Sankyo Pica-cell Cleaner

[Vikingwiz]

I see why they stopped making these. Mine had about 8hrs of use on it and it did clean 100 games very well before it broke.

I’ll try some epoxy on the rubber blob that snapped, but highly unlikely it will hold for long given all the vibration that part absorbs.




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[lotsoballs]

Mine broke too; only got maybe 20 mins total of use though. Different issue though; mine made a funny burning smell then just stopped working completely.

Mine was a gift from Compirate, I’d be really annoyed if paid $100-200 for one and it crapped out in short order. I don’t recommend this product.

I did save the brushes to use on my cordless drill instead; no orbital motion obviously so doesn’t clean quite as well; but it’s certainly better than not cleaned at all!


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[Vikingwiz]

I’m now using my spare blue manual brushes parlors have. Got a bunch more arriving next week. They’re good, but not pica-cell good.

A cool accessory to clean with too is a “super-nice stick”. It’s a telescoping aluminum pen with claws that come out and hold a special cotton cylinder. It’s awesome for hitting the impossible to reach spots. And better yet, it’s cheap!


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[Ikaria]

I came up with an easy fix for these things since mine did the same thing.

Take the shaft to your local Home Depot, Lowes, whatever and go to the plumbing section.

Buy a short length of vinyl tubing the same size diameter (roughly) as the shaft. The inside diameter will be kind of big, so buy a length of a size smaller to slip inside the larger one.

Now it's been quite a while, but if I remember right it was 1" OD x 3/4 ID for the large, and 5/8" OD x 1/2" ID for the smaller. You'll have to check in the store to make sure it fits easily. It should be kind of loose, but once it's clamped in, it will be golden!

Note: If you don't put the smaller tube into the bigger tube it will wobble too much and knock on the side of the cell cleaner housing.

Cut your tubing to the same length as the original shaft.

Take a heat gun and heat up the ends where it clamps into the white parts. You need to get it pretty hot to clamp it all the way down so the halves will sit flush. Make sure it's lined up with the seating area in the housing! This was the "hard" part.

Once it's clamped in, allow it to cool, put your cell cleaner back together and you'll be back in business.

Tell all your pachitalk friends how you did it yourself and go clean some cells!

[Vikingwiz]

Great ideas! I went to the hardware store and bought some tubing to get ready to follow the instructions above. Then I realized, "wait- you have a 3d printer. why not make a replacement part?". So I did just that. It's printing now. When I get it back together I'll share if this worked out or not

Sankyo_Cell_PICA_SHAFT.JPG

[AnythingObscure]

...sorry to intrude with the ignorant newbie question, but would someone please take a moment to clue me in to what this little machine is, and does, and maybe what it looks like all put together...maybe also a "pica cell" since I can't say I truly know what that is either...? THANKS IN ADVANCE to whoever might indulge me, and now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

[Vikingwiz]

Hi! Welcome!!

It’s a drill-like tool with a vibrating brush that makes cleaning the game field of pachinko games easier.

These are becoming more rare as it’s a discontinued product. There’s a bunch of other ways to clean the games, but when this device works- it’s really good.

HTH


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[compirate]

Vibrating with a fan!

[Vikingwiz]

Fits like a glove! Fixed!




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[Spyder138]

Fits like a glove! Fixed!

Nice fix. I don't have a 3D printer, but I do have a broken Pica-Cel. You might consider printing a few and putting them for sale on your website. I can't imagine I am the only one.

[Vikingwiz]

I ordered some BASF high-quality filament to really make these durable and resistant to heat. If you want to test one, PM your address. I like the idea about posting them on modernpachinko.com! I just may do that

[pachiwall]

Nice fix. I don't have a 3D printer, but I do have a broken Pica-Cel. You might consider printing a few and putting them for sale on your website. I can't imagine I am the only one.

I've always wanted a Pica cell cleaner. I was kind of relieved to have "dodged a bullet" when I first started reading this thread. Now I want one again...with "spare parts"!

[Spyder138]

I ordered some BASF high-quality filament to really make these durable and resistant to heat. If you want to test one, PM your address. I like the idea about posting them on modernpachinko.com! I just may do that

The part was easy to install and fit like a glove. I have an hour or so of use and everything is working wonderfully. I think you've designed a winner!

[Vikingwiz]

Thank you for trying it out! Glad it’s working

Next up: extended ball hoppers and battle counter mounts.


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[Spyder138]

Next up: extended ball hoppers and battle counter mounts.

I use ball lifters so no need for an extended hopper, but can't wait to see what the battle counter mounts look like.