The Beginnings... How I Started Repairing Pinball Machines

After watching a documentary last year on how the old pinball masters are retiring, leaving nobody to fix the machines in the future, I decided to switch gears and start a new career in pinball to help preserve a legacy that I’ve enjoy over my life, but never owned my own machine.

How does one start a pinball repair business with virtual no experience? One of my first jobs out of high school was as a supervisor for an electronics repair company, repairing cable television converters where I learned a lot about circuit board repair, soldering, testing, and much more. Over the years I have build countless computer systems, repair cell phones, owned several businesses, and even have a Bachelors Degree from Portland State University with a double major in Compuer Information Systems and Business Management, but I’ve been running a real estate company for the last 15 years...

I’ve never even owned my own machine so now what? Well, but a broken machine and fix it. That’s exactly what I did. I found one of my old, childhood, favorites locally and now owned my first Williams “Comet” pinball machine circa 1985. I probably paid way too much for it in its state; broken flipper that started smoking, broken main ramp, missing decals, broken ramp gate, weak flippers, dirty playfield/cabinet, and the game would literally shock you when touching it. It was what it was!

So, I started at it, watching how to videos, fixing one thing at a time; starting with the easiest fix. When I would get stuck I would post in the forums and search Google for help while also checking thru the schematics and learning the lingo; along with some tips and tricks along the way.

I also started amassing a rather large inventory of parts and spare parts eleven machines later, but more importantly was the experience and connections I’ve gained along the journey so far.

Learning on your own machines is the best way to get started and after all my repairs and restorations, I’m completely confident in my abilities and have now started my own pinball repair company: Pinball Gurus (www.PinballGurus.com), where we repair, restore, rent, and even place pinball machines in local businesses to be enjoyed by others and preserve this amazing legacy for future generations.

Our future goal is to open a local pinball arcade in addition to our repair facility.

And the rest is history...