Pinspotter Age

[8270Wizard]

I know this may seem a tough one to establish but i have been asked to find out the age of my pinsetters. I have been here 7 years and these machines are original to the company that we took over from so i have no paperwork to help with it. I have AMF 82-70 MP machines with serial numbers on the pinwheels ranging between 153,624 - 153,839. anyone shed some light on this?

[Tablejam]

The front ends and back ends each have their own serial number and unless this was an original install they may not match.

But from doing research of my own, since I have a mix of A and B- converted to C, C, & MP machines, I can tell you serial #153xxx puts those into the MP range.

-143680, first MP machine, May 1978
-153012, first machine produced in Richmond, VA November 1988

So it seems your machines are from 1988 or a bit later.

[8270king]

Those babies are new!

[Ross Gibson]

I think Tower Park opened around 1989 as a Megabowl when the Leisure Park opened. Tablejam said the 152*** machines started in Richmond Nov 1988 so the machines probably went in new on the initial build.

[Ross Gibson]

Updated. Spoke to a man in the know. Looks like Tower Park opened 1990. New front end package, pinspotters were 2nd hand.

[Alastair]

http://www.bowltech.com/content/btubb/amfhistory/

DO not be fooled by Pinspotter age. It is a test to how well they are maintained as to the machines running ability, not the test of time.

I know many old machines dating back to late 60's which run fantastic, and many new machines which run terrible. It's all to do with the team looking after them in my opinion.

I hope Tower Park is finding you well! I used to know the centre mechanics there some time ago, as Im sure Ross does.

[Tablejam]

^Is that your doing? Very nice.

[Alastair]

I did it some time ago - very much a work in progress - all help needed to get the list the best we can!! More descriptions etc...

I also maybe fancy doing a mask one, and a scoring system one?

[Tablejam]

And also a ball return one, all of those would be very interesting.

[exactlyvague]

I've been wondering the same, but I have s mystery mix ranging from 100--- to 141---and several of my machines have been in3different countries

[Tablejam]

I've been wondering the same, but I have s mystery mix ranging from 100--- to 141---and several of my machines have been in3different countries

That range puts them into the C machine range with the first single solenoids.

[AMF_JEFF]

I have worked on some Japan...70's

[exactlyvague]

That range puts them into the C machine range with the first single solenoids.

In the middle of the house a few of my machines were double solenoid that have been converted, You can point them out out pretty easy from the back too, they are the only ones with the older style distributor support.

[Tablejam]

In the middle of the house a few of my machines were double solenoid that have been converted, You can point them out out pretty easy from the back too, they are the only ones with the older style distributor support.

Yep, I got some of those!