Looking for a hand rest post, bumper question

[wrkey]

My recent purchase (PowerFlash) is in a custom cabinet and the 'hand rest' post is missing. Does anyone have a Nishijin post from a dead/parts machine that would be willing to part with? While I would prefer a Nishijin part for consitancy, barring finding one of those, any model will do.

Also, it appears that the top bumper on several of my machines are 'dead' as is the one(s) for the striker arm. Any suggestion on replacement? I've contacted 'thepachinkoman' and awaiting his response but I'm interested in what others may have done.

Thanks to all!

[owennewton]

for the top bumper I have taken cheap super balls and cut them to shape. they seem a little more reactive than the original part but much better than not having it at all

[jwegger]

For the top bumper you can use an inside polisher for rings, they are available at most jewlery supply stores, they come in two colors (that I know of) pink and blue, they both seem to have pretty good bounce. They are usually a little too long to fit inside the machine so you will need to cut to length.

[Eddie]

Rubber plumbing plugs work very well as do some plumbing washers.

[wrkey]

Just finished the Auction from Jwegger for the post and bumpers.

THANKS JIM!

I can't wait to get the parts in so I can see what I can break when I install them!

[wrkey]

Just received the hand rest and bumpers that I purchased from JWegger.



Thanks AGAIN JIM!

[wrkey]

I've now installed both the hand rest and bumper that JWegger sent me on my PowerFlash so here's a photo of the work.

The hand rest looks original and between that and the new bumper I'm better able to aim my shots and get quicker jackpots.

The bumper that Jim sold me was made from a ring polisher and while it does substantially better than the old hard as a rock original, it doesn't have quite the bounce I expected. However, due to this the shots tend to become less erratic. So, it was a perfect replacement for this machine! Woo Hoo!

I have made a quick mod to this machine and added an extra bulb behind the jackpot where there was none. Now, not only does the King light up, so does the red wings on phoenix! Really cool!

I've got to get my video cam out and record it!

[MrGneiss]

That looks really nice!!

[hanabi]

Great work!!

Would be nice to see some video footage of it all in action

[ggray]

I have been experimenting with different replacements for old bumpers. Two of my recent purchases have 'molded rubber' bumpers that are not round. I used one of the old bumpers to make a plaster mold.

Then, I found an interesting compound at a local craft store called "Amazing Mold Putty". This is a 2-part compound that sets up like rubber in about 20 minutes. I pressed this into the mold and 20 minutes later I had a new "bumper"! It seems to work well in the machine though it may be a little softer than the original rubber.

I haven't tried this for the 'round' bumpers yet, but I'm looking for a small glass or plastic tube with an inside diameter the size of an old bumper to use as a mold.

Greg

[wrkey]

Cool idea there Greg!

What is the 'action' like with the new bumper? While the jewlery buffer works well, it doesn't have the ball bounce that I would like. If you shoot a ball at the fastest speed, does it bounce at least to the center of the play field? The one I installed only gives a short bounce back.

Thanks again for updating this post and I look forward to your reply!

[ggray]

"Bounce" is pretty good! A "full" throw on the launch handle will send balls to the left side of the field! I'm assuming this also depends on the action of the "launch spring"!

For the 'round' bumpers, I've used a "self vulcanizing" electrical tape and wound it until it was about the same diameter as the original. This method provides some level of 'control' over the density of the resulting "bumper" by wrapping the tape looser or tighter. Experimentation is the key to success here! The tape is pretty cheap, so you can try several different wraps until you get the desired effect.

If the 'compound' I used in the molded bumper works as well for the round bumpers, I'll consider making up several of each of them and offer them for sale.


Greg