In the last few years we’ve seen several new custom pinball projects pop up. This is absolutely wonderful! There is no denying that pinball is around to stay, even if as a cottage industry. If you’re setting out on your very own custom pinball project, We’d urge you to get in-touch with someone that’s done it. Building a custom machine seems impossible until you do it, the challenge is keeping it fun. For example, are you scratch building new cabinets, control boards, artwork, playfields, wiring harnesses, and electro-mechanical assemblies? The voice of experience here, it’s a sliding scale of cost, difficulty, and time. You’ll have to design, fabricate, and assemble each part, and it’s always costing twice as much and taking twice as long as you expected.
We’d like to take a moment to thank everyone for writing in about our new machines. We’re amazed at the sheer number and enthusiasm of these project volunteers. We’ve have people asking to help on everything from assembly to an Emmy award winning sound designer. There is actually more available talent than there is available work, not such a bad problem really.
We’d also like to thank Classic Playfield Reproductions for helping with white-woods. Upstate CNC for production of our white-cabinets. Bonnie for what must now be five dozens of CAD drawings. Mark for building our ridiculously custom EM assemblies. Finally, MatchStick Creations for our custom about-to-be molded toys.
As a reminder, when our machines are able, they will be available for public play testing at Lyons Classic Pinball. We expect the best of Colorado to give them a workout, at which time we’ll review the game play and take the time to iterate the design. The dates will be pre announced (Kevin doesn’t seem to mind a crowd). Additionally, we are demonstrating and hosting seminars on our machines at several pinball shows across the country so you’ll have a chance to see and play them in person.
