Ep 7. Pinsetter Mechanic

Dirty Jobs is an American television series that explores the world of particularly unappealing and difficult professions. The show follows host Mike Rowe as he goes behind the scenes with workers in industries that are often overlooked or underappreciated.

In season 6, episode 7 of Dirty Jobs, titled Pinsetter Mechanic, Rowe visits a bowling alley in New Jersey to learn about the job of a mechanic in the bowling industry. This may not seem like a particularly dirty job, but Rowe quickly discovers that it is not for the faint of heart.

Rowe begins by meeting his guide for the day, Mark Voight, a third-generation pinsetter mechanic with over 45 years of experience. Voight takes Rowe through the ins and outs of the machines that keep the games running smoothly, explaining the various parts and functions of the equipment.

From there, Rowe gets his hands dirty as he learns how to troubleshoot common problems that arise with pinsetters. He gets up close and personal with the machines, crawling into their bowels to get a better look at what's going on. Along the way, he discovers that there's a lot more to fixing a pinsetter than simply tightening a few bolts.

One of the challenges of being a pinsetter mechanic is that the machines are all unique; there is no one-size-fits-all solution to fixing them. Voight and his team have to rely on their years of experience and intuition to figure out what's going wrong and how to fix it.

Rowe gets a firsthand look at the mechanics' problem-solving skills as he watches them diagnose and repair various issues with the machines. He also learns about the importance of preventive maintenance, as even the smallest problem can quickly escalate and bring the whole operation to a grinding halt.

One of the more fascinating aspects of the job is how much of it is still done by hand. Despite the technological advances in the industry, there are still many tasks that require a human touch, such as cleaning and adjusting the pins. Rowe gets a crash course in these manual tasks, which require both strength and precision.

Throughout the episode, Rowe also takes the time to chat with the other workers at the bowling alley, including the front desk staff, the snack bar employees, and the league bowlers themselves. This gives him a broader perspective on the industry and how it fits into the larger community.

Overall, Dirty Jobs season 6 episode 7 is an entertaining and informative look at a job that many people take for granted. It showcases the skills and expertise required to keep this important aspect of American leisure running smoothly, and offers a rare glimpse into a world that many of us have never considered. Whether you're a fan of bowling or just appreciate the hard work that goes into keeping our entertainment infrastructure in working order, this episode is worth checking out.