Whatever happened to Tim's personal bowling ball pyramid?
Does he still have it in his backyard?
I always thought that was interesting as he gave the donations to buy the balls.

Willy Wonka is a good anology in this case. All pinball collectors at this stage are hoarders, it is just the way is, and parting collections loses historical significance as they are spread four sheets to the wind.

However, he is completely correct regarding those left that have the technical knowledge to repair machines, especially those with outdated electronic PCBs that have yet to be remade, or EMs that are being told by electrical engineers they are "too hard to understand"?
Knowledge is fleeting, almost to the point of sadness.

I hope he finds the right person, or at least get the games packed up in protected storage, instead of what happened to Gene Cuttingham.

tim5_(resized).jpg

Finding pinball technicians that have the full spectrum of experience from EMs to modern SS is much harder than people may realize, even in Vegas. Particularly at "bargain bin" hourly wages. Young retirees or financially independent people would be a good hedge, but they are not necessarily common together in tandem.

Electronic PCB repairs do not work well on YouTube videos, and is not something that can be taught quickly to college kids.
They do not train on these types of circuits, repairs, or parts, nor do they want to overall.
Understanding basic circuit theory, yes, but repair of a archaic Bally 6803 MPU master board?
EM restoration is works fine, but this time based with patience, and many do not have the patience to learn.
Watching a new restorer repair an EM score reel is an object of frustration for both sides.
Soldering for example is an art, and microboard component soldering takes practice, skill, and the right tools.
This is not soldering a coil, or exchanging MOLEX pins.

The biggest challenge that remains are the circumstances, it is very hard to earn Tim's trust by newcomers, and would take a certain amount of enthusiastic diplomacy, otherwise he would just give them the "$#%@ off" look.
I know, catch 22.
He needs more permanent help on a daily basis or eventually it will get shuttered when he moves on.
Nobody wants to see that happen.

"Seattle Pinball Museum"
http://www.seattlepinballmuseum.com/

Sometimes the best tricks are the old tricks.
The "museum" has received "free machines to maintain history" as well.
Its a free enterprise, capitalistic world in those countries that can do it.

NOTE: This location is NOT non-profit...but kudos...

Yes, he moved to CO. I helped him out several times and give versa for coin op parts. This is one of the reason why collectors don't publicize what they own in terms of collections. People overreact, sometimes with hate. This video is just a collection review after he moved to CO. The old Channel 8 "retribution" video after the FL city council attacked him is missing.

What made his collection special is WHAT he owned, not HOW MUCH he owned, as there are a ton of larger collectors in the USA alone. Interview had some errors.

I remember when I had 55+ pinball machines set up in my machine shop in the early 2000s. People really don't have any idea how much space they can really take up. That many machines side by side is over 200 feet (a few inches between each backbox) of you keep moving down the line in one direction.

Some people are just very critical.