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Thread: ball lifter

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    Blind Shooter pachitimsj's Avatar
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    Default ball lifter

    i'm getting ready to build a three machine cabinet and wanted to have a ball recycling unit in it. i'm kinda crafty and wanted to know if anyone has any pics of a ball lifter or any ideas. i have a few ideas, but it's easier to fabricate something if i can look at something first.

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    SNORTARRIFIC! new in town's Avatar
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    Default Re: ball lifter

    As soon as the one I purchased from Pat arrives I will take allot of pic's and post a video on youtube showing the install and operation of it.
    72 Pachi's, 36 Pachinko's, 2 Pallots, 3 Pinn's & 2 Pachinko Bar Signs. Links to About Me: pachijunkie's Videos


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    Blind Shooter pachitimsj's Avatar
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    Default Re: ball lifter

    thanks that will be helpful.

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    Tokie Owens Mauk's Avatar
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    Default Re: ball lifter

    I thought a bit about building a ball lifter...

    You could buy a stepper motor fairly cheaply online, and build a small programmable circuit to control it.

    When a certain amount of balls build up, it could trigger a switch (pachinko balls conduct electricity, at least mine do) to run the motor circuit, which would be programmed to run at a certain speed for enough seconds to clear the ball buildup. From there the balls would be forced up a vertical tube by the stepper motor.

    The reason I'd use a stepper motor is that they are very strong and resistant to movement when a voltage is applied across it. That way, the weight of the balls in the vertical tube would not force the motor backwards and it could force the weight up the tube.

    Oh, and the actually piece on the motor that moves the balls could be carved to fit from something, or made using a 3D printer.

    So, you could probably make one for around $30 with the motor, circuit bits, and casing. The hardest piece would be the gear that spins on the motor to move the balls, but it could be machined from metal, or 3D printed in plastic.

    Here's a pic of a stepper motor circuit. It's more complicated than one that would be used for a ball lifter, but I'm working with what my roomate has laying around.



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    Gibisans - Japan West compirate's Avatar
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    Default Re: ball lifter

    Planning to use a gearbox? A single 32+" column of balls is about 16 ounces.

    Like I've said, if this was the simplest/cheapest way to do it, the Japanese already would

    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。

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    Sandwich Shooter who922's Avatar
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    Default Re: ball lifter

    I was thinking of making one too for when I get all my machines setup. Refilling is a pain. I was going to get the techies here that are way techier than me to help.

    Compirate, why would you need a gearbox? Couldn't you just get a motor that was strong enough to move the balls upward?

    I was thinking along the lines of having all of the machines drain to a central location that would lift them up to a distribution box.

    Am I nuts???
    Brent G.- Roswell, NM 5 Vintages, 6 Moderns
    Need an Arepachi, and a Power Flush (Got It!) Sinbad pinball (Got It!)!!!

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    Gibisans - Japan West compirate's Avatar
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    Default Re: ball lifter

    Easier to find a motor and gear it than find a motor strong enough. I was really thinking about the strength of a stepper motor.

    Your idea is how the parlors do it. All balls fall into a gutter behind the machines to a hopper then lifted to a gutter system at the top. They only use a single layer of balls in the upper gutter and not a very big hopper up in the air.

    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。

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  12. #8
    Blind Shooter pachitimsj's Avatar
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    Default Re: ball lifter

    i was thinking of using coiled spring around a dowl and a small gutter to drive the ball up. still milling that one around. i like the motor wither cog though.

  13. #9
    Waste not, Want not mudfud's Avatar
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    Default Re: ball lifter

    the spring with a dowel and channel is what I decided to try. I bought the parts (it's hard to find a 3 foot long spring, btw) and will try to do something this week (at least I keep threatening to)

    I bought a ball lifter from compirate in the mean time. will try to do a multi machine setup, like who022 mentioned. I love the picture of the one made of wood on the wall above the 4 machines... too bad the wife won't let me do that to the house!
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