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Thread: Removing "pins" that hold items in place not playfield pins

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    Blind Shooter bundito's Avatar
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    Default Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    I've read a zillion (yes, one zilli-ion) threads about removing and replacing playfield pins. It doesn't sound like fun.

    What about removing the ones that are holding things like this in place:




    I'd like to get that panel off for a few reasons - one, it's discolored from age, though I might try the famous Retr0bright formula on it. Second, it needs a light. Although the red parts are translucent, there's actually no hole drilled for a bulb in that corner.

    I'm at a loss on how to get these "pins" out, and then how to replace them. They're nicely countersunk into well-spaced holes... too small for needlenose pliers. Nothing protrudes through the back panel. Brute force - like trying to pry the whole panel loose - seems like a very bad idea.

    (I've got a couple others on this machine, including one on the lower front panel. It's got a disc with a Japanese character on it, but it's very badly scratched and battered. It's about the size of a nickel. I can post a picture elsewhere if anyone's interested.)

    Suggestions, anyone?


    -Dito

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    Eye Shooter p.opus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Definitely a pickle you have there. The best method I know of is to use a very small pry bar and attempt to pry the edge of the plastic gently to try and get the pins to loosen until you can grasp with needle nose pliers. Really small pry bars can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot for a couple of bucks.

    It's a scary proposition, but pins or nails that hold the plastic are rarely driven as deep as the playfield pins. Just be very careful and try to pry around the perimeter of the plastic evenly and gently. Start at the plastic closest to the pin as this area is generally better reinforced. The biggest enemy is rushing through the process. Move slowly and methodically.
    71 Nishijin "A" Bowling, 80's Nishijin Hit Parade , 05 Sankyo Star Wars, 07 Fuji Yamato 1, 09 Fuji Yamato 2
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    Pachi Puro mxfaiman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Quote Originally Posted by p.opus View Post
    Definitely a pickle you have there. The best method I know of is to use a very small pry bar and attempt to pry the edge of the plastic gently to try and get the pins to loosen until you can grasp with needle nose pliers. Really small pry bars can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot for a couple of bucks.

    It's a scary proposition, but pins or nails that hold the plastic are rarely driven as deep as the playfield pins. Just be very careful and try to pry around the perimeter of the plastic evenly and gently. Start at the plastic closest to the pin as this area is generally better reinforced. The biggest enemy is rushing through the process. Move slowly and methodically.
    A small pry bar will help but it won't be able to get you started. What you need to do is make your own tool. Take a small piece of 1/16" sheet metal (about 1" x 4-6") and bend about a 3/4" section at a 90. Then cut a small V in that portion. And boom you made your own super mini pry bar. Just note because it isn't hardened it will bend often so it helps if you have a bench vise to flatten it back out. But part of the bending helps wiggle it up. then once you get it up far enough use the other mini pry bar that you bought.

    I refrain from using pliers to pull out pins as they tend to mark up the heads depending on how you pull them out. I just stick with a variety of small pry bars and some small scrap pieces of wood.

    Also just FYI. don't pull any pins that have visible area around the base such as the playfield pins. Because your sankyo has a formica background so once you pull out those pins it will chip it because of the poi-drive nail. Trust me that was the biggest pain in the but I had to fix.

    100 machines and counting...

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    Pachi Puro emmadog's Avatar
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    The method above is how I usually do it. I have at times used a dremel with a small grinder bit to remove the head of the nail on stubborn ones. The nail is soft brass and a dremel makes short work of it. Once the head is gone, the part easily comes off and then the remainder of the nail can be pulled out.
    EM Pinballs & Arrangeballs

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    Blind Shooter bundito's Avatar
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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    This really sounds awful. Ugh.

    I think what I'm going to try is this...

    - measure location of red plastic lens
    - transfer measurements to reverse side
    - attempt to drill 1/16" pilot hole from back

    I'm pretty sure the plastic is a hollow shell. I'll hold a strong flashlight against the tiny hole in the back and see if I can catch a glimpse from the front. If that works, perhaps all I'll do is enlarge that hole enough for a single standard-size LED (about 1/4") and call it good.

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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Get a 1" putty knife and put the tip in a vice 3/8" bend with a hammer to a 90 slide under the part and pry up slowly work it back and forth moving around the part until you can get under the nail heads with some flash cut dikes use the dikes to pry up the nails. Use the putty knife under the tip of the dikes to keep them from diging in to the part. This is how I do it. "TAKE YOUR TIME!"
    Unless you try to be more than you are, what you are is all you will ever be.
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    Pachi Puro emmadog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Quote Originally Posted by cardwwi View Post
    Get a 1" putty knife and put the tip in a vice 3/8" bend with a hammer to a 90 slide under the part and pry up slowly work it back and forth moving around the part until you can get under the nail heads with some flash cut dikes use the dikes to pry up the nails. Use the putty knife under the tip of the dikes to keep them from diging in to the part. This is how I do it. "TAKE YOUR TIME!"
    Great idea-I'm going to make one of those.
    EM Pinballs & Arrangeballs

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    Blind Shooter bundito's Avatar
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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Quote Originally Posted by cardwwi View Post
    Get a 1" putty knife and put the tip in a vice 3/8" bend with a hammer to a 90 slide under the part and pry up slowly work it back and forth moving around the part until you can get under the nail heads with some flash cut dikes use the dikes to pry up the nails. Use the putty knife under the tip of the dikes to keep them from diging in to the part. This is how I do it. "TAKE YOUR TIME!"
    Awesome! An excuse to buy a vise! I always need an excuse to buy more workbench tools.

    Speaking of interesting tools, check these out:

    Screw Extracting Pliers - iFixit

    Interesting set of pliers - look at the inside of the jaws. These could possible come in handy for some pin-related work, especially the smallest size. iFixit sells good quality stuff, too.

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    Pachi Puro mxfaiman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Quote Originally Posted by bundito View Post
    Awesome! An excuse to buy a vise! I always need an excuse to buy more workbench tools.

    Speaking of interesting tools, check these out:

    Screw Extracting Pliers - iFixit

    Interesting set of pliers - look at the inside of the jaws. These could possible come in handy for some pin-related work, especially the smallest size. iFixit sells good quality stuff, too.
    Ah Yes you found Neji-Saurus. I have both the 5mm and 2mm versions. They are by far the best pair of pliers I ever got. They weren't cheap but they are very well made and are very, very handy. I can't tell you how many times they saved my butt working on machines.

    oh and FYI their "small" is the 2mm version. I find the 5mm version more handy.
    Last edited by mxfaiman; 09-27-2013 at 07:09 PM.

    100 machines and counting...

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    Kungishi CarlW's Avatar
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    Smile Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)


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    Blind Shooter bundito's Avatar
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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    That's gorgeous, Carl. And almost exactly what I had in mind!

    One other thing I was considering adding was some clear white LEDs around the inner frame to illuminate the playfield. My basement/bar/mancave is never going to be brightly lit. I was also thinking of adding some LEDs (separate circuit, switched) inside the clear green rear mechanism. Just to show off the ingenuity of how it all works.

    I couldn't find a 1" putty knife cheap enough to warrant abusing it. I did find a thin-bladed plastic putty knife that may work. Plastic-on-plastic leverage is a common technique in electronics repair - the plastic is solid enough to pry with, but not so solid that it will gouge the workpiece. When I'm working on computers and cell phones, I use guitar picks.


    -Dito

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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Quote Originally Posted by CarlW View Post
    If you can get that piece of plastic off... Here is a lighting idea...
    SANKYO Mini Mouth Playfield Lights ON.jpg
    My Dog, there's 13 pockets on that playfield! How can you not get a jackpot?
    Da' Horse!

    Don't F with Pachinko Machines, Man !

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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Quote Originally Posted by heima View Post
    My Dog, there's 13 pockets on that playfield! How can you not get a jackpot?
    It's a semi uncommon machine referred to as the Mini Mouth...



    pachinkoboy.com - 1974 Sankyo (Mini Mouth)

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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Here a tool I made to remove playing field parts

    DSC00001.jpg DSC00005.jpg DSC00006.jpg

    It work very well for me, not sure what to sell them for???
    Unless you try to be more than you are, what you are is all you will ever be.
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    Pachi Puro mxfaiman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Quote Originally Posted by cardwwi View Post
    Here a tool I made to remove playing field parts

    DSC00001.jpg DSC00005.jpg DSC00006.jpg

    It work very well for me, not sure what to sell them for???

    I got one and I will vouch for Bill and say they do work quite well. (Better than my piece of sheet metal one.)

    100 machines and counting...

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    Kungishi CarlW's Avatar
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    Default Re: Removing "pins" that hold items in place (not playfield pins)

    Quote Originally Posted by cardwwi View Post
    Here a tool I made to remove playing field parts

    It work very well for me, not sure what to sell them for???
    I swear by that tool too. Works much better than a paint scraper!

    What to sell them for? Cost plus 50% ? Then your margin is 33%.

    Seriously, a small screwdriver set at Home Depot is $5.95. I'd pay for one but do enjoy the one I have.

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