Pinball Newbie

[Brian M Davis]

Hi, folks!

I'm in Albemarle and have picked up my first flipper machine. I
started with two bingos, thinking it would be an easy way to get my
feet wet. My Bally Twin Joker needed little work and, other than some
cosmetics on the body, is near completion. My Bally Safari is another
story. I've found that this is possibly the most complex machine that
Bally has ever produced and that I'm probably not experienced enough
to take this one on just yet. I think I need to know how to read
schematics to tackle this one. I plan to learn, but I'll probably end
up selling this one and picking up another flipper.

My first flipper machine is Gottlieb's Drop-a-Card. I liked it simply
for the playing card theme. There seems to be a lot more about the
restoration of flipper machines on the internet than of bingos, so I'm
hoping that this restoration will come along more quickly.

Can anyone recommend a good publication for learning basic
schematics?

Any other advice for a new pinball enthusiast?

Brian M. Davis
Albemarle, NC

[Don Shoemaker]

You are doing it backwards. Bingos are like EMs on steroids, so it's
easier if you start with an electro-mechanical pin first. Here are a
few links that may help...

For overall info on pins, get the rec.games.pinball FAQ, available at
www.mrpinball.com. It has links to parts vendors that sell books and
repair guides.

Clay Harrell has a series of free repair guides at www.pinrepair.com.

Jeff Lawton is Mr. Bingo and has several books on them. Gameroom
Magazine has some listed on their site -- www.gameroommagazine.com.

If you have specific questions, you can usually get good advice on the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. There's a bit more noise/bs there than in
the past, but still lots of good people that can help.

[Hooked]

welcome to the madness.

Robert
Hooked.

[Brian M Davis]

Thanks, Don... Robert.

Great links! ... and welcomes are always nice!