Quoted from PantherCityPins:Thanks, I'll look into that!
Your welcome. Got mine at Lowes. Pre cut panels.
(Topic ID: 130288)
2 weeks later
Whitehouse Station, NJ
Quoted from BubbaK:I just picked this up for $300. Got it set up and tested. Needs a few steppers serviced, but I played a bunch of games on it already. Only 19K plays..
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Very nice pickup. Just now noticed the 1980 Firepower bumper caps.
Quoted from Sea_Wolf:Very nice pickup. Just now noticed the 1980 Firepower bumper caps.
Yeah. I noticed that as well. I have one of the original ones. When I get around to going over the machine I'll put the right ones on it. I also have the center plastic, but the targets were giving me some trouble so I took it off to see whats going on.
2 weeks later
With prices these days I’d consider this a LEP pickup. Wasn’t working when I got it but after testing everything and reseating the cables it fired up. Now it’s cleaning time. Came with a new sound card and bumper caps.
Was debating a hardtop, new plastics and my first attempt at a mini-restore but for now I think I’m just gonna leave it as is. Will play it for a bit before I decide if it’s a keeper.
7ACEC094-FF08-4784-BFDC-97D99766A587 (resized).pngA4360F2A-E5BD-43B3-97A6-D144CE97B062 (resized).jpeg 2 weeks later
Just got home with a $200 Wms GulfStream.
Bg has a little flaking but is very presentable. PF has a couple of bare spots that would change the path of a slow moving ball, but is otherwise good.
The cabinet was painted white.
Seller said it just stopped working one day- he thinks it’s probably a fuse!
At $200, this can be the game where I try to learn to fix up spots in a pf.
Pics after it’s unloaded.
24FD268B-A862-470A-84BE-A29A954C88D7 (resized).jpegDBB68125-68FB-4752-AF9F-7E20A7C7165F (resized).jpeg46396988-362D-43E5-9C2B-B31D2682F09F (resized).jpeg297E73FB-37DA-4247-8CA3-3E24DB73CD3D (resized).jpegBA8A1F04-D99A-4BE7-BDA1-FE3AE3B6AF7D (resized).jpeg73F77FC4-D5F5-4861-BA37-AD795C4E9A92 (resized).jpeg9F335C8E-EA1A-48A4-9D76-7DEB8B9783A5 (resized).jpeg3C811B24-57FA-4624-9359-D23089769862 (resized).jpegA7C39981-18CC-4511-BF6E-7AF313A400CA (resized).jpegIt’ll need a new bottom, at least. Didn’t scrutinize it very well- it was late and, besides, $200! Water damage to the cabinet, but don’t see any rust issues. Doesn’t smell of mouse piss, always a plus.
And it came with the cutest teensy little tilt plumb! Never saw one so tiny!
615521FF-5D0E-4836-90D2-56A0DEC8091A (resized).jpeg
Woolgoolga
Gulfstream fired right up! Left flipper machine gunning. Some chimes not firing. Score reels advance like a dream. He thought it was a fuse... probably they quit playing it when the flipper went bad and it was so long ago he doesn't remember.
2 weeks later
I just saw that ILLINI_PINBALL just put up a bunch of project pins between $200-$500. Looks like a good way to join the club if any of the titles (or prices) tickle your fancy.
Quoted from Slacker_Quacker:I just saw that TFC100 just put up a bunch of project pins between $200-$500. Looks like a good way to join the club if any of the titles (or prices) tickle your fancy.
If I were closer I would go for a couple of those!
3 weeks later
Just got home with a Wms Jolly Roger $100. No legs or glass. Pf paint / plasticote cracked around the pops and one or two small areas. Not bad enough to affect gameplay. Plastics & bg are great. My only real problem is no lockdown bar, but a friend might have one.
5008A837-E99A-4617-A9AF-5ACF1FB32E45 (resized).jpeg8786E3B8-3E02-48C1-988C-5A55A04D8F4A (resized).jpegSo that's two projects after the one I’m still working on. I really should quit checking Craigslist, shouldn’t I?
Quoted from BubbaK:I just picked this up for $300. Got it set up and tested. Needs a few steppers serviced, but I played a bunch of games on it already. Only 19K plays..
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Steve Young/Pinball Resource has the correct caps for that game.
Quoted from Dono:Steve Young/Pinball Resource has the correct caps for that game.
Thanks.. I'm not looking to put much effort into the game at this point. Its currently set up in the garage and it gets its weekly plays to keep it working, but I'm looking to sell it.
4 months later
Quoted from PantherCityPins:Here’s the after shot of Top Card. Deep clean/magic eraser and two coats of wax, several gremlins chased out, etc.
Lives again.
NICE! I have had one of those in storage for about 10 years. It's time to unearth it & get it going.
That's a really fun game - stand up targets only! Lot of specials to be had there.
I need to finish up the one I am working on now, then I think I will look for a serious LEP - something that's a real challenge I can work on all year. Should be fun!
3 weeks later
tc3 (resized).jpgtc2 (resized).jpgJust pulled an LEP Gottleib Top Card out of storage. I bought this a over 10 years ago.. brought it home & stashed it. Pulled it out for the first time since then & set it up, have never even opened the playfield before. Needs cab paint, backglass is decent, missing backbox cover, coin door bent up, coin drop plate ok except broken .25 covers, playfield is fair & plastics good. Inside looks very complete & unmolested. Noticed that the 120V wires to the on/off switch are melted. Has the original packet with schematic, operator's manual, score cards, & factory warrantee flyer all intact. Seems like I paid $240 for it, which was on the high end back then.
tc1 (resized).jpg
1 week later
Langley City, BC
I don't know if I qualify. I try to buy low, but they don't stay that way. They get restored.
My cheapest are a free Merry Go Round (restored and going to TPF next month) a $75 Egg Head (stored) and a $75 Triple Action (restored and sold)
Quoted from EMsInKC:I don't know if I qualify. I try to buy low, but they don't stay that way. They get restored.
My cheapest are a free Merry Go Round (restored and going to TPF next month) a $75 Egg Head (stored) and a $75 Triple Action (restored and sold)
As long as you pick them up for the short green & do all of the resto work yourself it qualifies. Labor is not cheap!
Quoted from dasvis:As long as you pick them up for the short green & do all of the resto work yourself it qualifies. Labor is not cheap!
The labor is all free, too bad all the parts aren't.
Quoted from dasvis:True, but the fun of bringing them back is priceless!
Mostly fun occasionally frustrating
1 week later
Ok, what about low end medium pin man? I look for players with the best looks with the least amount going wrong with them… in other words, let some other poor sap loose most of his hair getting it 90%, then let me loose to take it to 100% working, then SLOWLY over years of procrastination get it polished beyond turd level of presentation… maybe a broken plastic here, missing post that doesn’t affect gameplay there, but good rubber, no weak flippers, and all mechs working, decent BG, spares of all unobtainium game specific parts, replacement pf waiting in the wings…
But the only high end pins I own are 2 NIB acquisitions, FGy in 2008 and I went whole hog on the MBrLE, but that was probably my last NIB in this lifetime, unless Stern makes Godzilla premiums any cheaper.
I’ve been collecting and playing wedgeheads now… nothing over $1200 but working, mostly… is my high bar mark. These things are multiplying like rabbits though. Keep finding too many good deals just under $1000 and I have already run out of room for any more.
2 weeks later
All my games are 'players quality'. My Volley was an its yours if you can get it out of the basement deal.
It had no back door and wires picked at by birds in the head with some little feathers everywhere. The lock down bar was all wobbley and had clearly been pryed on hard (you can drill the back but do this on the front?).
Turns out they lady who gave it to me won it on the Price is Right when it was new with her husband. Drilled out the lock and the untouched envelope with all documets was waiting.
The playfield was pitch black, NO sign of any art, as I cleaned and waxed it the preserved quality showed through. The game is super beatuiful and plays perfect after cleaning it up
Its set up at my parents and they love playing it, I will be taking it and setting up Fireball for them soon
(I have a short game play vid mp4 if anyone wants to see, but could not figure out how to upload it, any tips?)
20220731_173721.jpg20220731_173725.jpg 1 month later
My best find in a while. $150 started right up and played a game. Forgot to take pictures until I had already pulled some of the playfield rubbers. Replaced the locks with PPR locks and put the legs in evaporust. This one will go in the lineup for now once the play field is cleaned and waxed. And eventually I’ll do a complete cosmetic makeover.
15B7974B-4CFA-4795-8E72-B2646AE4A5E9 (resized).jpeg41A2E937-B106-45C1-805A-A5B83DAB40F1 (resized).jpeg4FB26E68-CBF6-46FB-8C45-39AEB59EFE91 (resized).jpegAE55E3EF-1145-4345-879D-6E91D9651B00 (resized).jpegCBF53CFE-893C-4565-9075-7107A186A8B9 (resized).jpegQuoted from DCRand:My best find in a while. $150 started right up and played a game. Forgot to take pictures until I had already pulled some of the playfield rubbers. Replaced the locks with PPR locks and put the legs in evaporust. This one will go in the lineup for now once the play field is cleaned and waxed. And eventually I’ll do a complete cosmetic makeover.
Nice LEP pickup....
Quoted from DanMarino:Here is my $200 Bally Time Zone. A heck of a lot of fun for the money.
Wow - Where are you guys finding these gems?
Craigslist? Facebook marketplace? or ???
My area has pretty much dried up as far as LEP projects. Probably just as well, my wife would shit if I dragged home another......
(But since when has this stopped me... 
)
I think a local pinsider bought it at an estate sale situation. He didn’t have time to mess with it and I don’t think he was an EM guy. He knew I liked EMs and he sold it to me cheap. Pretty sure he got it for $50, or something insanely cheap.
Quoted from DCRand:My best find in a while. $150 started right up and played a game. Forgot to take pictures until I had already pulled some of the playfield rubbers. Replaced the locks with PPR locks and put the legs in evaporust. This one will go in the lineup for now once the play field is cleaned and waxed. And eventually I’ll do a complete cosmetic makeover.
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The rug does tie it all together 
Quoted from Nikrox2:The rug does tie it all together
Yep all the old house rugs end up in the garage as game room rugs. Funny but that red one came from my dads house, and was probably a $500 rug. Just style doesn’t fit our house.
Quoted from dasvis:Wow - Where are you guys finding these gems?
Craigslist? Facebook marketplace? or ???
My area has pretty much dried up as far as LEP projects. Probably just as well, my wife would shit if I dragged home another......
(But since when has this stopped me... )
Who you know on this one. My gateway drug dealer who found my first pin for me 7 years ago (just bought 56th, still own 16) sent me a text that a friend of a friend wanted to get rid of this old Sky Line game that had been in the family for years, but sitting un-played and collecting dust. Don't get those texts or calls often, but when you do it's a fun day.
Okay so what’s the LEP cutoff on a EM in today’s world $$$? I think I’m a little high on my latest purchase but with inflation I may not be?
I bought a broke Jacks Open two weeks ago for $875. I might have paid too much, but I think it is an in-demand EM. It came out pretty nice, but the paint job on the cabinet is a little rough and the playfield has some wear. I also bought an El Dorado in 2022 for $900 and it was in similar shape and not working. However I consider both of those to be A level EM machines that are in demand and would be easy to sell if I get tired of them.
I consider a low-end great value to be $300 or less. I got a broke Time Zone in this range in 2022.
Good value is $300-$700.
Some EMs look totally boring and I wouldn't buy them unless they were $300 or less.
Forgot to add that I sold a working Card Whiz in January for $900.
Since most solid state, System 11, DMD, and LCD machines are way out of my price range, buying and selling EMs might be my future.
Quoted from PoBoyPinball:Okay so what’s the LEP cutoff on a EM in today’s world $$$? I think I’m a little high on my latest purchase but with inflation I may not be?
EM - I'm thinking $150~300
SS - $300~600 (you never know, I picked up my decent but not working Stern Seawitch for $100)
All depends on condition of course.
DMD & above are normally out of the reach of true LEP men, unless you get lucky.
Quoted from DanMarino:Forgot to add that I sold a working Card Whiz in January for $900.
I shopped out one of those for a non-pin family friend.
It was NICE with low plays, his dad bought it when ops were dumping EM's as SS pins came out. It sat in their basement forever.
Good player -lot of fun.
Quoted from dasvis:EM - I'm thinking $150~300
SS - $300~600 (you never know, I picked up my decent but not working Stern Seawitch for $100)
All depends on condition of course.
DMD & above are normally out of the reach of true LEP men, unless you get lucky.
Yep that’s kinda what I was thinking. Oh well my last night run isn’t a LEP but that’s okay.
Quoted from PoBoyPinball:Yep that’s kinda what I was thinking. Oh well my last night run isn’t a LEP but that’s okay.
Just cause it isn't a LEP doesn't mean it wasn't a good deal - and it helps you live to LEP another day.
Quoted from statictrance:Just cause it isn't a LEP doesn't mean it wasn't a good deal - and it helps you live to LEP another day.
YEP I’m a LEP man and love a smoking deal. This one was a little over to fit the LEP life but still a good deal and it will live again.
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2 weeks later
My lucky month. Second lep in a month. $200, lights up, score motor spins - but sure I can track that down. Backglass is pretty much perfect. Playfield has some wear but ok over all.
8B4BD7E2-754D-44E2-90E3-2BDACDFABABD (resized).jpeg917E7BD6-D5CC-4061-AED6-2CE350216CD2 (resized).jpegBB2C0CFB-533B-45F1-B30A-F7E16782705E (resized).jpegC8D8FE88-2898-41A9-95AE-C30D9AA884B3 (resized).jpegFBAB73D9-FA48-44B8-92B4-7E09FA6D93EA (resized).jpegMost of my games are LEP.
Strikes and Spares teeters the LEP price line but I count it in this market. Initially was popping the circuit in my garage on powerup lol. Now it plays and is awaiting a shopout. Will swap coin doors with a parted out Eight Ball door. You know Im keeping it incandescent as well.
20230511_204659.jpg20230511_204705.jpg20230511_204707.jpg20230511_204712.jpgTwo more LEP (Nip-It doesnt count) and I have plenty of great arcade game deals but they don't count I guess D:
Butterfly cheep cheep cheep, lady just wanted it out of her house but I gave her some money as a thank you. Cabinet very yellow, nice backglass. Coin door has been basically stripped, doesnt play yet AFAIK.
Bazaar pretty decent playfield, cabinet and backglass is rough but Id like to get them to Pinball Pimp and BGResto respectively for reproduction.
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