Phoenix AZ help for leveling and maintenace of TAF

[halestrm]

Hi, we just bought a new house and with the house we got The Addams Family pinball.  After we moved in, I noticed the level showed that it is way off.  We are still trying to get the key from the old owners, they just cannot find it.

To the point.  I am hoping to get someone local to rekey and level the machine.  Figure they can do a maintenance call at the same time.  I do not want the cheapest, but someone how is going to do a good job at a fair price.  Someone I can trust in my home when I am here alone with my 10 year old daughter.

I have read plenty of horror stories and am trying to avoid that.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

THX

[MrBellMan]

You should be able to just drill out the lock. Once drilled, you can replace the old lock with a new one. Leveling is also fairly easy since the legs have their own adjustable levelers on them. You can adjust the legs to what ever makes you happy. I do know there are a lot of collectors in your area. Check out RGP (link below)...

Here are some web site I recommend you look into for parts, repair and good info:

http://www.pinrepair.com/
http://www.pinballlife.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.pinball/topics?hl=en

Good Luck!

Rob

[halestrm]

I have read a few items on leveling the game, and it is beyond what I feel comfy with.  I understand that to do it correctly, it must be level on east, west, north, south, center circular plus.  Based on other websites, this is very important to keeping the machine in tip top form.  Because everyone stresses this as critical, I would love to have a pro do it while I learn.  I am just plain scared to do it by myself and mess up a very expensive machine.

This is why I am hoping someone can recommend someone I can trust.

Thanks for the vote on doing it myself but...  I am a wuss.

K

[channelmaniac]

You will probably have better luck finding someone on the KLOV forums that knows how to do that type of work...

[halestrm]

What are the KLOV forums?

[stayouttadabunker]

What are the KLOV forums?

Google it!
okay...here's a link to it.

http://www.klov.com/

[halestrm]

You're right.  I should have googled it.  I feel silly for not thinking of it.  Just assumed KLOV was a nickname versus the name.

Sorry for being lazy!

[slotsteve]

put a level across the rails to level side to side     when the bubbles in the middle your right  front to back  just use the pitch that gives you good play  if you can,t level a pinball  sell it  as far as the lock drill thur centre it should push  the bolt  out of the lock door will open  drive to lowes/home depot buy  new lock

[bob in phx]

I am in phx (mesa really ) and would be happy to look at the machine. I normally charge a pepsi or two. I can help you understand what to do and how to do it!!!! Ive had pins since I was 18 and that makes 30 years. google the group rec.games.pinball for bob in phx and you will see that I have been around a long time....Please understand that I do work like a doctor. First do no harm!!! so If I dont think I can fix it,, I will tell you so!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob in phx (mesa really)

[halestrm]

put a level across the rails to level side to side     when the bubbles in the middle your right  front to back  just use the pitch that gives you good play  if you can,t level a pinball  sell it  as far as the lock drill thur centre it should push  the bolt  out of the lock door will open  drive to lowes/home depot buy  new lock

I don't think my being concerned about causing damage to a machine means I should sell it.  I just read a 10 page manual on leveling the machine and that this machine not being level can cause damage to the mechanics.  OK, so if I mess up and play the machine when it is not where it needs to be I can cost myself more in the long run.  I do not feel comfortable drilling the lock out because I have no clue what wires may be hanging out of place behind it.  Again, never needed to drill out a lock before.

This is my first date with the TAF.  I do not do blind dates, I prefer an intro instead.

I am not a fool, but an expensive machine is not something I feel at easy "playing around with". 

[knagl]

It sounds like you should give Bob a call and have a few Pepsi's handy. 

There's nothing to be scared of when it comes to slightly adjusting the level of your machine.  There are leveling screws built into the bottom of all four legs and you won't mess up anything by having it slightly off level, or it being a little off level as you adjust it.  You obviously wouldn't want to have the thing so far off that the machine is rocking back and forth on two of the four legs -- I suppose that could cause some damage.

Your pinball machine is pretty rugged, though, just like your slot machine.  Both were designed with the "real world" in mind where people are far from kind to machines they don't own.  They're probably loving the safe, gentle atmosphere your home provides.

...and I wish my future house came with an Addam's Family pinball machine built in.    I'm still very jealous -- that's a super game.

If you don't have them already, manuals for your machine can be downloaded from the Internet Pinball Database (see the "Documentation" section just above all the pictures -- you'll want the "Operations Manual", "Operators Manual", and perhaps the "Parts List"):

http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=20

[bob in phx]

well, I got a pirvate message from the orginal poster, and I replied, but I have not heard a thing since then..... oh well... I tried!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob in phx

[PWRSTROKE]

K+ -bob in phx for your efforts.

[halestrm]

Sorry about not sending a reply earlier.  Last night the computer went into hyperdrive and I needed search the villian out, seems it was my stepson went to a site I never would have approved if I had known.  All is good now, but it was a fun chase.  Thank goodness for highjackThis.

Just got your email, and wanted to reply here first.

THX for the contact