Sorry for any confusion, I should probably have put out some more details.

Unless something falls through, I will be heading from Ottawa (Barrhaven) early on Tuesday morning to pick up a bowler.  I will be taking a 6x12 trailer (enclosed) so I will have room for others.   I can drop them off in the immediate area that day, but other than that you'd have to pick them up from me.  I know no one on here, no one knows me, not sure that that matters.

Mike, if you're free and want to spend 7+ hours in a van with a stranger, feel free.  Although it's not necessary, I would hope that someone on the other end could help me load.  I take it you want one regardless, I have a request for 2 other machines, so there should be room for one for you (4 total).  If there are other requests I can take them on a first come first served basis but I make no guarantee that I can actually get one, it will depend on the size and how well they pack in the trailer.

If I do pick one up for someone, please have the understanding that you will buy it, sight unseen.  I will do my best to make sure that you have the best of the ones available.  Again, I realize that you don't know me, but I will ask that you defer to gjd who seems well known here to vouch for the condition of the ones that I take.  I'm not interested in getting stuck with extra bowlers.

The trailer is reserved, the only thing potentially risking the trip would be the weather....and here's to hoping that the next shipment gets in on Monday for more selection.

If you want company I'm in - unless you get a positive confirmation that someone will help you at the other end and would prefer to travel alone.  I'm guessing we wont be strangers by the end of the trip ...  I wont do the Forest Gump thing if you dont.. "My Mama always said never to speak to strangers"..

Let me know I'm good either way.  I'd pick it up at your place if you go alone.

Mike

Mike, a couple of ground rules.  I listen to sports radio or rock/metal (XM 41/53 if that helps), no country, no techo.  I stop for coffee, little else.  I still have to work out the schedule (here and with gjd), but would rather leave before 8am.  If you can make it to this side of the river by then, and this hasn't scared you off, welcome aboard.  In your position I know I would rather tag along to be able to handpick the one you want.

Two more requests are in so I'm guessing that that will fill the trailer.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

What next? Are you going to buy a bowling alley?

Actually I'd be in for that. Anyone want to partner buying a bowling alley and put in an arcade?

When you say 18 available. Do you mean 18 brought back? I thought some were coming Monday.

I wish, i"d spend all my time behind the pins, mumbling to myself incoherently about arcade games, sampling the shoe freshener for its" medicinal qualities. Hell, id probably live there

Anyone who knows me, and has done business with me knows that they are in for a good deal. I will make it right if it gets home and is kaput. You need not worry about that.

Quoted from gjd

Anyone who knows me, and has done business with me knows that they are in for a good deal. I will make it right if it gets home and is kaput. You need not worry about that.

  he is a man of his word.  believe me.  
  i think i really really want one.  might have to stand it upwards in the garage or somewhere till we get out house.  but i think i want one.  if there are any left by the time i can get up for one.

Quoted from QN

Mike, a couple of ground rules.  I listen to sports radio or rock/metal (XM 41/53 if that helps), no country, no techo.

I sense some trepidation. I wouldn't worry too much. Mike plays a pretty mean banjo. You two will get along just fine.

Quoted from QN

Mike, a couple of ground rules.  I listen to sports radio or rock/metal (XM 41/53 if that helps), no country, no techo.  I stop for coffee, little else.  I still have to work out the schedule (here and with gjd), but would rather leave before 8am.  If you can make it to this side of the river by then, and this hasn't scared you off, welcome aboard.  In your position I know I would rather tag along to be able to handpick the one you want.

Two more requests are in so I'm guessing that that will fill the trailer.

Radio selection is perfect
Cafeine breaks are the cats a**
If you dont have a GPS I'll bring one - just for fun cause we'd never get lost anyway
Wouldn't want to leave any later anyway.  You can let me know where to meet through PM.

Mike

Anyone who is able to come tomorrow please give me a call ) Toronto-Buffalo and back
Especially those that are into actually getting a machine for themselves
room for 2
416 759 9608

Also, anyone who can cross the border and can help out Tues, Wed, Thurs, please let me know as well
Thanks

Quoted from necro_nemesis

EM isn't bad. Most of the time it's oxidization issues with contacts. Otherwise it usually boils down to a blown coil either on a relay or stepping switch or problems with a scoring motor. If you can test continuity and check coils it's half the battle. The biggest problem is a game that has had the hell played out of it. Then you can have wear on stepping mechs etc. but looking at these I doubt they got that much play.

Things that look smokey or charred are usually good indicators of where problems are.

#1 rule about EMs, don't fix what ain't broken.  If you go cleaning switches withough knowing what you are doing for the heck of it, you can cause multiple faults which are even harder to trace out.   One often needs to tighten the switch stacks since their bakelite spacers shrink and loose switch blades can change their gap. I find the other things that throw people for a loop (other than the obvious issues) are 1) grit between switch contacts - often happens when you're using grit boards to polish contacts - a good air gun comes in handy here, 2) switches in switch stacks that are out of alignment -  sometimes someone cleaning contacts moves a switch blade out of its position in the stack, causing the switch to be always open, or always closed, even when the actuator moves, 3) Incorrect gapping of a switch (or misalignment of nylon switch spacers) on score motor unit can cause headaches, but is usually easy to diagnose - just eyeball a switch that hardly moves, or never opens or closes on a full rotation of the score motor.

One thing I have learned (so far) in my own Shuffle Alley experience, is that they sometimes use rubber cushions and whatnot to dampen the end of the pin's upward swing, and that deteriorates over time and may need to be replaced (to quiet the machine and keep bits of flacking rubber from going onto the playfield).  

One may also want to blow out the switches below the pins as the alley wax flakes can lodge in switches.

Going to collingwood and orageville later this evening. If anyone in between there and T.O is looking for one, and may have trouble getting them picked up, call me at 416 759 9608 to arrange a drop off. I wont charge you much for that as it will probably be on my way anyhow

No help needed today, thanks
Tomorrow is another story!!!!