The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Member Services => Sales and Services => Australian Pinball Restorations => Topic started by: Strangeways on January 17, 2015, 08:27:20 PM
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I had a week off an took the family to Inverloch (third year in a row) - Weather was horrible, but it was good to get away.
In 2014, the major goal was to secure and move into a new premises. Obviously, that has been done, but there are a number of capital improvements that will be made AFTER the backlog has been cleared. I plan on having a meet once this is all finished.
The first Distribution goal was attained - The CPR Distribution. It took off very quickly, and now Aussie buyers have access to backglasses and plastics sets.
The first Business alignment was completed with my good friends at HRP / Platinum Pinball. We are both very eager for the New Year ! Some really cool products and services will be available to pinheads.
The 2014 backlog is still haunting me - so the next 2-3 months will be 7 days a week (again) until it is cleared. I won't have a "real" showroom for at least 2-3 years - with games ready to go. Just not enough time. Here's what will be completed as my priority ;
High Hand, Genie, Terminator 2, Paragon X 2, Embryon X 2, Firepower, Joker Poker, Sky Jump, Freefall, DE Star Wars, Soccer, Hot Tip, Medusa, Strato Flite, Evel Knievel, Addams Family X 2, Guns and Roses, Old Chicago, Lost In Space, Nip It, Bow and Arrow, Star Wars Trilogy, Star Jet, Starship Troopers..
Then after those - KISS, Spirit (yes - I'm doing one of MY games), Scared Stiff, AFM x 2, TZ, CFTBL, Superman, TFTC (black) AND around 5-6 other games that I'm waiting on responses.
Container is due next week. The factory is completely full and I STILL have around 80 SS games in storage O/S. I did re arrange the factory floor for the impending arrivals. I'll post pictures later on.
There are a few key announcements that will be made throughout the year.
My New Years resolution was to be more organized with my workflow and due to issues I had last year - I won't be as distracted as I was.
The door is ALWAYS open for a coffee and a chat. If members are in the area - feel free to pop in.
It will be a very big year for APR.. @@^
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More great things to come 2015 for sure ^^^. Where was my machine on that priority list!?
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More great things to come 2015 for sure ^^^. Where was my machine on that priority list!?
!@)
Dungeons and Dragons, Flash, Flight 2000, Strikes and Spares..
I just got back today, and I'm already losing my marbles !
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Pity about the weather buddy, but I'm sure it was nice to get away from the everyday anyway.
Very excited about the container soon - can't wait! Three new toys.... $#$
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don't work too hard, learn to say 'no'
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don't work too hard, learn to say 'no'
When are you popping down for a visit, Pete ?
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I drove past a few weeks ago
I waved
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I drove past a few weeks ago
I waved
"No" ..
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Pity about the weather buddy, but I'm sure it was nice to get away from the everyday anyway.
Very excited about the container soon - can't wait! Three new toys.... $#$
I spent time with the kids in the indoor pool. Nothing like a beached whale acting like a 10 year old for 6 days in a row. I'm more "tired" now than I was before I left ! But it was all worth it.
Container - Paperwork done - just have to sign one document on Monday.
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APR makes working my dreary job in Thomastown bearable. Can't wait to see all the changes and progress. Good luck Nino
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Well done Nino with being busy, keep a happy balance, Just don't over do it, You'll burn yourself out..
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Hey, I was also at Interlock on Monday.
Looking at your profile picture, you look easy to spot - but I don't recall seeing anyone with a face like the letter 'A', a torso like the letter 'P' and one straight and one crooked leg like the letter 'R'. :lol
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Can't wait to see the old Chicago resto it's my all time favourite EM :) someone else has great taste :)
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Can't wait to see the old Chicago resto it's my all time favourite EM :) someone else has great taste :)
Well Gorgar 1, that would be my Old Chicago on the list. It will be a 'near new in box' restoration ^^^.
You can tell Nino that I said you can 'test it' for me in his workshop as it nears completion.
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Can't wait to see the old Chicago resto it's my all time favourite EM :) someone else has great taste :)
Well Gorgar 1, that would be my Old Chicago on the list. It will be a 'near new in box' restoration ^^^.
You can tell Nino that I said you can 'test it' for me in his workshop as it nears completion.
And you live in Melbourne my new best friend lol congrats you have awesome taste its a fantastic title and I'll be watching this resto more than any other :)
Peter.
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Most people who run their own businesses usually don't see the work they are doing as "work" but more like paid enjoyment and therefore can usually work 12 hr days 6 days a week and collect plenty of money along the way.
I say make hey whilst the sun is shining and go hard but make every minute with your wife and kids extra special.
Get some extra staff Nino on a contractor style basis.
Pay them per job , not per hour and keep quality high etc etc.
You have done this with Tim etc obviously but why not find a few pinheads who live in your part of the world who you can employ to cut thru the work and make more income and therefore profit.
Stripping playfields etc and taking photos and with your supervision, this could be a walk in the park with a few good guys.
A pinball restoration business did this up here for 20 plus years very successfully. Food for thought.
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Most people who run their own businesses usually don't see the work they are doing as "work" but more like paid enjoyment and therefore can usually work 12 hr days 6 days a week and collect plenty of money along the way.
I say make hey whilst the sun is shining and go hard but make every minute with your wife and kids extra special.
Get some extra staff Nino on a contractor style basis.
Pay them per job , not per hour and keep quality high etc etc.
You have done this with Tim etc obviously but why not find a few pinheads who live in your part of the world who you can employ to cut thru the work and make more income and therefore profit.
Stripping playfields etc and taking photos and with your supervision, this could be a walk in the park with a few good guys.
A pinball restoration business did this up here for 20 plus years very successfully. Food for thought.
All good points ^^^
My background is IT. Network Operating Systems and integration. I worked in very close teams for 10 years of my 24 year career. Constant communication with peers and a highly stressful job. Part of that responsibility was being the central point in Server Infrastructure serving over 20,000 people in 5 states. I loved it. But I grew tired of the "hustle and bustle", and I now need to work completely on my own. I'm used to micro managing - and now I'm doing that with this "job". I HAVE to have a TV or Radio on all the time - The culture shock from people constantly in my space to nothing is a real shock to the system.
Hire someone ? Not yet. I've had plenty of offers, and even people offering their services for free. I would NEVER do that - I would pay someone what they deserve.
I'm enjoying the workload - and I've had plenty of really great feedback from friends and customers. I NEED to STOP setting dates, and talking too much on the phone !!
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Back in November I needed to make space for machines that were arriving from interstate and the container that is due. The place was a complete mess before I started, and to make it more organized, and easier to view each machine, I thought I'd arrange the EMs and SS in rows with the heads on top. So I started one day, and finished the next. I moved 165 pinballs - on my own, around the factory floor and placed the heads on top. Took 16 hours.
Here's the end of the mess and the start of the new arrangement ;
(http://australianpinballrestorations.com.au/pictures/misc/factory/November%202014%20005.JPG)
(http://australianpinballrestorations.com.au/pictures/misc/factory/November%202014%20001.JPG)
(http://australianpinballrestorations.com.au/pictures/misc/factory/November%202014%20010.JPG)
The row of SYS80 games is getting longer ! EMs next to them. The rows are basically organized into the manufacturer and the platform - SS or EM.
(http://australianpinballrestorations.com.au/pictures/misc/factory/November%202014%20012.JPG)
(http://australianpinballrestorations.com.au/pictures/misc/factory/November%202014%20013.JPG)
(http://australianpinballrestorations.com.au/pictures/misc/factory/November%202014%20016.JPG)
View from the mezzanine
(http://australianpinballrestorations.com.au/pictures/misc/factory/November%202014%20023.JPG)
(http://australianpinballrestorations.com.au/pictures/misc/factory/November%202014%20024.JPG)
(http://australianpinballrestorations.com.au/pictures/misc/factory/November%202014%20025.JPG)
So the older games are organized properly. There's a section devoted to DMDs, and around 20 DMDs in the showroom - but are not set up to play. Another section has the next set of Restorations, repairs and machines awaiting parts. It is a lot more organized than when I moved in.
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Looks great Nino. A lot of work.
A quick question ! Do u have any lower back disc degeneration or pinched nerves or perforated discs or any back damage at all from the many years of moving around these heavy monsters. Any permanent or niggling hassles.
Need to take any meds etc.
I hurt myself moving apx 60 pins in a one day period a while back and really hurt L3 L4 L5 and take daily Tramadoll 200 mg to live without agony. Back operation sooner or later unfort.
Have you been injury free or have u been unlucky.
(I use all the professional moving equipment but sometimes some stairs means your arms and legs have to do the work)
Are you 100 percent or ??
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Looks very impressive Nino. I look forward to swinging by again soon.
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Nice and tidy. Ever thought of utilising the overhead space? Even some old backglasses on the concrete walls or something.
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You got to admit, it does look impressive. I am a believer that you can gauge a business by the way it looks. If its clean and well organized, you can nearly always bank on quality work/service from that business. If its a mess and dirty the opposite seems to happen in my experience.
I think it shows the person's character.
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Looks great Nino. A lot of work.
A quick question ! Do u have any lower back disc degeneration or pinched nerves or perforated discs or any back damage at all from the many years of moving around these heavy monsters. Any permanent or niggling hassles.
Need to take any meds etc.
I hurt myself moving apx 60 pins in a one day period a while back and really hurt L3 L4 L5 and take daily Tramadoll 200 mg to live without agony. Back operation sooner or later unfort.
Have you been injury free or have u been unlucky.
(I use all the professional moving equipment but sometimes some stairs means your arms and legs have to do the work)
Are you 100 percent or ??
I have three prolapsed disks which are considered "moderate" in medical terms. L3-L4,L4-L5, L5-S1, (from memory). Surgery ruled out due to risks. I used to take anti inflammatory meds so I could play cricket (10 years ago). I stopped taking them as "the day after" was crippling. These days - back strengthening exercises, and I was taught how to lift heavy items and mentally prepare the muscles for lifting. Sudden movement or lifting can be troublesome. The last time I really hurt my back was when I sneezed. The first two prolapsed disks were from moving machines (20 years ago) and the third was digging the clay out of the front garden when we built the house (15 years ago). I don't take anything these days, I manage my back through exercise and preparation. Since "retiring" from my desk job, my back has been 100%. I think the worse pain is the sciatica which can be a problem. I take Panadol Forte for pain management.
Moving machines in this process involved a trolley and lifting each head on it's body. I worked with a systematic approach and was able to finish the job without any niggles.
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Nice and tidy. Ever thought of utilising the overhead space? Even some old backglasses on the concrete walls or something.
Yes - Mezzanine is 120 sqm approx including an office (I NEVER use the office !). I have plans for this area once I catch up with backlog - maybe this year. At the moment I store spare parts and playfields up there ! The factory area will eventually have a racking system.
The walls in the showroom will have backglasses, playfields and framed flyers. They will also be used for displaying other products..
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Must smell like paradise in there? oh that beautiful smell of EM's.
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Maybe you could use the mezzanine as housing for your Chinese workforce
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Wow tons of work to keep you busy ^^^
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Looks great! I thought It looked organised when I was there a few months ago, let alone now.... @@*
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Where's that first container for 2015 at buddy?? Can hardly wait!!
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Where's that first container for 2015 at buddy?? Can hardly wait!!
Next Wed - Fri. Just waiting on a slot confirmation and it will be here same day. Hope you can make it !
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WOW what a setup!
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Hope you can make it !
As one is for the office, I think I might just be able to wrangle a day away.......
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Wow! That shed looks big, decent size operation going on there! I know it's probably trade secrets to you but anyone know where I can buy old DMD machines that need lots of work and aren't in possession of a hobbyist? Do I try to import from the states or something?
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Wow! That shed looks big, decent size operation going on there! I know it's probably trade secrets to you but anyone know where I can buy old DMD machines that need lots of work and aren't in possession of a hobbyist? Do I try to import from the states or something?
eBay, gumtree or dealers. You may be able to snag a "container pin" or "project pin" from a dealer.
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music video featuring one of Nino's favourites-can you guess? catchy tune too!
https://youtu.be/kemivUKb4f4
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music video featuring one of Nino's favourites-can you guess? catchy tune too!
https://youtu.be/kemivUKb4f4 (https://youtu.be/kemivUKb4f4)
Nip It?
:pinball:
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music video featuring one of Nino's favourites-can you guess? catchy tune too!
https://youtu.be/kemivUKb4f4 (https://youtu.be/kemivUKb4f4)
Nip It?
:pinball:
A TV sitcom set in the 50's with a pinball on set produced in the 70's.
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music video featuring one of Nino's favourites-can you guess? catchy tune too!
https://youtu.be/kemivUKb4f4 (https://youtu.be/kemivUKb4f4)
Nip It?
:pinball:
A TV sitcom set in the 50's with a pinball on set produced in the 70's.
I heard a rumour that Marty Mcfly used to love eating at Al's Drive In...