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Thread: Ball management

  1. #1
    Tokie Owens Kbboehm's Avatar
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    Default Ball management

    I'm new to the forum but have had a vintage since I was 7. Just picked up a 80s era on the cheap and got the bug and ordered two really new machines. Star Wars and ghost in the shell. Well after just a few days with the 80s machine I am having a hard time enjoying it because of the constant reload in the hopper. With my vintage you had to totally kick its butt to even think about it. Do you guys all use auto reloaders to have seamless game play with literally thousands of balls? Seems this is going to be more of an investment then I thought. Sorry if this seems to be a rant.

    Ken

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    Eye Shooter Gmwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ball management

    Hi Ken, yes most either refill the hopper alot or get a ball lifter. Some of us (me included) are working or have been working on a cheap alternative.

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    Pachi Puro pachiwall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ball management

    One thing to try is referred to as the "paint tray" ball return. Raise the machine off the table...like on 2 4X4's for example. Use a sloping box (or a paint tray) between them to catch balls in the back and roll to the front. Simply grab balls from paint tray and put over top into hopper. Many cabinets have this concept built in. Modify the basic idea to materials you have on hands...and to your visual liking. Not to mention sound! An actual metal paint tray would be loud.
    You could use smaller legs and a catch funnel with a rubber hose to direct the balls to a box below the top of the stand that is accessible from the front. Reload with one hand, play with the other.
    Ball lifters are a wonderful idea...but cost prohibitive! Search ball lifter here and you will find lots of interesting reading on attempts (and a couple of successes) on home made ball lifters.

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  5. #4
    I was thrown out of Top Gear Drunkenclam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ball management

    Maybe you want something like this

    https://twitter.com/QuigleyIan/statu...855083008?s=09
    Ian #UKPachinko

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  7. #5
    Tokie Owens Kbboehm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ball management

    That looks really used and really rough. Is that what they used commercially?

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    I was thrown out of Top Gear Drunkenclam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ball management

    Maybe 20 years ago or older. Wouldn't do much good on a modern fever machine in a commercial environment due to the 1000s of balls paid out. But it does go someway to help reduce the 2 handed shuffle at home.
    Last edited by Drunkenclam; 01-05-2017 at 04:23 PM.
    Ian #UKPachinko

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  10. #7
    Blind Shooter Jon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ball management

    Wow just seen some pics on your twitter page Ian (Drunkenclam) your game room has come along way since I brought the Star Wars from you many years ago! Have you got any videos of it at all?
    Once you buy one machine you can't stop

  11. #8
    I was thrown out of Top Gear Drunkenclam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ball management

    Sorry no. With new baby and time being spent trying to do the model railway. More work is needed.
    Ian #UKPachinko

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