Flip Flop pinball deal in Indianapolis, IN
About two weeks ago an old EM Flip Flop pinball game came up on Craigslist for $100. Tempting to me, but I have enough going on that I didn’t need any more projects and I didn’t pursue this pinball. Sounds like it wouldn’t have mattered, about 30 people contacted the seller but someone I know ended up with it.
Flip Flop Pinball for a steal
Matt F. ended up being the first person to contact the seller. He was fortunate that the seller didn’t end up raising their price after listing which we find is more common than not. He ended up paying the $100 and getting a classic pinball for a song. As far as I know, it needs a cleaning and a power cord, as well as some other items. If I find out more of what it needed, I’ll post it here.
Granted EM pinballs will only be worth a couple hundred of dollars, but if you are looking to keep the game then $100 is highway robbery. Here are the photos from the Craigslist ad;
Backglass looks to be in good condition, and so does the stenciling artwork, at least on the front. Might be a pretty cherry machine after some soap and water.
Update Sept. 22, 2008
On Saturday I got to see this Flip Flop pinball in person, and what a $100 Craigslist deal this was.
The backglass is in about perfect condition, the stenciled artwork is all there on the body.
Granted, the cabinet has some scuffs down to the wood around the edges from being moved over the years, but all in all the body’s artwork is very nice. The header is probably the worst part on the whole pinball and could use a going over.
Supposedly you can get stencils for a Flip Flop pinball from Bay Area Amusements but it comes back down to how much money should be put into one of these EM’s? If it’s a favorite, then as much as possible. So far the game did need the new power cord, some new rubbers, coils and a bumper rebuild, but the plastics are in solid condition and the game plays great.
The story on this pinball was nothing spectacular. The original owner had it in his garage for many years, and claimed to have bought it at a garage sale. It did spend some time in a bar of some type given the color of the cabinet. Now, if only there was a way to get the nicotine smoke color out of the white and the machine would really shine.
Here are some similar arcade posts
- Picked up a new pinball from Spain.
- Interesting Arcade Links – 2008-09-28
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- For Sale – Mr. & Mrs. Pac-man Pinball
- Grand Lizard Pinball Indianapolis – $100
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Comments
@Matt Fisher:
Oooh, you’re going to spring for the Flip Flop stencils huh? Wow, and that is a lot of time, which I know first hand right now with my Ms. Pac-man, gutting the cabinet down to the wood and sanding it down.
Not really $100 pinball anymore, but how much were a set of Flip Flop stencils, less than $100? Do you already have them in hand?
Somebody on ebay selling a set for $60, which was a little better than the 140 that Bay Area amusements wants. I don’t have them yet, should in a few days. I can send pix of the resto process when I get around to it, if you want. I’ve started in on the playfield with Novus 2, and it is cleaning up nicely. I need some new posts, screws, etc. I’m not really planning a complete restoration, but I want it to look nice.
@Matt Fisher:
Hey $60 for a set of pinball stencils is a great deal. I would love to have any photos you get of the restoration process. I know there are a lot of articles written on pinball restoration, but it is always good to have a specific tutorial for each game. I doubt there are photo tutorials showing the stencil restoration of a Flip Flop.
That thing is going to sing, with that already warm glow that the back glass emanates.
I JUST PICKED UP A OLD FLIP-FLOP MACHINE AND AM TRYING TO RESTORE IT…I HAVE JUST A FEW QUESTIONS…I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE LIGHTS WORKING ON THE BACKGLASS AND PLAYFIELD…ALSO A FUSE BLOWS EVERY TIME I PUSH THE BUTTON FOR A NEW GAME…ANY SUGGESTIONS?
When you use all caps it looks like you are shouting….
I don’t know all that much in the way of specifics for fixing EM pinballs, but it definitely sounds like something is drawing too much power.
I would try the ‘EM Games’ group to meet up with other guys who might be able to help you fix your game.
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September 30, 2008
Well, I decided if I’m going to have a pin, it might as well look nice. I broke down and got stencils to repaint, if I can ever find the time to do it. Should look pretty darn good at that point, though. Not really a $100 pin anymore, though…