Why are "orange ball lifters" so expensive?

[pachiwall]

Seeing the BALLDOZER go for $227.50, made me wonder why "orange" ball lifters aren't imported in quantity that makes them reasonable. I expect they are not manufactured any more. Seems like if they were parlor devices, there should be thousands of them...there were (are?) thousands of parlors, and each would have had many ball lifters per parlor. I am sure modern parlors have a much larger ball lifting system, making "orange lifters" obsolete. They are MUCH smaller and lighter than a pachinko machine, so shipping would be much less...yet they cost twice as much! I am sure it is all about supply and demand, so I guess my real question is: what happened to all the "orange" ball lifters? I know they have a real name (SILVER?), but I don't know what it is. Wasn't there other brands. I don't think I ever saw any other kind...Balldozer not included, but I seem to have heard of others.
I don't have a problem with Balldozers selling for what they do. The inventor/builder invested a lot of time and effort to perfect his design. Building them also takes time from other things in his life, so if too low a price, then it is not worth it. Plus they are 1/2 of what "orange" ones go for!

[Drunkenclam]

Even in Japan the orange (silver brand) lifters fetch from between 5000-15000 yen each. I got mine for 5000 yen plus shipping
Even though the orange lifters are old technology, installed before the big recycling systems were installed, I guess they must be knocking on 20 years old, and as per most things in the parlour, Most were scrapped or recycled.
The shipping of the lifter is still a pain as although the body is quite light, You have the lift tube, that then bulks up your package size. A steel square channel doesn't bend very well,

I guess you could reduce costs by shipping just the body and finding an alternative uplift tube locally

[mandoman]

I paid $300 for two. I was thinking of buying two more but as mentioned, it is a lot of money for what it is.

Thread

[pachiwall]

I guess you could reduce costs by shipping just the body and finding an alternative uplift tube locally

My lifter was $125 and it was rough!Ball lifter slot guts 012.jpgBall lifter slot guts 013.jpg It came with the top spring, but no lift tube. I have had no success finding a perfect fit square tube. All hardware stores around my area seem to get their stock from the same supplier. Either too big, or too small. I still look when I am getting supplies...but don't get my hopes up too much. I keep a pachinko ball in my truck for a test fit. The ball lifter cleaned up nicely!ball lifter 008.jpg

[luckydog]

I know some member just used a round tube and it did the job ok!!

[hanabi]

I've had an original orange one packed away for a few years, it came from Arby and is complete with the square tubing too

Can't remember off-hand how much it was way back then but it wouldn't have been too expensive in itself as I had shipping from USA to factor in too

At least I didn't get hit with Customs charges on it, although I think another UK member did (we both bought at same time)

I think we had a thread where buying it without the square tubing was discussed and the various alternatives that could be used instead??

[Drunkenclam]

Not quite the same, but I was able to extend the height of the tube using standard 1/2" 13mm copper water pipe and a standard solder adaptor. Although I just press fit it together.

[Moparformances]

there is a post somewhere in hear where i posted about the tupe i bought for my silver lifter..

i got it at tru value and had to co a little work to get the spring on it.. but it works great.. it came 4 foot tall

made a few searches but can seem to find the thread

Lifter tube (3).jpgLifter tube.jpgLifter tube (1).jpg

[mandoman]

Just this weekend I decided to attempt a cabinet build. I'd like to place the lifter below the pachi so I can also feed the payout balls into it. The square tubing and flexible end are a little short. I tried some 1/2" PEX (Apollo brand) and it worked better than I thought. I have no carpentry skills so this build may take a while to flesh out some ideas. For the PEX, I cut it into quarters to fit around the corners, drilled a hole above a spot weld so I could tie wrap it. I then used 1/2" PEX straps to secure it to the sides and top. I was worried the PEX might push up but the straps kept it in place. Tried it most of the day Saturday. The motor does heat up during fever mode. So I had to use a 12VDC fan to keep it cool.
PEX Connection.jpgCabinet Rear.jpgPEX.jpg

[mxfaiman]

The square tubing and flexible end are a little short. I tried some 1/2" PEX (Apollo brand) and it worked better than I thought.
PEX.jpg

Just make sure the pressure of the balls doesn't exceed 100 PSI.

[itsmedutch]

The only one I ever saw here was at the place I bought the balls at as well, its 200 euros

Dragonfly Amusement - Pachinko ball lifter

[mandoman]

I wonder if this company sells their lifter assembly? At least as a spare part.

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Older PDF Manual with image of lifter (page 8):
http://www.3stone.co.jp/assets/files...Daityoho42.pdf

daicho2=image.jpgLifter Assembly.jpg