Over the weekend, I've started a new podcast devoted to EM and bingo pinball.

It's located at foramusementonly.libsyn.com

I'm no expert, nor do I purport to be. I just love these older machines and don't really understand the hatred or indifference I see in folks my age or younger.

You can direct hate mail to [email protected]

I know there's lots of folks out there with more knowledge than me - I never played an EM on location - but I've fixed quite a few.

Here's the bad stuff about me - Edit - I do have a Facebook Page! facebook.com/foramusementonlypodcast - and a Twitter account bingopodcast -End of Edit - I'm very technically minded, so my stuff may be a little dry - sorry about that! I yam what I yam.

-Edit- I was able to submit it to iTunes, so you Apple folks can find me there, too.

Now the good: I've already recorded and edited three episodes. I have another planned for this evening.

I have already discussed early bingos, some technical challenges, and magic screen games briefly. I'll be going over different odds colors this evening.

I plan to discuss any and all EM games, including ball bowlers, puck bowlers, mannikin games, very early pinball (prewar), woodrails, etc.

I may also delve into later games if the mood strikes (or I'm angry that a repair took too long), but that won't be the main focus.

I hope to have interviews with folks in the community - if anyone's interested, let me know.

I'll have a mystery guest here in the next episode or two.

Forgive the default website, I'd rather pour time into recording episodes than beef that up for now. The feed is available at http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/rss - you can already find it in Pocket Casts, Stitcher Radio and on Facebook.

Thanks for looking!
-Nick

Submitted to iTunes, so theoretically it will appear on Apple stuff shortly.

I'm now on Stitcher as well, search For Amusement Only if streaming's your thing.

Thanks everyone - just waiting on Apple. I guess I'm putting out too much content for them to keep up! I've heard it can take up to three weeks. Perhaps I announced a little too soon. I'll update the thread once I hear back from Apple.

Now if I would quit making mistakes about years games were produced, I'd be good (I've already had one correction 5 episodes in), and realized this morning that I made an error in my correction - bah!

One thing to note about my episodes, they are not a standard length. If my topic only warrants 5 minutes, the show will be 5 minutes. If it's something in-depth, it'll be as long as I feel it needs to be to get the point across. I plan on making as many episodes as possible, as it is easier to edit shorter episodes, and I can stick to a single topic easier.

Bingos are a very large topic, especially once you get into the mechanics, and even with my outlines, I feel that it can be too easy to overwhelm with info.

Short 'n sweet!

Oh, and I had my mystery guest on last night!

Woo hoo - iTunes link for those that were waiting: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/for-amusement-only-em-bingo/id977221315

@jeffc, that's pretty much it (as far as I know)! That's part of why I wanted to do this.

@blackjacker - it's recorded on them, but distributed via the magic of the Internet.

So, I've made a Facebook page - ideally I'll be engaging with folks there, here, RGP, the website, email, etc.

https://www.facebook.com/foramusementonlypodcast

Enjoy! Episode 16 just uploaded tonight.

Episode 17 just uploaded. Basic schematic reading - discussing symbols and their meanings, and what the components do in a circuit.

Episode 18 - using schematics to troubleshoot scoring and lamp problems on a Gottlieb wedgehead.

Thank you Ryan!

Today's announcement:
Episode 19 - Steve Smith Interview 3/29/15

I talk to Steve Smith and give him wide berth to tell his view of how we met and how I fell in love with bingos. He discusses various topics, including differences between flipper vs. bingo pinball, playing on location as a kid, and how he got his first pinball.

Forgive sound quality - I was sitting too far from the mic and didn't notice.

2 hours! Player's perspective! Great stories about playing bingos on location!

Episode 20 - Guest Pop-A-Card 3/30/15

I talk with Ava about Pop-A-Card, the first game I purchased, and the machine that brought me my love of repairing and playing Gottlieb machines (all eras) and EMs and Bingos!

Excellent! Please let me know if I can be of any help! I'm happy to recommend games that I've played and enjoyed.

Games come in a few different varieties - for 25 holes:

1) single three or six card (no moving numbers)
2) Magic lines (move numbers horizontally [or vertically in some instances])
3) Hole hoppers (allow you to reposition the top row of balls)
4) Magic squares (typically moving the 4 corner numbers in a circle)
5) Magic screen (moving the entire card from in-line scoring to section scoring)
6) Magic curtain (smaller bingo card to start, expanding as you earn the feature)

20 holes:

1) Mystic Lines (moving columns of numbers)
2) "Ring" games - neat idea, but hard to find. Big wheel has great artwork. Never played one, but look like they'd be pretty difficult to win.

-Nick

shakethatmachine - Yep, I'll probably get there one day. I agree. It's not like the pins went away when we went to the EM era. I have a great interest in purely mechanical as well.

Everything builds on prior work in pinball especially.

Chuck_Sherman: The best thing I can say about a bingo is what I said in episode 19 - every ball is different - which makes every game unique.

ArcadeTechNerd: It's as you say. And the best part, the feeling when you move from working on a bingo to working on another EM - fewer moving parts to clean.

Episode 21 - Woodrails and Flippers

Woodrails gave us some of the playfield toys and mechanical devices that we still use today.

Tech talk: flippers - how to disassemble and rebuild. These same basic instructions apply to anything with an EOS switch (basically machines up to 1990ish).

Thanks again Ryan! I'm going to keep up the pace as long as possible.

Episode 22 - 90's DMDs

I talk about a toy invented in the woodrail era that is still in use today - the Pop Bumper.
Tech: Changing pop bumpers, and how to increase pop safely (by cleaning).

Come out to York, PA if you can in Oct! Jeffrey Lawton, the bingo king (the man who wrote the book) brings two each year. Usually two different types of players!

Plus there's a fantastic woodrail row.

Episode 23 releases tonight. Bingos and the law.

Why were backglasses altered? Why are serial numbers different between cab and playfield? Why were Bingos persecuted?

Tech: DIY backglass reproduction

Episode 24 - Relays and Sequences

How do EMs determine the game state?

Tech: How to properly adjust a relay, and when to hit it with a hammer (really)!

Episode 25 - What to look for in a bingo

How to determine if you're getting a good deal (most of the time, you are with a bingo - very few problems cannot be solved with a bit of time and elbow grease)

Publishing tonight:

Episode 26 - Drop Targets

How to disassemble and clean a drop target bank, and how drop targets are typically constructed.

Not mentioned: how much I dislike solid state Williams drop targets.

And Ryan, you're right. Mrs. Baldridge is only happy when the games are less than $50. However, I know a value when I see one. Bingos have staying power due to the variety of gameplay mechanics and challenging nudging action (and the thinkin').

I've got some good stuff coming up, especially for you bingo lovers, new and old!

Ryan, of course! She's just not been interested in coming on yet. I'll continue to try. She does play pinball. Her favorite game (that I own) is the 1967 Chicago coin twinky (she has the high score). She doesn't play the bingos, but both of my kids do!

Episode 27 drops tonight - Transporting a Game.

Not the most exciting topic, but practical!

-Nick

Episode 28 - Bingo Scoring Problems

The first few things to check if your game is not awarding replays correctly.

This circuit is one of the more complex in the machine, so breaking it down into bite-sized chunks is important.

Episode 29 - Timing is Everything

Bingos require specific timing in order to determine where in the game you are currently.

The timing circuit is not very complex, but it can be confusing when looking at the physical devices, especially when you expect your game to load 5 balls one at a time, and it loads all 5 at once, or loads one and stops or a myriad of other problems. Help for all of the above in this episode.

Episode 30 - High Voltage

Don't touch plastic-coated wires while the machine is on. 120V - zap!

Long story short: be careful - there's a reason I turn the machine off to make adjustments.

Thanks Ryan!

Episode 31 - The Gentlemanly Art of Nudging

A description of how to make a number that you need (shake and pull). It is an art and requires lots of practice. However, playing a bingo, getting a feel for the tilt, nudging an EM to drive the ball to the 2" flippers... these will make you a much better player overall.

Episode 32 - 1930s Innovation

Ramps, Kickouts, Bumpers, Lighted Scoring, DC-driven coils, multi-level playfields - all were children of the 30s.

Made a pickup today. It works! Two minor problems and needs a cleaning and a shop job, but it functions! Played a bunch when we got it in.

I recorded a podcast with my friend Clark who helped me pick it up.

Look for that episode soon.

-Nick
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Muggle: Sounds good - call me up!

Ryan: Thank you - it's coming along nicely. Won't take much to make 'er shine.
-Nick

Episode 33 - Phil Hooper Interview 4/5/15

I interview Phil Hooper, creator and maintainer of http://bingo.cdyn.com, the Internet's source for technical information on Bally and United bingos.

Phil conducted this interview on 4/5/15 via email.

Episode 34 - Gigi and EM Adjustments

Another new pickup! Gigi described - gameplay to follow after I shop it.

I describe how to perform adjustments on an EM game.

Episode 35 - Clark Fraley Interview 4/12/15

I talk with my friend Clark Fraley, who is a technician for an operator. Clark has been with me on a couple of pick ups now, and is a great guy to boot.

Interviewed after we moved my new bingo and played for a bit. I hope to have him on again soon(ish) to discuss his upcoming acquisition!

You'll just have to listen

Episode 36 - Ticker Tape Gameplay and Gigi Status

Description of the gameplay of the 6 card Bally Ticker Tape and the current status of my project Gigi.

Episode 37 - TILT

Bzzzzt! What makes the machine tilt? There are many tilt innovations that occurred after the 30s (when the plumb bob tilt mechanism was invented), and several interesting tilt innovations in Bally's bingos.

Episode 38 - Ball Arch Cleaning

Cleaning the ball arch on a metal rail EM is important, though no one but you will ever know! Change those hidden arch bulbs!

Episode 39 - Arcing

Arcing in a pinball machine - sometimes unavoidable, almost always bad. Why it happens, how to stop it, and how to look for it.

Also: Our first listener question answered on the air!

Episode 40 - Ticker Tape Hacks

... and how I reversed them. Also hear about the hack that wasn't a hack.

Episode 41 - For Whom the Bell Tolls

Older pinball machines used bells as the only sound (aside from the coils and noises of the machine).

I just started watching Daredevil on Netflix. In the second or third episode, there's a Stern Mustang, which plays chime sounds every time it is in the frame, regardless of if it has any players on it.

I've never heard chime attract sounds before...

Episode 42 - Ding Ding Ding

Chime boxes in EMs - everyone has an opinion and a preference, and I'm no exception.

Episode 43 - Interview with James Willing 4/21/15

Interview with the EM Dungeonmaster himself, James Willing from the Spooky Pinball Podcast.

Episode 44 - 1937 World Series by Rockola

Rockola was a jukebox manufacturer, and got into pin games (along with every other company, it seems) in the 1930s. During this decade, they produced one of the most beautiful, elegant games ever created.

Check out the video I reference here:

Episode 45 - Gigi Gameplay

My partially parted out Gigi project is now working! I detail the gameplay and fun with Gottlieb coin circuits (they hate me).

Episode 46 - Interview with Vic Camp - 4/25/15

Vic Camp (the passionate bingo pinball player and collector) sits down with me to talk about his time playing bingos on route in New Jersey.

Thank you Angus - the encouragement certainly helps!
Bingos are fantastic games, as I hope you're hearing.

And Ryan too!

Thanks jeffpm! Episode 47 drops in a few minutes.

Episode 47 - A Listener Question

A listener asks a multi-part question regarding purchasing advice for a new bingo.

Remember in the Vic Camp interview, Episode 46, that Vic is offering a free bingo project at the Allentown show. It is missing a couple of minor parts (some bulbs, a button, and a couple of coils). It's a Night Club http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/night_club/

There will also be a Bikini on sale in the flea market, which is a desirable magic screen game. I have not seen pictures, but am told that it is 90% working (I would expect something simple like random tilts or a feature doesn't work properly all of the time, but I don't know for sure). Seller is a nice guy.

I won't be there this year, but hope that there are some bingos that find new homes.

Episode 48 - EM Backglass Preservation

If this one sounds like it stops abruptly, that's because I'm sleepy, and it's a two-parter! How to care for your backglass if it has deteriorated (flaking, missing art, etc).

Episode 49 - Bingo Backglass Preservation

Pt. 2 after last episode's cliffhanger.  I discuss issues relating to Bally bingo backglass deterioration.

Keeping with the theme of screwing up:

Episode 50 - Some of My Mistakes

I have done some stupid things since I've been refurbing games. Here are some of my favorite stories about how dumb I am.

I meant to release this tomorrow, but can't read a calendar, obviously.

Thanks everyone! Glad you're all enjoying it. Reminder: no episode tonight as you got a double dose last night.

Episode 51 - Mouse Leavings

Nothing beats the feeling of picking up a new project! I tend to get some pretty rough games (cause I'm cheap). The furry or fecal surprises inside must be removed - even under the transformer board!

Thanks btw75.

Tonight's episode is a short 'un.

Episode 52 - Flame Broiled Glass

Using tempered glass for your playfield is important. Not just for your own safety, but that of your guests as well.

Episode 53 - Waterlogged Cabinetry

How to fix some basic problems with cabinets and another thing which could be dangerous if not corrected.

Also: an interesting bingo at Allentown!

I have another super interview scheduled for tomorrow morning. I will hopefully be releasing tomorrow night.

In other news, Ticker Tape continues to kick my butt. I haven't won more than 44 replays on it thus far! Gameplay is so quick and easy, I am really enjoying it (just wish I was good enough to win).

Episode 54 - Tandem Interview - Jeffrey Lawton and Steve Smith 5-3-15

Interview with Jeffrey Lawton, the pre-eminent bingo technician, and has been working on bingos for many many years. He is also the man that wrote the books - Bally Bingo Pinball Machines, and The Bingo Pinball War (Bally vs. United). You can find these books on Amazon, or buy directly from Jeffrey at the York show!

Steve Smith and I sat down and talked about bingos and working on games, and did a bit of storytelling.

Thank you Vic! I'm looking in forward to talking to everyone again! Hope you had a great time at Allentown and Night-Club found a great home.

Did you play that oddball Single Coin?

That's a shame Vic, but you never know, I may make my way up North...

Episode 55 - Cabinet Repaints

My process for repainting cabinets, stolen shamelessly from Steve Smith. The correct amount of overspray, webbing and spatter are key.

Episode 56 - Cleaning a Cabinet

You've bought the stinky filthy game of your dreams. Now what? Follow the advice of episode 51, and then do this. Your olfactory sense will thank you.

Elbow grease is the best kind of grease!

This is the last in my series of quick cabinet rejuvenation episodes.

Episode 57 - Rectifiers

Later EMs from all the major manufacturers used DC power to drive certain coils.

Did you know that Genco games from the late 30s also did the same? And earlier games can be modified to use DC power, after transforming what comes from the wall.

This episode is all about the technology that allows this to happen.

Episode 58 - Roller Derby

Gameplay and details on Bally's early 60's magic screen game Roller Derby.

Episode 59 - Double-Up

Full gameplay details on Double-Up - a 20 hole bingo.

Episode 60 - Big Wheel and Magic Ring

The two most interesting designs in the Bally bingo universe - Big Wheel and Magic Ring! A circular 'card' layout on the backglass that I think might have to be played to fully understand.

Episode 61 - The First Bingo - United's ABC

United was the first on the scene with a bingo machine - one month before Bally. Featuring a unique design only seen once more in this history of bingos, United's ABC was more random chance than something that allowed for real bingo gameplay.

Episode 62 - Tech - Search Disc Woes

Well, back to tech - I discuss a problem I encountered tonight with scoring on cards 4-5-6 on Ticker Tape, and recount various ways that the search disc can come out of adjustment and how to correct, as well as what to look for when trying to find a searching problem.

In other news, I started a twitter account for the podcast. If you can't wait for the 24 hours it takes me to record and upload a podcast, feel free to contact me there for more info or any other questions. @bingopodcast

Thanks s1500, getting there anyway.

Episode 63 - More Search Disc Woes

More issues fixed, and more appear with my Ticker Tape search disc. Search disc and scoring problems are some of the most difficult to troubleshoot and correct on a bingo.

Episode 64 - Son of Search Disc

My final episode on search discs (for now!) - I also discuss the EM world championships at Clay's VFW, the Isley Brewing Company Triple Strike tournament here locally, and give a more lengthy explanation of the search disc, its function in a bingo and what is wrong with my game.

Episode 65 - Fortune Tellers

Staples of EM arcades - made as early as the turn of the 1900s up through the 60s, these (mostly) beautiful machines are easy to understand, and fun to watch.

Episode 66 - EM Arcade Games

EM arcade games offered a level of physicality and beautiful artwork that is no longer seen. Uprights, simulators, slots, trade stimulators, and more are discussed (in brief).

Episode 67 - Bowling Games

Ball Bowlers (contact and non), shuffle bowlers, and mannikin bowlers are all unique games. In this episode I go over some of the differences between the various types of bowlers.

Episode 68 - Roto Targets

Busy weekend! Had a couple nights of pinball along with my friend Pingeek stopping by to film a bit about the Bounty. Check out the video at

Tonight's topic is Roto-Targets - my favorite toy from the woodrail era, that carried through the metal rail era and into some early solid states.

Episode 69 - Vari-Targets

Gottlieb's Vari-Targets were, as per typical Gottlieb fashion, simple yet sophisticated mechanisms that allowed for a new dimension of play. Hitting the target with differing speed/accuracy provided different point values, and would send the ball flying back to your flipper.

Sadly, that'll have to wait until Steve comes over, or if I can convince my wife to film. We'll see. I need to talk to a couple buddies of mine about gameplay streaming setups.

If you're watching me actually play, be prepared to spend a lot of it watching me: Stop. Think. Plunge. Nudge. Curse. Repeat.

Throw some nickels in for flavor!

I'll disable my multi-play relay before I film, though.

Episode 70 - Interview with Sophia Baldridge 5-19-15

Mini episode! Interview with my shy younger daughter.

Episode 71 - Sun Valley

One of my favorite bingos - Sun Valley - this 1957 beauty has great artwork, and is jam-packed with features.

Magic Squares and a single Magic Line row allow the player to move every number on the backglass.
The challenge is in getting those features lit, along with a time tree that actually allows you to reposition your numbers well, without tilting!

I love everything about Sun Valley - the knocker that goes off as you get awarded features and scores is particularly gratifying.

Well, if you can call them reviews. I'd love to touch on some of the ones that really fascinate me and some of the ones I've played or worked on.

As these are unusual machines, I think it is a good idea to talk a bit about what might make someone want to step up and play them. I suppose eventually I'll get to every machine, but not for a long time.

Episode 72 - Interview with Dennis Dodel 5/21/15

Dennis Dodel is an influential bingo and flipper pinball collector that has many notable pinball credentials. He started the Pinball Trader newsletter, which became/inspired the Pingame Journal, and continues to contribute to various pinball publications. If you've ever been to ipdb.org, you've most likely seen a photo credited to Dennis.

Dennis answered my questions via email on 5/21/15.

Episode 73 - Removing a Unit

Another deep tech episode - how to remove the unit (could be anything, score reel, search disc [I know, I know], bonus stepper) and safely reattach. Also a cautionary tale about fuse blocks (I didn't do it, but I was there and fixed it)!

Episode 74 - Differences Between United and Bally Bingos

Bally and United were both manufacturing bingo pinballs in the 1950s. Since starting this show, I've been increasingly interested in the differences between the two manufacturer's machines. United's mechanics and circuits are engineered differently than the Bally ones, and I like 'em both!

Thanks Vic and Ryan (belatedly), I was lucky to catch Dennis and explain the purpose of the podcast, and he was nice enough to answer my questions. Very nice guy and I hope to speak with him more in the future! Ryan, hopefully I'll get other folks to discuss payouts in their haunts in the future.

For tonight,

Episode 75 - Ball Gate Switches

The ball gate switch is a very important switch, indeed! It tells the bingo with a time tree that it should throw a trip relay based on the position of the timer unit. Without the trips tripping, the timer will no longer advance, and you will have crazy gameplay issues, including issues with registering replays, locking you out of various timetree-driven features, etc.

Great 5 cent word, Ryan - take your winnings and play a bingo.

Episode 76 - Testing Scoring in a Bingo

When you have a scoring problem in a bingo, testing can be a pain, if you don't know this simple trick. Dropping all the balls, and shooting a new winning combination, even with the glass off, takes forever. Pressing a couple of coil plungers and a relay plate are all that's needed to re-test.

Episode 77 - Hubris and Bingos

...my hubris, in particular. I finally found and fixed the problem with my card #5 in Ticker Tape. It wasn't at all where I was looking, but I (re)learned a valuable lesson. I should actually read the manual/schematic if the game contains units I've never encountered.

Also, Australian listeners - a call to action! Please contact me about the bingo scene (if there was one) in Australia. I know absolutely nothing, and would love to be educated.

[email protected]

Also, thank you FirePower. I'm always happy to hear that folks are enjoying it!

Episode 78 - Backdoor Bingo Oddity

Jim Willing from the Spooky Pinball Podcast's EM Dungeon segment (spookypinball.com/podcast) emails with a question on an odd back door switch on a bingo. I give him the wrong answer and he graciously provides the correct one.

To be fair, I was nowhere near a manual, schematic or bingo when he asked, but I tried!

Muggle, I might be... I like the art on the starlet. Send me details.

...and I thought I saw something or other about Paradise, congrats! What's filling the space? Need me to store a game there?

Episode 79 - Lighted Scoring

Early pinball machines from the 1930s, all the way through the 40s and into the 50s, used a method of keeping score that was unique to the era. "Lighted scoring" was a way for the game to both show you your score and to keep track of your current score for the purpose of awarding replays. I describe how lighted scoring is controlled, and the similarity between it and its successor, the score reel.

Episode 80 - Score Reel History

What is a score reel? Score reels were first used in the 1950s, and continued to be used through most of the 1970s.

Haha, wow, thanks Ryan. I could've sworn I clicked post last night... and I was sleepy!

But the entire score reel series is recorded (in rough form). Woo!

-Nick

Episode 82 - Score Reel Construction

Episode 3 in a series on score reels. What are the pieces that actually hold a score reel together? How do they work together and change state?

Episode 83 - Score Reel Differences

Some of the differences between various makes and models of score reels. Gottlieb Decagons in various formations, and other oddities. Episode 4 in a series on score reels.

Episode 84 - Score Reel PCBs

EM games have PCBs to help determine the state of your score. This aids in match and replay award. A wiper is dragged along the PCB at intervals, and the conducting trace is the lucky winner! Episode 5 in a series on score reels.

Episode 85 - Score Reel Care and Feeding

How to clean and care for your score reels. Note that this is only my method, but by following these steps, I've never had an issue! Last in my series of 6 episodes on score reels.