Nail removal Qs: pulling vs twisting

[Siouxzan]

Okay, I'm doing it. I'm converting the playfield on a drab Model B to a one-of-a-kind, wondrous, flyfishing theme.

For pulling nails, I initially had in mind doing exactly what microbus does-- a modified slid hammer). But then I learned that there is a thread/twist on these and, as such, some people pull them out more gently with a CC twist.

I imagine those are there for a reason. To keep the nails from wriggling loose over time, perhaps? If that's the case, then it seems that ripping them out with a slide hammer and simply hammering them back in might create a fit that won't hold up.
Has that been the case?

To the gentler types who twist them out, do you also twist them back in, or just pound them straight in? The latter might create the same problem as above, correct?

Thanks!

[mudfud]

I don't think it's that critical. if you slide hammer, I am sure that it does a micro twist as it comes out.

use whatever you have... enjoy!

[Microbus99]

Thats correct mudfud. There is a certain amount of technique when using a slide hammer. You actually let it twist itself out as you rap on it. It typically took me about 3 pulls per nail. It will take you a good 45 minutes to an hour to do it with small breaks in between.

Twisting and pulling with pliers was way too slow for me. Its already overwhelming enough as it is. Unless of course you have all the time in the world. Just remember this is just one small part of the whole teardown. You will have 50 plus hours in this project depending how detailed you get with your new playfield. If your wife thinks your crazy now, she wont even recognize you once you get your machine apart.

As far as going back in with the nails is concerned, I had no problem getting them back in and holding well. I made a gauge to make sure they go in the right distance. After you get them in, you now have the task of adjusting them. This takes time as well. A few of us have made tools for adjusting the nails. I modified an old screwdriver for the adjuster and fixed a pachi ball on to a short piece of aluminum as a clearance gauge.

I did have some grabbing issues with the tiny brass nails holding the playfield parts and tulips on. Those little nails dont have the "twist" on them. I would take a little sliver of a toothpick, jam it in the hole and break it off flush to tighten them up. That worked really well.

Tearing these machines down this far is a major task and I've questioned my sanity when doing it but it really is fun. Especially when you get it together.

If you have any questions about my process you can PM me anytime.

Happy twisting!!!

[Siouxzan]

You will have 50 plus hours in this project depending how detailed you get with your new playfield. If your wife thinks your crazy now, she wont even recognize you once you get your machine apart.

Oh, she thinks I'm crazy. Always has. But she also goes on with her friends about how lucky she is to have someone around who can "fix anything." Actually, she is real supportive of the restoration end of things, as she knows how much I love restoring anything and having a stress reliever like that for about half an hour a night. What she doesn't like is the "obsessive" buying and unsightly pachinko buildup.
______________________________________________________

A few of us have made tools for adjusting the nails. I modified an old screwdriver for the adjuster and fixed a pachi ball on to a short piece of aluminum as a clearance gauge.

I received my favorite pachinko thus far for "free" (thrown in when I bought 1000 balls from the guy). It came with an 8" long SS rod that has a standard 11mm ball on one end and a 13mm ball on the other. He said it's for calibrating the pins. Also included was a cool playfield cleaner. Toys.
______________________________________________________

If you have any questions about my process you can PM me anytime.

Happy twisting!!!

Thanks microbus!

[Moparformances]

. Also included was a cool playfield cleaner. Toys!

is it a pica cell cleaner???

[Siouxzan]

is it a pica cell cleaner???

I wish. I will be building something similar to that though. The cleaner too was brought back with the machine by this guy. It's a weird, bentwood, laminated bamboo-handled brush. Hard to describe.

[compirate]

It's a weird, bentwood, laminated bamboo-handled brush. Hard to describe.

Sounds like a picture is in order then

[Moparformances]

where is that video that shows a Parlor washing Pachinko's out of a bucket of water??

[Microbus99]

That was on YouTube. I think Digital had a link to it a couple of months ago.

[DrDark]

Here is the link:
YouTube - ???
Look at 3:31 for the high tech cleaning procedure.

[Siouxzan]

Well, I guess that explains the ubiquitous water stains.

[emmadog]

Ditto the above info about nail pulling. It's the least fun part of a restoration but still not too bad. I would definitely use the slide hammer technique. I pulled them out with pliers and that was the last time I'll do that plus u r more prone to bending nails with pliers.

[Microbus99]

I think the next step would be to come up with a lever action type puller that will pull straight out. I'm constantly looking for some type of tool, kitchen device or something I can modify. Havent found anything yet, but I will!!

[digital1]

I think the next step would be to come up with a lever action type puller that will pull straight out.

I found that lever tool! A big claw hammer!

It sounds harsh but I had tape to protect the cell and was carefull and being a large hammer it pulled them out straight and the long handle made the perfect lever. I did minor damage to about 3 of the holes that were close togeather, but I was covering mine with vinyl.

[Moparformances]

I think the next step would be to come up with a lever action type puller that will pull straight out. I'm constantly looking for some type of tool, kitchen device or something I can modify. Havent found anything yet, but I will!!

what about some kind of cork puller... like the kind for opening up wine

[digital1]

what about some kind of cork puller... like the kind for opening up wine

Modify it to have the screwdriver tip with slit in it, instead of the spiral.

[Siouxzan]

what about some kind of cork puller... like the kind for opening up wine

Okay, that idea is simply genius.
I'm dragging my ragged, too-much-New-Years-eve fun bunions out to the garage right now and stealing the corkscrew on the way.
The only issue I can think of might be the circle that you'll want to rest on the playfield why working the levers being interfered with by neighboring pins.

[Bigdog]

You guys are animals...I don't have the guts to remove 250+ pins with the hope or expectation of getting them all back in straight and tilted correctly...of course, there's nothing prettier than freshly shined pins on a pachinko...hard to come by...

[Microbus99]

Okay, that idea is simply genius.
I'm dragging my ragged, too-much-New-Years-eve fun bunions out to the garage right now and stealing the corkscrew on the way.
The only issue I can think of might be the circle that you'll want to rest on the playfield why working the levers being interfered with by neighboring pins.

That was my dilemma as well. Something that can "stradle" the other nails as you go. Pulling a group of them at once would be the ultimate solution.

However, the corkscrew idea is brilliant guys!!

[mudfud]

yeah, I ran the corkscrew idea around a few months back, too, but wife wouldn't let me canabalize any of her corkscrews.

there are some other hand tools that have the proper movement... time to start fiddling again.