Typically tempered glass will not chip on edges. Chips are a tell all sign it’s not tempered. Glad you got it out safely.

Unfortunately, I’ve had this happen 5 or 6 times on games I’ve picked up. People replace with plate glass because it’s cheaper and more accessible, even at HD or Lowe’s.

Very dangerous, and I get rid of it right away considering I have a 6 year old daughter, and she and her friends play the games frequently.

Even a rogue airball that whacks the glass could shatter it while you’re playing. Glad you got it out of there finally.

Having over 600 machines pass through my hands in the dozen (or so) years I have been in the hobby my experience with glass is about 20% is not tempered. So as stated above it is a good idea to replace your glass if you are not sure. Something else I have learned is almost 100% of woodrail machines will have plate glass in them - so they are the worst.

Up until 1964 the playfield glass wasn’t tempered according to Wayne Neyens.
Pg 162 The Pinball Compendium 1930s-1960s, by Michael Shalhoub

A few taps on the glass with your fingernail should tell you. If it rings it’s not tempered. If it thuds it’s tempered. After you check known samples side by side the difference is obvious.

Whew!!!!!

Was this off the apollo i sold you?

Next time I'd suggest using a large box to "shatter" it.

Glad nobody was impaled!

I remember reading that somewhere also. Plate glass really wasn't all that bad on older machines because flippers were not as strong anyway. Not saying it was a great idea just saying it didn't matter as much. Most people would be surprised how much plate glass is around them everyday. The one that amazes me the most is the thin glass in storm doors is typically plate (or at least it was until just a few years ago).

Modern pinball machines should never have plate glass in them but logic says lots of other stuff shouldn't use plate glass either!

A good friend of mine works at Lowe’s and he tells me lots of crazy stories of people who wanna replace all sorts of shit with some cheapo thin glass they have. They often ask questions and will try to determine if it’s a situation where plate glass is dangerous, like home windows or coffee tables and such. People get pissy and write bad reviews cuz they won’t let them possibly kill themselves with huge chunks of glass

Ya, never even thought to check! Now im going to check all my older games!

I have a Bally em with a replaced glass that is 2 sandwiched sheets. A feeling of plastic like, still the same thickness .

Anyone have an example photos?

They sell raw glass that the consumers cut at home at Home Depot and Lowes?

These people are the same idiots that should also not use a chainsaw.

Really?

Oh damn. And we get a fair few airballs...

Thanks for the warning. Working on a project I just got and saw the glass was chipped in a couple spots. Will replace with a tempered sheet before I put the game back together.

Here's the glass I have. Using the fingernail test posted by YeOldPinPlayer this one does have a ring to it versus a thud.

F9D033A2-95B5-4324-A8E3-3DB485C21475 (resized).jpeg

D9B4055B-793D-449A-B766-AB44A4C8081F (resized).jpeg