Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Cheesiest ball management system ever!

  1. #1
    Sandwich Shooter Trey314159's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Maryland, US
    Posts
    359
    Thanks
    412
    Thanks Received
    248

    Default Cheesiest ball management system ever!

    I recently bought a vintage pachinko machine like the one I played with at a friend's house in the late 70s, when I was a boy. While shopping for it, I came across so many modern ones that I decided to get one of those, too. I had a few problems with the modern one, and searching for help online I found Pachitalk and realized that I also apparently NEED a case for each of my pachinkos.

    I haven't found a case to buy that I like.. most of the little ball funnels on top look goofy, and I've been ruined by all the excellent cases I've seen on Pachitalk--I'm currently infatuated with ken524's design (though I like the ones with the lexan on top, too). I'm fairly handy with the woodworking, but it is too cold right now for anything that complex. My kids are too little to be reaching behind the machine to get balls, and I'm too lazy to keep moving the balls up for them.

    So, last night I built a prototype "ball management system" (barely worthy of the name) for my vintage Tiger. Next I will construct a slightly better system for my Sakura.

    I used scrap wood I had laying around the garage, half an old flexible cutting board, some scrap cardboard, part of a kleenex box, and an old piece of tupperware. Some staples and finishing nails hold it all together.

    On the backside, I built a ramp from a thin strip of wood between boards on edge. It makes a right angle turn to redirect the balls to the front of the machine. Of course, the ramp doesn't really fit under place where the balls drop out on the back side, so the flexible cutting board bridges the gap between the two. Some extra cardboard at the back of the ramp keeps the balls from bouncing out of the ramp. The tupperware sits at the bottom of the ramp to collect the balls as they roll out from behind.

    On top, the tissue box serves double duty. First, it works as a spacer to keep the machine from leaning backward towards the wall. Second, it feeds the ball repository on top. I cut a hole in the bottom of the box and wedged some cardboard ramps in place (with cardboard triangles underneath and lots of clear tape all around to help support them) to direct the balls to the hole.

    Construction materials were all scrap, except the flexible cutting board, which was old and ugly (we have a spare and now we have an excuse to buy a new one). "Measuring" and building time was about an hour, but I was watching TV with my kids at the same time.

    Anyway, assuming I haven't embarrassed myself so badly that I get banned from Pachitalk, I thought you all might get a laugh from this. Or, if you are both lazy and not very handy, you might get inspired to build your own weak and feeble ball handling set up.

    Once it gets warm, I'll probably build a couple of cases like ken524's, unless someone can suggest a good place to buy a good case from. The two main features I want are: no goofy-looking funnel on top (goofy funnels should be hidden in a box), and something that actually catches the balls on the bottom, not just a place to put a tray. Y'know, something like ken524's. (ken524, are you selling?)

    -T
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. The following 13 users say "Thanks" to Trey314159


  3. #2
    Gibisans - Japan West compirate's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Down in da Holler, WV
    Posts
    9,106
    Thanks
    8,726
    Thanks Received
    18,435

    Default Re: Cheesiest ball management system ever!

    For a mechanical, that's all you need!

    Nothing like a little back-woods engineering!

    人生は恐れなければ、とても素晴らしいものなんだよ。
    人生に必要なもの。それは勇気と想像力、そして少しのお金だ。

  4. The following user says "Thanks" to compirate


  5. #3
    Mr. Pachitalk arbycoffee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Jesup Iowa 'The Right Place'
    Posts
    19,372
    Thanks
    2,920
    Thanks Received
    15,150

    Default Re: Cheesiest ball management system ever!

    cool job, you will always build better the second one on. I know, I do every time
    "This is My Personal Opinion and no others"

  6. The following user says "Thanks" to arbycoffee


  7. #4
    Pachi Puro slothappy144's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Grattan, Mi
    Posts
    3,175
    Thanks
    1,890
    Thanks Received
    2,256

    Default Re: Cheesiest ball management system ever!

    Congrats on the good job and thanks for sharing! If it works it is right. I hate the reach around and immediatly do something to avoid it. I had feet made and volume controls installed as soon as my last 2 were out of their boxes.
    Cheers,
    Mike G
    Mikes Woodshop click on my game room link at bottom of page

  8. The following user says "Thanks" to slothappy144


  9. #5
    Kungishi fronzdan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    1,546
    Thanks
    954
    Thanks Received
    1,165

    Default Re: Cheesiest ball management system ever!

    Hey McGyver, is that you?

    Nice way to use the material you have! If it works, it's a good solution.

  10. The following user says "Thanks" to fronzdan


Similar Threads

  1. Nisijin Ball Management History!!
    By MrGneiss in forum Ball Lifters/Ball Management
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-22-2010, 05:52 AM
  2. Professional Ball Management System and Cabinets
    By lordtekken in forum Ball Lifters/Ball Management
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 12-10-2008, 04:58 PM
  3. Ball handling system
    By BigBearSteve in forum Ball Lifters/Ball Management
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 06-08-2008, 10:49 PM
  4. pachinko ball management system
    By owennewton in forum Ball Lifters/Ball Management
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 11-12-2007, 08:52 PM
  5. Ball Management
    By Kamehany in forum Modern Pachinko
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 07-30-2005, 08:21 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •