Excellent write-up. Well done.
Played the Hot Hand that was at MarkC's for the Bushfire Aid meet and really enjoyed it (also got the high score for the night, I think). I could see myself getting into the older Sterns, too, although I never got to play them in the wild. What sort of money are we talking for one of these in OK condition?
On another note, I am grateful my father taught himself and then taught me the basics of electronics and soldering. It comes in real handy when you own pinball machines.