I’ve been thinking a lot about putting together a pinball restoration class for 4-5 kids next school year. The idea would be to find a good restoration candidate that needs a comprehensive shop job but hopefully not much work on the playfield. The other night I decided to just dictate a voice memo with all of my ideas about the class, what we’d cover, and how it would be organized. Then I used whisper to transcribe it into text and fed it into chatGPT. I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m floored at how well GPT organized my thoughts into a curriculum with a few prompts.
I also have an opportunity to get an Earthshaker this summer that would be perfect for this class. Exciting!
Here’s what GPT gave me from my transcript:
Below is a cleaned-up, more concise version of your transcribed audio, followed by a proposed structure for your curriculum. I’ve edited out filler words, tangents, and repeated phrases, but kept the essential flow and details. Then, to help you move from concept to actual class planning, I’ve broken your content into clear modules (or weeks) with key objectives and activities.
Cleaned-Up Transcript
Intro & Game Overview
- If we’re running hour-long (or 90-minute) sessions for teens, I’d start with an introduction to the specific pinball machine we’ll be restoring. Let everyone play a bit to get a feel for how it works.
- Next, we’d discuss all the visible mechanisms on the top side of the playfield: saucers, pop bumpers, slingshots, various targets (including drop targets), etc. Then I’d show them how to remove the glass, flip the playfield, and point out the underside components—speaker, coin box, menu system, and so on.
- We’d also open the back box to look at the boards, displays, connectors, lamps, credit knocker, and ground braid. That alone might be plenty for the first session, so we might push further disassembly to the next meeting.
Topside Teardown
- In the following session, we’d carefully remove all top-side parts. We’d emphasize:
- Organizing everything in tubs or labeled bags
- Taking thorough photos from every angle
- Keeping track of plastics, hardware, star posts, rubbers (usually tossed), ramps, etc.
- After removing these parts, we’d likely introduce the concept of evaluating which pieces need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. That might include the initial discussion of ordering new hardware, rubber rings, or replacement plastics.
Cleaning & Restoration
- Before tearing down the underside, we’d start cleaning and restoring top-side parts. Metal items might go in a tumbler with walnut shells, or get hand-polished. Plastics might get cleaned with alcohol or Novus. The group would also begin inventorying everything that needs replacing—star posts, rubbers, nuts, screws, etc.—so the replacement order can go in early.
- We might do more advanced cleaning methods like Evapo-Rust for heavily corroded pieces and talk about degreasers or polishers. During this time, we also discuss how to approach overall aesthetics (choosing rubber ring colors, whether we want LED lighting, etc.).
Underside Teardown & Mechanisms
- Once top-side parts are sorted and we’ve started cleaning, we’d flip the playfield again to tackle the underside. This includes removing and cataloging mechanisms such as flippers, slingshots, pop bumpers, kickers, out-hole assemblies, and so on.
- We’d evaluate which coils or linkages need replacing, whether we’re resoldering connections, and gather all the parts in labeled boxes. This might take multiple sessions, as each mechanism needs to be disassembled, cleaned, or rebuilt.
Deep Cleaning & Playfield Prep
- With the underside stripped, we thoroughly clean both sides of the playfield. That might include clearing out old wax buildup in switch slots, removing mylar if necessary (though that’s time-consuming and messy), and possibly polishing or waxing the playfield surface.
- If the mylar is in decent condition, we might skip removing it. Otherwise, we’d factor in extra work and decide if we want a professional clear coat, which significantly extends the timeline.
Rebuilding Underside
- After cleaning, we systematically rebuild the underside. Major tasks:
- Pop bumper rebuilds (often includes soldering),
- Flipper rebuild kits (definitely includes soldering),
- Reassembly of drop-target banks (new plastic drop targets, springs, etc.).
- This is also when we’d do a soldering lesson. It could be fun to have small practice kits so multiple teens can solder at once. We also check lamp sockets, wiring issues, test with a multimeter, and possibly do troubleshooting exercises.
Rebuilding Topside
- We reinstall the apron, rails, posts, ramps, and plastics (all cleaned or new) on the top side. By this point, we should have all the replacement hardware on hand.
- We’d polish and wax the playfield thoroughly before reattaching everything.
- We also handle any cosmetic upgrades: new flipper buttons, lit flipper buttons, color changes with rubbers, LED mods, new speakers, etc.
- Finally, we replace the balls, clean the outside of the cabinet and legs, address the coin door, and verify that the power cable is grounded correctly.
Additional Considerations
- Labeling and organizing are crucial throughout, as is consistent photo documentation.
- A project-management system (like a spreadsheet or a big whiteboard) helps track parts orders, tasks to be done, and what’s completed.
- We might also run “open workshop days” for extra practice or free play, ensuring the teens have time to experiment and ask questions.
Proposed Weekly Curriculum Outline
Below is a sample 12-week plan (adjust as needed). Each session is roughly 60–90 minutes. Many tasks can stretch over multiple sessions if needed.
Week 1: Introduction & Basic Overview
- Goals:
- Let students play the machine
- Identify all the basic components: flippers, bumpers, targets, slingshots
- Learn how to remove the glass and lift/flip the playfield
- Open the back box to see boards, displays, wiring
- Hands-On:
- Everyone tries a quick game
- Basic demonstration of removing the glass
- Show underside parts: coin box, speaker, menu system
- Q&A about pinball design/mechanics
Week 2: Topside Teardown
- Goals:
- Methodical removal of top playfield parts
- Labeling and organizing all pieces
- Taking photos for reference
- Hands-On:
- Small teams remove plastics, rubbers, posts, ramps
- Begin deciding which parts to toss or replace (old rubbers, broken plastics)
- Document everything meticulously
Week 3: Cleaning & Restoration Intro
- Goals:
- Learn the fundamentals of cleaning/polishing metal and plastic
- Start an inventory and order list (rubbers, fasteners, bulbs, etc.)
- Hands-On:
- Demonstrate use of tumblers with walnut shells
- Practice degreasing with orange cleaner or other solutions
- Sort & label parts that need heavy restoration vs. easy cleaning
Week 4: Continuing Topside Parts Restoration
- Goals:
- Finish cleaning/polishing top-side parts
- Confirm new parts order (rubbers, plastics, hardware)
- Hands-On:
- Group rotations polishing metal guides, screws, and posts
- Cleaning plastics with Novus or similar products
- Possibly test-fit new rubbers or plastics if deliveries arrive early
Week 5: Underside Teardown (Part 1)
- Goals:
- Begin removing flippers, slingshots, pop bumpers, and other sub-playfield mechs
- Document coil types and take note of worn parts
- Hands-On:
- Carefully remove major assemblies
- Label and bag everything, with lots of photographs
- Evaluate if we need new coils, linkages, or other parts
Week 6: Underside Teardown (Part 2) & Initial Cleaning
- Goals:
- Finish dismantling underside
- Start cleaning underside components (e.g., flipper mechanisms)
- Hands-On:
- Small groups break down mechanisms for cleaning
- Show how to use a multimeter for coil testing
- Evaluate boards, wiring for damage
Week 7: Deep Cleaning & Playfield Prep
- Goals:
- Thoroughly clean both sides of the bare playfield
- Decide if any mylar removal or insert repairs are needed
- Hands-On:
- Use solvents/degreasers on playfield
- Scrub out wax buildup in holes and inserts
- Optionally remove and replace mylar (if feasible)
Week 8: Mechanism Rebuilds – Pop Bumpers & More
- Goals:
- Teach the step-by-step process for rebuilding a pop bumper (or other mechs)
- Learn soldering basics
- Hands-On:
- Pop bumper teardown & reassembly (including new skirts, spoons, caps if needed)
- Practice soldering on real wires and coil lugs
Week 9: Flipper Rebuild
- Goals:
- Rebuild flipper assemblies with new parts, adjusting for proper alignment
- Continue soldering practice
- Hands-On:
- Install a flipper rebuild kit
- Demonstrate reflowing solder joints, coil stops, bushings
- Test mechanical function by hand
Week 10: Reassembling the Underside
- Goals:
- Reinstate all mechanisms: slingshots, kickers, out-hole, drop targets
- Verify each is clean, lubricated where appropriate, and well-aligned
- Hands-On:
- Systematically reattach assemblies
- Double-check coil orientation/wiring
- Begin replacing bulbs in sockets as you go
Week 11: Topside Reassembly
- Goals:
- Reinstall all posts, plastics, ramps, apron, rails, etc.
- Install new rubbers (or silicone rings)
- Hands-On:
- Carefully reconstruct the top playfield
- Wax the playfield, then add new rubbers, plastics, metal guides
- Ensure everything lines up properly using photo references
Week 12: Final Touches & Testing
- Goals:
- Finish cabinet refinements: leg cleanup or replacement, coin door, shooter rod, speaker upgrades, etc.
- Test the machine thoroughly
- Celebrate with free play!
- Hands-On:
- Install legs and level the machine
- Replace the power cord if needed
- Switch on the machine, perform final adjustments and checks
- Possibly add fun lighting mods or custom touches
Suggestions & Practical Tips
- Simplify Where Possible
The process is broad – be prepared that teens might feel overwhelmed by so many details. Each week, focus on one main concept (e.g., “Today is Pop Bumper Day” or “This week is all about cleaning metal parts”). - Document Everything
Use a shared folder or spreadsheet for part numbers, needed replacements, photos, and progress notes. This not only helps with organization but also teaches good project management. - Incorporate Hands-On Practice
Integrate short “practice tasks” (like learning to solder on a simple circuit board) before tackling the actual flipper or pop bumper solder joints. - Keep It Fun and Interactive
Teens tend to enjoy quick, tangible wins: finishing one drop-target bank or fully restoring a single assembly in one session can be very gratifying. - Expect Variations
Different pinball machines differ in complexity. Some weeks might run long or short depending on how many assemblies there are or whether you have to wait on parts.
Final Thoughts
This plan gives you a roadmap for a 12-week pinball restoration curriculum aimed at teens. It balances theoretical understanding (learning about each assembly and how pinball machines function) with practical skill-building (disassembly, cleaning, soldering, part replacement). Feel free to shorten or expand the schedule based on actual progress, the condition of the machine(s), and your group’s interest in exploring advanced mods or restoration techniques.
Hope this helps you shape a clear, engaging curriculum from the rough transcript you shared—good luck with your class, and have fun restoring that pinball machine!