Save Spider-man for the Children Part 5

I am back from IAAPPA & Southern Pinball Festival.

While I was at the IAAPPA Expo I had a chance to talk to a lot of good people that are very interested in donating parts and other items for our Project Pinball. Which is great and it will help me get this Spider-man back up and running for the kids.

The Southern Pinball Festival was a wonderful success for getting the word out about our facebook, YouTube and blogging pages and our great charity. We had donation buckets located around the event hall that were being filled by the warm and kind pinball people from all over the globe.

I filmed additional footage of the teardown process. The first video is showing the beginning of the playfield being stripped down.



The second video is describing the break down process.



Thank you for watching. You can find us at Project Pinball on Facebook.

Dan

The boy behind the gift

Jimmy Schneeberger, 11, of Naples died on Thursday April 13, 2000.

Jimmy Schneeberger was a member of the Webelos Den 1, Pack 12 of Collier County and was recently awarded with the Arrow of Light Award ­ the highest award cub scouts can earn. He attended Laurel Oak Elementary School where he was on the honor roll. He most recently attended Corkscrew Elementary School where he was a member of the peer mediation group. Jimmy Schneeberger was among the first winners of the Collier County "Do the Right Thing" award.

This is why we do it.

My wife found out there was a broken Spiderman pinball machine in the oncology department of the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. It was a memorial gift, donated to the hospital in the name of Jimmy Schneeberger .

We felt it was just wrong to have a great gift and outlet for the kids sit idle because it needed our TLC.

We are working on the Spider-man right now and we are going to fix it in honor of Jimmy and his Family and for all kids that are undergoing treatment in the hospital.

Jimmy and all these brave kids are the real heroes!



If you would like to help the kids please contact us Russelrunt@comcast.net
On Facebook: click here Project Pinball
Or comment at the bottom of this Article.
More information on Chrissy Brown Oncology and Hematology Unit just click.

Thank you,
From all of us.

Save Spider-man for the Children Part 4

I am back with another two Spider-man pinball videos.

The first video is showing the condition and total breakdown of all three of the Jet Bumpers.


The second video is showing what a pinball playfield looks like underneath and a quick description of the worn and broken left flipper and switches as well as the black dust that was everywhere.



I love questions! So if you have any, just post here or on Facebook Project Pinball and I can possibly go into more detail.



To be Continued...

Save Spider-man for the Children Part 3

A comparison photograph for you labeled- A Clean Spot!

This one will be a short article. I know you just sighed with relief.....but you don't get off that easily. I made some videos to take the place of my writing. And my writing is way better than my camera work! LOL

Have Fun,
Dan

PS Any negative comments on my youtube videos will be subject to laws of the house ruling of a five dollars donation per comment for our charity. So if you want to donate and have fun with that, give until you feel good!

Check and follow us at Facebook Project Pinball also.

Save Spider-man for the Children Part 2

The subject: A Stern Spider-man pinball machine born on July 06 2007 with 59,664 balls played.

Location: The Children's Hospital Fourth Floor- Chrissy Brown Oncology and Hematology Unit

On-site damage assessment: Filthy, broken and unplayable. Can not repair at location due to sterile environment.

Final note: No Problem!

First Step: Remove (steal) the Spider-man pinball machine from Oncology Unit without looking like a super villain! In the cover of darkness (and at dinner time) we rolled out our webslinger to the waiting getaway truck and back to the pin operating room.

After getting the Spidey all set up, I started with the Second Step: Get access to the playfield and backbox. I had to drill out both locks since the keys were no where to be found. Here is a picture of what is under the playfield, almost a mile of wiring, over 3,500 parts, over 100 light bulbs, electrical parts & solenoids.

Third Step: Start with condition and repair assessment. Looking at the playfield I noticed a lot (and I mean a lot) of black grimy dust. Dust stuck to the playfield, metal parts, wires, lamps, plastics, rubbers and under the playfield too, everything that I touch turn me black.

Sticking my head in the bottom of the cabinet I found parts from a flipper assembly. It turned out to be the left flipper had lost some parts. Boo. It happen to be the EOS (End of stroke switch) which is vital for the longevity and health of the flipper coil.

Fourth Step: Get surface black dust out of my way. I rolled Spidey outside and I fired up my air compressor and made a black cloud of debris that had me looking like a chimney sweep. If I chose not to do this every time that I would touch the inside of the machine I would get filthy then have a chance to transfer the grimy dirt to other areas. You can't clean it easily with soap and water because it will just swear or embed into whatever you were trying to clean. Next vacuum lightly to remove remaining black dust and debris.

Fifth Step: Photograph every thing. I whipped out the camera and started recording the condition and position of assemblies and parts for future reference and for me to share here.

Let me get back to the real work, I will write more later.

To be Continued...

You can visit us on Facebook at: Project Pinball

Save the Spider-man for the Children: Part 1

Hello Dan here,

This is an article about the process of saving a Spider-man Pinball Machine so the kids at the Chrissy Brown Oncology Unit in SW Florida can enjoy it again. The pinball machine was donated by the Schneeberger family in memory of their eleven year old son Jimmy.

This will a daily log of process made of taking this Pinball Machine from a non-operational to full healthy & playable game.

So it begins...

Origin:

"My name is Chris, I’m a Bonita Springs real estate agent and also a Leadership Bonita Student. During the healthcare segment of Leadership training one of the establishments we toured was the Children’s Hospital at Health Park in Fort Myers, Florida; more specifically the Chrissy Brown Oncology and Hematology Unit. "

Key Facts about The Chrissy Brown Oncology and Hematology Unit.

• Established: 1994



• Type of Facility: Pediatric Acute Care



• Number of Dedicated Pediatric Beds: 98 (Total)



• Number of Dedicated Neonatal Intensive Care Beds: 48



• Number of Patients Seen Annually in Emergency Services: 22,000+



• Number of Pediatric Providers: 300+



• Number of Pediatric Specialists: 58+



• Number of Pediatric Specialty Areas: 10



• Number of People Helped Through Child Advocacy Programs: 95,000+

For more information about the Chrissy Brown Oncology and Hematology Unit: http://www.leememorial.org/caring/facilities/tch.asp

"In one of the recreation rooms I noticed a Spiderman Pinball machine, by Stern. It was really rough looking with visible broken components and an overall dirty appearance. It almost looked like it was in a fire it was so covered with black dust."

"Immediately I turned to our tour guide and said, “I know local pinball enthusiasts who wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if they knew this machine was broken, if children … sick children with cancer even, couldn’t play it. It would just break their heart.” I then gave them the contact information and hoped for the best.
Lo and behold, “the best” happened a few weeks later when Sarah Evanglista from Healthpark called invited us to come back and take a look at Spidey. The first general assessment happened late on a Thursday evening and a few emails bounced back and forth and in less than twenty four hours, permission to pick the machine up was granted by the administration."

"Spiderman is taking a short trip to Bonita Springs for a tune up, fix up, face lift and a serious bath. Follow along on on http://www.pinballavenue.blogspot.com/ and the Facebook page, Project Pinball. Of course, donations for parts, materials and cleaning supplies are welcomed and encouraged. "

To be Continued....

Return from PAPA Pinball Tournament

I wanted to write my PAPA pinball blog post earlier in the week right after I got back home, fresh* from Pittsburgh (*dead dog tried), but life interrupts. Now I am glad that it got postponed, because I can really reflect how important of an event it was & how it affected my daily life, for the good, of course.

The PAPA organizers did an incredible job setting up the faculties. I was over the top excited to be there in that pinball environment. They had pinball machines that I had only seen in pictures or at Internet Pinball Database site and I would actually have the chance to play them. Super! Not only a large collection of good looking pinball machines but well playing to boot.

The players were fanatic, colorful & fantastic. They would and could help with encouraging words and helpful tips while completing against you at the same time. Their skill levels were diverse as the players themselves. A couple of younger players were making their present felt, (I wish I had their skill at that age.)

I arrived at the PAPA doors shortly after noon time on Thursday, the first day of the tournament. I decided early on that I wanted to jump right into the trenches of competition and learn by doing. I signed in & got handed my PAPA book bag with my PAPA T-shirt, entry slip for the tournament, post cards and advertisement for other pinball event through out the year.

After grabbing my first C division entry and I proceed to the line up of nine pinball machines. For each entry you get to pick five pins that you want to battle on. The choice was easy, chose the ones that are familiar to you. I realize with the first plunge of the ball, that didn’t mean jack because the PAPA style of game play is blood ripping brutal.

The PAPA pinball machine set-up was tweaked to be mean and lighting fast with short ball times. The outlanes post were almost non-exist with a gapping hole for the ball to drain through. The tilts were super tight, warnings for moving the machines were easy to accomplish. I never tilted out but I am sure I was a whisper away on one or two turns. There were very short ball saves if any and no extra ball to be given. The thin black rubber posts were exchanged for the thicker yellow posts making tough shots a lot tougher.

The second day, Friday, I wanted to settle in for some serious play. I wanted to get something flowing. I managed a couple of good entry scores that moved me up to eleventh place, above the final qualifying cutoff point of sixteenth and then I fell quickly back down to the mid-twenties ranking and rose no higher for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday was a blur. My game play was uneven and sporadic, zombie play. I tired to focus and put together a steady entry run, coming close with my Terminator 2 game play which scored fifth highest of the tournament. I did well on my second machine but could not get another good score to go with it. Points, points, zero, zero, zero = bad entry round. Boooo. I was toasted, had nothing left to give.

Sunday was the final rounds. I was very pleased to watch and support the final C division players. They worked very hard to be there. Nothing was given away in those final rounds, they had to continue to fight and claw their way to the top of their game for small point advances that would be add together for their victory or loss. The final four was a very even match-up. First and second places were decided by a single point.

Congratulations to the C Division winners:
1st place-Chuck Jackson ......Points 8
2nd place-Kevin Ryan .....................7
3rd place-Todd Seaver ....................4
4th place-Richard Achterberg ........2

WTG, guys!

In case you are wondering. I finished in a tie three-ways for forty-fifth. I am very happy with the pinball results for my first PAPA tournament, I wasn’t in the top sixteen for the finals, or top twenty but there were one hundred and sixty-one people lower than me. I played hard, they played hard. I am okay with that.

I had fun, lots of fun. I get a smile every time I think about my experience at PAPA which helps with the daily grind. I look forward to returning next year to reunite with the fine people and players that I met this year.

More pictures of PAPA 14 here: Click me.

More about PAPA before my trip started: Heading to Pittsburgh to play Pinball
http://pinballavenue.blogspot.com/2011/08/heading-to-pittsburgh-to-play-pinball.html

Dan

Heading to Pittsburgh to play Pinball

A friend of mine has been to the PAPA pinball tournaments in the past & always bent my ear with an interesting story or two about it. So this year I set it as a self reward or goal to make it to Pittsburgh this year.

PAPA is the Professional & Amateur Pinball Association. They are hosting the PAPA 14 World Pinball Championships August 11th thru 14th.

It will be nice because it will be like a small homecoming as well, I born & raised in a small suburb right outside the city, very close to Scott township where the PAPA tournaments are held.

I am very much looking forward to my first real tournament setting. Sure, I played other small tournaments that were held, but this for real. Pinball Players from all over the world converge to this one building to do battle. There are top prizes & trophies given for succeeding high into the standings. First prize for A Division Players is $10,000 bones. Not too shabbily. Plus trophies & titles.

I will not be playing in the A Division though! I aim to start on the ground floor in C Division. I would have joined the D Division if PAPA had one, because it does not exist.

In the past, my skills were random at best but I have been doing the Rocky Balboa workout, raw eggs for breakfast, running around with logs on my shoulders while an old weathered man yells at me.

No, that’s not true. I did set some of my pinball machines as would be found in a World Class tournament so I could practice. Tilt mechs fine tuned, outlanes posts opened all the way, no ball save & no free extra balls awarded. Pins set up like this has your best score achieved drop by millions of points. I went from scores like 80 million to scant 6 million. Tough love.

I am going to get schooled in the finer arts of pinball tournament play. Hoorah, I can’t wait.

The PAPA Link is here: http://www.papa.org/index.php
They have all the information, directions & more on their site.

They have a cool blog site also called the Tilt Warning:
http://tiltwarning.com/blog/


If you read this & are attending come up & say hello. My name is Dan/ RGP Mole.

As always Have Fun.

Digital Pinball better.....because it has more games?

Digital VS. Original Digital Pinball better than a real pinball machine…. because it has more games? I would disagree with that! Let the comparisons be between the new Multipin vs. any brand new Stern pinball machine, *because including all the pinball manufactures, past or present, would be a large & lengthy task that would bring too many variables to our basic topic. The Multipin $6000- Based on a real size pinball machine with 17 different games- some original game play & Gottlieb remakes of older titles. Half of these titles can be played on your computer for free at: Futures Pinball The pinball playfield is replaced by 32” LCD monitor laid flat in cabinet with a 720p resolution while another LCD monitor is used for the backglass & score display area. The backglass changes theme to the different games selected & score display area can mimic even an older rotary score reels found in the old EM (Electro-mechanical) pinball machines. All game play is simulated once the ball plunger is released. The whole playfield is digital reproduced with the all the pinball parts that would be found on a regular pinball machine. The animated ball bounces against high definition bumpers, flippers, slingshots, ramps, targets & such but it has digital motion sensors built in to the cabinet so you can influence the balls travel. You can shift & move the animated balls with finesse by using original pinball machine techniques like bumps, shakes & other body language same as the real thing. Here is a link to a Multipin video showing a little of the game play that is offered. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44Ni3klD7I&feature=player_embedded# It reproduces authentic sounds for the no longer needed moving parts like the electric solenoids, pop bumpers, saucer kickers & even flippers to give the player the illusion that it is a real pinball machine. The Stern pinball machine $4000- A real pinball machine….end of story. It is what it is. It is not trying to reproduce or simulate anything, because it already is a pinball machine. There is nothing that replaces that real pinball experience that is on a true pinball machine. If the Mutlipin bridges the gap to a true pinball experience, I am all for it. But you can not compare until you played the original. If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here. Have Fun, Dan

Family Guy shows up at Ft Myers Ale House

I stopped in for lunch today & noticed that the Fort Myers Ale House now has the Stern Family Guy Pinball Machine in lieu of Stern’s older NASCAR theme Pinball Machine. The Family Guy Pinball Machine is a very entertaining pin. The Family Guy is a Pat Lawlor Design . The same pinball designer that bought forth the now legendry machines like Addams Family , Funhouse & Twilight Zone in the early Nineties during the time of the Bally, Midway & Williams manufacturing days.

Pat Lawlor's Family Guy layout brings a lot of sideways ball action with the third flipper mounted high on the left side of the playfield. All the characters are present on the playfield, but Stewie rules & gets featured with his own miniature operating pinball playfield… interesting a pinball machine within a pinball machine. The sound & video clips used, go hand & hand with the Family Guy theme, so if you enjoy the show you will love this pinball machine. Plus, it has the fighting rooster!

If you are local, give it a shot.

Ale House - 4400 Kernel Cir, Ft Myers , FL If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here.

Have Fun,

Dan

Pirates of the Caribbean: New Mod found???

I am always glad see to find Pinball machines in the “wild”, but it always saddens me a bit to notice those machines in a need of repair… Especially if this is the only allotment for introduction to made to a new player.

This Stern: Pirates of the Caribbean pinball machine that I found over the weekend was the most disgustingly dirty machine that I have ever walked up on. The joke was made that it was a new after market modification for this machine, "Black Beach Sand" for the Pirates/ Water/ Caribbean theme to be enhanced.

No, it did not stop the pinball machine from being played, but it makes one wonder when was the last time that this machine was look at by the owner or operator, not alone cleaned. The grimly “sand” is coming from some place….. usually in this case, from the black rubber rings through out the playfield wearing out from normal play over time and just simply need to be changed out with fresh ones. When I say over time, I am meaning years of continue play. Then, pennies start costing dollars, when the black rebound rubber rings that costs .35 cents breaks and pinball machine goes down and can not operate. So, how many dollars could that translate into? A pinball machine in this kind of condition does not operate and play up to the true design characteristics of the machine and it will rob you of a desired quality play. To a regular player this is not a big deal, just don’t put you money in, but to an inexperienced beginning player this situation could lead to that person walking away saying, “that was waste of my time & money!” As the Pinball enthusiasts’ ranks dwindle and are forced into the private home arcade and game rooms, the owners of the location, ops and existing players need to be ever concerned and vigilant to recruit and energize a new source of players. Just keeping the pinball machines, to be found, in good shape will definitely assist.

Viva la pinball machine!

If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here.

Have Fun,

Dan

WOW Factor +10

Wow, what a great turn out for KB’s pinball tournament. Jamie & Debra opened their home last night to host this pinball gathering. While it seemed like an invading mob of friends & new comers Jamie & Debra managed to serving up warm hospitably to everyone with ease. Wow- I had a great time last night Wow- It was nice to meet some new faces & talk to some of those all ready met. Wow- The line up of Pinball machines was great, ten machines in the collection. Wow- It was good to “see” Digger & his wife Sue. Wow- Thomas kicked butt with first place…Again. Wow- I lost my voice over the melodies of pinball machines. Wow- Spencer’s awesome 1933 world’s fair bagatelle. Wow- The popcorn was a hit…. Again! Wow- What a excellent capture video Wow- The long drive home hurt. Wow- Those machines were in remarkable condition. Wow- The food & drink was great. Wow- That Medieval Madness pinball machine was lightening fast. Wow- My wife is mad at me, but she did say the sofa was comfortable & she did have a good time. Wow- What a great pin gathering. For more Photographs look here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21038796@N02/sets/72157604220207681/show/ If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here. Have Fun, Dan

Rocky's Replay:New Addition

Rocky's Replay is going to be adding a new Stern Pinball Machine, The Wheel of Fortune to their Pinball line-up. Rocky's pinball machine has been delayed from the Stern factory due to unknown reasons & they have been waiting patiently to receive the machine with the original ship date that was in December, so they are expecting it any day now.

It looks like an interesting Playfield Layout:

Read Also: Wheel of Fortune Pinball in the Works Give them a call to get an update & to show some them interest in their new purchase. Let your voice be heard. Rocky's Replay in Orlando can be found here: Rocky’s Replay 1121 Semoran BlvdCasselberry, FL 32707 (407) 260-0043 If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here. Have Fun, Dan

Wheel of Fortune Pinball in the Works

Stern Pinball is planning on releasing a Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machine based on the long airing Wheel of Fortune Game Show. (It has been Thirty-Two years that this game show has been on television across the world. Unbelievable, it debut in 1975.) The Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machine seems to be closely following the game show forum because it has the contestants, prizes, the spinning wheel, but does it have the Puzzle Letter Board? This pinball machine is definitely different in design & a break from the normal layout especially with the inlanes & flippers areas at the bottom of the playfield. Stern moved the flippers further apart and including two rollover lane with a center post to help guard against straight down the middle ball drains between the flippers. But this different flipper layout will require players to learn new ball control skills if they are to avoid frequent ball drains. A few reports that a limited number of the Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machines have been surfacing for display & a couple of the pinheads had the chance to play the brand new machines had this to commented about the layout change: “The skill shot is tough and the center drain with the large center post and two lanes leaving the playfield really give it a different feel.” Two questions come to mind: (1) Will Stern get a good fortune spin with a Big Money Prize with the design deviations or will it land on the Bankrupt space & be rejected? (2) Do you have to be a die hard Wheel Watcher to enjoy this Pinball Machine & to keep it interesting & playable? Time will answer both these questions as this pinball machine is going into full production soon & Stern is getting ready for those pinball machine orders. Take a look at the Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machine playfield design & layout & tell me your predictions & I will post it here. Have Fun, Dan PS If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here.

Are The Game Vendors Killing Pinball?

By guest Blogger: Lizzy Try to find a pinball game to play in Southwest Florida. Dare, double dog dare ya! A pinball machine is like the four leaf clover of games. They’re harder than heck to find, fleeting and like a prize when you do find one. Why are they so hard to locate? Seriously, as a pin enthusiast I’ve dashed in and out of game rooms and smoke filled gin joints just trying to find one to little avail. The last one I found was playable until you reached a chute that was blocked. That ended my quarter parade. For all I know it’s still not operational it was evident that nobody was caring for this machine in any capacity. My quest for pin has led me the occasional pinball machine and I’ve always called the vendor number on the sticker to get a list of where he/she may have more. No dice. At what point does a person contact a business owner, offer to pump quarters into their machine and get met with no response? Zero, Zip, Nada. Well, one person tried to sell me a pinball machine at an inflated price. After engaging in several back and forth emails I still wasn’t able to pry the information about other machines from this vendor. I’m torn between whether the vendors won’t disclose machine locations: Are the pinball machines not properly licensed or if the vendors are just too dense to realize I just want to find their machines and pump my money into them.

If I can't find them and the few I find are not playable then how is the rest of the public going to fall in love with pinball and keep it alive? So I ask you if your part of the country is much like my little corner of Southwest Florida.

Are you able to find pinball machines?

Do the vendors in your area properly maintain and care for their machines?

Do the vendors share the location of their other machines?

Your commentary is welcome and of course, if you can rat out the location of a pinball machine in the Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers or Naples, Florida areas it would be much appreciated. Heck, anywhere in SW Florida for that matter.

CENTRAL FLORIDA: ORLANDO’S PINBALL PLACE

Rocky’s Replay is the place to be for the latest Stern titles. If you live in or near Orlando you probably all ready knew that fact because the place was packed full of people. Rockys’ crowd was a mix of the young, teenagers to the middle agers playing Pinball & video machines. Rockys had both of the new releases from Stern which were the Family Guy & Spider-man pinball machines. The Family Guy is a Pat Lawlor Design. The same pinball designer that bought forth the now legendry machines like Addams Family, Funhouse & Twilight Zone in the early Nineties during the time of the Bally, Midway & Williams manufacturing days. Pat Lawlor's Family Guy layout brings a lot of sideways ball action with the third flipper mounted high on the left side of the playfield. All the characters are present on the playfield, but Stewie rules & gets featured with his own miniature operating pinball playfield… interesting a pinball machine within a pinball machine. The sound & video clips used, go hand & hand with the Family Guy theme, so if you enjoy the show you will love this pinball machine. Plus, it has the fighting rooster! The Spider-man pinball machine was also being received well & was kept busy continuously with people of all ages flipping away. (I gave a brief description of the Spider-man pinball play in a past story. Read also: Spiderman Found in Southwest Florida. They had three other Stern pinball machines as well: The Simpsons Pinball Party, Ripley’s Believe It or Not & World Poker Tour. All the pins that they had on site were well maintained & in good clean condition. Plus while your there, grab a chili dog or pizza & wash it down with nice tall cold one. So when you tire of Walt Disney World & Universal Studies theme parks & are ready to play some pinball. Get over to Rocky’s Replay, Orlando’s best keep secret & mingle with the locals. Rocky’s Replay 1121 Semoran Blvd Casselberry, FL 32707 (407) 260-0043 If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here. Have Fun, Dan

Pirate Pinball Night

With the help from Tony B. for the locations, I played two new machines: World Poker Tour & Pirates of the Caribbean pins mentioned in the Update: new locations found article. The WPT was the only pinball machine & looking lonely while it was surrounded by pool tables, mames & arcade games at Stevie Tomato’s Sportspage- 11491 Cleveland Ave, Ft Myers. The first game play on the WPT seemed to “knock the rust loose” on the drop targets. These drop targets weren’t resetting in the upright position until the third ball was played, then they sprung to life to join in for the rest of the evening. The only big complaint was the sound was nonexistent, so we were force to do our own commentaries & sound effects. The POTC was also solo in the field of video bowlers & poker machines at Stevie Tomato’s Sportspage- 3422 Del Prado Blvd, Cape Coral. The same problem was present on this machine as the pin before, no sound. Fortunately, I can do a better imitation of a scurvy pirate & firing cannons, then a bluffing poker player so the non present sound was no real loss & plus the solo performer on the small stage was quite entertaining. PLUS A NEW LOCATION: Stern Pirates of the Caribbean: Clean, A few burnt bulbs, no sound present, playable, but out of level to right & pitch set slow, 8 Ball Lounge-14500 South Tamiami Trail, Ft Myers, FL 33912