Introduction

History of Pinball

Buying A Pinball Machine

• Different Kinds of Pinball Machines
• Home Pinball Machines
• Bingos
• Pacinko/Pachinko
• Where to Find a Machine
• Pinball Machines on the Internet
• Electro-Mechanical or Solid State?
• Age of a Machine
• Theme and Design
• Backglass
• Playfield
• Plastics
• Parts
• Cabinet
• Coin Mechanisms
• Back Door (Electro-Mechanical)
• Playability
• Multi-Ball
• Single Player Vs. Muti-Player
• Add-A-Ball
• Schematics and Instruction Books

The Manufacturers

Electro-Mechanical Verses Solid State

Disassembling and Transporting

Setting Up The Machine

• Location
• Attaching Legs
• Attaching Backbox
• Wiring
• Fuses
• Balls
• Level Playfield
• Game Adjustments

Things to Know About Pinball Machines

• Turning On the Machine
• Lights
• Missing Keys
• Opening Up A Machine
• Getting Behind Backglass

Components and Features

• The Ball
• Rubber Rings
• Match
• High Scores and Free Games
• Extra First Ball
• Coin Mechanisms
• Batteries
• Lights
• Tilt
• Backglass
• Sounds
• Playfield
• Fuses
• Free Play

Repairs: Basics

• Get Organized
• Safety First
• Replacing Line Cords and Plugs
• Tools and Supplies
• Soldering

Repairs: Flippers

• Dead Flippers
• Stronger Coil
• Playfield Too Steep
• Flipper Buttons
• End of Stroke (EOS) Switches
• Springs
• Plungers and Coil Stops
• Shafts and Bushings
• Worn Linkage
• Noisy Flippers
• More Than Two Flippers
• Converting to DC Power

Repairs: All Machines

• Game Won't Start Checklist
• Blown Fuses
• Problems With Lights
• Coils
• Chimes
• Playfield Glass
• Loose Components
• Ball Shooter
• Ball Kick Out Problems
• Switch Problems
• Cleaning

Repairs: Electro-Mechanical Machines

• Self Correcting Problems
• Troubleshooting
• Motor
• Score Reels
• Poor Connections
• Transformer High Tap
• Noisy Relays
• Relays With Light Bulbs
• Match Unit
• Rotating Stepper (Step Up, Step Down) Unit
• Roto Targets
• Using The Schematic
• Schematic Symbols

Repairs: Solid State Machines

• Troubleshooting
• Poor Connections
• Digital Displays
• Computer Chips
• Adjust Failure

Lubrication

Professional Repairs

Terminology

Source Listings: Parts, Supplies, Manuals

Index

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