Jorge's Ponderings

This year I refurbished a 1964 pinball machine.  It’s a New York machine, so it gives ‘Extra Balls’ (Continue to Play) instead of free games.

I haven’t included all of the back-glass lights.  A previous owner painted the inside of the back-glass with NON-translucent paint, so back lighting presents an unattractive display.

The playfield is very clean, with a few wear spots, and is complete.  I have added new rubber and replaced all the lamps with Led’s.  The four flippers made Merle happy, allowing me to move it from the garage to the dining room.

New legs and 3 months of fiddling produced a machine that is fully functional.

A previous owner painted the cabinet, to the original design.  The work is not professional quality, but presents very well.

I added the clown artwork to the back door.  The image was copied from the internet with no credits available, although the artist is probably Jacqueline Macou.

The only hacks that I’ve added so far are a switch to silence the bells, and a post between the bottom flipper.  The post is appreciated by all my non-professional players.

This Winter it will be housed in an un-heated house in the Adirondack Park, upstate New York.  The temperature extremes are large, but the humidity should be low.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed and will be anxious to play it next Spring.

This is my 3rd renovation, all electro-mechanical Gottlieb machines.  I wouldn’t say that I’m hooked, but I am looking for and EM ‘Home Run’ or ‘Playball’ for my daughter’s home.