.