Whirlwind or Back to the Future?

[vicjw66]

Some good points from Deadly. WW audio is probably its weakest attribute, though not nearly as annoying as BTTF. Settings can be adjusted. And there will always be differences in taste so a pin should be thoroughly played before purchased. Sure Funhouse is a better pin than WW but costs twice as much. WW is still a great pin IMO. Props to Deadly for not holding back his opinion. Some people on here will go off on you if you have a bad opinion of one of their favorites. (pinball2000 owners?)

 

[Deadly]

I certainly encourage everyone to speak their minds.I absolutely love reading forums, and helping out when possible. Pinball repair is much like life in general. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.
But if you always win, you'll never learn anything.

And FWIW - I had sold a DP'd WW for $1200 and sold an ES for $1200. I started them at $1600 and had zero bites on em.
The pin market is just odd as of late. Economic down turn most likely.

Enjoy them while you can, and when you tire of them let someone else give'em some love.

 

[sohchx]

Whats with this diamond plate version I keep reading about? I keep seeing it mentioned whenever I read about the machine but it is never explained as to what it is or what the differences are.

 

[Deadly]

Whats with this diamond plate version I keep reading about? I keep seeing it mentioned whenever I read about the machine but it is never explained as to what it is or what the differences are.

Rare for one. Won't quote a number because I don't think anyone truly knows but it's estimated under 200.
DP ='s factory clear coated

 

[Robomayhem]

While I'm no pinhead..yet, BTTF was at an expo I attended recently and it was, to say the least, disappointing. And I am a fan of the series for sure. WW was there too, and playing it was much more interesting/fun, IMO.

Maybe the BTTF theme will get some justice one of these days! So many possibilities!

I will add that if I find a Data East BTTF for a good price, I'll snag it, simply because the family and I highly enjoy the flicks.

 

[ballytablewiz]

Pat Lawlor Pinball Really Pushes My Buttons

Whirlwind was my first pin purchase and I will never sell it. I still play the game weekly. I just like everything about it.

What he said

Except, I would sell it to get a similarly nice or nicer DP one.

 

[sohchx]

Rare for one. Won't quote a number because I don't think anyone truly knows but it's estimated under 200.
DP ='s factory clear coated

So the non-diamond plate version had no clear on the playfield?

 

[Deadly]

So the non-diamond plate version had no clear on the playfield?

Correct. These "rare" pf's also are labeled generally behind the right flipper and says, "This playfield is protected by Diamond Plate"

This so called rare pf sure as hell didn't help my price when I sold mine.

 

[Alky]

I might need a BTTF pin if you have one for sale.

 

[mrgone]

im hoping to make whirlwind my next pin. i love that game.i have not played back to the future. one thing to think about is replacment parts. whirlwind parts are easy to find. back to the future parts may not be . i own 2 data east games. i really like them but parts are difficult to find. what ever pin you choose,good luck and enjoy.its all pinball and all good.

 

[sohchx]

Well, I passed on the BTTF earlier this week and pursued the seller of a Whirlwind. Unfortunately the seller is ignoring my calls so I will be looking for one at the local auction next month. I did however pickup four other pins yesterday afternoon. I got a Gladiators,Rollergames,Surf N safari,and a TMNT. I'm pretty sure most of you may consider these to be mediocre titles but the price was to good to pass up. All were pulled from routes and have been owned by the same person since new so they are in great shape outside of the rubbers needing replacement and the kickout holes needing touchup.

 

[blkdog7]

So the non-diamond plate version had no clear on the playfield?

All Williams pins prior to I think terminator had a thin lacquer type clear coat. Diamond Plate is more like an automotive type clear coat and is much more durable. They did a small test of this coating on a few whirlwinds.

 

[Deadly]

Acrylic lacquer to be precise. The pf's were silk screened and if they didn't have anything on them, well that ink sure as hell wouldn't have lasted
It's also why so many B/W titles are completely trashed. They weren't built to last.
In 1988 Williams tried using a different product which is now known as DiamondPlate. Fancy words for "automotive urethane" which clearly lasted/lasts longer. However only a very small run of DP'd tables were done for several titles not just Whirlwind.