SHUFFLE ALLEY need help possible pickup !

gamer12

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I maybe picking up a united/ Williams astrodome shuffle alley bowler...I need to know how one of these comes apart and what is a good price?

Please give me advice and info on shuffle alleys
THANKS
 
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gamer12

I see you collect vids so I'm going to give you a lot of advice since EM is a different creature.

Yes it does come apart - lane from backbox.

You'll need some (fractional) ratches, extentions, sockets, and a few guys. If the current owner does not have keys plan on bringing a drill and drill bits. You'll have to drill it out to get to the bolts in the back door to separate the lane from the back box.

A few words of caution - the backbox is top heavy - make sure you disconnect the jones connectors first. Jones connectors are not an easy item to find and they're not available off the shelf if you break them. Make sure you look under the pinhood there may be one bolt on each side and additional jones connectors to disassemble.

You can also separate the legs from the lane.

Most of the time the coinbox can also be separated. Take pics so you know how to reassemble. However again you must disconnect the jones plug. Few guys on each side of the lane to slide it out and atleast one to stabilize the backbox. Puck Alleys are a blast and the one your after has a flash game which makes it more fun with six buddies and of coarse beer...If you need help on the restoration PM me or post I'll keep checking back. I can help as I restored a 67' Midway Cobra and that's about as difficult of a score reel system that you can find out there in EM.

Regarding a BUY price (NOTE - PUCK ALLEYS UNLESS YOU HAVE A TRULY RARE MACHINE THEY'RE NOT COLLECTABLE). Neither is my Midway Cobra. I bought mine as a collector for variety and to learn how to restore EM games.

So my advice is to first research the game. Only found a flyer here - http://www.pinrepair.com/bowl/astrod.jpg - it has five games per the flyer. If the owner states it works and was restored then it should work. Ask the owner how much they play it and if you can play it. The key with EM as it has many moving parts and it must move. Remember this game is 40 years old.

Scenario 1 - If the current owner states it works - plug it in, coin up or if it's set for free play hit start, and select games. This is a six player so credit up six by hitting start six times. Then play a standard game through the first two frames. The step units control the game. It should switch without issue through each frame on all six players. A good mechanical restoration should at least let you do this much.

If that works play a two player flash game. On the pin hood the numbers should flash from left to right and when you hit the roll over switches it should hold and calculate through one frame what it lit it you hit a strike or spare. This will show the owner that you know what your talking about and they'll be less likely to BS you. So if this game works completely and the original artwork, back plexi, and pin plexi is intact - $400 to $600 (people are crazy these days with American Pickers, etc.) so be ready to walk if they ask for an ungodly amount. There are many of these machines out there.

Scenario 2 - Not able to plug it in not assembled or current owner not willing to assemble for you to play. I'd offer much less. $100 for a basket case to $250 for something that looks to be in decent condition.

Last piece of advice is go to the pinrepair.com and study. Too many people jump into EM only to find they dont have the pacients and abandon the game. He's embeded youtube video's on score reels and step units. Watch them they're intricate and unless this machine is truly mechanically restored you'll be investing time. You'll find these need to move freely for the game to work properly.

One last note. Even if it works at the current owners. I've moved games across the room and have had to make an adjustment it's simply the nature of EM. So again you'll invest time but to me that's part of the fun.

Good luck gamer12

OHEMIO
 
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Thanks we looked at the game and it needs new bumpers and the button fixed. It is in ok condition. The guy said that he recently had someone come and fix the pins.

How tall is one of these?

Thanks,

G12
 
Note I added some additional info regarding buy price...please read it...

Nothing on the flyer regarding the dimesions that will provide height. You'll have to ask him. Do you mind me asking how much he wants for this game?

OHEMIO
 
Note I added some additional info regarding buy price...please read it...

Nothing on the flyer regarding the dimesions that will provide height. You'll have to ask him. Do you mind me asking how much he wants for this game?

OHEMIO

He is asking $450
Thanks!

G12
 
He is asking $450
Thanks!

G12

If you do decide to buy ( personally I would pay more than $200 for it, remember it takes up ALOT of space so it won't be an easy sell for him ) the shufflealley/bowler and if you need parts,coils,etc. hit me up - [email protected]

I have worked on many of those alleys if you should need tech help also.

Dave.
 
Shuffle bowlers

I am far from an EM tech but a rather savy buyer. I have bought these for as little as 25 bucks and never over 200. working or not. They are a hard sell though to the right person they are perfect for small rec rooms. If you are buying for yourself stay in the 200 range if it is really really clean, if you are flipping stay in the 100 range. If it's beat, 25 to 50 bucks. They are a dime a dozen and often cost more in headaches and repair than they are worth. The solid state machines are better as they are easier to fix, and can be used as kits for ball bowlers. My opinion for what it's worth. Buyer beware.
 
If you do decide to buy ( personally I would pay more than $200 for it, remember it takes up ALOT of space so it won't be an easy sell for him ) the shufflealley/bowler and if you need parts,coils,etc. hit me up - [email protected]

I have worked on many of those alleys if you should need tech help also.

Dave.

I am far from an EM tech but a rather savy buyer. I have bought these for as little as 25 bucks and never over 200. working or not. They are a hard sell though to the right person they are perfect for small rec rooms. If you are buying for yourself stay in the 200 range if it is really really clean, if you are flipping stay in the 100 range. If it's beat, 25 to 50 bucks. They are a dime a dozen and often cost more in headaches and repair than they are worth. The solid state machines are better as they are easier to fix, and can be used as kits for ball bowlers. My opinion for what it's worth. Buyer beware.

Thanks guys I was thinking of offering 200 for it he doesn't really care about it.

By the way the person I am talking about collects this stuff and when I looked at the game he also had a pinball and coke machine in his garage he collects this stuff!
EDIT: The man has decided to keep the bowler and not sell it...he said that he wanted to fix the game up and make it perfect also that if we got it then it broke he would fell bad-I respect that.
Thanks for the help and I know that I will be back and contact you guys thanks.

G12
 
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Thanks guys I was thinking of offering 200 for it he doesn't really care about it.

By the way the person I am talking about collects this stuff and when I looked at the game he also had a pinball and coke machine in his garage he collects this stuff!
EDIT: The man has decided to keep the bowler and not sell it...he said that he wanted to fix the game up and make it perfect also that if we got it then it broke he would fell bad-I respect that.
Thanks for the help and I know that I will be back and contact you guys thanks.

G12

No biggie for you, I am sure you'll find another one soon for alot cheaper. There is not a big market for those things at all. $250-200 working is where I'd stay at.

Enjoy, Happy 4th of July !!!!

Dave
 
I had a guy that was trying to give me one last month, I checked for you and he did get rid of it. If you see any ads remember you have the power, let them know what you would be willing to pay and tell them to keep your email/phone number if they don't get what they are asking for
 
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