I used to play it at the Phoenix airport every chance I got, it's a fun game and I've thought many times of getting one but I'd like to have several EMs together with the same "theme", probably western and I'm not sure what other EM would go with it because it's so unique.

The cabinet paint job looks like new. I can't tell the difference from the original. Great job!

My old game is on it's way here and I can't wait. Will post pictures when it's set up.

Don't want to ask a "noob" question but did you restore that playfield or use a better one? If you restored it then maybe there's hope yet for my Paul Bunyan playfield. It's a lot of fun, I play it every day and it has a great backglass plus it plays like new because it was shopped.

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The playfield affects and alters the path of the ball even though I cleaned and waxed it good with Carnauba.

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That's a great link! I've been perusing the pinrepair.com restore pages but didn't see this one. Thanks!

No wonder I couldn't "tell the difference".

Then there is hope after all! I know how difficult it is to find a good playfield for this game and would like to get it playing like it's supposed to plus "restore" it like you did yours then protect it. What bothers me is how the planking and worn areas alter the natural path of the ball during gameplay.

It's looking good! There's something special about an old woodrail game's backglass art and theme of the game. For some reason I loved them because you could score millions of points where the ones with score reels you could only score thousands!

My first woodrail pinball machine in many years is here safe and sound, will post pictures and include the history of the game as soon as I have it set up.

That's a great link! I just favorited it, thanks.

Agreed, I'd rather have a game that's so fun it keeps me coming back for more instead of a highly "collectible" or valuable game that's not as much fun.

Maybe they were at the well making a wish for you to buy the game.

My new woodrail arrived safe and sound yesterday, thanks to a friend who happened to be in the area to pick it up and I recently set it up in it's new home next to the Paul Bunyan. (It's the first woodrail I've had since I had to leave behind the 1953 Grand Champion when my family moved across country)

A little fascinating history about it, it used to be a gambling machine. The operator would pay for credits won then reset the credits to 0 on the bottom of the game. The mechanics and electrics were gone through by the guy I bought it from so it plays just like it did in 1949.

UTAH Pinball.jpg

UTAH Backglass.jpg

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Lol I agree, I need an "Arizona" game to go with this "UTAH" pinball machine.

Nice! I love seeing these restorations. Can we see the other side of the repainted cabinet for comparison with "before" photo?

I agree! It was stored in a basement for many years in non working condition. The tech replaced a burned out flipper coil, score step up units stripped and cleaned because they were seized solid, lots of corroded relay contacts cleaned, many failed lamps replaced, missing small bell unit replaced with a new one and two damaged legs replaced.

What's interesting is this "UTAH" pinball machine has flippers but they don't look like flippers. Can you find them in the playfield photo?

Yes, I saw it was supposed to have flippers and wondered where they are. Here's a photo of them.

UTAH Pinball Flippers.JPG

Thanks! I wonder if the "disguise" was intentional on United's part?

I'd like to clean it up first then touch it up and "restore" it to look like new (after consulting with Pinsiders here for advice and the best methods of course) since it's already in good condition. I'm an artist and really good at matching colors.

Forgot to mention the game has a coin box. I believe most pinball machines don't.

UTAH Pinball Coin Box.JPG

Very nice looking! I'd like to get another United Mfg pinball machine to go with the one I have.

They look good together! I hope you're not playing darts in the same room with them?

BTW, I notice we've all been "downgraded" to "Pinside member"?

Same here. I had to strategically arrange furniture to fit the three pins in my house. (to me, "storage" is like "out of sight out of mind")

That Surfer backglass is very cool, similiar to Magic City in some ways.

I'm reading these posts with great interest because I'd like to know the best ways to clean these score motors, trip banks etc.

Thanks! I'll have to do the same for mine as soon as I get a Dremel tool. Btw, there's a thread where SteveFury prefers a different kind of brush because the wires break off the brush.

Great looking lineup! They draw you in and make you want to play them all.

It looks like a bar man cave.

Looks good. I see you have bingo games. Are they fun to play?

Nice. I used to think they looked "boring" without flippers but lately I've been thinking it might be fun to have a working one.

Not yet. I saw it in one of the threads here with Ryan Clayton.

I'm reading up on them. I used to think the bingo games were just luck but realized you might be able to choose the holes first then shoot and try to nudge the balls into them?

I'm thinking of getting one of the late 50's or early 60's Bally bingo games because I read that the earlier games are less complicated troubleshooting wise vs the later 70's games.

The heads look like monsters though. How heavy are they?

I know pinballs weigh about 250 lbs but the head alone weighs 200+?

Got it. Thanks for the information, nick.
Bruce

Great video.

Are those brown tobacco stains on the wooden lockdown bar? Edit: Just realized you said the brown is old lacquer finish? Are you planning to clean it up and refinish the wood trim?

That's a nice P/f! Congratulations!

Could it be your lights? Try turning off different lights where the game is or camera flash setting?

Maybe you can do a thread on how you did this game if you don't already have one?

Bruce

What did you use? Airbrush or spray can?

Here is the current lineup, powered on and ready to play.

The Utah is fun to play but will probably be for sale or trade in time to make room for the Williams Grand Champion.

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All three games were gone through before I got them and play well.

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I think the Paul Bunyan needs the cabinet and backbox repainted because the paint on other side is badly flaking off..
Have better coin plate, chutes, etc to put back on it after repaint.

Bruce

I wonder how a lineup of Gottlieb wedgeheads and Williams reverse wedgeheads would look if you alternated them?

Bruce

Does anyone have a picture of this effect?

Bruce

It's a great effect, Brian. I want to see 3 wedgeheads with 2 reverseheads between them.

This looks great too.

Can't wait to see photos of this.

Thanks guys,
Bruce

I actually stopped playing them for many years for this reason when the SS machines arrived.

Bruce

I just played a couple of games on the "Paul Bunyan". It plays very fast and there's always action. My wife likes it the best because of the six flippers, top, middle and bottom. There is something magical about playing a great EM that's tuned to play like new.

In fact, I'm starting a club for this game. Anyone who owns it, has played it, knows about it or is curious about "Paul Bunyan" is welcome.
Bruce

What did you use to take the picture of the ball on PF?

Bruce

There is one pinball machine with a cool feature where you can see the tilt bob through a window in the backglass. I can't remember which one but I believe it was a Williams.

Bruce

Very nice score. Congratulations!

Bruce

Does this apply to Williams flipper games with the rounded top and other manufacturers?

Bruce

Placing an order then.

Thanks,
Bruce

This is a game I would definitely buy someday if I got the chance. Love the artwork.

Bruce

Looks great! Is it oil?

Bruce

How did you make them? Two of them look like they were cut out of wood and painted but Sea Raider looks like framing moulding was cut and joined together to make a frame? Did you have a frame shop do that one?

Bruce

Especially EMs that look like new or are restored. These beautiful EMs inspire me and make me want to restore mine!

Bruce

Congratulations! That's one game I was tempted to get because I could have picked it up locally but I need to sell a couple of games first. Robert's about 40 minutes drive from me.

I have the Palooka that I got from O-din who got it from Robert. Plays great and is a fun AAB.

Bruce

Beautiful! Is that a NOS or replacement BG?

Can you show photos of the restored playfield for us?

Bruce

Does that KOD have LED lamps in it? It looks like it from the colors.

Bruce

You have a Paul Bunyan!? I don't see many Pinsiders here with that game except for Ryan Claytor and myself.

Mine is a keeper because a friend of mine shopped it for me 20 years ago and it still plays like new! You can see how lively the pop bumpers are in my video here.

Bruce

Thanks Ryan! You can't see what they look like from the video but my cabinet needs to be repainted (the paint has been flaking off badly) and the coin door/plates de-rusted then it'll look great too!

Bruce

What do you consider more exciting gameplay and why?
Paul Bunyan has a lot of non-stop action with the flippers at bottom, middle and top.
(My wife likes it for this reason. She gets bored with some games waiting for the ball to come back down to the flippers as it bounces around the top or middle of the playfield)
The backglass was done by one of my favorite "cartoony character" style pinball artists, Art Stenholm, and is in great condition.

The cab and coin door were strategically cropped out while filming the video and you can see why from the photos below. I'm hoping to re-paint the cab and de-rust/clean up the coin door/plates this summer so the game will look as good as it plays.

Hurry and get yours playing so you can share your feedback on the gameplay!

Bruce

Cab front (resized).jpg
Inside coin door (resized).jpg

The coin chutes and entry plates were removed in preparation for de-rusting.

I also have new entry plate price plastics from PBR.

You have the roll under and the A-B-C lanes to shoot for at the top.

Some pin themes like card games and clowns do nothing for me too.

The bulls-eye targets are very tough to get from the middle flippers.

I would rate Paul Bunyan as a "B" game instead of an "A" game that everyone is seeking but even then I wasn't impressed with some of the A titles that I tried like Cross Town. Each to their own.

Bruce

I will as soon as I have the time to do this. I just wanted to show Ryan why the cabinet wasn't shown in the video. I promise I'll post photos of the amazing result here when it's done.

Bruce

It looks great! Very cool theme. Congratulations.

Bruce

Who was the artist? The women look to be the same style as the ones in Big Daddy. Also it looks like the artist was influenced by George Herriman's Krazy Kat style with that flying bug.

Bruce

Is this North Star backglass a repro? It looks like the colors weren't lined up correctly when the art was printed on the glass? Maybe it's the angle the photo was taken but look at the lady's lips.

Bruce

The 1953 Grand Champion has a points counter too. I'm not sure how the points are earned at this time.

http://ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=1068&picno=7868

Bruce

Playing a few games on our 1964 Williams PALOOKA before it goes up for sale or trade. Great presence, and fun gameplay with no technical issues but I'm looking for a woodrail or maybe a classic wedgehead to take it's spot someday. Thanks to O-din for giving us the chance to own and enjoy this game!

Have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year all.
Bruce

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This one may not go as fast here in SLC but we will see.

Bruce

Dan, sorry to see you go. Try to think positive through it all and embrace life which is too short.

Bruce

I think that's a great idea for parties. Win free beers by beating the scores in the instruction card or win a beer for each replay.

Bruce

OK! BYOB pinball parties then!

Bruce

Ice Revue's flippers appear to be round top same as the SA which has double rubbers on the flippers unless I'm mistaken?

Beat The Clock looks like a fun game and I think I saw one at the PHOF in Las Vegas last weekend when I went in to look over the games and try playing Atlantis for the first time to see if it's as good as everyone says it is.

One game wasn't enough to get a good sense of what the gameplay is like and, being used to 2 inch flippers, the 3 inch flippers look and feel like baseball bats to me.

Here's our PALOOKA being played before it goes on the market. It's a beautiful game we got from O-din that plays great.

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Looks good. Is this playfield clear coated even with the paint missing from the sock or are you planning to touch that up?

Look forward to seeing it when finished. Vid's playfield restoration guide is the best.

Does it look as good as the original when lit up? The BG resto glasses just don't look the same as the originals when lit up.

I'm surprised none of the commenters said anything about Ray using the WD-40!

Pretty game and what a drain monster.

Was the cab repainted? The webbing looks pretty heavy.

Steve's a nice guy. I always have my account number ready when I call him and he's helpful with making sure the part numbers are what I need. I remember him from his booth at the Wild West Pinfest in Phoenix in the 90's. (I hope he keeps going into the 90's too)

My United Utah was sold this morning to make room for an incoming woodrail. It's a lot of fun to play but no schematics makes troubleshooting challenging for an inexperienced tech like me. It went to a local pinballer's mother and father who were excited to get it. (He's hoping they get tired of it someday so he can get it from them lol)

The new woodrail will be revealed here when it arrives.

Bruce

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Thanks. Very geometric gameplay. Video of it being played.

Thanks. It's a fun game.

I enjoyed it more than Palooka because the geometric angles make gameplay interesting.

Btw, the name (Utah) reportedly came from one of the USS battleships which was named after the state.

It was Craig Smallish in the Facebook woodrail group that I think you're also a member of.

"Interesting fact: United Manufacturing began producing what on the surface appeared to be purely a state series, but was actually an homage to the USS Naval fleet of WWII. Beginning with their conversion games produced during the wartime ban, '42 Midway, '42 Arizona, '43 Santa Fe, '44 Idaho, and '44 Oklahoma. In fact the Arizona back box side panels feature a mast with naval burgee pennants flying."

"One could easily believe the Utah was also named after a famous battleship, however the post war UMC state machines don't have any obvious graphics which could be attributed to their nautical namesakes. That being said, the Utah, Oklahoma, Nevada, all played significant roles during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Even the Wisconsin was launched on the second anniversary, December 7th of 1943, and Hawaii of course is the location of the famous harbor (all UMC pinball titles). Given these facts, I believe it's too much of a coincidence to think that the post-war machines were not also namesake homages to the WWII ships. As an added note, UMC kept their very military-looking logo until at least 1960."

Welcome. I enjoy your historical posts.

My favorite EM at the PHOF!
It was so much fun trying to hit the moving targets.
I wouldn't pass if one was available locally.

My grail pin arrived safe & sound. Any guesses what it is?

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Nope. Here it is and it's an unmolested beauty.

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Thanks, I love it and it's mine. What a wonderful feeling to own the first pinball I bought as a kid again.

Yes, it has an almost perfect backglass. Here are the "twins" next to each other.

It's already helped me with finding where things go and what's original for this game. I thought the inserts on the first game were original but someone must've replaced or sanded the inserts because the second game shows the originals.

For example, I found a dangling spring from the coin mechanism on the game and used the other game to find where it hooks up to. It also helps as a reference guide for re-assembling the steppers after cleaning/lubing them.

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