Pinstorm

So while we hid in the basement last Wednesday during the storm-a-thon, I decided that while I was down there I might as well get my games set up from our recent move here. This is the first time the've all been in the same room! All seemed to survive OK, but Kewpie Doll and Hula Hula both had some issues with the plunger plate coming loose/off. Weird.

I also finally got fed up with the weak left flipper on KD, and decided to replace the coil and sleeve. Yeah, coils aren't supposed to get weak, they just work or don't, but this sure seemed to make a difference. Probably the addition of a new sleeve didn't hurt either. Next up I want to replace the whole bushing/linkage and do it right.

Hopefully I'm going to get down to Fountain Square sometime this week...word is the building that has Duck Pin Bowling also has some EM's lurking in there. Stay tuned...

Report from the Road: Columbus, Ohio

My mom had a new robo-hip installed last week, and I volunteered to escort her to Columbus for the procedure. Fortunately, the clinic was right downtown, and only a few miles from the Short North. And having done some prior research, it seemed like there was a smattering of places to play pinball in Cowtown.

Well, maybe not even smattering. I found only two solid leads, both which produced machines though. First was the Tip Top Kitchen, only a quick jaunt from the hospital. I got pretty excited about this place, as a YouTube video shows an owner playing a Bally Future Spa, which might be the most ridiculous theme/backglass ever to grace a machine.

 I was pumped to put some quarters into one in the wild, but alas, it seems that it has long since been removed, with a well-playing (but lackluster in comparison) Monopoly in its place. It should be noted that the Tip Top has a fantastic draft selection, and the machine is crammed into the darkest spot in the place, which would be great except for the adjacent staff service door which blasts you with sunlight every so often, reminding you that there is an outside world waiting for you once your last ball drains.

The next day found me at Suzi Cue on N. 4th, very close to my brother's old apt. from way back when. Upon entering, an Attack From Mars could be seen in the very back, being hammered away on by one of the 2 other patrons in this cavernous pool hall. When she finally left, I was impressed with her last score (something in the 11,000,000,000 range!). I think my best has been 9,000,000,000, and needless to say I didn't even get close to that on this day. Also, the display on this particular AFM was missing close to 20 vertical lines, and the sound was turned completely off. Kinda killed it for me. Good thing the $1.50 PBRs made the experience sting a bit less.

So that's what I uncovered in good ol' Cols. I'm sure there are more pins lurking, but mom's cyborg-leg took priority on this trip. I'll be back, and I'm coming after you, Future Spa, wherever you are.

Welcome to the Pindiana pinball blog...

...all about corn shuckin', beer swillin' & all things pinball in and around the Hoosier state.  While posts are brewing, let the legendary Rick Stetta entertain you.