TAG - Thunderbirds Pinball - parts update thread

[studley67]

are you making all the nuts,bolts,washers etc aswell?

[Pop Bumper Pete]

are you making all the nuts,bolts,washers etc aswell?

It would not surprise me

[Homepin]

are you making all the nuts,bolts,washers etc aswell?

Hahaha - some of them, yes!

[Caveoftreasures]

I am extremely proud of you and all your efforts Mike.

Perhaps if everything works out, some of these boutique companies may approach you to build their games as well and it could work out for both parties. Anything is possible if it means extra profit for all concerned.

I would hate to think how much $$$ u have put into this new business.
I am sure its a HUGE amount.

No matter what you sell I will be there to add it to my pinball collection.

Hope you and your family Mike are well.

[Freiherr]

Wow, the pros and cons of using China as a base for manufacturing. It is a long and hard climb up the mountain before you reap the rewards. Mike, it is a monumental challenge and you are putting in reality what  some can only dream about. You are a credit to the modern day pinball industry and to Aussie guts and perserverence.

[Strangeways]

None of us know how hard it must be to open up a manufacturing company and produce high quality pinball machines. ALL the boutique manufacturers face similar challenges, but they are not on this scale. It takes YEARS for the major companies to have their systems in place (Stern) and other start ups (JJP) have seriously missed the boat.

I KNOW Homepin will manufacturer a high quality produce to market. The first machine was always going to take time. It is a learning curve that might not be perfect for 2 or 3 titles, but one thing we all know - This is just not one game - this will be a manufacturing company. It is also an Australian effort. In the entire history of pinball, we have only had HANKIN. This is HUGE.

Keep working Mike. The rewards are waiting. Patience is a virtue. "Pinball" and "patience" are two words that are mutually exclusive.

[delarge]

Yes! I'm not only eagerly awaiting the first Homepin game, but the titles that will follow it.

Can't wait to see the first pictures of Thunderbirds now.

Cheers!
Adam.

[Homepin]

[oldskool1969]

Well bugger me! coil sleeves too? coil spring washers? coil stops? I am loving your commitment financially and personally. 

[solar value]

Nice looking coil there!

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Mike posted this on Facebook
I guess the vid of the game cannot be too far away 
[ Invalid YouTube link ]

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Woolworths is using the Thunderbirds theme on their ads

[Caveoftreasures]

Am looking forward to seeing the machine or some Playfield details when the time is right.
Massive undertaking.
Wondering what sort of titles Mike has in mind for future games as well.
Thunderbirds has way cool spaceships in its shows.

[Brunswick Brawler]

Am looking forward to seeing the machine or some Playfield details when the time is right.

Sales of Thunderbirds will be a good indicator of the status of the Pinball revival in Australia.  Though it is clear now that Pinball is taking off in the USA, my feel is that it is still on a cusp in Aus.  A machine from an Australian owned company should do well here - I'm hoping Australian sales approach that of ACDC.  Like most industries it is important to show success in your own home market, before overseas markets open up.  Strong 'home' sales with low cost Chinese production under Australian management and ownership, i.e. low cost with sacrificing quality, should open the door to strong overseas sales.

The big questions may become:

• How many people will continue paying a $1 to $2k premium more for a USA made machine?
• Will Stern need to move out of the location pinball market that they currently hold nearly 100% market share?

Of all the new pinball manufactures in the USA/UK/Europe, I'd imagine Homepin is the one that Stern would be most concerned about. (Don't get me wrong, I like Stern).

[studley67]

I heard a thunderbirds countdown on ABCGoldcoast radio!