EM Pinball - Back then >>>> Today

As a kid In the early 70 's here in Australia I was fascinated with pinball machines, playing and watching techs repair them at sites in the local area.With an interest all anything electrical and only pocket money, I would source wire, bulbs, relays and any parts etc from anywhere I could to make electrical projects. One of many projects, I do recall knocking up my own scaled down version of a pinball machine using a wooden fruit crate and chip board as the play field. Using a hand full of nails and rubber bands I created bumpers & slingshots, then used wooden coat hangers cut in halve for flippers. Self made contacts (leaf switches) using old razor blades snapped in half and taped together formed part of a simple circuit operating a small motor for scoring and lighting. You even had to insert a 2 cent coin to make it all work. WOW !

In the years ahead I was unable to find a wanted job in the electrical /electronics industry due to limited employment opportunities and settled for an apprenticeship in bread baking and pastry cooking. When running my own bakery for 14 years, I purchased my first pinball title in around 1995 which was a 'Kiss'. The machine was in great condition and gave family and friends many hours of fun. The machine was then parked in my shed for many years after developing a fault which I never got around to fixing. When moving house the machine was sold to my brother who still has it in his small collection.

Fishing and boating was my other interest over the years, and following the sale of the bakery and boat, I needed a hobby to keep me busy. You guessed it ! EM pinballs !

My first EM purchased was a 'Gottlieb - TOP SCORE', was not working and in what I thought was in good condition ? All relays on the motor board were sprayed with an aerosol lubricant, BG flaking, faded artwork and the list goes on. Determined to restore the title, I experienced a steep learning curve, pulling down and putting all back together and creating new cabinet artwork. Even redrawing the BG and making my own translight.

Examples of all EM machine restorations and the processes can be seen at my website below.There are also tips and help for those with the same interest.

Wanting to design and make pinball products for my own machines, I purchased a wide format printer/cutter which comes in very handy.

I have a number of EM machines in the restoration queue, this will keep me entertained in the coming years. One restored machine 'Gottlieb PRO FOOTBALL' was gifted to family and the other 'Gottlieb 'CARD WHIZ' sold for less than it cost me in time and new parts.

Yes, I still have the 'TOP SCORE' and will never sell it, being the first EM title owned and restored !

My passion for EM pinballs continues to this day, and I look forward to participating and assisting the 'EM Gang' on this pinside forum.

Greg (oldpins)        http://www.oldpinballs.com/