Picked up my 1st Pin Yesterday: An EM Williams Pit Stop (Free!)

mhanlen1

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Picked up my 1st Pin Yesterday: An EM Williams Pit Stop (Free!)

So here's my very 1st pin, I picked up yesterday. I had a guy contact me, saying he had a pin without a backglass that was free to a good home- in his warehouse. I was expecting a pile of shit, of course- but I was pleasantly surprised with a good solid machine.

I plan on repainting it. And figuring out how to fix it. I have no idea if it works yet, but everything looks in good shape on the inside. I'll be keeping an eye out for a backglass... maybe someone here has one.

Anyway I began sanding it down last night, in prep for a repaint. I also ordered rubbers off eBay to get a jump on it. I'm pretty excited at the prospect. I was actually hoping my first pin would be an EM, so it worked out great. On a side note, anyone know how to remove the metal covers that run the length of the machine? There aren't any bolt on the inside- and it looks like I'd have to completely disassemble the wooden frame to get it off. Am I overlooking something easy?

Enjoy the pics.
 

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More pics here.
 

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Cool!

Wooden sides will be held on by ring nails. There are a couple of options to remove them. One is to drill the head. Another is to pry them out a little bit then spin them out with vice grips. Should be some info a google search away.

I would probably try to get it working before repaint but that's just me.
 
Cool!

Wooden sides will be held on by ring nails. There are a couple of options to remove them. One is to drill the head. Another is to pry them out a little bit then spin them out with vice grips. Should be some info a google search away.

I would probably try to get it working before repaint but that's just me.

That was it. I went outside, and pried them a bit to where I could get a pair of pliers on them, and pulled them all out. Thanks for the tip.

Well, I so used to getting a non working game, and tackling the cosmetics first, that I went ahead and bought $40 paint without thinking about it. I'm just of the mind set, that I WILL get it working. There's plenty of guides on the net, and everything looks intact (unhacked) and unburnt.

Oh well.
 
That was it. I went outside, and pried them a bit to where I could get a pair of pliers on them, and pulled them all out. Thanks for the tip.

Well, I so used to getting a non working game, and tackling the cosmetics first, that I went ahead and bought $40 paint without thinking about it. I'm just of the mind set, that I WILL get it working. There's plenty of guides on the net, and everything looks intact (unhacked) and unburnt.

Oh well.

I definitely understand your enthusiasm. The only thing I would worry about is damaging the new paint working on the game.

I kind of have the opposite attitude. I like to do all the electronic and mechanical work before the aesthetic work. Not that one is necessarily the "right way". Just how I do it.
 
I agree with Lindsey. Get her working first. Check power cord and fuses and go from there. Cleaning contacts will take a while for sure. Checking bulbs will be a nice chore also. that aged look is cool for a EM anyway for a while. Just my opinion.
 
Well I didn't mean to say that I'm holding off all other maintenance, until I'm done painting. When I got the machine, I ordered rubbers the very first night. It just takes time to get the stuff in... I also got in a second package today with a few parts.

I began painting immediately because the paint was easy to get. I plugged it in yesterday after taking part and waxing the playfield. I got the score motor to spin when I first turned it on and hit the start button. I turned it off and then back on, and then nothing. Just lights. I can hit the left flipper, and I got it to fuction twice, now it just gives a buzzing sound.

I am slowly working my way through the pin repair EM guide. Replaced all of the fuses, and nothings blown so far. Last night I cleaned some of the gummed-up steppers and determined that I have a broken plastic arm on one score reel. Even after cleaning two of the steppers, it still was dead. I'm learning all the terminology, and since I know nothing about pins, I have nothing on hand. So it's a bit tedious, to say the least.

Anyway before I make anymore orders, I need to go through the thing and determine if anything else is broken, otherwise I'll be making orders every other day.

I have realized though that I need to really go through and clean every single contact. While EMs are very straightforward, it seems that sometimes certain problems can mask themselves as other issues.
 
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Before making a separate thread- can anyone point me in the direction of a PDF for the schematics and manual for Pit Stop? I googled, and couldn't find one online. I'd rather download it than spend 15-25 on one. It would really help me determine what parts are called, and what I need to order. Although it's looking like no one place has everything I need.
 
EM advice

Patience is the key to an EM that does not work. Tear down ALL stappers and clean EVERY contact. 99.999% or EM problems result from a dirty contact. People have a problem, lift the hood and think, "Oh Shit" then sell the game. Good score and remember your virtues.

R
 
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