Jackpot balls getting stuck in Nishijin Style A

[gc143]

I have been cleaning my first vintage pachinko. It's a Nishijin style A (recycler) with a flower theme.

Everything seems to be working fine... except about every 4th or 5th jackpot (from ANY of the winning pockets, tulips etc) gets stuck.

The light goes off but the bell doesn't ring and the balls don't eject until you shake the machine or tap it a little.

I cleaned everything and there doesn't seem to be any reason it gets stuck.

The only possible problem I can find are two joints that seem loose (see the 3rd photo - yellow dots marked 1 & 2.) I am not sure how I could tighten those joints and perhaps they are supposed to be loose for proper function.

It's not a huge problem since I can "un-stick" the balls without opening the machine.








Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[gc143]

FYI, photo 1 (and 4) shows the machine with the "covers attached" I removed them for the other 2 photos so you could get a better view of the problem.

[wrkey]

Unfortunately, I can't see the photos due to my company's web filtering systems. If you could repost a message with the photos 'uploaded' through the PachiTalk forum I'm sure I could help you out.

Just click reply and then 'Go Advanced' and at the bottom you will see a button for Manage attachments. Then browse and select your photos, click upload and then post the message. This option also allows for the use of thumbnails which makes the loading of the messages quicker.

Thanks!

[Moparformances]

i cant see any of the picturees either

[Sid]

I see them just fine..

[Moparformances]

thay apper a 3 verry small bullets on my screen???

guess i should not be surfing at work???

im guessing its my co filters as well??

[wibbix]

I've got a model A as well. On my box, the joints are loose.

Turn it around and drop a few balls into the jackpot channel (through the hole just under the top most ball cache). Watch them as they make their way past the white see-saw (which sits behind the middle ball cache/recycle bin) and then pushes the jackpot lever down. I would suspect a catch at the see-saw. If the ball makes it to the lever and doesn't push it all the way down, check for binding on the jackpot tray.

[gc143]

Thanks for the responses. Sorry for the problems with the photos. They are now attached:

[gc143]

I've got a model A as well. On my box, the joints are loose.

Turn it around and drop a few balls into the jackpot channel (through the hole just under the top most ball cache). Watch them as they make their way past the white see-saw (which sits behind the middle ball cache/recycle bin) and then pushes the jackpot lever down. I would suspect a catch at the see-saw. If the ball makes it to the lever and doesn't push it all the way down, check for binding on the jackpot tray.

It passes the see-saw I believe.

It actually works more often than it doesn't.

What does "binding" on the jackpot tray mean? How do i check for that?

Thanks!

[Moparformances]

looks like wibbix is on the right track

i dont know how to explain it much better?? some one else give it a shot??

see the last pic has a ball in mid payout.. it need to finish the cycle before another ball can trip another jackpot

the arm the ball is sitting on might be to tight / in a bind

good luck

[wibbix]

Ok, with the arm in mid payout, I would take a hold of it and move it slightly up and down to get a feel of where the bind is located. Could be right next to where the ball is sitting (the arm is rubbing against the plastic channel).

You said the joints are loose so I wouldn't think that's an issue.

The jackpot see-saw pivots on a nail. Check for gum up or other residue.

It's hard to tell from the third pic but make sure there is no touching between the arm (point 1) and the ball drain channel (to the right of the jackpot see-saw).

Another issue is if you are using rusty spheres (shame on you). They might bind where they leave the middle cache tray and enter the jackpot see-saw.

[wrkey]

I agree with Wibbix and his diagnosis.

I also have an additional suggestion. In my lasted restorations, the machines were left out in a garage / storage building where dampness was a problem. I had to remove all the components and for those that swiveled on metal pins, I used emory cloth to shine them up. Some swivels were so corroded the component would only move by force. Keep in mind that every thing works on the gravity and the amount of force needed is generally equal to the weight of one ball. Thus is doesn't take much crud or corrosion to cause sticking problems. Some machines work themselves loose over time but it's generally better to attack the problem with a piece of emory cloth.

Good luck and keep working on it!

[gc143]

OK, I checked out all the suggestions you guys gave.

First I am not using rusted or dirty spheres. I know better because I have been checking out this board since I bought the machine 4 months ago!

The arm wasn't getting stuck in the chute, the see-saw wasn't stopping it and it wasn't scraping behind the ball drain channel.

After troubleshooting all of these (thanks again for your suggestions) I think the problem is with the slide that holds the winning balls (see below.)

It seems that occasionally it just gets stuck. I cleaned and cleaned this part and the other part it comes in contact with and it didn't seem to change anything.

Finally I found a very low tech solution. I cable-tied a washer to the bottom of this slide. The extra weight seems to be just enough to keep it from getting stuck.

So, it works.

I would like to repair it correctly, but in the meantime this solution doesn't seem to be something that could damage the machine.

I am still open for any suggestions to correctly fix the problem.

[wrkey]

Your solution to this problem is actually a very common solution. What I believe happens is that over time, the points of contact where parts swivel wear down. There are two things that we have to remember. First is that these machines are designed to run on gravity alone and therefore many components must be balanced with some degree of precision in order to function properly. The second thing to remember is that little expiration sticker we use to date the machine.

IMHO, these machines had a known and very specific lifespan that was a consideration in their original design phase and through out the manufacturing process. Because of this set limitation it was OK that the components have a specific lifespan. That very fact helped keep manufacturing cost down because less expensive materials could be used. If these machines were designed to last for the 30+ years, then I think we would be seeing components with brass bushings, bearings and hardened materials instead of the plastic that we see.

So, this expiration stickers should be a reminder to us that the regulatory boards knew that the machines were going to wear out and the possiblity that the 'odds' could be skewed due to this. Therefore, that inspection sticker is a pretty bold statement that the machine will wear out... and we have the evidence of that... albeit 30+ years later!

My most recent machines (7 Dwarfs & Parachuting Monkey) both have the same balancing issue you speak of although these issues are on the center pocket areas. In the case of the 7 Dwarfs I was able to shine up the brass swivel pins and resolved the problem but on the Monkey I had to add a pretty sizable weight.

My suggestion for you is to find something that has the right weight (fishing weights work well) and then glue this weight at point where it's not easily seen. Thus your machine works properly and the modification is somewhat hidden. And you should be 'proud' of this modification as it stands testament to the percision of the original manufacturing, the longevity of a machine designed for 3 years of service and your own ingenuity in resolving an engineering issue thus extending the life of the machine!

Ain't these machines fun!

[Ikaria]

[gc143]

Awesome! Thanks.

[digital1]

I never thought about the expire sticker in that way. We really are giving these things a new life. Mine expired almost 40 years ago. (Hey it's older than me!!)

[birdbrain]

that 4th pic shows a girl scout cookie box why don't i ever see them down here?

[gc143]

The girl scout cookie box seemed to be the best "ball tray" I could find.

It seems to work pretty good!

[luckydog]

plastic baby wipe boxes are idea for ball trays