Quoted from dkatgs:

I am just finishing up my 1961 United 5 Star bowler which I traveled 800 miles (with an open trailer) in a snow storm to purchase! Spent $1250 on it and put another $400 into it (coin box, LED's, paint, finish, and misc hardware) and a lot of labor. I could not be happier with my first bowler, well worth the trip! I started with a few pitch and bat machines from the 50's, always in not working condition but pretty much complete. Here is what I found out in the process.
Make sure the machine is as complete as possible. Mine had 2 left legs but since they were wood and easy fix.
Mice love living in these machines! Found nest under the lane switches with a lot of chewed up wires in the ball return channel.
Score reel reset relays were cutout and removed and I received 3 others to replace. Turned out one broken wire was the issue and they all worked!
Check score reels to see if they move when you push on the solenoid, if not they will all have to be dismantled and cleaned (mine had 26 reels!)
You will need a 9 ft trailer to haul this machine home. One of the lane sections is just over 8 ft long.
Cleaning the plastic score reels caused the numbers to wipe off! You can purchase vinyl adhesive numbers with clear background on the web that look great!
Before you purchase hop onto eBay and see if you can find any missing parts you may need.
Sometimes you get lucky! The coin box was rusted and not working. Found one on eBay, re-chromed and working perfect, and the guy lived in my hometown!!!
The front nose of the pin deck cover is usually cracked and covered with metal band. I used my vacuum press to mold a new one and covered with quarter-sawn oak veneer! I know...Who has a vacuums press right.
One more thing. I would not buy a machine unless you have or can get the schematics.
If anyone knows where I can get the decal "Do Not Shoot When Pin Lights Dim" It would be greatly appreciate! Here are some photos. Dave[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]