Man, there's nothing like new pinball machine delivery day. I got the call and my NIB Iron Man is on the truck and out for delivery. This is my first NIB since AC/DC Premium, so I'm pretty stoked.

But here's the best part. Tomorrow my son turns 6. His favorite superhero is, hands down, Iron Man. He's having an Iron Man themed birthday party. We haven't told him that the game is coming. So when it shows up, my wife is going to stash it in the garage and leave it boxed. I'll come home, head to the gym, and after he goes to bed I'll set it up and play it in the basement. In the morning he'll probably wake up early and excited for his birthday, and I'll take him downstairs and show him. It's going to melt his mind.

Anyway, what, if any, routines do you guys have on delivery day, be it new in box or just new to you? I pretty much always do the same thing. I clear out the garage, set it up right in the middle, check the boards and playfield to make sure everything is secure and in place, and invite my wife to play the first game. When she's done (after several "one more time" games) and the kids get a crack at it, I will play once myself, turn the game off, and start putting in Cliffy protectors, plastic protectors, shaker, etc. After getting it all protected and waxed, I fold the head down, throw it on the dolly, and move it into the basement where it's final spot in the pin row has been prepped. I try not to cry at its beauty and then I play it until I realize that I've been playing pinball for too long.

After a couple of days, I will install the LEDs and other cosmetic mods. I generally play the game stock for a little bit so after I swap things around I can be sure that I like them better.

And yes, we tip the driver.

Hah, he better not. The house is really well insulated. Pins have never woke the kids up before. Of course this would have to be the first time though, wouldn't it?

Yes, the ones that come in a new game are basically rolling sandpaper.