Author Topic: Buying used machines  (Read 1215 times)

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Offline dendoc

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Buying used machines
« on: March 04, 2013, 03:22:51 PM »
Just pop some pics of a machine I just picked up.
I'm happy because it actually plays OK, and the kids/I love it, but when you describe something on ebay, and then have personal contact with the seller, you should really detail what condition things are in.
I will "have fun" fixing it up, but was described a "some wear on cabinet, otherwise great"

THe lockdown bar has been painted black, and the black keeps coming off on my hands, so will be getting that fixed first. THen a new saucer, cliffy protector, real good clean/dust, and service ( do all CRTs have this color bleeding?).

Offline Pop Bumper Pete

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2013, 03:41:53 PM »
I am sure that despite the damage you will have a lot of fun with this game :)

Offline Caveoftreasures

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2013, 04:10:40 PM »
I am glad John they are easy fixes.
Powdercoat n sandblast lockdown bar shld be apx $25 ($35 tops).
Cliify apx the same.
Other parts are readily available.
Once Beaky does the caps on the monitors board, it will fix alot of the colour issues with the CRT. Then there is adjustment on the trimpot.
Also, if the CRT is well past its useby date, you can go LCD, or another brand new CRT monitor is available for under $300.

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Offline pinsanity

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2013, 04:33:27 PM »
Interstate buy methinks?

Offline dendoc

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2013, 08:22:52 PM »
Interstate buy methinks?

you thinketh correct! But I still think it was worth it as it's such a fun machine, especially for the kids. And restorations are funish as well, except the redacal sanding stuff. @@*

Offline robm

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2013, 08:29:21 PM »
Make sure you build the wear around the hole before you put a cliffy on, otherwise it will deform very quickly.  I use Selleys Knead-It - sets rock hard, and easy to shape before it goes off

Offline coon82

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2013, 09:16:46 PM »
I take it your feedback will not be positive for the seller...

Sorry to hear about the setback, but at least you can see the positive side of it.
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Offline 4_amusement_only

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2013, 12:00:30 AM »
 Ah, part in parcel of buying off Ebay. Opinions of condition vary between person to person ( monitor bleeding is    another story though) Good luck with the reconditioning.

Offline Strangeways

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2013, 10:48:32 AM »
Buying a pinball off eBay these days is like chook lotto.

As Rob said, build up the area around the hole before fitting a cliffy.

The monitor probably needs to be degaussed. These color distortions can be caused when moving the machine or when placing it next to items with a magnetic field. The motor in my Garage door does the same thing with arcade monitors. Could be a simple case of leaving it be as the chassis may degauss the tube over time anyway.
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Offline dendoc

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2013, 01:23:10 PM »
Make sure you build the wear around the hole before you put a cliffy on, otherwise it will deform very quickly.  I use Selleys Knead-It - sets rock hard, and easy to shape before it goes off
Will do, thanks, hadn't thought of that.

Buying a pinball off eBay these days is like chook lotto.

As Rob said, build up the area around the hole before fitting a cliffy.

The monitor probably needs to be degaussed. These color distortions can be caused when moving the machine or when placing it next to items with a magnetic field. The motor in my Garage door does the same thing with arcade monitors. Could be a simple case of leaving it be as the chassis may degauss the tube over time anyway.

I think I'll eventually swap it for an LCD monitor anyway.


Offline Strangeways

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2013, 03:31:46 PM »
Make sure you build the wear around the hole before you put a cliffy on, otherwise it will deform very quickly.  I use Selleys Knead-It - sets rock hard, and easy to shape before it goes off
Will do, thanks, hadn't thought of that.

Buying a pinball off eBay these days is like chook lotto.

As Rob said, build up the area around the hole before fitting a cliffy.

The monitor probably needs to be degaussed. These color distortions can be caused when moving the machine or when placing it next to items with a magnetic field. The motor in my Garage door does the same thing with arcade monitors. Could be a simple case of leaving it be as the chassis may degauss the tube over time anyway.

I think I'll eventually swap it for an LCD monitor anyway.



I've not seen a P2K with LCD. I'd make sure you look at one before deciding. There's nothing like the purity, clarity and depth of a CRT.

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Offline Retropin

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2013, 03:35:03 PM »
Buying a pinball off eBay these days is like chook lotto.

As Rob said, build up the area around the hole before fitting a cliffy.

The monitor probably needs to be degaussed. These color distortions can be caused when moving the machine or when placing it next to items with a magnetic field. The motor in my Garage door does the same thing with arcade monitors. Could be a simple case of leaving it be as the chassis may degauss the tube over time anyway.

Make sure transformer has the Faraday cage surrounding it and its tapped to ground... lack of the cage will cause colouring in the tube also

Offline dendoc

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2013, 03:57:08 PM »
Good idea! they didn't think of that when they made the thing?

pic of transformer area - no cage. Can I just buy some wire "mesh" from bunnings and bend to fit over the transformer (with a few mm gap)?

(and a pic after the clean up job is starting)

Offline pinnies4me

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2013, 08:42:07 PM »

I really don't know how some sellers can live with themselves and their BS descr-iptions. But I like your attitude - anything can be fixed!!
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Offline Retropin

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Re: Buying used machines
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2013, 10:09:21 PM »
Good idea! they didn't think of that when they made the thing?

pic of transformer area - no cage. Can I just buy some wire "mesh" from bunnings and bend to fit over the transformer (with a few mm gap)?

(and a pic after the clean up job is starting)

If the colouring of the tube is where the transformer is located, id be caging it off without question. With the cage.. the more metal in its construction the better so perforated sheet is best.. wire might not be enough of a shield for it.

.. apparently this also works if you have a smart meter at your house... faraday cage prevents it from reporting back to base, problem is when you get caught!