Ep 6. Pinball Machine

The Repair Shop is a British television series that follows a team of experts as they restore and repair sentimental antiques brought in by clients. In season 4 episode 6, the team takes on a unique challenge: restoring a vintage pinball machine.

The episode begins with pinball enthusiast Graham walking into The Repair Shop with a broken pinball machine from the 1970s. The family heirloom was passed down to Graham from his father, who used to play it with him when he was a child. Graham recalls fond memories of playing the pinball machine with his father, and he wants to restore it to its former glory so he can continue to enjoy it with his own children.

The team at The Repair Shop begins by disassembling the pinball machine and taking a closer look at the damage. The wiring is frayed, and some parts are missing or broken. Furniture restorer Will tackles the task of restoring the wooden cabinet, which has significant water damage. He carefully removes the old veneer and replaces it with new wood. After sanding and staining the wood to match the original color, he applies a protective clear coat.

Meanwhile, pinball expert Steve works on repairing the wiring and replacing the missing parts. He spends hours searching for the right replacement parts, but eventually finds everything he needs. With the new parts in place, he tests the machine to make sure it's working properly. He also cleans and polishes the playfield so that the ball will roll smoothly.

Next, metalworker Dominic takes on the challenge of repairing the metal parts on the pinball machine. He uses a combination of welding and soldering to fix the broken parts and then polishes them to a shiny finish. With the metal parts fixed, the team reassembles the pinball machine, and it starts to come together.

Lastly, the team adds the finishing touches to the machine. Clock restorer Ruth works on restoring the original clock mechanism in the machine, staining the clock face to match the cabinet. Leatherworker Suzie repairs the leather trim around the edges of the machine and makes a custom cover to protect it from dust and scratches.

After several days of hard work, the pinball machine is finally ready for Graham to take home. He is delighted with the restoration and excited to play it with his family. He shares his memories of playing the pinball machine with his father and how important it is to him to be able to share that experience with his own children.

The Repair Shop season 4 episode 6, Pinball Machine, is a heartwarming episode that showcases the team's skills and dedication to restoring sentimental antiques. The pinball machine is not only restored to its original condition but also serves as a reminder of the importance of cherished family memories.