Quick question, and sorry if this has been covered to death. I searched for "newbies", "beginners," and "dummies," and didn't find what I was looking for.

Is there a one-stop cover-all website or book that teaches everything someone would need to know before, during, and after buying a pinball machine? And I mean EVERYTHING. Like the sort of thing you'd expect if there were a "Pinball Ownership for Dummies" book.

I found this:

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/step-by-step-guides-for-newbies

And it's somewhat helpful, but I want something that talks to me like I am four. I love detail and cringe at ambiguity and trial-and-error.

"4. Get it home." - How do I do that? What is a safe way to pack and ship a machine? How do I get it from the curb to inside my apartment when I assume it is pretty heavy? (i.e. a dolly? what sort?) Do I need little cushions for the feet to avoid scratching the floor wherever I place it? etc. etc. etc.

"14. Wax the play field." - I understand this sentence conceptually but have NO clue what it actually means.

Anyway, these questions are rhetorical examples, not asking anyone to try to teach me yourself (unless you really want to). A book or website recommendation would be awesome.

I saw the Mr. Pinball guide table of contents mentions an Appendix that's a guide on collecting machines but I don't know if it's as detailed as what I'm hoping for. Also, maybe what I'm hoping for doesn't exist?

Thanks!

#2 11 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Hopkins, MN

12y 191K 56,936 24 7

No one stop cure all for learning.

Pinball News . com has some excellent articles. As does Pinwiki.

And try and meet local collectors or hit shows.

The more you meet, the more you learn, the better off you will be.

And if you have a specific question you can't find on Google, YouTube, old RGP or Pinside archives. Post here and ask.

LTG

#3 11 years ago

DNH

dnhayden

Inactive member

Las Vegas, NV

12y 42,150 936 4 13

http://www.flippers.be/pinball_basics.html

#4 11 years ago

AMM

tonymiddendorf

Inactive member

Savage, MN

12y 56,400 1,905 1 141

Welcome to the hobby. Because pins have been around for close to 100 years, there is simply far too much information out there to have it compiled in one place.

It's best to go into it with the attitude that you know you're going to make some mistakes. You can't research every nuance of every situation that will come up in this hobby. My advice would be to start with a cheaper title, so your mistakes will be less costly. Cut your teeth on an older SS machine to learn the basics.

Or if you're loaded, just splurge and pay someone to do all the work for you!

Personally, my collection has consisted of lower end titles for that reason. (also because I can't afford the A-list games) But, I've got the good fortune to have places like SS Billiards nearby so I can get my fix of top-tier games whenever I like.

Learn by doing. Accept that you are going to make mistakes. Don't be afraid to ask for help in specific situations. RGP and Pinwiki are tremendous resources. Talk to collectors. PM those in your area and ask if they want to go play on location and have a beer.

It's a great hobby. Have fun.

#5 11 years ago

DBK

DanteBK

Inactive member

Canoga Park, CA

11y 14,900 80 1 6

Quoted from dnhayden:
http://www.flippers.be/pinball_basics.html

Great website! Thanks for linking! I haven't read the whole thing yet, but I've been browsing through and it's got tons of information.

Thanks also to @LTG and @tonymiddendorf!

I am certainly not loaded. I've been kicking myself for not jumping on a Mousin' Around I saw on Craigslist for $750 not too long ago. I don't have any passion for that machine, but it would be great practice and the videos I've watched of it online make it look fun.

#6 11 years ago

BMF

hawkeye11

Pinside member

Arvada, CO

14y 70,900 1,217 16 64

This is the book I started with and found it very useful in the beginning.

Pinball Machine Care and Maintenance, by Bear Kamoroff

http://www.pbresource.com/books.html

#7 11 years ago

AJD

the_pin_family

Inactive member

Herndon, VA

12y 31,900 2,363 8

This is a link to a download page on a torrent site. The download consists of a ton of usefull information ranging service manuals to repair guides written by clay to several books on pinball ownership. The old link to let you view online no longer works but this will put a hard copy on your computer. It's confusing(for me). My wife had to download the file for me. Apparently I need computers for dummies. Lol. Here it is if you can figure it out.

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/6337010/pinrepair.com_Pinball_Machine_Repair_Guides___And_other_misc_Pin

#8 11 years ago

C M

CadillacMusic

Inactive member

Cleveland, OH

12y 48,650 1,035 44

Also, a lot of opinion is involved in some things. For example, to wax a playfield, you put playfield wax on it, and rub in circles until it's shiny. People will argue 'til the cows come home over which wax you should use. My boss thinks wildcat pinball wax is fine, while everyone here would flip if they saw him using it. I like to use Novus #2, but I'm sure someone is rolling their eyes at that and thinking I'm an idiot for not using milwax. So if you see conflicting information, don't panic.

#9 11 years ago

MWS

Methos

Pinside member

Lodi, WI

12y 103K 7,270 21 10 1

Quoted from dnhayden:
http://www.flippers.be/pinball_basics.html

I used the articles on this site to help me at the beginging. You'll outgrow it quickly - but good place to get started.

#10 11 years ago

SOS

sosage

Inactive member

Bay Area, CA

12y 32,650 848 4

Best course of action is to research the hell out of a title (or list of titles) you want. Figure out what system it is on. What seems to be common issues with said game. How they are fixed. Etc. Then leap in head first and find one. I'm sure everyone has mentioned pinrepair and pinwiki already.

#11 11 years ago

DBK

DanteBK

Inactive member

Canoga Park, CA

11y 14,900 80 1 6

Quoted from the_pin_family:
This is a link to a download page on a torrent site. The download consists of a ton of usefull information ranging service manuals to repair guides written by clay to several books on pinball ownership. The old link to let you view online no longer works but this will put a hard copy on your computer. It's confusing(for me). My wife had to download the file for me. Apparently I need computers for dummies. Lol. Here it is if you can figure it out.
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/6337010/pinrepair.com_Pinball_Machine_Repair_Guides___And_other_misc_Pin

Thanks! I'll check it out!

Quoted from CadillacMusic:
Also, a lot of opinion is involved in some things. For example, to wax a playfield, you put playfield wax on it, and rub in circles until it's shiny. People will argue 'til the cows come home over which wax you should use. My boss thinks wildcat pinball wax is fine, while everyone here would flip if they saw him using it. I like to use Novus #2, but I'm sure someone is rolling their eyes at that and thinking I'm an idiot for not using milwax. So if you see conflicting information, don't panic.

I hear you. It's not easy for me. I like to go the road more traveled. Let other people be the pioneers and I'll reap the benefits of their experience.

#12 11 years ago

SEF

practicalsteve

GoldenStatePin

El Cerrito, CA

12y 104K 7,623 5

Quoted from dnhayden:
http://www.flippers.be/pinball_basics.html

+100000 that is my go to site when someone new wants to know what to do.

#13 11 years ago

SEF

practicalsteve

GoldenStatePin

El Cerrito, CA

12y 104K 7,623 5

Quoted from hawkeye11:
This is the book I started with and found it very useful in the beginning.

Pinball Machine Care and Maintenance, by Bear Kamoroff

http://www.pbresource.com/books.html

Also a great book, I recommend that as well.

#14 11 years ago

???

Tommi_Gunn

Inactive member

11y 0 1,634

Find someone knowledgeable in your area, and bring a case of beer. They should be able to give you a crash course on the basics.

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