Sure would be nice to see an article that some guy is converting SS to EM's in large numbers for a change.

Ken

I get that it can be done, I just don't know why it's being done.

Exactly.

cool but i vote no

I originally thought this would be cool. Then I read the article. Not a fan.

What EM ever couldn't have the controls fixed? He claims they were "too far gone", yet Tim Arnold was able to create a TKO with just a schematic. I guess Tim is considerably smarter than this genius.

It would be like converting a charcoal grill to propane.

Phoenix or Firepower, ya! A Gottlieb Totem EM would also be cool.

Oh oh! Here we go again!

Ken

Man, I had a whole poem written when I was mowing the lawn on Sunday, but I figured I would just leave it at this.

Very interesting article. Actually I don't understand why no-one came up with a EM interface for P-Roc, or just a simple generic EM to SS boardset. That way you can leave out the bottom board of relais and just use the coils and switches on an EM playfield. You can easily improve the rules as well. Might as well be a stripped down version of P-Roc boards since less parts are involved. It could save a lot of EMs from the dumpster.

This was already done by Kerry Imming with PinKit. The test bed was a Gottlieb Solar City (EM to SS). Then, the system was used to build additional Whoa Nellie Big Juicy Melons. http://www.planetimming.com/PinKit/

In many ways, using a PROC (which requires some form of PC or Stand Alone Computer PCB) is overkill to repopulate an EM. Especially if you stick with the original score reels and even Bell Chimes. It would certainly be useful if you wanted to "upgrade" an EM playfield to DMD/LCD and Digital Sounds.

No No Please i cant take it!

I am with EM-PINMAN on converting an SS to an EM,i would actually like to see a Heathkit style pinball made again but all electro mechanical. Call it a throwback to simplification.

You know, I just love Propane

Ken

Back in the days of EM pins

BBQ grills had charcoal within

My daddy taught me to grill food right

I think I might fire up the Q tonight

Reels to displays...yuck.

When you're out of coal...
but you wanna grill on.... Propane!

Don't forget this fact.... Charcoal is black!
Propane!

We don't mind
We don't mind
We don't mind...... (buh) Propane!

Seriously, I'm surprised California hasn't outlawed charcoal yet. They did outlaw charcoal lighter fluid, didn't they?
I do prefer charcoal, or better yet a nice pile of glowing hardwood embers, but you can't beat gas for ease and cleanliness.

No, but it is not used by me.

I use a starter powered by electricity.

Never!

There was a west-coaster named Odin
For whom solid state was verboten
Don't speak of propane
He thinks it's profane
It's charcoal briquettes he'll be loadin'

If you use lighter fluid, or Kingsford, well, you get what you deserve.

My trusty old Weber cost sixty nine bucks

I roll it in the garage so it never collects rust

When someone shows off their pricy gas burning grill

I say whoa, slow down, and please take a chill pill

I don't often use charcoal, but when I do, I use a chimney to start it. I never use fluid. It is good for cleaning old wax off playfields though!

Clever!

Really, no fluid eh? You guys have too many rules. I'm certainly no expert though. I converted from gas to charcoal a couple years ago. My wife and I like the flavor a little better and waiting for the coals gives you a little time to drink a beer.

No fluid or chimney for me. Both add unwanted flavor.

Here's the ticket. I bought one at Walmart 10 years ago for 10 bucks. The key is to take it out just as the coals start to smolder or you'll burn out the element.

th-1-307.jpeg

Between droughts and the Epa i am surprised too.

Highway to grill.
1st verse↓↓↓↓
♫ ♪♪♫♫♫ ♫♪♫♫
Cooking easy ♪♫
Cooking free ♫♪
Season permit on a one time try ♫♪
Ask me nothing ♫♪
Leave me be ♫♪
Grilling everything in my stride. ♫♪
Dont need seasonings ♫♪
Especially an herb named thyme ♫♪
Aint nothing id rather do than grill ♫♪
Gonna light it ♫♪
Grilling time ♫♪
My friends are gonna be there with meat too
I m on a highway to grill ♫♪♪♫
Highway to grill ♫♪♪♫
I m on a highway to grill ♫♫♪♪

I don't use paper to start the charcoal in my chimney. It's too smoky. I put the chimney over a propane burner or camp stove for about a half minute, and it gets it going good.

It is now regulated, so that only those that have a medical card can buy it. The card is really easy to get though. All you have to do is go to a doctor and tell him your belly hurts.

Now THERE'S a good use for propane!

Coal fired Pizza/bread oven cooks fast ,would love to have one.
Anthracite cooks it right.

Thanks for the link. I knew Kerry was involved with WNBJM, but never knew about PinKit.

"Stay thirsty my friends."

I love how EM guys never use that pedestrian "thumbs down". We just spam the thread with talk about grilling.

We use another finger instead for that ^^ (2 neighbors down)...

Here at the EM hangout we are self moderated. I don't think the regular moderators spend too much time here. They are too busy settling disputes over what the next title should be or why people don't have machines they paid for three years ago.

I don't think Robin spends much time here either. I just read a quote where he stated that one of our new moderators has the nicest game room in the country. Yeah, 97 machines but no EMs.

Your killing me.... but its true^^

I guess were weird outcasts,thats ok because if someone were to follow our threads they would either be amazed and stay or disgusted and leave which is fine by me.

So where do the unused "guts" go? Thrown away? What a waste!!

th-651.jpeg

BBQ Spam on the grill mmmmm w/charcoal or propane?

I would like to see a solid state flash motor boards for old shuffle alley bowling games. That's been my only hang up with a handful EM restorations just using that game as a bench for all my other projects one day I'll get the urge to finish that bowling game but may be awhile.
As for California ban on lighter fluid what isn't banned do a bunch of over worried soccer moms run your state? I'd hate to be a contractor half the stuff I use says "Not approved for California" you guys are missing out on a lot of great things. With all these regulations has any statistics shown a drop in new cancer cases vs the rest if the states?

John_Wayne_Hardw_50fd965f32188-730.jpg

^^^^^^^^

John Wayne Charcoal? Is that real? I guess they'll put the Duke's face on anything.

Of course,just read the warning label it has a carbon monoxide hazard so its legit.

From the article:

"And, in some cases, converting EMs to SSs. “People are reluctant to convert their EMs – especially people who know their stuff – because EMs have a special feel to them,” he says. “But sometimes they can’t be fixed, so I chuck in a load of electronics and program them so that the game rules are the same as the originals.”

Here he admits to not knowing the "stuff" and apparently coils, wires and switches are too complicated for him. Or he just doesn't want to clean it. I think a lot of modern college tech-heads are intimidated by cable bundles and rows of AC operated relays.

This is like ripping the heart out of a friend because they fail to understand them....and creating something they perceive as "better". Like this:

Before conversion
After conversion

Personally, I wouldn't buy that for a dollar. Nor would I for a franken pin.

↑↑↑ ↑↑↑

It's not as bad as it sounds. Mostly there are people from elsewhere trying to run each other. The things I miss are things that are no longer available anywhere such as Delaware Punch. Anything else can be bought off the internet.

I'd like to think California has actually been moving forward compared to the way things used to be.

th-2-735.jpeg

Reinnie
Didn't you essentially do it also with your Jack of Diamonds project with Herb Silvers?
How hard would it be to adapt your board set to be used or reprogrammed for other E/Ms?

If you guys think 'Resto-Mod' like the 50's and 60's cars with new drivetrains and running gear. This gutting the EM parts and retro fitting electronics is not that different. Now, replacing the EM stuff, just for kicks, and destroying a working vintage pin. That is just wrong.
Look at Retro Pin with their King of Diamonds. This is done to a much higher quality. If I could afford one I would most likely get one. I have played the Retro Pin at the PHoF, and although it certainly is missing all of the EM sounds, it is still fun to play.

Now I will run outside through the sprinkler, to protect myself from the on coming flames.

I used to sell it and liked it myself. Great label and a very good stable seller back in the 80's. You could always sell a corner store a case of DP every week or two in the S.F. Bay Area. I used to sell Calso Water for the bars as well, but the newer Crystal Geyser and Calistoga eventually killed that brand. Pickle Head bars loved Calso as it had bicarbonate of soda for your hangover, so basically Alkaseltzer already mixed.

Ken

You can buy BBQ lighter fluid, just not the good old polluting stuff.
In some CA counties you are not allowed to use your wood burning fireplaces
during certain days between Nov and March if the pollution index is too high.
though you can burn all you want during the summer "when you really need it?" ha! perplexed

I used to light my charcoal grill with old K-1 fuel left over from the winter heaters. Maybe not the best thing to do but it worked. Moo ha ha ha