My Checkpoint pinball used to have a Matchbox 911 Turbo on the playfield.

Well that wouldn't do and I have threatened to put a 914 there for years. Today I did it - though I wish the scale was a little larger. I couldn't wait to see if Matchbox actully will make the 914 in 2010.

Now I can clean this machine - it is long overdue...

OLD with 911:
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NEW with 914:
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Nice. I'll bet that improved the "action" of the table! Of course, now its not a real pinball (NARP).

that's too cool!

I love that!

I think the machine handles better now - I just beat my old record high score!!

That looks great. I hope it isn't in harms way there...
It would be sad to whack it with the ball

Very Safe there - it was where the factory placed the 911 - but it would not fair too well from a shot with a pinball - I have seen them break the glass before .

This past weekend I was told there's only one pinball machine company left. The really sad part is the steel balls are actually large ball bearing balls, and there's no longer a US company that makes them.

Something like 2 miles of wire in the average pinball machine!

The last company making pinball machines is Stern (www.sternpinball.com). Williams was a BIG player in the business but now just make slot machines for casinos. At one point there were at least 10 companies making them worldwide - but the big boys were Williams and Gottlieb.

It is a bit of Americana that is disappearing. Video games ruined the pinball machine business. There are a lot of moving parts on a pinball and they break. When the machine is broken it doesn't make any money for the owner (coin-operator) on his route (usually bars and bowling alleys). Video games have less moving parts so they make more money and attract the younger set to throw coins at them.

The ball itself is indeed a ball bearing 1 1/16" and is HEAVY. It can destroy part of the playfield plastics (or a die-cast 914) if it take a full on shot from the flippers. If the pinball gets a nick on the surface it can scratch the playfield down to bare wood quickly. So you always want a new pinball in your machine - I hope there will always be a source.

I worked with a guy who pinball machines were his addiction. had a garage full of them, went all over to buy broken ones, and fix them. I remember him paying upwards of 2k for an original, mint condition KISS pinball machine (20 years ago). very cool.

but you hit the nail on the head, video games require less maintenance and attract more players.

I'm as guilty as anyone :| I love pinball machines, but they take up too much space to have one in my house, or even the garage.

FWIW, there's a monthly acrade auction in Mesquite, about 45 minutes from me. they sell a ton of arcade machines, pinball, coin-op pool tables, slot machines, etc I've been to several, my buddy has bought arcade machines there for decent prices. and quite servicable pinball machines for under 200 at times.

Wayne, I believe you are talking about Super Auctions. They run arcade equipment and family entertainment center liquidation auctions.

web site

I have been to dozens of these when I was in the karting/FEC biz.

BTW, this time of year is good for the individual as operators are not buying as much.

yep, that's them, I think. they are at the mesquite rodeo arena every month.

my buddy bought a few from them that didn't go too high, but also met other buyers.. where he eventually bought a NHL Open Ice/NBA Jam machine from

only bad part of that deal was having to help move it down 2 flights of apartment stairs... holy fuck was that thing heavy!

A pinball machine can weigh 250 pounds easy. I have one that is closer to 300 pounds. All are in the basement and I moved most myself (or the help of my wife) - there is a trick...