First pinball purchase advise

chuchunesme

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Hey all, I'm currently working on setting up a home arcade and decided I need to add a pinball to the mix. I'm doing this because I'm 40 going on 12, I love video games and I want my kids to have the experience with arcade games I had. You see games around but most are in crap condition, I'm working hard to get all mine as close to 100% as I can. I came across a Tales from the Crypt pinball in good shape, it needs rubbers and a cleaning, maybe a few bulbs but other than that its nice. I can snatch it for $700, from what I see that's a great price for a modern pinball. Any advise on what to check before purchase that could be a potential problem? Thanks in advance and I look forward to learning a thing or two from this place!
 
Tales from the Crypt pinball in good shape, it needs rubbers and a cleaning, maybe a few bulbs but other than that its nice.

rubber, cleaning, lamps will never be done. I have had many pins and the thing that you are ALWAYS stuck with is playwear on he playfield and moving rash on the outside of the game. Everthing else can be fixed or replaced.

Price is an personal thing. It can be drivin by your own interest and availability.
 
Only issue I ever have with my TFTC is the drop targets - they break from time to time. I've probably replaced at least 4 targets on mine since I've had it (about 7 or 8 years). Beyond that - pretty solid pin. I'd get a Cliffy protector for the scoop, as it gets eaten up otherwise.

One of Data Easts best pins, and $700 is a good price assuming it just needs shopping, has a good DMD, and is in good shape otherwise.
 
Tales from the Crypt for 700 bucks.

Run, do not walk, and snatch that pin up right now.

TFTC is one of Data East's best pins, and if you like the theme, is super-fun to have and play. 700 is an incredible bargain for a working TFTC in any kind of decent shape.

I have a beautiful fully shopped TFTC, lots of new parts and full LED conversion and there is no chance in hell I'd take less than 2000 for mine.

And it's not for sale.

If you pick it up, I can help you get it 100%.

RussMyers

Hey all, I'm currently working on setting up a home arcade and decided I need to add a pinball to the mix. I'm doing this because I'm 40 going on 12, I love video games and I want my kids to have the experience with arcade games I had. You see games around but most are in crap condition, I'm working hard to get all mine as close to 100% as I can. I came across a Tales from the Crypt pinball in good shape, it needs rubbers and a cleaning, maybe a few bulbs but other than that its nice. I can snatch it for $700, from what I see that's a great price for a modern pinball. Any advise on what to check before purchase that could be a potential problem? Thanks in advance and I look forward to learning a thing or two from this place!
 
Something you should ALWAYS check before buying an electronic pinball:

Batteries on the CPU board. Look for leakage/corrosion/acid damage.

Connectors on power supply board. Look for signs of burning/burnt connectors.

Raise playfield and look at all coil wrappers for any signs of coil burning.
 
I have a lot of articles on my site for pinball newbies.. hope you'll learn a bit from these.

Price seems ok if it works well, check the batteries have not leaked and the dmd is fine, as these are the most expensive to fix.
 
There's a lot of FUN DE games. The one thing that kills these games is the themes. WWF and Last Action Hero are simply awesome games.
They get snubbed badly IMHO due to the lame themes.

$700 for a TFTC is a great price if all it needs is a good shop job and maybe a few small repairs.

On a side note, I'm amazed how many machines that never had the service bulletins done to them.
Ensure you do/check them.
http://sternpinball.com/ServiceBulletins.shtml#93
http://sternpinball.com/ServiceBulletins.shtml#94
 
Thanks for the tips, I'll be going over it carefully before the purchase. I did spend a little time checking it out and made sure everything was working. Lucky for me the guy doesn't have it advertised anywhere for sale. I purchased some other games from him and didn't have the cash for it but now I'm ready to buy. I was trying to decide if I should grab a pair of Cruis'n USA's or the pinball since they are both the same price. I currently have a Rush 2049 so I do have a driving game but that's the one everybody plays right now. The nice thing is I know its not going anywhere so if I do decide to grab the racing games I can go back for it in a month or two.
 
thats a great price for a tales from the crypt if its just dirty and needs cleaned and but WORKS. i would really run to get that one if it works......i have been looking for one.....and am looking for $900 and under.....but everyone wants $1500 -$1300
 
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