some newbie questions and thank yous

[rlazars]

First, let me say thank you to all the members who have wished me welcome to this website. I've been able to get my Sophia machine up and running well with your tips and assistance.

I have a few questions that I'm unable to figure out at the moment.

1. How does one remove the section from the back of the machine that drops the balls that don't make it into the playing field? I've got some rusty metal that feeds into the customer section of the bin that I need to fix. I can feel the section by putting my fingers into the opening but just barely.

2. Is there supposed to be a spring attached to the ball stop lever leading from the ball feed bin into the plunger feed mechanism?

Picture attached?20150127_210829.jpg

[pachiwall]

Question #1...I'm not sure what part you are referring to. Post a pic so I can understand. Question #2...No. It should freely fall and block balls from the shooter when hopper is low.

[rlazars]

Section.jpgSection 2.jpgSorry. Doing this on my phone stinks. I think I need to remove the lowermost section to get to the piece it's rusty. I know there's two screws but I'm not sure if I'm supposed to take out nails or staples or what after that. the picture of the front just shows what It leads out to. I can put my fingers in this side and feel rust I need to fix.

[mxfaiman]

To remove that part take out the 2 screws and the staples. It will then slide down and off. I'd suggest putting it back on with screws instead of staples. Also watch the wire that goes over by the shooter, it can break easy.

[rlazars]

thanks much for the advice. I was thinking that I had to take that nail out and didn't want to get too aggressive on it.
I'll be careful of the wire as well. I think I can figure out how it gets disconnected

[rlazars]

Boy I must be I knucklehead and I'm missing something. I removed the staples and screws but it still seems stuck. I don't want to get too aggressive but is there a tab or something else that needs to be released before I can drop this piece

[rlazars]

20150129_202026.jpgwell I gave her a good talk and it finally came loose it looked like it was stuck on this piece of white plastic

[pachiwall]

You get one, and JUST clean what you can reach. Then you reach a little farther, and find a rusty, dusty part that soon looks new! Before you know it...you have a large tote of soapy water and a lot of plastic parts!Along with a piece of plywood full of nails. When you finally fall for this...if you take lots of pics, then you will be just fine!

[rlazars]

Yep. That's it! Had to get this fixed as the balls were picking up rust and tracking it all over the machine.

Bought 1....now I've got 5......ugh...damn Craigslist