Thanks for the review. I must say i am a bit surprised. I have always heard the the machines at the PHOF were kept in impeccable shape.

They do run oin a limited non profit budget though. At least they are still running.

I plan to visit when i hit Vegas in May

Part of the issue is probably man-power.. those are a LOT of machines to maintain. I have troubles keeping up with 8 games, I can't imagine having that many games to take care of (though I'm sure he has a bit of help).

I think part of the problem is most of the work is done by Tim and Tim alone. As I understand it. I'm not covering for him but it is a hell of a lot of work to maintain all those machines.

Was at PHOF in September and the machines were not in impeccable shape. There were machines broken and turned off and machines with problems and limping along (GNR, Stargate, TZ, etc) That said when I told their tech about the machines with problems, he got to them and fixed them in the hours I was there. Some machines have noticeable wear and some machines are broke but I enjoyed myself there (the wife not so much). I am grateful they are there and I will go there again when in the area.

The PHOF is definitely not a museum so don't expect to see any collector quality pins. It is a players haven and you will probably have the opportunity to play a lot of pins you never have before. I head over there about once a month after i have saved up some quarters. The lineup is always changing. I think the PHOF currently holds around 300 pins, but the owner has over a 1000 pins in his collection (I could be wrong though...that is just what i recall).

As they aren't in his former Arcade in my town. Kicking it old School I guess!

Tim donated 400K to the salvation army last year .. I think he should have donated 300K and put a 100k into up keep .

Jim

Well there is something to be said for that. Regardless there are machines there that you may never get to play.

That and not have games over at the Riviera too, when he can't keep up with one place.

LTG

I've never been, but i'm thankful such a place exists. If some of the machines don't function 100% i can overlook that.

I have been to PHOF several times. Everytime I've been, there are no more than two volunteers (Including Tim). Usually that place is packed with visitors. Given they have to fix machines and deal with visitors I think they do well.

I really enjoy going to PHOF and I hope Tim is kind enough to keep this place open for a long time.

agreed, not in great shape, always the same each of my multiple visits. but great variety and an asset for pinballers.

I have a friend that just moved there. He just started volunteering there. He had the largest private collection here. He said they alow volunteers there but they have not let him start working ont he pins yet. He really wanted to spend time and help out since he just retired. His name it Tim as well.

I've been there on three different occasions, and I had blast each time. Sure, some of the pins may not be in great shape, but overall it's still an amazingly cool place. Anybody that can provide a place like this for the pinball community while simultaneously raising a ton of money to charity is A-OK in my book.

I been there 3 times in last 2 years! Its the reason we go to Vegas! I like how its not on the strip, not fancy or any flashy lights outside the place! I have no problem with the looks of it inside, were playing the machines not staring at the walls, remember its non-profit place! It also keeps the "Riff-Raff" out as well!

Even if you had a few full time techs, there would always be some games broken.

As a teen I worked in an arcade wrenching on pins and something was always breaking or blowing up.

We use to make a once a week trip to the big Bally/Williams outlet to pick up parts (ramps or other unique pieces),and of course play the new games on display.

Games broke all the time when they were brand new, put another 15-40 years on them and they are even less reliable; plastics more brittle...

I'll be going there in September for my 21st.

I'm going there in mid-may, want to meetup?

Where did you hear that?

I think they do their best, but these are heavily played pins, far from being in "impeccable shape".

I'll be there May25th.

+ A MILLION!!! We are very lucky to have PHOF and a Huge Thank You!! To Tim Arnold.I can't believe that any Pinhead would complain about the condition of any game there.These Pins are played on a daily basis and were else are you going to go to play all these Pins if we didn't have PHOF.

Its a cool place but definitely not a "hall of fame".I was disappointed in the place as well. Came from NY and couldn't even buy a t-shirt.Silverball Museum and Pacific Pinball Museum are doing the "hall of fame"thing better than PHOF in Vegas.It's just an arcade complete with crane games and change machines.I still will go every time I'm in Vegas cause its so rare to see an arcade never mind one with pinball machines in it!!Still wish the place lived up to its name though.Regretfully,Scott

It's more quanitity not quality, but very cool none the less to have such a place open to the public. I've heard and seen Tim does most of the work himself, but there are some volunteers.