I also wanted to give a shout-out to Fat J's Pin Wagon! He delivered a machine to Reno for me. Great guy and the transaction went smooth.

Reno was a blast. I plan on making a trip up there each month to play some cards so hit me up if you need anything moved. Nice collection! Let me know if that SS is ever available. That's my only grail game left....except for Fathom.

I've lived in California for 50 years and that was my first time in Santa Rosa. Beautiful drive.

For trade. Iron Maiden pro plus cash. I’m looking for Deadpool premium (or LE). I would also buy outright. Maiden has stern art blades, a shaker motor, and flipper toppers. I bought nib in april 2020.

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Is there any place locally to buy pinball supplies? I find myself desiring different rubber sizes based on fit and color, and I’m tired of spending high shipping costs for a few items.

Pinball Pirate is in Benicia. I think there are a few repair guys who might sell parts in the south Bay. Not sure.

Chris doesn't sell parts, he fixes games and is a stern and jjp dealer. His parts bay is for his repairs, not for sale. Lucky enough to call Chris a friend, but I don't ask him for parts ( unless I'm desperate, then I make him dinner in exchange!)
B

News to me if so - that would be amazing. Boy do I miss when Bay Area Amusements was in Campbell and it was a 10 minute car ride to go pick up parts!

Yeah, I thought Chris was mostly repairs and sales. Total bummer. Since this is my first machine I’ve currently got pending orders from pinball life, Planetary pinball, Marcos and eBay!!!!! Paying $8-10 for shipping each time. Just wish somebody local (hobby store) carried basic supplies. Just isn’t worth the shipping for a few white rubber rings. Guess I’ll wait until my next order…….

Hey, here’s another better question.
If I just need to buy a few rubber rings, what’s the cheapest way to order?

Most of us stash a set of rings at our houses. When the shows come around (Pin-A-Go-Go, Golden State Pinball Festival, California Extreme) vendors like Marco or Planetary usually have a set of rubbers as a variety bulk pack with different sizes. I use those packs to increase/update my stash.

Just my two cents.

Where are you located?

Danville, ca

Information he'll give you for free. Parts come installed in some he fixed.

Amazingly great guy thought to be so free with his time to help the community

I'll jump on the Chris is a great guy bandwagon. He got a Breakshot running that others, including me, had given up fixing. Been to his place a number of times, good place to try out some of the newest games if you are interested. And he has older games for sale as well, usually in excellent condition. Not cheap if you are a bargain hunter, but games you don't have to wonder how badly hacked they might have been by the last owner. Also, like that he spends a lot of time helping Pacific Pinball Museum.

Besides the shout out about Chris. After 5 years on Pinside, just found this thread. Ok, I'm a little slow.

Great to find a thread devoted to Nor Cal. In Sac myself.

Also, have been debating selling a seriously in bad shape project Doodle Bug. And this seems like a good place to let some locals know about it. Backglass is a total loss, cabinet a complete repaint. Don't know if it lights up or plays. But the playfield is in decent shape given the rest of the game. Was going too, and may still, rerurb it. But it is third in line and space and time are both a bit short. So if anyone is interested in refurbishing it and not just parting it out, let me know. Would probably ask a couple hundred for it and will make a donation to Pinside if one of you take it.

What do you need?
I might have it

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Ah, I didn't know that.

I'm over in San Ramon. You can always ping me with specific bits you might need on short notice. I burnt through a lot of my rubbers recently, but I usually have something stashed away for my maniacal experiments.

Yes, I would go right across highway 17 from my house to Bay Area Amusements, now they are Planetary Pinball in Reno area.

You guys are all awesome!!!!!!!
The situation is that I ordered a complete rubber kit for paragon from Marco. They provided a rubber diagram, but there are differences from the original manual. Very weird. So, there is one that seems too tight and another that is quite loose. I need to go home after work and confirm the sizes I need, but I think it’s one 2 in and one 2 1/2 in white. I’ll update later.
Thank you all for being so great!
PS is this normal to ‘play around’ with rubber sizes for a proper fit?

Isn't Pinball Panic down that way in Morgan Hill? Again, I'm just throwing out local names, no idea if they sell parts as well.

I've got those. I sent a pm. You can come grab them.

Yes absolutely - this is another reason why I buy in bulk instead of the kits. Don't get yourself down though, I started with kits too as I'm sure most other pinheads did! Eventually you'll build yourself a stock of common parts. In the meantime make some friends around you and they can get you out of a jam if your game is down until you can get parts in the mail. The community here is a great starting place!

I'm in Danville too...

Like ThatOneDude, I'm always available to help a fellow Pinhead who's in need with a flat rubber. Got lots of rubbers (bulbs too) to offer, in a pinch, at no cost.

Long shot here - if anyone has or knows of a Bally Freedom backglass for sale , lmk . I sold a buddy of mine a Freedom and it needs a glass . Almost any condition would do . In related news - I now miss Freedom and will probably buy again when a nice one comes up .

Throwing this out there...

I've been a collector since 92'. My/our first pinball is/was Funhouse (still have it). I currently own 2+dozen pins, and a few classic arcade games.

Recently, I've been temporarily trading games with PinBuddies, for 2-3 months or longer (EHOH / BSD / Dr Dude / Game Show / Diner)

I own about 10 system 11 pins and think I'd like to own a 90' Radical. If anyone here in Northern Calif (within an 1-2 hours of San Francisco) has a Radical and would be interested in a temporary trade (2-3 months), for something of mine... let me know.

That way, I could / would get a taste of that game and see if I'm really interested in purchasing one.

Let me know with a PM.
Thanks!
Kerry Richard

Just curious…..
I’m looking for a second game.
Two options locally that I’m considering are Diner and Earthshaker. Around $4,000.
Any advice?

Both fun games. I would play both and see which one feels right. Other than that, the usual stuff applies: look at the boards in the back box, any noticeable hacks? corrosion? burnt out looking areas?.. When you play it, is there a credit dot (error) if so what is the error (could be something simple). Pull the glass and just take a good look around the playfield for wear spots, broken plastics, cracked ramps, etc (none deal breakers but factor that into the price your willing to pay). Have them lift up the playfield so you can peek underneath and look for anything problematic (anything unplugged, wires hanging, damage to the bottom of the cabinet, etc). if you're unsure about anything, ask a fellow pinhead or you could also post in the club thread for the game.

Diner's fun but being a Pat Lawler(TAF, TZ, Wonka, Dialed In, etc...) fanboy I'd choose Earthshaker.

Good Advice

All great advice,
But I’m struggling to find places to try games.
I go to the flipper room and phoenix games weekly, and I’m going to the pacific pinball museum this weekend. But it’s usually either newer, more expensive, or EM games on the floor. These kinda ‘mid level’ games are difficult to find locally to play.

Both are fun. I'd grab the one in better condition (and/or plays better) as it's difficult finding pins of that vintage in good shaoe and they are difficult to restore.

Earthshaker all day every day. Diner isn’t bad but it isn’t great either.

Ask around, post and see if anyone has one they'd be willing to let you try. Also, don't forget about PPM in Alameda. You'll have more chances to check out more games as shows start popping up again (golden state pinball fest, etc)

EDIT: also, dont be afraid to ask the seller if you can come by and just check it out, play it, etc. take your time and bring the cash with ya, if it moves you you'll know it, if it doesnt, pass on it.

If Sacramento is within reach, Earthshaker is on location at Fanny Ann’s, Diner is at Dad’s Kitchen. Check Pinball Map.

Peeping these fellow Davis comrades posting from time to time. Represent the Republic!

Sold

I own both... you're welcome to come play mine.

I'm in Danville

Kerry

PPM does not have either of these games as of the last time I was there a couple of weeks ago. They do have a ton of fun stuff to play though. I am heading up there with a friend on Saturday. If you see a tattooed, long hair in a black t-shirt with a black face mask say hello and you can join us for a few games.

Awesome invite!
I’ll be there Sunday.
Fortunately, a super cool fellow pinsider has both, lives 10 minutes from me, and invited me over to play them both!
Pinside rocks!!!!!!!

Anyone personally know Pam and Martin from pinbits? Obviously there store is done, which sucks as I thought they had the best protectors around. Just hoping they are doing ok.
Harley D.

Wow, that sucks. Loved their protectors.

That sucks, Martin and his wife made great products. Hope they are both doing OK.

What sizes do you need? What colors? I keep a little storage bin of new rings in a bunch of sizes so I don't have to pay shipping each time. Lots of posts and flipper rings too. I am sure a number of enthusiasts like myself end up with a pile of new extra rings accumulated over many orders. Mine are all less than 2 years old, which is when I jumped back into machines.

If it's just a few in sizes I have, I am sure we can find a place in the east bay to connect. PM me.

If you're referring to Kerry, I've visited him too. I had a great time, and I know you will as well.

My understanding from mutual friends is they’re both well and working on bringing the store back eventually. Hoping for the best!

Well that’s great new’s thanks for the update. They have been such a asset to our small pin community and just good people.

Looking for a Friendship 7 if anyone has a lead, thanks!

I’m letting go some pins in Reno.

Jungle Lord
Pinball Pool
Wizard
RZ LE soon. Not ready just yet.