Price Check - Power Play (Bobby Orr)

jphillip5

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I have a chance to pick up a Bally Power Play machine. Here's what I know about the machine...it's not working and is missing the playfield glass and front rail. I assume I can get the playfield glass replaced easily, how about the front rail?

A couple of low quality pictures...wish I could get some better shots:
 

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Not working I'd offer $200 to $250 tops. Who knows what you're going to need to do to get it working. Could have battery leakage/damaged MPU board, could have burnt/fucked up power transformer board, could have problems with solenoid regulator board, displays, or lamp driver board.

The playfield glass is easy. Just go to a local glass company and have them cut a sheet of plate glass to 21" by 43" by 3/16" thick and sand the cut edges. Should cost about $40.

The front moulding (a.k.a. "lockdown" ) has been reproduced and is available from most pinball parts suppliers for around $50 I think.

Be sure to read the Bally pinball repair guide at marvin3m.com
 
It's a desirable game and it's an easy game to sell. Especially in the Chicago area or Canada. I would go as high as $400-$500 personally (assuming it's complete other than what you mentioned) but I would try to start around where others have mentioned as far as making offers. Looks like the playfield is in good condition. $250 or under would be an absolute steal.
 
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The playfield glass is easy. Just go to a local glass company and have them cut a sheet of plate glass to 21" by 43" by 3/16" thick and sand the cut edges. Should cost about $40.

Ken is the man, but this I whole heartedly disagree with. Get tempered glass, NEVER use plate glass. Plate glass is freakin dangerous. Tempered will still only cost about $40 if you get it locally or about $20 if you buy it from a bulk deal at a pinball show.

Unless of course, you don't mind if your friends/family get seriously injured if it breaks, and don't mind a huge liability.

Wade
 
I don't want to get into another one of those safety vs plate arguments again.

As a professional who has worked for several operators and had to cleanup the mess of safety glass, I only install plate glass. All of the operators I know hate safety glass and they only use plate glass.

You are free to choose whatever type you want.
 
Ken is the man, but this I whole heartedly disagree with. Get tempered glass, NEVER use plate glass. Plate glass is freakin dangerous. Tempered will still only cost about $40 if you get it locally or about $20 if you buy it from a bulk deal at a pinball show.

Unless of course, you don't mind if your friends/family get seriously injured if it breaks, and don't mind a huge liability.

Wade
This is a ridiculous statement. First of all I've owned over 30 pinball machines and never had a glass break and probably 25% of them have plate glass. That being said should we take all of the windows out of our houses and replace them with tempered glass for fear that somebody might break one and get hurt? Or better yet maybee throw away all drinking glasses , mirrors ,light bulbs, picture frames, glass jars, casseroll dishes, glass bottles,Glass on the china cabinet,ect. If I need glass replacement I buy plate glass, and if I get around a dealer I'll pick up a couple used tempered sheets. Might want to rethink your logic.

Glennon
 
This is a ridiculous statement. First of all I've owned over 30 pinball machines and never had a glass break and probably 25% of them have plate glass. That being said should we take all of the windows out of our houses and replace them with tempered glass for fear that somebody might break one and get hurt? Or better yet maybee throw away all drinking glasses , mirrors ,light bulbs, picture frames, glass jars, casseroll dishes, glass bottles,Glass on the china cabinet,ect. If I need glass replacement I buy plate glass, and if I get around a dealer I'll pick up a couple used tempered sheets. Might want to rethink your logic.

Glennon

That all makes perfect sense to me...except i do not hurdle metal balls at high speeds around the glass in those applications.

I say we do what we all feel comfortable with, you having plate glass in your games does not affect me in the slightest :)
 
I'm not suggesting anyone remove all the plate glass in their house. We're talking about a pinball machine that's already missing the glass. It's a toy that people often pound on, and the glass is near (or touching) the player's hands. To knowingly install plate glass is lazy, ignorant, and/or cheap. All at the risk of safety.

The difference in price should be fairly small (well worth the expense), tempered glass is much stronger, and IF it does break, it isn't unsafe, nor does it leave a huge gash in the playfield like plate glass is prone to doing. So it's harder (and safe) to clean up... big deal. The safety benefit far outweighs that inconvenience.

"If I need glass replacement I buy plate glass, and if I get around a dealer I'll pick up a couple used tempered sheets." This is exactly what I mean about it being due to being lazy, ignorant, or cheap. Which is your biggest concern, being cheap? Obviously safety is real low on your list. Do you cut off your ground prongs too because you're too lazy/cheap to use a proper adapter or install a $2 power plug?

There's a good reason why pins and videos come with tempered glass, ground prongs, ground braid, and other safety devices. It's not because the manufacturer is trying to spend money where it isn't needed.

Wade
 
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Thanks to all that have replied. I've made, what I consider a "fair" offer on the machine. I'll make my own decision on the glass I decide to place on it. Spare yourselves the debate.
 
I'm not suggesting anyone remove all the plate glass in their house. We're talking about a pinball machine that's already missing the glass. It's a toy that people often pound on, and the glass is near (or touching) the player's hands. To knowingly install plate glass is lazy, ignorant, and/or cheap. All at the risk of safety.

The difference in price should be fairly small (well worth the expense), tempered glass is much stronger, and IF it does break, it isn't unsafe, nor does it leave a huge gash in the playfield like plate glass is prone to doing. So it's harder (and safe) to clean up... big deal. The safety benefit far outweighs that inconvenience.

"If I need glass replacement I buy plate glass, and if I get around a dealer I'll pick up a couple used tempered sheets." This is exactly what I mean about it being due to being lazy, ignorant, or cheap. Which is your biggest concern, being cheap? Obviously safety is real low on your list. Do you cut off your ground prongs too because you're too lazy/cheap to use a proper adapter or install a $2 power plug?

There's a good reason why pins and videos come with tempered glass, ground prongs, ground braid, and other safety devices. It's not because the manufacturer is trying to spend money where it isn't needed.

Wade
Guess I better wear my safety glasses while playing too, might get one of those little pieces of glass in my eye and go blind. Cheap ,ignorant and lazy? Thanks for the kind words. Really how many times have you seen pinball glass break?
Glennon
 
i would be very surprised if you got a powerplay for 150.00 or 250.00,usually 400-500 in the NY area for non working,very desirable title,i have an extra lockdown bar from a power play if you get the game.
 
I made an offer and he accepted. Just trying to work out pickup details now. I don't want to jinx myself, so I'll keep the offer to myself until I actually have it in my hands. I'm pretty excited...I haven't owned a pin in 15 years or so. Once I pick it up, I'll shoot you a PM about the lockdown bar.
 
Picked this up today for $200. It's in decent shape but needs a good cleaning. The backglass has very minimal flaking. I'll be applying Triple Thick hopefully this weekend. The machine is complete except for the previously mentioned glass and lockdown bar.

It powers on and I can occassionally get it to play, however not much works on the playfield except for the flippers, lights and sound. A few of the rollovers work as well. I'm in the process of reading Marvin's repair guides....a lot of information to digest. I'll post some pictures in the next day or two.
 
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