Star Trek (Pro)
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Here are pics of my stern Star Trek playfield with 4,938 plays. Almost 5000! On route Since April but only heavily played the last 3 months. No playfield wear anywhere that I can see. Stern playfields are pretty tough in my experience. I'll update this thread monthly with pics and show number of plays.
All updates posted in this thread
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The first month it was very dimpled but yes th high spots are coming down now and dimpling is much less noticeable. But as many people say even the old Bally and Williams games look the same. My Addams family looks about the same as this now.
5458 plays still looking good. Only things that have broken so far is a solder joint on the left flipper and a solder joint on the vengeance Opto. Game is lasting great for being on location.
I highly recommend cutting a super band post in half and use the smaller super band mini rubbers on top and installing them around the warp ramp. Looks good and works great. Lasted 1000 plays so far and still look brand new. With just the super bands minis with no sleeves they would only last about 500.
The playfield is still holding up great Although the decals on the side of the head are really peeling. I'll turn it into stern and see if I can get them covered under warranty. I also slipped a few pictures of my walking dead In with 4,396 plays. Both waxed once on month since they were new.
Both playfields have held up very well so far. I was a little worried with all the talk about stern quality on pinside but I'm very satisfied so far.
Walking dead is actually out earning star trek so far which surprised me.
My decals were covered under warranty and they mailed me a new set for free. I won't put them on until I absolutely need too.
Yes I wax them once a month minimum which is not as regularly as I would like because of all the plays. The playfield is holding up great and the ramps are fine so far but I also have the metal protectors on the alpha and beta ramps.
Drop target is still in great condition and working fine. Only problems so far are..... Broken solder on left flipper coil. Peeling decals. Vengeance opto need to be resoldered (pain in the ass) other than that the game has played great with no other problems except broken rubbers.
My star trek finally cracked the 10k play mark. Still no major problems. Playfield looks great and waxed and cleaned about every 500 plays average. It almost paid for itself.
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I have not rebuilt the flippers yet they still flip like new. Flipper Power set to low still. Easy backhanding the ramps. No wear around the decals that I have noticed but I didn't look last time. I will check flipper button wear next time I'm there.
Now 11,932 plays and still looks good as new.
I changed rubbers very frequently at the beginning before I switched to Titans and super bands. New balls anytime they look nasty maybe only 2 or 3 times so far.
As far as wax I only use carnauba Turtle Wax and apply it at least once a month.
It gets about 800 plays per month. The pay with your phone thing isn't working at all at any of my locations. I live in South Dakota and most of the people around here still like using quarters for some reason. They don't even use the bill acceptors much. Totally weird. Next machine will be Attack From Mars.
I have Addams family and walking dead at this location now and they all do right about the same. Addams family is always number 1 earner and Star Trek and walking dead are usually about a tie for second. There is also a getaway and waterworld that aren't mine that do ok too.
If anyone has an attack from Mars within 500 miles of me let me know 
Sorry I haven't posted pics In a while I've been working hard on restoring a few games. He are the only quick pics I snapped the last time I was there.
Here is the game with 13,182 plays.
I'll be up there Sunday and will get more detailed pictures this time.
Thanks
It's the only pinball bar in that town which is the biggest town in South Dakota. They just started leagues and they have a really great bar. Only a beer bar and less than 1500 square feet but set up nicely with a great atmosphere.
Here it is with 13,710 plays. There is a little wear behind the drop target which can easily be covered with a cliffy. Plays have definitely dropped off so the machine will have to be taken to a different location and be swapped with something else.
I have an Addams family but I have no idea how many games it has on it for its life but it's at 25,526 plays since I bought it 2 years ago and the playfield hasn't gotten any worse than when I bought it. Wax and Maintainence is key to a long life once a month is all you need. I didn't get a pic of the Addams family this month but it looks pretty good. There is wear around the mansion and a few other little chips in the paint around the playfield.
Clean and perfect working games always make more money. Seems like most operators think the game isnt making money so they don't fix them. But actually they would make more money if they did fix them... Pretty easy for me to figure out.
Well with 13,923 plays I finally had to take it off location.
I tore most of it down to shop it and this is what I've found so far
1.The bottom right flipper isn't very powerful. Probably just and eos switch.
2.The drop target bracket underneath broke and the whole assembly fell off ($6.50 to replace)
3. The out hole metal weld has broken
4. The spinner has been slightly crushed on one side from not sitting perfectly vertical and the ball would run into it and bounce off
5. The magnet under the vengeance is looking bad. Looks like the back part is getting worn or crushed somehow
6. One ramp opto needs to be resoldered
Not too bad for 13,923 plays in one year. It should pay for it self within 2 years from purchase date, after splitting with the location.
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Everybody wants to see the outhole! It took 1hr with me and 1 other person to get it as far as the pictures show. I'm out of town this weekend but will post more pics when I get back. Here's a few I forgot to add
Once you commit to taking everything apart it doesn't take long. I use about 6 different magnetic trays. And do everything in layers. Putting it together will take some time but I have taken a lot of pictures during teardown so it should go back together pretty easily. I'm guessing 2 hour full tear down and 3 hours to get back together.
Quoted from dmbjunky:Do you think those ball trails will come out?
Yes
Quoted from sven:You're a great operator, taking good care of the games on location.
Thanks so much! Games in that play better, pay better. I try to make sure the games play perfectly.
OK here are a bunch more photos from tearing it down more. There was a lot more wrong than I thought!
1. Opto wire came out. Not soldered correctly from factory
2. One of the flipper parts that opens the eos switch was broken off.
3. Bottom of coil Plungers almost flat.
4. One of the flipper sleeves was worn through
5. Warp ramp had a Crack. (STERN already sent me a replacement for free)
6. Outhole metal had the weld broken
7. White flipper bearing had a Crack
I had almost all the parts in hand to fix except the flipper part that opens the eos switch.
Oh ya here is that picture of the outhole. I don't know why people care so much about that. It doesn't effect the game play. I'm still going to buy the cliffy since it's cheap and I'm planning on this game paying for itself a few times.
I was going to use fiberglass and mesh to fix the bottom of the ramp. And I like to round the bottom of my plungers so They don't drag and on location. I reflowed all the Opto wires already because they are very hard to get to unless ramps are off.
Quoted from flynnibus:Quoted from MustangPaul:
I've never seen the undersides of inserts that dirty. What do you clean them with and how clean do they get?
Just use some alcohol and some q-tips. They will look like new. It's just coil dust sitting on them
That's what I did
Duh! I should have known the difference between the outhole and shooter lane 
The clear is coming off a bit so I just slapped some mylar on it and now it should be good to go for a while.
The purple and white posts are what I like to call snowmen protectors. They work great on location and hardly ever need to be changed. Anyone with a star trek on location should try it.
Got to work in the game again some more tonight. Found out my beta ramp was also cracked in the same place as the warp ramp. Fixed with some 2 part epoxy and some kind of mesh tape. Also installed cliffys throughout. Here's a few pics of the progress. It's not too much more than last time. Added a few Titan bands in various colors.
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I put the flipper runner there because that rubber always broke on mine too. I added one near the pops in my walking dead that was breaking regularly and it has been working great ever since. Thanks for the tip about the metal circle and I'll report back with the status of the flipper rubber on that area to the right of the vengeance.
I don't know about the flippers turning brown. Min euaually get super dirty from the coil dust but I just use a little alcohol and a magic eraser. These flippers will break and have to be replaced within a year before any discoloration.
Now 14,194 plays. Only about 200 more plays since the teardown and fix but it's going to be rotated to the slower locations before it goes back to the busiest place. Gotta spread the love around.
Quoted from TigerLaw:This is one of my favorite threads on Pinside. Wish there were ops like you where I live.
Thanks! I'll keep it up as long as I have the game. Which will probably be forever!
I'll check the manufacturing date next time I get there. I'm pretty sure it was one of sterns first out the door out of their new factory.
And Yes all my games hold up great with the proper maintenance. Most of our games were used and there no telling how many plays are on them since the battery's have been changed so much.
We just got an MMR and will record that games entire life as well. From new until forever.
14,443 plays. Ran through the game quick and found a few loose screws and tightened those up and game it a good cleaning and waxing. Wasn't very dirty. Only 300 plays since the last pictures. Nothing else wrong other than a few slightly loose screws. Playfield looks great!
Sorry it's holding up so great. It makes for a boring update!
Quoted from Zitt:Daymn. It paid for itself.
I only got half of that since I don't own the location. But even after the split it will pay for itself within 2 years.
14,876 plays! Everything is holding up seriously well. I am so happy with this game I just can't even describe it. I attached the earnings so far which I normally don't do. I take anywhere from 50%-70% so this game has almost paid itself off! It is in great condition for owing me almost nothing.
You can tell by the pictures its holding up great. It might need a new drop target but I already have one laying in the machine in case it breaks.
Only problem now is the bad decals. Stern already sent me replacements so it doesn't bother me.
Couldn't be happier.
Quoted from cp1610:Glad to see it sill going and is taking all the game play with not whole lot of trouble. Is the heat of the game killing the sticker or sitting by the window the cause?
The decals were peeling long before I put it in this location near a window. They started in a dark bar corner in fact.
As for the ramps 2 of mine have cracked but both minor. I found a fix for one. You can see it earlier in this thread.
I just clean it with novus 1 to get all the black nasty off. Then I just was with turtle wax. Some times I just wax it if it's not that dirty and the residue gets absorbed into the yellow sponge. Then I wipe it off with a micro fiber cloth.
Pay range only brings me about $1.50 a week from a total of 4 games. As of right now I'm not really a big fan but it could pick up later in the future! Gotta have every opportunity to get that $$$.
Quoted from mc300baud:i was almost right; 9829 paid credits as of this noon today, just about 1k plays per month. at this rate it'll pay itself off in 18 months.
Mine will pay for itself in 18-24 months as well
Quoted from Who-Dey:That may be very true, but for a $1.00-$1.50 for new pinballs once a year why would you even risk it? I mean that's like an average of 4-6 dollars per machine.
I have the same opinion. For Around $100 a year I can keep my playfields from getting beat up. If the balls arent too bad when I pull them out I will tumble them, but if they arent good when I pull them out of the tumbler I retire them. And if they are good I only put them in older games or games with full mylar.
Up to 15880 now! Only problem this week was a broken wire on red switch #5 quick and easy fix. It was also really dirty. Very little time taken this week to get it up and running in perfect playing condition again!
Outhole and shooter Lane looking good!
Quoted from pinballkyle:okarcades hey where do you get those white heavy duty post rubbers?
https://www.titanpinball.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=33&product_id=52
Quoted from PinMonk:Your shooter lane cliffys aren't really doing anything. They should line up with the edge of the ball channel on each side. Because they aren't you have wear on both sides starting. The right side metal guide won't move if you use the clamp and install the screws back in the order mentioned in the instructions. Clamping is a necessary part of the install process to make it stay put.
I didn't know that! I didn't read the instructions lol. Ill get that fixed next time I'm up there. Thanks!
Pricing is the same and after the split I'm at about $3,700 income. I'm very happy with my investment. The game is set to $1 per play or 2 plays for $3. Considering I have put probably 300 plays my self as well as 10% for replays, specials and matches. Still very very happy!
Quoted from Sammy31:Just noticing that your spinner is starting to lean backwards...easy fix to bend it fwd so it doesn't get damaged.
Great thread btw.
My spinner had the same thing happen to it. the bottom got hit so much it had a big dent and would sit crooked. I just hammered it back flat and bent the thin metal rods that hold it. Pretty quick and easy fix.
Sorry guys! Super busy at work and with another business I've starter. I am going to the location a week from Sunday and I will get more pictures. Not much has changed since the last photos.
As far as the flipper rebuild I did that at around 12,000 plays and it should be documented in this thread. When we ripped it apart we made sure the next 12,000 plays would hold up a little better than the first. I only have the earnings and plays pics from my last visit.
I'll have more pics in a week or so!
I forgot to add these last week! Nothing broken at all!
The only thing I needed to do was wax it up and bend the metal flap down on the warp ramp.
The paint around the vengeance drop target is also starting the wear.
Has a bunch of plays and should have it self paid for after next month.
With regular waxing the playfield had no wear except for around the vengeance and around the in lane switches. The cliffys kept popping up and getting the ball stuck so one side was removed.
This game has done its job as far as an income producing machine.
Excellent work stern!!
Quoted from ChrisS:Wow. You are closing in on paying this one off. What do you figure you are into the machine for parts and such in repairs over its lifetime so far?
I'd say less than $300 counting the titan bands, leds and plastics. This game has been very good to me.
19,988 plays now! Had to rebuild the flippers and it was awefully dirty this month. Also had to changes the rubbers which looked back until we took the off and found out they were white
The Allen blots for the flippers are about worn out! Check out the pics. Nothing else broken. This game has now officially paid for it self and everything is now just free money $$$$ not free but it doesn't owe me a damn thing!
Quoted from DK:Must feel good to have a "free" ST at this point!
I just wonder what it's worth now? Doesn't matter to me I guess because I'll be keeping it for quite a while and I'll be maintaining it the whole time.
What's a trek trek with 20,000 plays worth if it's in decent condition?
Quoted from doublestack:OP you mentioned you had a walking dead on location? As I'm about to put one out myself, I must ask how it held up?
It held up good until about 6000 plays. Then I sold it. I hated that game and it didn't earn very well
Finally broke 20,000 plays!!!
We are sitting at 20,675 Plays and still going strong. The only thing wrong is a little bit of wear by the drop target. Other than that all we needed to do this week was to wax it up! I'm so happy with this game!
Now I'm going for 100k plays! Next mile stone will be 50k plays
Stay tuned
Quoted from Zitt:Quoted from gunstarhero:
Looks ready for a shop job!
Nah, he's too busy making profit. At best; he'll wipe those rubbers off if he didn't do it after the pictures.
Not sure if you guys read the rest of the thread but I just shopped it a few months back.
Not a Single led has fallen out since the last time I shopped mine. I added a dab of hot glue to every led before reinstalling them.
Last time I shopped the game I addressed every problem so it would play 100% for another 12,000 plays and it's almost done it. I'm guessing it will make it to 24k plays before it needs to get pulled out and redone
Quoted from PinMonk:Fix the cliffy on the right side of that shooter lane and it won't move again and will protect the trough. You MUST use a clamp when fixing it while you adjust and re-screw it in or it will move again.
I'll fix this next time I'm up there, you seem very excited for me to do that!
We finally replaced the Allen bolts that were almost worn through. The game now has 22,558 Plays!
-There is a plastic broken by the flipper.
-The warp ramp keeps bending up so I need to loosen the ramp and bend it back down every month but no big deal.
-The wood is still wearing slowly by the drop target.
-Someone scratched my glass
-The left in lane is getting worn since the cliffy got beat up and fell off. ( not sure what to do there yet)
Other than that, everything still plays great and earns great! I'll be buying a NIB Metallica next week and I'll document that as well.
I added a bunch of audits below. Check out the pics!
Quoted from Who-Dey:How many times have you had to rebuild the flippers?
I think I've changed the Plungers twice and the plastic shafts 3 times. Coil Stops once and the little allen bolts once. EOS Switches are original.
Quoted from Spyderturbo007:22,558 plays and only 612 tilts!?!
Its set up really lose - I like to shake the shit out of the game so I'm guessing a lot of other people do to
Finally got the shooter lane cliffy moved lol!
Almost 23,000 plays! The underside is getting ready dirty and a few screws have come loose so I had to tighten them. The 2 playfield spot lights also went out so I had to replace those.
I added a few pictures of the playfield. The dimples seem to be smoothing out but you can be the judge of that
I added a picture of how dirty it got in 2 weeks. Regular wax and maintenance is key to earnings in my opinion.
Quoted from PinMonk:Yay! If you used a clamp before re-tightening, it won't move again.
I just squeezed it with my hand really tight. It feels really solid tough!
Quoted from Bruce:Are you planning on keeping it on location indefinitely? If so, looking forward to future updates!
We will keep it there most of the time. Although it will get moved around a bit.
Update : I've been told the right flipper button has completely fallen out. I'll add pictures when I get them.
23,813 Plays and the flippers were starting to get super sluggish. The left flipper couldn't make the ball up the right ramp and the warp shot was impossible to make.
For some reason I haven't checked the coil stops and boy were they smashed! Check out the new vs old pictures.
Now the game plays like a dream!!!
I need to get another cliffy for the left in lane. It's taking a real pounding. And the shooter rod rubber has almost broken off! I didn't have one on me this month so hopefully it holds up another month.
Other than that nothing was wrong at all. Earnings keep climbing and the game Is paid off.
I wonder what it's worth?
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Quoted from Radagast:I have to think that's still worth $3500. Whenever anyone complains about Stern quality control, I think about this thread. I know this game is a few years off the line, at this point, but man has it held up well!
I was hoping it would still be worth $4000. If I reset the plays like a butthole and touched up the play field I would imagine it would easily bring $4,000.
I've had the over 2 years now with an average of around 1000 plays a month. I think it's holding up pretty darn well. I started this thread strictly because of all the stern quality bashing. I was neither for or against so I decided to give an unbiased documentation.
Hopefully this has helped with the controversy.
This was an easy week. Almost nothing was broken on any games. The cover for the spot light was missing and no where to be found so we did a super ghetto light fix. And the spring for the shooter rod was broken but we will fix that next time!
Lots more plays on it! 24,566
Thanks stern!
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Quoted from Vyzer2:Okarcades, have you had any issue with the drop target? Despite tweaking that thing dozens of times, hard hits never register. Your game looks great for 25k plays. Looking forward to 30k.
I have never had any problems except the bracket underneath broke. I have a back up ready and waiting for it to break. I can't believe it hasn't yet.
Quoted from newpinbin:Would be interesting to actually play a well cared for game with some many plays on it.
It plays pretty well but doesn't seem as fun as one with less plays. I'm not sure if it's just me or what....
Flippers are strong like new but the game seems dim. Either the lights are dirty or dimming or the plastics are getting dirty. I forsee a shop Job in the near future.
Quoted from chuckwurt:A new button was my fix. Haha
I got a new button too! After I ordered the right size because I didn't have one in hand
The only thing wrong with week was the ghetto bulb fix fell out. I had the metal things to hold them in ordered but I forgot them at home
A few shots of how dirty it is too! It seems to get more black underneath compared to most games but who knows
25,947 Plays and we are Still SUPER satisfied with this game right now. Every thing still works. It is by far the least troublesome game we have. I added some stats from audits page.
Right flipper flipped almost 2.5 million times!!
Only had to wax it and change the sling shot rubbers.
We also noticed that we keep grinding down the plungers when they mushroom and now the plungers are too short and the flippers stick was too high up!
Oh well it still kicks ass!!!
Quoted from Whysnow:have you not done a full flipper rebuild in all those plays? impressive that it is still rocking if so. That is a ton of flipper hits.
I've rebuilt them twice maybe 3 times. Just new sleeves 3 times and fixed the plungers 2 times and eos switches once. And coil stops twice for sure.
Quoted from LesManley:This is most likely what is causing the game to be dim. The routed Ghostbusters I picked up was like that. Clean on top where you could reach with a rag, but absolutely filthy underneath. Under the playfield, some inserts and/or LEDs themselves were so dirty the light could barely shine through. I pulled boards off the bottom and cleaned everything up under the playfield, it was like a brand new game afterwards. So bright and shiny. Try taking a q-tip to the bottom of a couple of your inserts and be prepared for blackness.
I did that last time it was shopped! It's hard to keep up with it. Next time it breaks really bad we will strip it down and get it all bright again!
27,116 plays now. Holy cow its getting up there!
This thing has taken a serious pounding and totally handled it awesome!
The only thing going wrong this week was the flasher mount broke under the vengeance ship. I always carry spares so it was a quick, easy and cheap fix. Back up and running!
Quoted from Who-Dey:Very encouraging for recent Stern purchasers! How does the game feel when you play it? Does it still feel like it did when you first got it or does it feel like its old and sloppy? Thanks for keeping us updated on this game. This is one of my most favorite threads on Pinside.
It feels old and sloppy! At least to me it does. But I don't think anyone else feels the same. Once I rebuild the flippers again it will play like new!
Quoted from Who-Dey:How often do you rebuild the flippers?
I think I'm on my 3rd rebuild so far and it will need it done again soon.
Quoted from Who-Dey:So if a person rebuilt their flippers in a home environment, they should go 5 thousand games maybe and still be pretty strong?
Easily. I rebuild mine every 10,000 plays or usually right around there. Home use only flippers will hardly ever need to be rebuilt.
That's what I figured too but why would it award it when not in a game. If I engage a switch it doesn't give me points during game end. Opto or not.
No switch trip should activate points when no game is active. It was racking up points while not in a game. Super weird!
At just over 28k plays it just doesn't play well enough to keep on Route. We are pulling it to do its annual shop. We are going to fix it up really nice and bring it back in a few months! We swapped it out with our newest addition. The 1995 version of star trek!!!
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Don't Worry! We are going to fix it up, Spruce it up and put it back on route!!
Got it almost all done and ready to put back on Route.
- Flippers rebuilt
-2 leds added, one in outhole and one on the right side near the third flipper
- fixed the broken screw on the left side in lane plastic
- added those sweet little wire forms in the spot lights so they don't fall out
- tightened all loose bulbs
- cleaned all inserts so they are Clear again!
- adjusted all pop bumper switches so they rock again
- just had to reflow the warp ramp opto and it's all it needed!
- waxed it up and replaced a few rubbers
Going back on Route in 10 days but I gotta play tbe heck out of it first.
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20180725_211106 (resized).jpg20180725_211109 (resized).jpg20180725_211119 (resized).jpgQuoted from Zitt::tear: still no popcaps.
Never will
Quoted from MustangPaul:Why didn't you put lane switch protectors on?
I did on the left side but it wouldn't stick in and the ball would get stuck too often. The right side still holding up. I should order a new set
Quoted from AJB4:Where do u get those "sweet little wireforms" so the the Led's dont fall outta the spot lights?????
Marcospecialties.com
Quoted from BillySastard:Why would you expect an OP to put $100 pop caps on a pin for route? Just seems crazy to me.
Exactly! And I don't really dig em
Quoted from DNO:Well, as an Op (and I am one) if you've made money, and it improves the game, why TF not?
Now if the Op doesn't like it, different story, sometimes.
But $100 re-investment to a universally liked mod shouldn't be blown off, just because it's a route game.
People pay, give them quality.
I mod several of my games... I just don't care for that one! I know they pay so I try to make my game as fun as possible and play as close to perfection as I can get!
Quoted from TVsFrank:I think this is the right link...
https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/535-1532-00
Sadly they’re sold out, I was wanting some as well.
Those are the ones
Quoted from TomN:Not bad considering how many thousands of plays it has on it. I wish all Operators cared as much as you. Quick question...Is there supposed to be a protector around the drop target by the ship? Looks like something broke off in the back. High traffic area I would guess.
Yes it's a cliffy protector. It's about broken off so I'll have to get a new one soon
Quoted from pinnyheadhead:Those your Vids next to ST? If not do you worry about that operator messing with your pin?
Quoted from pickleric:All the arcade machines at EightyOne are operated by the owner. He's a great guy.
^^^He is right owned and operated by owner of bar. Feels like the start to a good working relationship
Quoted from rai:Any idea of the number of plays on South Park?
No idea. It had been reset before we bought it. Only says like 63 right now.
Quoted from PinMonk:Do you have the carpet-munching minigame ROM in it? That's good for a laugh, but they took it out before the last ROM.
Im not sure. I bought it and out it on Route same day. I haven't had any time to play it!
28,624 plays. Should hit 30k by the end of the year.
Only a dirty opto on the warp ramp again. Gave it a quick wax and all is well.
20180930_163312 (resized).jpg20180930_163322 (resized).jpg20180930_163326 (resized).jpg20180930_163332 (resized).jpg20180930_163334 (resized).jpg20180930_163337 (resized).jpg20180930_163350 (resized).jpg20180930_163354 (resized).jpg20180930_163402 (resized).jpgNot a darn thing wrong this week. Just needed a few new sling shot rubbers because the titans were cracked. Not sure if I ever added this to the thread but the back glass light won't work. New bulb new starter and new ballast. Weird!
Very happy. No playfield wear.
20181111_144303 (resized).jpg20181111_144310 (resized).jpg20181111_144315 (resized).jpg20181111_144320 (resized).jpg20181111_144328 (resized).jpg20181111_144335 (resized).jpg20181111_144342 (resized).jpg20181111_144352 (resized).jpg20181111_144412 (resized).jpg20181111_144403 (resized).jpg20181111_144423 (resized).jpg20181111_144426 (resized).jpg20181111_144442 (resized).jpgQuoted from mikeflan:I swap out those backglass bulbs with LED bulbs and bypass all the problems with the starter/ballasts/etc.
That's probably what I will do.
Quoted from rai:I was curious how you kept the audits after update. I thought whenever you update it erased the audits.
I can't remember. I think the last update was before I started this thread. I think it wiped most of my metallica audits
Quoted from pinnyheadhead:Thanks for the updates!
Why are there 5000 free plays? Was it home use for a while? Any idea?
Matches and free plays! Maybe a few games for myself during test mode. Match is 10% which is 3k games alone. The rest people earned
Quoted from ccbiggsoo7:so is backbox working? you said it wasn't but in pics its clearly on?
I got an LED shop light and zip tied it on to the wire harness. I'd take a picture but it's a little embarrassing!
Quoted from Spiderpin:Just found this FORUM Friday night. Had to read all the post. Now I'm up to date and ready for next post. Now got to start reading the Metallica one. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks! Glad you enjoy it!
Quoted from Razorbak86:Since it’s back on route, you may want to update the thread title.
You’re right! I’ll domit now
Well this machine finally cracked the 30k play mark and it has now been played 30,058 times!
GREAT WORK STERN!!!!
No issues this time either. Plays like a dream.
In my opinion, this thread has proved stern makes quality machines that earn well. $15,000+ in earnings. Even after the 50/50 split that easily pays for the game. Yes it took almost 4 years to triple its purchase price in total earnings but find me any other investment that does this.
Plus this game would probably still sell for $4,000.
It goes to show that a little tlc, monthly repairs and consistency in waxing and replacing balls can keep a machine in great shape.
20190127_143005 (resized).jpg20190127_143009 (resized).jpg20190127_143012 (resized).jpg20190127_143015 (resized).jpg20190127_143016 (resized).jpg20190127_143021 (resized).jpg20190127_143039 (resized).jpg20190127_143059 (resized).jpg20190127_143137 (resized).jpg20190127_143138 (resized).jpg30,480 plays and nothing but a broken rubber this time
Totally happy
20190317_141619 (resized).jpg20190317_141624 (resized).jpg20190317_141628 (resized).jpg20190317_141634 (resized).jpg20190317_141639 (resized).jpg20190317_141642 (resized).jpg20190317_141647 (resized).jpg20190317_141700 (resized).jpg20190317_141712 (resized).jpg20190317_142108 (resized).jpg20190317_142124 (resized).jpgQuoted from Chalkey:Sorry if you already answered this... how many games between waxing and changing balls? What balls, cleaner and wax are you using?
Wax around every 2 weeks. Usually comes out to around 200-300 plays. I use turtle carnauba wax.
And I change balls whenever they look nasty or scratched or pitted. I either use pinball life shiny balls or Marcos. I don't get the cheap balls cause they suck.
Quoted from robertmee:Could you expand on your upkeep a little bit? About to put my first on location at a private club. Won't get near as many plays as yours, but I do want to keep it in premium operating condition.
1) Cleaning process - Products you use...Do you remove any hardware? How do you clean the tight areas around pops, ramps, inlane/outlanes? Remove glass and clean both sides? Cleaning BG/Translite? Cleaning cabinet (Smoking allowed?)
2) Waxing process - Similar to above
3) Do you run lamp tests, solenoid tests, etc. each visit? Assume you address any credit dot/test reports.
Thanks in advance!
I play it and fix it! Wax with carnuba and wax off where ever it's dirty. I just check the credit dots but I don't check solenoids except for playing. Switches I do once in a while waxing because it's fast.
As far as how far I go with cleaning I don't go super crazy except for when we shop around 10k plays.
The main thing we do is just play. We want the game to regularly play 100% working and fun. If it's not 100% then people won't play and the games won't make Money.
If I'm not happy then niether will the player!
Quoted from BrianBannon:Game looks great. Looking at your earnings over the past few months, it would seem that the game isn't getting much play of late. At what point would you decide to rotate it out, or sell it for another piece of equipment?
We have one great location and lots of mediocre locations. We will rotate it back to the best loca9after a few months. Gotta let all the other great games get a chance too!
Quoted from Chalkey:All that says is he waxes it once a month I'm trying to find out exactly what else he's doing to get these results it's crazy clean for so many plays.
Seriously. I just use a $5 can of carnuba turtle wax from the auto store. I just make sure to clean it everything I take the glass off.
Quoted from Chalkey:So are you saying all you do is put new wax on the playfield? Like you wax it, then next time you just put more wax on without using novus, naptha, or anything else?
Correct. No reason to take wax off. The ball does that. And most people don't out naphtha or novus on their cars.
Quoted from newpinbin:Where are we at now with the play count?
I'll check next time I go up for a service. The owner of the bar has been doing all the work.
Quoted from Spiderpin:It has been two months, time for cleaning. Clean out the cash box and get play count too.
Hopefully within the next few weeks I'll make it up!
Nothing wrong since the last time we were there. Just a quick wax and we were done!
33,414 plays!!!
20191109_112122 (resized).jpg20191109_112126 (resized).jpg20191109_112132 (resized).jpg20191109_112137 (resized).jpg20191109_112140 (resized).jpg20191109_112143 (resized).jpg20191109_112149 (resized).jpg20191109_112215 (resized).jpg20191109_112226 (resized).jpgQuoted from DaveH:If I ran into this game on route, I’d dump some dollars into it. Heck, I’ll dump dollars into anything on route. A nice working game is a rare thing out in the wild.
That's the reason we take care of it! We also like to play games that play great! And we know everyone else does too. 1 broken feature can cut a games earnings in half!!!
Stern was getting a lot of heat years ago when I started this thread. I sure hope some people out there can use this to feel better about their purchase.
This game has easily paid for it self and barely lost any value.
It has held up just amazingly!
Over 35k plays. Not a dang thing wrong again. It's a tank and stern should be proud! Playfield looks great. I hope that 4 years later the bad stern playfield complaints can be laid to rest.
20200223_102104 (resized).jpg20200223_103106 (resized).jpg20200223_103131 (resized).jpg20200223_103109 (resized).jpg20200223_103113 (resized).jpg20200223_103119 (resized).jpg20200223_103123 (resized).jpg20200223_103128 (resized).jpg20200223_103133 (resized).jpg20200223_103138 (resized).jpg20200223_103142 (resized).jpgQuoted from Coz:Very cool. I’m putting my Star Trek pro on route tomorrow!
It's a great earner!
Quoted from rai:Sad to see this thread end.
How much did it sell for?
$3200. Needed a bit of work. Seemed like a low price but I thinks it's pretty fair for both sides
Quoted from PinMonk:Meh. Don't get too hung up on the play count. The amount of documented work needed was mostly minor. I'd buy star trek pros at $3200 all day long in this condition. Could have easily got $3700-$3900. $3200 is an extremely good deal for the machine documented here.
Thanks!
It did need a warp ramp replacement. I had the ramp. But it was cracked but never effected game play.
The back light wasn't working and I replaces starter, bulb and ballast. Not sure what that was.
Flippers were worn out
A bit of playfield wear at drop target.
All. In all I figured it needed $200-300 in work and 5-8 in work to get it to the $4,000 mark. Maybe I'm too fair Haha!
Quoted from northvibe:yes! same. I'd also say it is nice to see an Op sell at a "normal"/good price. Although, that also helps to sell the game faster :-p
Yes I had a cash in hand offer. I figured if take the cash, give the buyer a great deal and save myself a bunch of time fielding offers for trades and offers under 3200 anyway haha!
Quoted from MRG:Im curious. What was the total net profit from routing this game? $7500 - 8000?
Probably 6k after sell of game, parts and labor
Quoted from bernieberg:I purchased the Metallica from Okarcades about 6 months ago. I fixed up a few issues on it (not many, it was in good shape) and am about to put it back out at a new location.
Take over the thread!!!
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Mitchell, SD