Hi, It's Mark here again...So, a summary....I bought this as a non working wreck...With the wicked price I paid for the lovely repro backglass, I spent about $1500 on parts, plus paint, paper, brushes etc. Let's say $1700 for good measure. I spent 6 months of my life on it, working most days and many hours on many days. It's not perfect, but that's not the object of restoration. But it IS like a new machine. I tried to do everything on the machine...all cleaned, adjusted, replaced where it needed it. It's as close to original art and original mechanical condition as I could possibly get it, and it plays like a new machine. ...not just the flippers and bumpers, but scorereels, motor, reset coils, relays etc. ..like I said I tried to do everything on the machine.
What's my time worth? Let's say that I spent 250 hours on it (even though it was much more), and let's use $30 hr as a reasonable rate... You can do the maths, but my point is this. One day I'll sell this machine and I'll put a figure on it somewhere around $7500....and you know what?? It'll be worth it. Commercial operators are asking around $5000 for reasonable (not great) examples of these machines, and they aren't doing anywhere near the work to them that I do with every machine I have restored. So, even though we all hear about 'cheap' machines, they are cheap because they are usually wrecked. I reckon pinball is a lot like life ... you only get what you pay for.
I've really enjoyed doing this one, as I had been having a break from pinball for the few years before this (and the Queen Of Diamonds). Bank A Ball is a truly wonderful game, and if you're passing through the Central Coast and would like a few games, feel free to call 02 4328 1016 and we can make a time. Fellow restorers are most welcome. Thanks to all of you who helped or responded to my questions. Special thanks to Mark Hanlon who gave me a flyer signed by Bank A Ball designer Ed Krinsky! Special thanks to Tony, who is a real straight shooter. Until the next machine, happy trails. Mark
