Theater of Magic - Working on the Trunk (part 1) - Installing new trunk boards PinballHelp 2023-07-22 | I'm finally getting around to fixing my Bally Theater of Magic pinball. In this case, as is typical, the trunk stopped working. The trunk is not working at all, so let's find out what's wrong and I'll also go into replacing the trunk opto board with a new and improved, German-made board. Will this fix all the problems? Watch and see....For more, visit pinballhelp.comPart 2: youtu.be/y_GmZzdzS7I
Repairing a vintage Atari Star Wars - Part 3: conflicts with WG6100 monitor rebuild kit info PinballHelp 2023-09-20 | In this video I update my progress rebuilding a vintage Atari Star Wars arcade game. At this point I'm going over the Wells-Gardner WG6100 color X-Y vector monitor and rebuilding all the boards, but I've run into a problem with various rebuild kits showing conflicting information. Here's how I dealt with it.Part 1: youtu.be/GoEKT7DSpRo
Timelapse of working on Wells-Gardner WG6100 Deflector Board PinballHelp 2023-09-17 | This is a quick little time lapse of me partially working on rebuilding a WB6100 color X-Y monitor deflector board. This is before I installed the LV-2000 low-voltage board.For more details see the project associated with this here: http://pinballhelp.com/repairing-restoring-an-atari-star-wars-arcade
Repairing a vintage Atari Star Wars Arcade Game - Part 2 - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-09-15 | Here's an update on this project to rebuild all the electronics in an Atari Star Wars arcade cabinet. Part 1: youtu.be/GoEKT7DSpRoPart 3: youtu.be/6OT8FVJ7qXoBe sure to subscribe!
Repairing a vintage Atari Star Wars Arcade Game - Part 1 - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-09-15 | It's another episode of "video game help" not pinball help, but this game was part of a trade deal and I'm going to try to bring it back to life. This is part 1 of an ongoing series where go through the game and rebuild all the major components.Part 2: youtu.be/fGbNknmc3cgPlease be sure to subscribe!
Tips on how to desolder components from circuit boards - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-09-14 | I'm doing some board work and wanted to do an update on my progress desoldering components and what I've learned.
Retrofitting a Ms Pac arcade with the Bitkit2 MPU board - (Ms Pac Repair Part 2) PinballHelp 2023-08-22 | In this second part of our Ms Pac repair series, I demo a new technology called the "BitKit2" that allows you to easily replace the MPU board with a FPGA controller that runs the original game roms, and has a bunch of extra features. Part 1: youtu.be/pt_Nlz9Kp8g
Repairing a Ms Pac Man Arcade (Part 1) - www.PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-08-22 | Today in the club I've got a beat up, original Ms Pac arcade game from a local bar. The owner of the bar wants it fixed and back online for people to play. So this is not a "restoration" as much as it's a basic "repair". I go over what the client wants and what we're going to do. There are also a few surprises as you'll see... in the next part, I end up retro-modding the game to make it even cooler.One correction: on the Bitkit2, you do need to separately connect the power supply to the converter board. That converter board does not pull voltage from the Ms Pac harness to the Jamma side - it gets power from the molex .156" connectors instead.Part 2: youtu.be/MTn5oKVDVNM
I found a great upgrade for lighting arcade/pinball marquees - www.PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-08-07 | As work continues repairing this Frogger video arcade, I was planning to do a video on retrofitting the 18" T8 flourescent bulb that lights the marquee with an LED (and removing the ballast wiring) which is also used on some pinball machines from the 2000s, I discovered an even better lighting option you can probably find at your local Lowes. Check it out.More details and a link to the bulb can be found here:http://pinballhelp.com/a-great-upgrade-for-lighting-arcades-pinballsBe sure to subscribe! Thanks for Watching!
Frogger arcade game repair - Part 3 - www.PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-08-05 | Work continues on trying to get the Frogger arcade game working. In this video I show how I installed a flat screen lcd/led monitor and how it was mounted and wired up.Be sure to subscribe - thanks for watching!Part 1: youtu.be/yZp1M5tcwP4Part 2: youtu.be/eM5HXl26EkI
Frogger arcade game repair - Part 2 - www.PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-08-03 | Work continues on trying to get the Frogger arcade game working. The game was not booting up and the monitor is going to be replaced.In the next video I'll go into more detail different components and how to wire up the flat screen - and the video wiring and how it works.Be sure to subscribe - thanks for watching!Part 1: youtu.be/yZp1M5tcwP4Part 3: tba
Frogger Arcade Game Repair - Part 1 - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-08-03 | This is a short video showing the "before" of this Frogger arcade game that we're going to try and bring back to life so it can return to the French Quarter bar that it was in. Obviously this is not a museum piece - it's an actual, original game that's been out there on location for decades and the owner wants it back working so people in his bar can play. Let's see what we can do...Part 2: youtu.be/eM5HXl26EkIPlease subscribe! Thanks for watching!
Diagnosing Opto Problems On Stern WPT - World Poker Tour Pinball (Part 3) - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-07-27 | Here's the last video in the series... and I discover a weird behavior with these optos (the receiver) - interesting to find out what's the cause of this?Part 2: youtu.be/pwyugObwcdAPart 1: youtu.be/FDt8KXX2t8w
Diagnosing Opto Problems On Stern WPT - World Poker Tour Pinball (Part 2) - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-07-27 | Work continues and I identify the problem with the optos in this video.Part 1: youtu.be/FDt8KXX2t8w
Theater of Magic - Working on the Trunk (part 3) - All done! PinballHelp 2023-07-23 | We finally got everything working on the Theater of Magic pinball - here's a summary of everything that's been done, along with an odd problem I had with an aftermarket proximity sensor.
Theater of Magic - Working on the Trunk (part 2) - installing Cliffy Protectors PinballHelp 2023-07-23 | Work continues on the Bally Theater of Magic pinball - in this case, we've figured out why the trucnk wasn't working even after installing a brand new, improved, aftermarket trunk board. The motor driver controller was shot! Now, while we're bulletproofing the game, this is a good time to install the special Cliffy Protectors around the trunk to make sure there's no damage to the plafield. In this video I go over how to lift the trunk out to be able to do this, among other things.Part 1: youtu.be/TtQr4-OSXOQPart 3: youtu.be/Iqt7tVfzn0c
Diagnosing Opto Problems On Stern WPT - World Poker Tour Pinball (Part 1) - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-07-04 | In this video I showcase a quick way I found a weird problem with the WPT pinball. It would randomly advance the poker hands despite hitting the required shots. The left and right ramp shots advance the poker hand, so it had to be one of those, and the common culprit are these optos.For more visit: https://PinballHelp.com
Another problem with Simpsons Pinball Party (Part 5) PinballHelp 2023-06-30 | I finally solve the problem!Occam's Razor once again prevailed.I also learned something special about this particular generation of opto switches on Stern - they do not use separate transmitter/receiver LEDs... and these LEDs are NOT compatible with other more modern optos. These are some odd, likely obsolete LEDs that can be used as BOTH transmitter AND receiver. That's pretty wild (and potentially clever in terms of BoM provided they're inexpensive, but right now, these LEDs are harder to find and cost more than separate transmitters/receivers - in many cases it's almost as cheap to just by replacement boards than it is to get the individual LEDs and replace them.).Part 1: youtu.be/qH7M-ml2z-kPart 2: youtu.be/g6oVBCjjhtwPart 3: youtu.be/ivlFKijRZuoPart 4: youtu.be/FoBvPVRI8Rc
Another problem with Simpsons Pinball Party (Part 4) PinballHelp 2023-06-30 | Work continues on TSPP as I try to find the cause of a weird issue where extra balls are dumped into the shooter lane... is this a switch matrix issue or something else?Part 1: youtu.be/qH7M-ml2z-kPart 2: youtu.be/g6oVBCjjhtwPart 3: youtu.be/ivlFKijRZuoPart 4: youtu.be/FoBvPVRI8RcPart 5: youtu.be/qbZ9QIP41_oBe sure to subscribe!
Another problem with Simpsons Pinball Party? (Part 3) PinballHelp 2023-06-30 | Just when I thought everything was fixed on the Stern TSPP pinball but there was another problem I was told about. Let's see if I can find the problem people were saying was happening with the game?Part 1: youtu.be/qH7M-ml2z-kPart 2: youtu.be/g6oVBCjjhtwPart 3: youtu.be/ivlFKijRZuoPart 4: youtu.be/FoBvPVRI8Rc
Diagnosing coil problems on a Simpsons Pinball Party (Part 2) PinballHelp 2023-06-25 | After finding a weird array of solenoids not working on TSPP, we dive in and try to fix things. Does it work?Part 1 is here: youtu.be/qH7M-ml2z-kPart 3 is here: youtu.be/ivlFKijRZuo
Diagnosing coil problems on a Simpsons Pinball Party (Part 1) PinballHelp 2023-06-24 | An odd assortment of things are wrong on this TSPP pinball machine. Are they related? Let's look into what's wrong and where we should look to fix things?Part 2 is here: youtu.be/g6oVBCjjhtwBe sure to subscribe
How difference in pinball designs affect game reliability - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-04-09 | This is a short video I show while working on games and noticed an interesting issue with a particular game, that I think is the result of design problems. An isolated incident.. could be mitigated with tighter rubber, but I do think it demonstrates some minor things with pinball design that can improve on-location reliability.
Progress update on Stern Seawitch Restoration - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-02-17 | Here's another short update on what's been done on the Stern Seawitch... it's coming along slowly but surely. Thanks for everybody's support and be sure to subscribe!
Continued work on Stern Seawitch Pinball - outline of restoration process - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2023-01-27 | Here's an update on the restoration of this Stern Seawitch project. Now that much of the parts are in, here's an overview, a "before" video. If you like these videos please consider subscribing! Thanks for watching!www.PinballHelp.com
More quality control issues at Stern? PinballHelp 2023-01-26 | Some of these new parts are SO delicate they're very easy to break. In this case, after having a start button break, I ordered a new one, and broke that on in the process of simply testing how the light/switch insert went into the button assembly! This is way too fragile. Be warned... be VERY careful if you mess with the start button inner assembly. One tiny turn in the wrong direction renders the entire assembly broken. My solution was to use EPOXY to glue the switch/light assembly to the button frame.For more visit www.PinballHelp.com
Stern Rush Pinball - First (and second) impressions! - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2022-12-08 | I chose to get a Rush pinball instead of the new James Bond. Here's my explanation why and my first impression with the game (as well as a kind of second impression based on owning it for a week).I'm going to say a few things about this game that might shock people -- it kind of shocked me as well...For more, visit pinballhelp.com
A sad fix to a $7000 pinball game that has poor alignment? PinballHelp 2022-12-06 | This is an odd problem that I came across with a brand new pinball machine. Is there a better way to fix this? Why allow for the playfield to move around so much inside the cabinet and go out of alignment with the shooter rod?For more, visit https://PinballHelp.com
First look at a Stern Seawitch pulled from a storage building PinballHelp 2022-12-02 | Someone brought this in today out of a storage building. When they say, "It worked when we put it up", this is why I'm usually skeptical..For more visit: pinballhelp.com and please subscribe! Thanks!
Something crazy happened in the pinball arcade... PinballHelp 2022-11-27 | This is a spontaneous video I shot where I discovered something crazy... check it out..
Minor tweaking to make Godzilla pinball work better PinballHelp 2022-11-26 | Our Godzilla Pro had a problem out of the box... but a minor tweak fixed it. Wonder if anybody else has run into this problem?Much appreciated if you would subscribe!
A look inside the new Multimorphic P3 systems: Heist and Weird Als Museum of Natural Hilarity PinballHelp 2022-11-17 | Designer Stephen Silver shows us the insides of the newest P3 pinball machines: Heist and Weird Al. Be sure to subscribe!
First impressions of the new James Bond pinball machine.. some concerns arise.. PinballHelp 2022-11-15 | NOTE: This is just an initial "first impression" and I reserve the right to change my mind - the code is very early and obviously unfinished. I've had a chance to put a dozen or so games onto the new James Bond in both the pro and the premium and I thought I might jot down my first impressions because that is also what casual players are first-time players might experience. so here are my thoughts.Also, after I did this video, I probably put another 40+ games on both the pro and the premium versions. I still think my initial first impression holds... HOWEVER, I seem to recall I had some similar concerns with Gomez' design on Deadpool (specifically the cross-playfield katana shot that I thought was going to be very difficult to achieve and frustrate players -- however, that shot ended up NOT being a critical shot in the game's progress so even though it was difficult, it wasn't required). This may be the same situation with the far left ramp shot (that feeds Jet Pack Multiball) but it also seems that this shot may be needed to qualify some of the modes -- not sure, but if that's the case, it becomes more difficult. I do know that Gomez can turn around things like this with tweaks to the ruleset, but I continue to feel, the feed from the plunger/pops to the slings creates a high degree of drains without getting flippers on the ball. This will be a game to watch to see if they can address this via the ruleset... I just don't know.Be sure to subscribe and visit www.PinballHelp.com
2022 Houston arcade expo swap meet walk thru PinballHelp 2022-11-12 | quick glimpse of Saturday morning's swap meet
2022 Houston arcade expo walkthrough PinballHelp 2022-11-12 | here's a walkthrough of the opening day of the 2022 Houston arcade expo
Houston Arcade Expo setup walkthru PinballHelp 2022-11-11 | a behind the scenes of the setup of the Houston arcade expo 2022
Are Pinball Rules Becoming TOO Complicated? - Pinball Philosophy PinballHelp 2022-10-31 | Ok, here's an interesting discussion I've wanted to do for awhile. What are your thoughts on rulesets and how deep they have become? Do you think you should have to study 20+ pages of instructions in order to fully-enjoy what a pinball machine has to offer? Do you think competitive pinball has evolved from a game of mostly skill, to a game of mostly knowledge and who has more money and resources? Here are some items to discuss debate - let's take it to comments!And as always, much appreciated if you subscribe and hit like and all that stuff!PinballHelp.com
Occams Razor Pinball Fixes - When the answer is too simple.. PinballHelp 2022-10-27 | I was having weird things happen with my Twilight Zone... what was causing the problem? Optos? Switch Matrix problems? Connectors? LOL... nopeBe sure to subscribe! Thanks so much for watching!www.PinballHelp.com
What has happened to my WOZ LE backglass? This isnt good! PinballHelp 2022-10-22 | I make a shocking discovery about my Wizard of Oz, ECLE pinball. If you own a WOZ LE pinball, you might want to take a look and see if this is happening to your game.Additional pictures here; http://pinballhelp.com/what-happened-to-my-woz-le-backglassAnybody else experienced this? Leave a comment!
Arkadia in Fayetteville Arkansas - Arcade Walk Thru PinballHelp 2022-10-21 | Here's another in our series of "arcade walk-thrus" - in this case, the huge retro arcade called, "Arkadia" located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Join me in a quick (although not too quick because the place is huge) look around the place.Do you have some places I should do a walk-thru of? Leave a comment!For more visit www.PinballHelp.com
Pinball Philosophy: Sucker Shots - The art of risk vs reward - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2022-08-07 | In this episode of PinballHelp's Pinball Philosophy, I tackle a universal issue with all pinball games: sucker shots - those shots people love to shoot, that are high risk. Thinking about ball movement and angles will help you understand what to shoot for, and sometimes, what to avoid, to be a better pinball player.For more visit: https://pinballHelp.com
Flippers arcade, outer Banks, North Carolina - walkthrough PinballHelp 2022-07-31 | What happens when you stumble upon a laundromat and convenience store that has one of the most impressive collections of pinball machines anywhere? Check it out!.
Decades arcade in Charlottesville Virginia walkthrough PinballHelp 2022-07-29 | here is another walkthrough of an amazing arcade in Charlottesville VA called "Decades."
Roanoke Pinball Museum, Roanoke, VA - walkthrough PinballHelp 2022-07-28 | dropped by the Roanoke pinball museum in Roanoke Virginia and did a quick walk thru... until the head of the museum Nick walked in and interrupted us which was a pleasant surprise. In any case here's a short video just showing what's in the museum. apologies for its brevity.
First Impressions: Which is better? Godzilla Pro or Premium? PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2022-07-20 | Sorry for not uploading more content recently - been really busy but cool things happening - here's a short video of my first impressions with Godzilla - hope you enjoy!For more please subscribe!
First Look (part 3) - how to replace bulbs in the head? Zaccaria Farfalla Pinball - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2022-04-28 | Another project rolls into the workshop. This time it's really super cool! My first Italian Zaccaria game, and one of the best! Farfalla! Watch over my shoulder as I take a look at the condition of this game and see what's there and what may need to be done?In this short video, I point out something that seems odd... that there appears to be no easy way to service the light bulbs in the head. Comment if I'm missing something?Part 1: youtu.be/lmhOoaMHDb4Part 2: youtu.be/S93NplgKCsYBe sure to subscribe! youtube.com/pinballhelp?sub_confirmation=1
First Look (part 2) - Zaccaria Farfalla Pinball from Italy! - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2022-04-28 | Another project rolls into the workshop. This time it's really super cool! My first Italian Zaccaria game, and one of the best! Farfalla! Watch over my shoulder as I take a look at the condition of this game and see what's there and what may need to be done?In this video I point out what I think are some odd idiosyncrasies associated with the way this game is put together.This is also a good indication of how to approach working on a game when you're not 100% familiar with the architecture, or you're not sure what condition the game is actually in. So this will be a bit slow to start.Part 1: youtu.be/lmhOoaMHDb4Part 3: youtu.be/_BXuidVF0r0Be sure to subscribe! youtube.com/pinballhelp?sub_confirmation=1
Gottlieb Top Score (300), fixing various problems - Pt 4 - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2022-02-28 | As work continues on the Gottlieb "Top Score" (also known as "300") pinball machine, talk about my haphazard way of getting the machine working. For more see: http://PinballHelp.com/Part 1: youtu.be/UKvWdwwthjoPart 5: youtu.be/deeuET_MRj4
How To: Easily replace pinball light bulbs, even hard to get ones - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2022-02-25 | This is a simple trick you can use to easily remove and replace light bulbs in most pinball machines, especially the 44/47 bayonet type bulbs which are the most common.For more visit https://PinballHelp.com and be sure to subscribe!
Gottlieb Caveman progress and overview of ground mods - PinballHelp.com PinballHelp 2022-02-22 | Here's a short video on my progress with Gottlieb Caveman - a unique hybrid pinball/video game. I outline the modifications made to the ground system on the board and what's been done and is left to do.For more details on the system80 ground mods and detailed pictures see:http://pinballhelp.com/recommended-gottlieb-system-80-ground-mods-haunted-house-part-9Be sure to subscribe!
