Nishijin Power Roulette Pachinko machine repairs.
But first…
A recap on 2023.
2023 was the first year since 2012 that I didn’t buy or sell any games.
Late in the year, I had a couple of old friends over about a bingo machine motor. That despite having said multiple times that I didn’t want to talk to anyone. But, a friend in need is a friend indeed and, honestly, I can’t say no to the philosophical godfather of pinball repair in this blighted province of Quebecistan so that’s that.
Now, back to Power Roulette:
I got this Power Roulette in late 2019 with the help of a friend. This game was a poor purchase choice on my part. Despite loving 70's pachinko machines, I don’t like this game. I think Power Roulette is the Nishijin equivalent of Bally Fireball. Highly sought after. Expensive. Overrated. Not that fun. With a big circular useless feature in the middle of the play field.
I know from experience. I own both aforementioned games. I Have no qualms about slagging games I own.
So I got the game, played it a bit. Realized it had a problem. Loaned it off. Got it back... unfortunately (I guess I could have sold it around that time but I prefer trading games). Stuck it in a corner and forgot about it for a couple of years. Which brings us to now. I wanted to fix the game and be done with it.
To fix Power Roulette, I had to take out the complete left side actuator assembly for the tulips and slightly re-position it. The problem is that the unit is stapled. It's stapled with a particular type of staple.
To properly measure the factory staples, first, I had to delicately remove one of the staples without destroying it or the unit. Easier said than done.
With a lot of measuring and research I found that closest equivalent to the factory staples are a 21 gauge, 1/2 inch crown, 3/8 length. Now if this was just some no value pachinko machine, the staples wouldn't have mattered, but Power Roulette is a very valuable game so attention to details when executing repairs is paramount. Furthermore I needed a long thin muzzled pneumatic staple gun to get the staples into the nooks and crannies. All that for four (4) staples. These are by far the most expensive staples I've ever driven.
With the repairs done, I don't hate the game as much but I still think Power Roulette is overrated.
Now enjoy a few reference picture of a rare Nishijin Power Roulette.
