Quality of new Pinballs - dings dents rust

[David_Vi]

As you may have noticed I used a few balls on trophies for our recent event. We ordered a bunch of new balls and rotate the nicer older balls onto trophies and replace with new balls into the pins.

I got 6 in a Ministry of Pinball order a couple weeks ago as I was ordering bits any then Claire got 20 from a UK supplier.

I've got used to balls having to be cleaned up before use but over half the new balls had dings in them I could feel with my finger. I was stressing out trying to find enough usable for the pins and trophies as I only had one day and couldn't return or order more.

The ministry of Pinball ones came in a bubble wrap bag. I took those out to find them covered in rust spots.

I'd ordered new balls last year and a few had marks on that didn't come off, they were physical dents. I contacted the supplier and they said they don't sell used balls but sent me some replacements anyhow.

I remember balls coming coated with oil but all the recent purchases haven't.
All the balls are together in a bag so can they be damaged in storage or transit? I don't think this is likely as they fly around pinball machines and take a long time to get damaged.

Is this common? Or bad luck? Damaged in transit?

Will the damaged and rusty balls clean up in a tumbler so I can at least use them on future trophies? So they're not a waste of money.

I'll try to get some photos later.

 

[M4carp]

I put a load of old worn balls in my tumbler for a week and they came out better than some of the new balls I have bought, silky smooth and shiny.

 

[David_Vi]

I put a load of old worn balls in my tumbler for a week and they came out better than some of the new balls I have bought, silky smooth and shiny.

That's good to know, at least they weren't a waste of money!

Does it get rid of the dings and the rust?

I'm hoping to borrow a tumbler soon to try this

 

[Epotech]

I bought a load recently and they are already no good. Luck of the draw with the quality the vendor receives as well. I may tumble them and this may also demagnetise too.

 

[M4carp]

It removes surface scratches and rust but doubt you would get rid of deep dings unless it’s in the tumbler for a year or 2.
Put some metal polisher in the media as well to get that mirror Finish.
These we’re all old marked and a bit rusty.

 

[Jib]

I bought a bunch from Pinball Life when they were half price and I always add a few to my order if I'm under the £135 customs amount as long as it doesn't add too much to postage, they've always been good quality. They do come in one bag but they are oiled and the box is well packaged. Also ordered from Pinball Heaven a few times and they've always been fine. The ones I ordered from Pinball Bazaar, one set was fine, the other set was rusty

 

[Andypc]

I bought some of the supposedly premium pinballs last year and quite alot of them arrived with rust spots all over them. Definitely seem to be an issue with quality of late.

 

[Jib]

I can send you my used balls for trophies when I have a bunch if the postage doesn't make it silly money

 

[new forest pinball]

We always get our balls (unless for magnet games) from Mel at one stop pinball. @PeterFenton . Ordered 100’s and never had a quality issue.
For magnet games we use Phil Pinball Heaven. Keef……

 

[Deleted member 2463]

ball baron no problem

 

[Spandangler]

It removes surface scratches and rust but doubt you would get rid of deep dings unless it’s in the tumbler for a year or 2.
Put some metal polisher in the media as well to get that mirror Finish.
These we’re all old marked and a bit rusty.

The Ambassador is spoiling us……