Pinball Repair, Service & Restoration in Switzerland
Your pinball machine is in good hands
SwissPinball provides professional repair, servicing and restoration of pinball machines from our workshop in Gland, Switzerland.
Pinball machines are complex electromechanical and electronic systems. A fault that initially appears simple can sometimes be caused by something completely different elsewhere in the machine. For this reason, a proper diagnosis is usually the best place to start.
My approach is simple: find the real problem, repair what needs repairing, and avoid unnecessary work.
Whether your machine has stopped working completely, has intermittent faults, weak flippers, lighting problems, damaged ramps or plastics, electronic faults, or simply needs a complete service after many years of use, SwissPinball can help.
I work on machines from all generations — from electromechanical pinballs through Bally/Williams solid-state machines to modern Stern and Jersey Jack machines.
Services
SwissPinball services include:
Fault diagnosis and repair
Complete pinball servicing
Mechanical and electrical repairs
Electronic board diagnosis and repair
Flipper, coil and switch servicing
Lighting and LED upgrades
Playfield cleaning and restoration
Ramp and plastic repair
Rubber replacement
Machine setup and adjustment
Restoration of older machines
Machine collection and delivery
Pinball machine appraisal and assessment
Advice before purchasing a machine
Pinball machine sales
Assistance sourcing machines and difficult-to-find parts
Setting up private pinball collections and games rooms
Machines from Williams, Bally, Stern, Gottlieb, Data East, Sega and Jersey Jack are regularly encountered, but machines from other manufacturers are also welcome.
Diagnosis Before Restoration
Every old pinball machine is different.
Two machines of exactly the same model can require completely different amounts of work depending on their history, storage conditions, previous repairs and how heavily they have been played.
For that reason, it is often impossible to give an accurate restoration price simply from photographs.
Before undertaking substantial work, I normally inspect the machine and determine:
whether it is electrically safe;
whether the main electronics are functioning correctly;
the condition of the power supplies and connectors;
whether coils, switches and lamps operate correctly;
the condition of the flippers and other mechanisms;
the condition of the playfield;
whether ramps, plastics or other unique parts are damaged;
evidence of previous modifications or poor repairs;
which replacement parts are likely to be required;
whether the proposed work makes financial sense.
Following the diagnosis, we can decide together how far the work should go.
The objective is not automatically to replace everything. Sometimes a careful repair and service is all that is required. In other cases, a machine deserves a more comprehensive restoration.
Repair or Restoration?
There is an important difference between repairing and restoring a pinball machine.
Repair
The objective is to make the machine safe, reliable and properly playable.
This might include repairing electronics, switches, coils, connectors, flippers or lighting and correcting previous repairs.
Service
A machine that basically works may still benefit enormously from a proper service.
Depending on the machine this can include cleaning, replacing rubbers and balls, servicing flippers and mechanisms, adjusting switches, replacing worn components and checking the electronics.
Restoration
Restoration goes considerably further.
A machine may be partially or completely dismantled so that the playfield, mechanisms, ramps, plastics and assemblies can be individually cleaned, repaired or replaced.
This can easily represent many tens of hours of work.
Before starting a major restoration, we therefore discuss what level of restoration is sensible for the particular machine and the owner’s objectives.
Vintage Machines
A 40- or 50-year-old pinball machine does not necessarily need to look as though it left the factory yesterday.
Where possible, I prefer to preserve original components and the character of the machine rather than unnecessarily replacing everything.
Original playfield artwork, plastics and mechanical components form part of the machine’s history.
There is therefore a balance between:
preservation, reliability, appearance and cost.
The right balance depends on the machine and its owner.
Workshop or On-Site Repair
Most substantial repairs and restorations are best carried out in the SwissPinball workshop in Gland.
The workshop provides the equipment and environment required for detailed diagnostics, electronic repair, ultrasonic cleaning, mechanical restoration and extended testing.
Depending on the nature of the problem, some diagnosis and servicing can also be carried out at the customer’s location.
For machines requiring significant work, collection and return delivery can be arranged.
Rates
SwissPinball normally works on a time and materials basis.
Workshop / repair labour: CHF 140 per hour
Travel is charged separately when required.
Travel: CHF 1.50 per kilometre from Gland
Replacement parts and specialist materials are charged separately.
Before substantial work is undertaken, I will normally discuss the likely scope of the repair with you.
With older machines it is not always possible to know every fault before work begins. Once a machine is dismantled, additional problems from age, wear, corrosion or previous repairs sometimes become visible.
If the scope of a job changes significantly, this is discussed before unnecessarily increasing the cost.
Buying a Pinball Machine
Buying your first pinball machine can be confusing.
There are thousands of machines covering more than 70 years of pinball history, and prices vary enormously.
A few recommendations:
Never judge a machine only from photographs
A beautiful cabinet does not necessarily mean the electronics or mechanisms are in good condition.
Likewise, an unattractive machine can sometimes be mechanically excellent.
Play the machine if possible
Different generations of pinball feel completely different.
An electromechanical machine from the 1970s, a Williams machine from the 1990s and a modern Stern are very different experiences.
Check parts availability
Most standard pinball components can still be obtained.
Unique ramps, plastics, displays, toys and playfield components can sometimes be extremely difficult or expensive to replace.
Be careful with previous repairs
Pinball machines may have been repaired by many different people during their lives.
Incorrect fuses, modified wiring, poorly repaired circuit boards and improvised components can sometimes turn a relatively simple repair into a complicated one.
Ask for advice
If you are considering purchasing a machine and are uncertain about its condition or value, SwissPinball can help assess it before you buy.
Selling a Pinball Machine
The value of a pinball machine depends on considerably more than its title.
Condition, originality, electronics, playfield wear, cabinet condition, modifications and parts availability all influence its real value.
SwissPinball can help assess a machine and advise on realistic pricing.
Machines may also occasionally be purchased directly by SwissPinball, particularly where restoration is required.
Building a Pinball Collection
A private pinball room is much more interesting when the machines complement each other.
Rather than simply buying several expensive modern machines, a collection can represent different periods of pinball history:
electromechanical;
early solid-state;
alphanumeric;
dot-matrix;
modern LCD-era machines.
SwissPinball can help with machine selection, sourcing, restoration and installation when creating private collections, games rooms or entertainment spaces.
Ten Important Pinball Maintenance Tips
1. Be careful with electricity
Pinball machines contain several different voltages, including potentially dangerous mains voltage.
Always disconnect the machine from the electrical supply before undertaking repairs unless live diagnostic testing is genuinely required and you are qualified to perform it.
2. Never lubricate flipper mechanisms with oil or grease
Pinball flippers are generally designed to operate dry.
Oil attracts dirt and can quickly cause additional wear and operating problems.
3. Replace batteries before they leak
Many older electronic pinball machines contain batteries used to retain settings and high scores.
Leaking batteries can cause extensive circuit-board damage.
If your machine still has batteries mounted directly on the board, consider having them replaced or remotely mounted.
4. Use the correct fuse
Never replace a fuse with a higher-rated fuse simply because the original keeps blowing.
A blowing fuse normally indicates another problem that needs to be diagnosed.
5. Use the correct tools
American pinball machines use imperial hardware extensively.
Using the wrong tools damages nuts, screws and posts unnecessarily.
6. Keep the playfield clean
Dust and dirt become abrasive when combined with the movement of the ball.
Regular cleaning helps preserve the playfield.
7. Replace worn pinballs
A damaged or corroded pinball can quickly damage an otherwise good playfield.
Balls are inexpensive compared with repairing a damaged playfield.
8. Inspect connectors
Older machines frequently develop problems around connectors carrying significant current, particularly general illumination and power connectors.
Signs of heat or burning should never be ignored.
9. Do not ignore small problems
A weak flipper, intermittent switch or lamp that behaves strangely may be the first indication of a larger problem.
Finding the cause early is usually considerably easier than repairing the damage later.
10. Play the machine
Pinball machines generally benefit from being used.
Machines left unused for many years can develop oxidised contacts, hardened rubber, battery leakage and mechanical problems.
Regular use also makes it easier to notice when something starts behaving differently.
Need Help With Your Pinball Machine?
If you have a machine requiring repair, servicing or restoration, send SwissPinball as much information as possible.
Ideally include:
machine manufacturer and title;
approximate year if known;
description of the problem;
whether the machine currently switches on and plays;
your location;
several photographs;
and, where useful, a short video showing the fault.
From there we can decide whether an on-site diagnosis, workshop repair or collection of the machine is the best approach.
SwissPinball — Pinball repair, restoration and service in Gland, Switzerland.