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All 35 articles from Pinball Machines, newest first. Search, filter by topic, or sort to find the one you need.
LatestHow-To Guides
When to Replace Pinballs: How to Spot Chips, Rust and Wear Before They Damage Your Playfield
How to inspect the steel balls in your pinball machine, why chipped or rusty balls damage playfields, how to replace them correctly, and how to store spares.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
When to Replace Pinballs: How to Spot Chips, Rust and Wear Before They Damage Your Playfield
How to inspect the steel balls in your pinball machine, why chipped or rusty balls damage playfields, how to replace them correctly, and how to store spares.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Buying a Pinball Machine on eBay: Questions to Ask Before Bidding
Remote buying works only when the listing gives enough information to separate cosmetic wear from electrical and mechanical risk.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
How to Value a Used Pinball Machine Without Guessing
Pinball value is title-specific, edition-specific and condition-specific. Asking prices provide context; sold evidence and repair needs matter more.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Best Pinball Machines for Home Use: How to Choose Without Chasing Hype
Choose a home pinball machine by reliability, parts support, room fit, rules depth and condition rather than a universal top-ten list.
ComparisonsNov 2, 2026
DMD vs LCD Pinball Machines: What Changes for the Owner?
Understand dot-matrix and LCD pinball displays from the perspective of gameplay, replacement parts, power and long-term ownership.
ComparisonsNov 2, 2026
Electromechanical vs Solid-State Pinball Machines
Compare electromechanical and solid-state pinball through scoring hardware, service style, sound, displays and collector experience.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Moving a Pinball Machine Through Stairs and Doorways
A route-first moving plan for pinball machines, with emphasis on preparation, backbox safety and avoiding cabinet damage.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Pinball Cabinet Fade, Decals and Side Art: Condition Guide
Evaluate pinball cabinet art, sun fade, decal shrinkage and restoration work before you buy.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Pinball Flipper Rebuild Basics: What Wears and What to Inspect
Understand the common wear points in a pinball flipper assembly before ordering parts or blaming the coil.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Pinball Game Room Setup: Lighting, Spacing, Power and Noise
Design a pinball room that is comfortable to play, easy to service and kind to the machines.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Pinball Machine Dimensions, Weight and Space Planning
Measure a pinball machine, doorway route and playing area before pickup day.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Pinball Machine Maintenance Schedule for Home Owners
A practical maintenance rhythm for cleaning, inspection, rubbers, balls, flippers and cabinet checks without over-servicing the machine.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
How to Inspect Pinball Playfield Wear Before Buying
Learn where wear hides on a used pinball playfield and how to separate cleanable dirt from permanent art or clearcoat damage.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Pinball Ramps, Plastics and Parts Availability Before You Buy
Why fragile title-specific parts should be researched before purchasing a pinball project.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Pinball Machine Shipping and Pickup Checklist
Moving damage can turn a good machine into a bad purchase. Plan the backbox, legs, glass, loose balls and loading path before anyone starts carrying.
ComparisonsNov 2, 2026
Restored vs Project Pinball Machine: Which Is the Better Buy?
Compare restored and project pinball machines by uncertainty, labor, originality, parts availability and total cost.
ComparisonsNov 2, 2026
Where to Buy a Used Pinball Machine: Local, Dealer or Online?
A pinball machine is collectible hardware, furniture and freight all at once. The right buying channel depends on inspection, transport and repair tolerance.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
How to Find Pinball Manuals and Schematics, and Where Owners Get Help
How to find the manual and schematics for your pinball machine, what IPDB is and how to use it, and where pinball communities help owners with repairs.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Battery Leakage on Solid State Pinball Boards: How to Spot It and Prevent It
How leaking batteries damage solid state pinball boards, how to spot alkaline corrosion, and why owners move batteries to a remote holder or other safer setup.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
How to Clean and Wax a Pinball Playfield Without Damaging It
A careful, step-by-step guide to cleaning and waxing a pinball playfield at home: what to use, what to avoid, and how to treat worn or uncoated areas.
ComparisonsNov 2, 2026
Pinball Backglass vs Translite: How to Tell Them Apart and Care for Each
The difference between a painted pinball backglass and a translite, why backglass paint flakes, how to clean and store each safely, and what reproductions mean.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Pinball Coils and Fuses Explained: A Safety-First Guide for Owners
How pinball coils and fuses work, why fuses blow, how to replace one with the correct rating, and the safety rules owners should follow around high voltage.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Pinball LED Conversion: Pros, Cons and How to Do It Without Ruining the Look
Should you convert your pinball machine to LEDs? The real pros and cons, bulb types, ghosting and flicker, colour choices, and how to keep the original look.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Pinball Machine Eras Explained: How to Tell EM, Solid State, DMD and LCD Apart
Learn the four broad pinball eras, from electromechanical to LCD, and how to tell which one a machine belongs to by its display, sounds and parts.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Pinball Playfield Mylar and Wear Protection: What Works and What to Avoid
How pinball playfield wear starts, what Mylar and clear coat do, when to add or remove Mylar, and the habits that slow wear on a home machine.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Pinball Rubber Ring Kits: When to Re-Rubber and How to Get It Right
A practical guide to pinball rubber ring kits: when to re-rubber, how to get the right sizes for your title, colour and material choices, and how to swap them.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Weak, Sticky or Buzzing Pinball Flippers: How Flippers Work and How Rebuilds Fix Them
Why pinball flippers go weak, sticky, buzzy or lose power on a hold, how a flipper assembly works, and which fixes an owner can do versus leave to a tech.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Buying an Ex-Route Pinball Machine: What to Expect and What to Check
What ex-route and ex-operator pinball machines usually need, how to read their wear and audits, and when a route game is a smart buy for a home owner.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
How to Sell a Pinball Machine: Prep, Pricing Research, Listing and Pickup
A step-by-step guide to selling a pinball machine: researching value, prepping the game, photos, honest listing copy, safe payment and buyer pickup.
ComparisonsNov 2, 2026
Original vs Reproduction Pinball Parts: How to Spot Them and Why It Matters
How reproduction playfields, backglasses, plastics and decals affect a used pinball machine, how to spot them, and what sellers should disclose to buyers.
GeneralNov 2, 2026
Pinball Memorabilia Gifts for Fans Who Don't Own a Machine (Yet)
Not every pinball fan has room, budget or a willing household for a 250-pound machine. Plenty of them play at bars, arcades and leagues and still love the art, the history and the specific…
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Pinball Mods and Toppers: Which Upgrades Help, Which Hurt, and How to Keep Them Reversible
Which pinball mods and toppers are reversible, which can hurt resale, and how to add shooter rods, lighting or toppers without damaging an original machine.
How-To GuidesNov 2, 2026
Pinball Playfield Glass: How to Remove, Clean, Store and Upgrade It Safely
How to remove, clean and store pinball playfield glass safely, why tempered glass edges matter, and whether anti-glare coated glass is worth it for home owners.
ComparisonsNov 2, 2026
Pinball Pro vs Premium vs LE: What the Editions Actually Mean for a Buyer
Pro, Premium and LE pinball editions explained for used buyers: what usually changes, how to verify an edition, and how each one affects resale research.
How-To GuidesOct 25, 2026
Pinball Gifts 2026: For Owners, Restorers and Future Owners
Pinball gift ideas for owners, restorers and future owners: polish, wax, rubber kits, LED kits, bench tools, books and machines, with fit checks for each.
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