Pinball supplies stores have gone the way of the Dodo in recent years, largely because more and more kids are turning to video and computer games as entertainment choices. These stores have instead taken up residence online, where it's easy to order replacement parts and fix salvageable ones with minimal hassle. After years of consistent abuse, it's no wonder that pinball machine parts finally wear down. The question is, what do you do when it happens to you?

If you're a pinball arcade owner, you're already well versed in machine maintenance. Sometimes the problem is as simple as a blown fuse, which takes all of 10 seconds to replace. On other occasions, a fried circuit will need to be replaced, a new wiring harness will be required, or a playfield will have to be lifted out altogether. In cases like these, it's helpful to have a company at the ready that has years of experience in dealing with these nuisances.

Common Pinball Supplies

The pinball supplies that seem to require the most maintenance are bulbs and lamps. Just as the average 40-watt incandescent bulb in your home or office must be swapped out from time to time, so too must the lights that line the playfield and illuminate every time a target is struck or a particular sequence of shots takes place. Pinball wizards know how to dominate games in a way that novice players don't. As a result, they can put pinball machines to the test in ways that casual players can't.

Aside from bulbs and lamps, bulb and lamp covers also withstand considerable abuse. Flipper rubbers wear out, plunger tips crack, and coin switches fail, all of which can set even the most rugged machines on the fritz. If your coin door jams or your backbox breaks, don't despair; pinball repair is just as common as automotive repair, especially if you play as often as you drive.