Ive been quiet about this raid for the last couple weeks, but now that things have calmed down and I have been able to go through it all and see what I actually got myself into, it's time I share the news. A couple weeks ago, I purchased 28 machines from a local operator. 25 of them being pins, and 3 vids (all Paperboys). As promised to the seller, I cannot and will not disclose how much I paid for them (I'll say fair prices, but by no means cheap). Nonetheless, I would love to share the fact that 25 machines will be put back into circulation with us collectors. The final count:

Paperboy
Paperboy
Paperboy
Whirlwind
Whirlwind
Whirlwind
Whirlwind
Whirlwind (Diamondplate)
The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons
Hook
Hook
Hook
Earthshaker
Earthshaker
Earthshaker
Police Force
Police Force
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Robocop
Phantom of the Opera
Laser War
Road Kings
Cyclone
Airborne

And I am also thrilled to disclose that most all of these are savable! Only three of the machines I've decided not to take on and will be using for parts or will be selling off as projects. Those being one Whirlwind (structural cabinet damage, topper and other parts missing), one Earthshaker (too far gone, ravaged for parts by the owner), and Phantom of the Opera (flashes locked and melted the playfield, no backglass). But I will be painstakingly rebuilding everything else over the next year or two. All you local Nevada folk will be glad to know I won't be scavenging craigslist any time soon, hah. But hopefully in the end, Ill be keeping a few (ES, DP'ed WW, PF, and maybe a Hook) and selling the rest to recoup the money spent on the haul and the money needed to recondition them.

Also, here is a Youtube video on my channel, documenting day one.

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Theyre all partial machines. Two have tubes with no chassis, one has no monitor or boardset. Otherwise fairly straight cabs.

I likely will, as I said there are a couple that are just too heavy for me to take on right now. But I should be able to tackle the majority of them.

Yes, both TMNTs will be for sale eventually. It will be a while until I get to them, but they'll be up for grabs when the time comes.

The flasher inserts locked on and melted the dude's face. Definitely picture worthy once I get to that machine.

Thought I would post a little update with the haul! It's been a little over half a year since I picked up these machines (damn, time flies) and I was able to basically look all of them over and figure out what they needed. I have also decided which ones I will keep and which ones I will shop out and sell. I have sold a few off as projects, but I don't plan to sell off any more as-is for the time being. Only one machine had to be sacrificed because it was too far beat. Anyways, here is the scoop:

• Paperboy #1: Had no monitor chassis or glass, boards tested bad. Controls hacked up. Sold off as-was
• Paperboy #2: Has no monitor or glass, boards bad. Solid cabinet otherwie
• Paperboy #3: Machine is complete and will be restored and kept.
• Whirlwind #1: Had a very rough cabinet, damaged backbox, no topper, ramps, or driver board. Sold off as-was
• Whirlwind #2: Missing ramp flap, seems to be complete otherwise. Power supply bad.
• Whirlwind #3: Complete but the spinners were taken apart for whatever reason. bad display and bad power supply.
• Whirlwind #4: Complete and plays, but the game frequently resets.
• Whirlwind (Diamondplate) #5 Side of the cabinet was painted blue with enamel house paint. Will be fully restored and kept.
• The Simpsons #1: Had severe playfield wear, missing lots of parts. Sold off as-was
• The Simpsons #2: Had minor playfield wear, but had to sell machine mid-shopout due to unexpected vet bill.
• The Simpsons #3: Had a bad driver board and no flipper PCB. Found all the parts, shopped it, and has been sold.
• The Simpsons #4: Plays fine but has no controlled lights. Will be shopped out and kept.
• Hook #1: Had a bad power supply and shorted light transistors. Currently shopping out and will be for sale soon.
• Hook #2: Beautiful playfield under about half an inch of dust due to being stored with no glass. Will be shopped out and kept.
• Hook #3: Complete but have not tested functionality. Will be shopped out and sold.
• Earthshaker #1: Parted due to bad cabinet and half of the playfield and boards missing.
• Earthshaker #2: Seems complete but has been neglected and half taken apart. No keys, can't get the head down.
• Earthshaker #3: Similar to #2 but it has it's shaker motor and keys. Will be shopped out and kept.
• Police Force #1: Cracked center ramp, but otherwise great machine. Has been rebuilt and will be for sale at Pin-a-Go-Go next week.
• Police Force #2: Cracked center and outer ramps, jackpot display is out, but otherwise plays great. Will be kept.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1: Auto launch mechanisms missing, display overlaps itself. Otherwise plays great. Will be kept.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2: Auto launch, flipper PCB, and display missing. Haven't tested it otherwise. Will be sold.
• Robocop: Controlled lamps are shorted, playfield got burnt from a stuck flasher. Trough coil locked on, but plays fine otherwise. Will be kept.
• Phantom of the Opera: Found the missing backglass, center of playfield is burnt from locked flasher. Was intended to be used as a parts game but it's savable now, so it will be rebuilt and kept.
• Laser War: Game is complete but was left half-disassembled. Everything looks accounted for. Will be rebuilt and kept.
• Road Kings: Game is complete but has severe playfield wear.
• Cyclone: Game is missing it's driver board and the ramps, but is definitely savable. Will be rebuilt and kept.
• Airborne: Game doesn't boot, probably a bad power supply. Haven't looked too much into it. Will be rebuilt and kept.

Basically, my goal is to rebuild and sell off the duplicates and see how far in the hole I am in terms of investment when I am done. I will be keeping one of each machine if I can break even on the cost of the lot. I think I can do it, or if not, at least come reasonably close. Most everything is being documented on my Youtube channel (as seen in the first post) as I go along. This has been a very fun, albeit slow adventure so far!

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Just finished yet another one tonight! Hook is back...

Here's the total damage:

Replaced GI connector
Replaced power supply with new Rottendog
Replaced flipper links, bats, coil stops, and sleeves
Replaced all rubbers
Replaced all pop-bumper hardware
Replaced light transistor Q77
Replaced missing flipper button
Replaced all bulbs with LEDs, color-matched behind the translite.
Replaced four bad/gummy switches
Replaced upkicker coil sleeve
Repaired solder hack job on "Extra Ball" light socket

Total cost was about $200 to rebuild. Unfortunately something went wrong with getting all of this on video so alas, a YouTube video won't be made for this one.

"Dark and sinister man...have at thee."

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