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Thread: I fixed my coffee table

  1. #1
    Sandwich Shooter browne92's Avatar
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    Default I fixed my coffee table

    My Star Shooter cocktail came with a non-functioning drop target. After some inspection, I found one target broken, and another had been wired back together:
    DSC00928.jpg
    Far left is a functioning target, I pulled it out in case I needed it for measurements. Turns out I could have left it in the machine. Middle is one that had broken. By the looks of all the goo on the plunger, they tried to duct tape it back together, but that didn't work, so they drilled a second hole through the plunger and wired it back together. The one on the right apparently broke, the plunger fell out, and was lost.


    I took the middle one apart and found this:
    DSC00941.jpg
    It uses a two piece plunger, part steel and part plastic (nylon is my best guess) with a 6-32 stud molded into it. Since I didn't have any nylon available, and no way of molding a stud into if I did, I decided I'd make my replacement out of aluminum:
    DSC00944.jpg
    This is the first of two replacements. My only concern with using aluminum is that plastic would have some 'resiliency' to it...a little 'shock absorber' effect if you will...that aluminum won't have. I was curious about the weight, my replacement came in about 3 grams heavier than the original. I don't see any problem there. I drilled the end and tapped at 6-32, made a stud by cutting the head off a 6-32 X 3/4" screw, and used a drop of Loc-Tite to hold it in. A 1/8" roll pin will couple the target to the plunger.


    Next was to turn the metal portion of the plunger:
    DSC00945.jpg
    My replacement on the left. The finish isn't very good, but my lathe and I both have the same conditions...age and wear.


    The finished pieces, ready to install:
    DSC00947.jpg
    I could have spent a lot of time with an edge finder making these parts dead-nuts on, but I didn't think it needed that level of precision, so I did a lot of eye-balling. The slots milled in the tops of the aluminum pieces are a bit off center, some of the drill depths are best estimate. But I installed them last night and they worked well. Only time will tell when it comes to durability.


    I am by no means a machinist, more a hobbyist, but it was quite gratifying to get my machine working again with a couple of pieces of scrap metal and a few hours in the work shop.
    pachinkoparts.com - Home Page
    Definition: Racecar-a device that turns money into noise.

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  3. #2
    Eye Shooter heima's Avatar
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    Default Re: I fixed my coffee table

    Congrats!
    Da' Horse!

    Don't F with Pachinko Machines, Man !

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    Sandwich Shooter browne92's Avatar
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    Default Re: I fixed my coffee table

    Status update: After playing for awhile, the steel portion of the plunger wants to unscrew from the aluminum part. I'm guessing the taper in the original nylon part where the stud went in acted like a "lock nut". I used the red (permanent) loctite to hold the stud in the aluminum, I'm going to try a drop of the blue (removable) loctite between the stud and steel part of the plunger. We'll see how that goes.
    pachinkoparts.com - Home Page
    Definition: Racecar-a device that turns money into noise.

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    Pachi Puro emmadog's Avatar
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    Default Re: I fixed my coffee table

    The Pinball Resource may have parts for these. If not, they'll know where to get them if parts are available. Also many parts are interchangebal between brands as is or with some modification.
    EM Pinballs & Arrangeballs

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    Fever Hunter tommy4132's Avatar
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    Default Re: I fixed my coffee table

    Same thing happen to mine. Previous owner tried wiring it together, but it did not work. Since it was only broken on one side, I used a cotter pin and that worked great. Luckily I have a parts machine and if I need to I can replace the part, but it has held so far. Your fabrication looks awesome!!!

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