Repairs

Pinball machine repairs and servicing in Sydney

There is one inescapable fact of life regarding pinball machines, especially older ones: they break constantly. Still, it is impressive that so many pinball machines are still being played so many decades after they were originally made. Think about the other electronic devices and appliances in your home; how many are pushing 30, 40, or even 50 years old? Unfortunately, these machines will continue to break until someone fixes them. To this end, we now offer repair and restoration services to the general public.

Games we service

Our primary skill set is repairing solid-state electronic dot matrix display (DMD) games of the 1990s and later, including games from manufacturers such as Williams, Bally, Stern, Data East, Sega, Gottlieb, and Capcom. However, we can work on all eras and types of machine, including electromechanical games (up to late 1970s) and early solid state machines (late 1970s to late 1980s). If we can't work on it, we can recommend someone who can.

General repair guidance

As a general guide, routine service calls cost an average of $150 to $300. It can sometimes be difficult to judge exactly what is wrong with your machine or how long it may take to fix, so the following sections provide some generic guidance on what to expect in terms of repairs. Select the relevant section to see what repairs may entail. Please note that the below is general guidance only; contact us for a more specific estimate relating to your particular issue.

My machine is fully functional but needs minor maintenance, i.e. general cleaning or replacement of consumable parts such as rubber rings or lamps.

This is a basic service. It is the pinball equivalent to an oil change. These kinds of repairs can be completed on-site and within a couple of hours, depending on the amount of disassembly required. Parts add a nominal cost.

My machine turns on and is playable, but one or two playfield components are not working.

These repairs are slightly more complex. They often involve disassembly of playfield mechanisms to repair or replace broken components. Servicing typical pinball components such as flippers, pop bumpers, slingshots, kickers, and other coil-driven devices is relatively straightforward. Repairs to these mechanisms can be completed on-site within a few hours and at a nominal cost.

Repairs to more complicated mechanisms such as motor-driven assemblies and unique game parts may be more difficult, requiring more in-depth disassembly and troubleshooting. Game-specific parts may need to be ordered. A variety of parts may need to be used at moderate cost.

Sometimes, a relatively simple fix is all that is required (i.e. a blown fuse can prevent a feature from working). Other times, significant repairs may be required to fix a seemingly simple issue, and to ensure the machine operates correctly (i.e. a blown fuse may indicate serious problems with the game's circuitry). In these cases, more detailed troubleshooting will be required.

My machine has issues with booting up, staying powered on, resetting, playing properly, or otherwise running smoothly.

These types of issues are often associated with electrical problems such as power supply issues or wiring faults. A significant amount of time may be required to troubleshoot and repair the issue. Circuit board repair may be required. Repairs of this type are more complex, and may take five to ten hours to complete. Most repairs of this type will need to be completed at our workshop.

My machine has been in storage for an extended period of time. It no longer turns on.

Major repairs will be needed. Most components in the backbox and mechanisms on the playfield will need to be checked and serviced. In electronic games, if the batteries mounted to the circuit boards were not removed prior to storage, circuit boards may need to be repaired or replaced, at significant cost. The playfield will need significant cleaning. Electrical repairs, including circuit board repair, are often required. Repairs of this type are extensive and can take over ten hours to complete. The machine will need to be brought to our workshop for repairs.

My machine is mostly functional but I would like to have it fully restored so it plays like new.

Full machine restorations are our specialty. We are able to revive machines from the brink of death so they can continue to provide entertainment for years to come. The process described in our restoration guide is employed, with the machine fully stripped of all its parts which are then checked, cleaned, and reassembled. Upgrades and modifications to improve reliability and gameplay are implemented. Full restorations often take at least 20 hours to be completed, depending on the starting condition of the machine. Due to the amount of work and the number of tools required, machine restorations can only be conducted at our workshop.

Service area

We service the Sydney metropolitan area. We can perform service calls outside of this area by appointment, pending availability. Please contact us to arrange a visit. Alternatively, you can deliver your machine to our workshop and collect it when repairs are finished.

Common repair and service tasks

Below is a list of common repair and service tasks that we can assist with.

A rebuilt flipper assembly

Flipper repair and refurbishment

The flippers are the player's primary interface with the machine, so they must be in good condition for the game to play well. Flippers should be fast and snappy and should allow the player to hit every shot in the game without difficulty. Are your flippers sluggish? Do they bind occasionally? Have they lost their "oomph"? These are classic signs that your flipper is in need of a rebuild.

Pinball machine circuit boards

Circuit board repair

The printed circuit boards and associated componentry in the cabinet and backbox control everything in solid-state electronic games. Problems such as cracked solder joints and failed components can cause various intermittent issues. Servicing of these boards and upgrading them with modern components is necessary. If you are able to remove the circuit boards from your game, we can also offer a mail-in board repair service.

Different types of pinball LEDs

LED conversions

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are a worthwhile upgrade for any modern pinball machine. LEDs are brighter, consume less power, and last much longer than incandescent globes. They are a great way to upgrade a machine's appearance. LED upgrades generally include replacement of all general illumination lamps, controlled (insert) lamps, and flashers.

Severely leaking batteries

Battery replacement

If your game constantly loses your high scores and settings, your batteries may be dead, or leaking! Alkali leakage from old batteries can seriously damage circuit boards. Check your batteries and replace them regularly, or get us to help! Ask us about upgrading your machine to make it more resilient to battery leakage, or about ways to eliminate the need for batteries entirely.

Perished rubber ring

Consumable playfield part replacement

There are three main consumable items on a pinball playfield, all of which break or degrade in different ways. They are rubber rings (which perish and crack), lamp globes (which fail from extended use), and steel balls (which can rust and become pitted). Replacement of these parts will ensure your pinball machine continues to look good and play well. Moreover, broken rubber rings and rusty, pitted pinballs can actually cause damage to a playfield, so replace them quickly!

Playfield wear

Playfield repair and detailing

The playfield is often damaged in highly-trafficked areas such as around the flippers, near scoops and kick-out holes, and ball drop areas. While this damage is cosmetic, it can worsen over time if not patched up. Heavily worn areas of the playfield can even alter the path of the ball, sending it straight down the middle instead of to a flipper! See some examples of our work.

Cabinet flipper button wear

Cabinet repair and detailing

The cabinet is often subjected to shoves and smacks during normal play and can be scratched or otherwise damaged during machine transport. Areas around the flipper buttons are commonly worn, and the cabinet timber typically has chunks missing here and there. Machines that have seen commercial use have been kicked or punched more than a few times!

EPROMs being programmed

Game software updates

Many electronic pinball machines up until the 2000s store game data on obsolete integrated circuits called EPROMs. Occasionally, game code was updated by the manufacturer after initial release. Some third-party game updates have also been published by hobbyists around the world. We can update your game's software for a different gameplay experience as we have the hardware and software to program these devices.

Installation of modified lighting

Machine modifications

There are a huge number of aftermarket pinball modifications, third party add-ons, and other parts that can enhance certain aspects of your pinball machine. Simple modifications such as the addition of extra lights or installation of playfield toys can improve the look of a playfield or make a particular mechanism more fun to shoot at. We can help with sourcing, installation and troubleshooting of such modifications.

Freshly polished pinballs

Component cleaning and refurbishment

Many playfield components can be cleaned and refurbished to look like new. Plastic and metal parts can be polished, and a simple clean can bring most other parts back to life. There is often no need to replace a part when the original can be repaired or restored. More complex mechanisms such as motor gearboxes and coil assemblies also need to be cleaned and serviced regularly to ensure proper operation.

Assorted pinball parts

Part sourcing

Some pinball parts can be difficult to source as the original manufacturer is likely defunct and original parts are no longer available. However, the search shouldn't end there. Many pinball parts are being reproduced, including some rare and game-specific parts. Other parts can be fabricated with specialised tools. Either way, it can be difficult to find parts if you don't know where to look or are not sure what to even look for, so let us help.

Mould infested cabinet from an auction

Machine evaluations

If you are planning on inspecting a machine before buying it, but you aren't confident enough to assess it yourself, ask for assistance from an expert! Never buy sight unseen, particularly from auctioneers; it is a recipe for disaster. We can inspect a machine for you, making you aware of any potential issues that could become costly repairs later. If you are looking to buy or sell a machine, we can provide a general price guide.

Pinball machine setup

Removals and installations

Pinball machines are awkward to disassemble and move, so having someone who knows what they're doing can be a big help. If you've purchased a pinball machine but need assistance in setting it up, or if you need help moving it to another location, we can assist by carefully moving the machine for you and installing it at its new location. All moving equipment supplied.

So if you have a pinball machine that needs attention, contact us to see if we can help you out!

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