flipper rebuild best practice Qs

beerorkid

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Just wondering the best practice on flipper rebuilds.

I have two machines I want to get the flippers more powerful on. Pinbot and Bride of pinbot. I have the basic rebuild kits and have replaced one with parts from your general rebuild kit. It still seems kinda weak. I had some mushrooming and grinded / sanded it down and it made a good difference, but they still seem weak. (as in I need to launch from a holding, or down the lane shot to make it up ramps)

Q 1: Do I need new coils?

Q2: if not coils, what parts should I look to replace other than the standard rebuild kit to get more power?

Q3: Thinking I need to clean some contacts as well. Is sandpaper 200 - 400 grit good enough, or should I look for something else.
 
You won't need to replace the coils, the standard kits are more than enough for rebuilding flippers.

For contacts, you have to be careful not to go overboard if you use sandpaper. Use a FINE grit, or better yet, just get something like steel wool. You have to be careful not to deform the contacts when sanding on them. I actually find that in 99% of cases some rubbing alcohol and a few Q-tips get the job done without any need for grit.
 
I actually find that in 99% of cases some rubbing alcohol and a few Q-tips get the job done without any need for grit.

Thanks. I just pulled the glass to do some rubber work and will just clean them up like you said.

I figured the coils do not wear out. Will check connections too.
 
PINBOT:

I noticed some severe corrosion and actual melted metal transfer on the flipper button switches (side of cabinet) I very lightly sanded those to smooth and they work great for now. I am placing an order for parts and those will be replaced. Pinbot has those 3 part switches by the coil and I just cleaned the contacts with some alcohol and Q tips. Did a bit of adjusting to the contacts to make sure I get as much from the major coil power before it engages the EOS.

I must say it seems a bit better. It was not lacking all that much.

BRIDE OF PINBOT:

Not sure if these are fliptronic or not, but they only had a EOS on them. The contacts were good, but way out of adjustment. The EOS was triggering way too soon. Set them to have a bit less than 1/8 at the end of the stroke. Cleaned the side cabinet button contacts as well (they will get replaced too).

The difference is so substantial that I need to learn to play the table again. It is almost scary. I have been limited by bad EOS settings for 8 years. It is a whole new game. I am afraid of smashing plastics. WOW

I used 400 grit on the side cab flipper contacts on pinbot, and will never use it again. They were scary as crap though. They are in better shape now and can survive a few games till they get replaced in a week or so.

Thanks for the help.
 
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1. Replace the flipper button (cabinet) switches and replace the end-of-stroke (E.O.S. ) switches on the flipper units themselves.

2. Replace the coil sleeves.

3. Replace the coil stop brackets.

4. Replace the plunger/link/pawl assemblies.

5. Replace the nylon bushing that goes through the playfield.

That should now give you _plenty_ of power to whack the ball clear out of the machine!
 
1. Replace the flipper button (cabinet) switches and replace the end-of-stroke (E.O.S. ) switches on the flipper units themselves.

2. Replace the coil sleeves.

3. Replace the coil stop brackets.

4. Replace the plunger/link/pawl assemblies.

5. Replace the nylon bushing that goes through the playfield.

That should now give you _plenty_ of power to whack the ball clear out of the machine!

For sure. The bushings are yellow as heck and I was wondering about them. Come to think of it the EOSs do look a bit worn and could handle a replacement.

Might as well do a perfect restore so they play great for as long as I have them.

So glad to be working on my machines again, it feels really good. I once again look over my pins with a sense of pride, but know I can get them better. For so long they were a place to stack mail and boxes. Never again. Replaced a ton of bulbs and rubber tonight. Just getting started though. BOP is getting a complete stripdown / clean and LED for under lights.

Glad I found this community with so many helpful folks.

One thing I guess I do not understand the importance of is the stop brackets. Do they really make that big of a difference?
 
The stop brackets wear down and mushroom. Same with the plungers. This causes binding which may be ever so slight, but enough to weaken the power of the flipper.

General wear of the plastic bushings in the playfield can cause side-to-side slop of the flipper shaft because of a slightly oblonged hole. The nylon was meant to wear and be replaced.

The holes in the nylon link of the flipper plunger/link will also develop "slop" in the form of oblonged holes. All this becomes "lost motion" because of excessive play in the parts. This also weakens flipper strength.

So you can see why it's best to get the full rebuild kits and do a good job. Flippers are the most important part of playing the machine. Weak/crappy flippers will turn people off fast. That's why good pinball route operators make more money with their machines:

Flippers work great.

Coins work great.

Machine is clean.

Machine is well-lit.

Machine has good rubbers.
 
Well played sir.

Thanks for sharing knowledge I am sure is on this forum many times. I figured those bushings would wear, but the bits were not in my "kit" and figured it would be wise to replace them as well when you have it all torn down anyways.

If I am going to do it, I better do it right. And will. Thanks.
 
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How does the soldering & wiring look on the coils? Could the solder stand to be reflowed? I'm assuming it's the original wiring and not some hack job that may have used the wrong gauge wire?
 
Another thing to check are the connections to the flipper buttons and EOS switches. I find a lot where the stranded wire has worn from vibration so only a few strands of wire actually connect them. If that's the case cut the wire and resolder for a good connection. Usually done anyway on the EOS, but I've seen a lot where the EOS was replaced with only a couple strands connected, when the wire was stripped most of the wire was cut.
I'm curious where you got the 'basic rebuild kit' for the flippers. As Ken pointed out a kit should always have the link/pawl/plunger assembly, sleeve, stop, return spring, EOS and bushing (although pinballlife stopped including the bushing - kind of irks me). You shouldn't need to file the mushroomed parts, they should be replaced. Be sure to leave a little play on the pawl to flipper, I go 1/64 - 1/32, and get the flipper really tight.

Jerry
 
More great tips. I bought the rebuild kit off ebay maybe 8 years ago. For a while there I would pick up any part I could find. I am falling back in love with my machines now that I have a room dedicated to them. Spent a good 3 hours cleaning plastics and replacing rubber last night.

I am pretty sure pinballlife will enjoy the order I am working on ;)
 
It's always nice to get back to pins after a break.
BTW, for the clearance I meant it should be between the flipper and the top of the bushing.
Enjoy the games!

Jerry
 
1. Replace the flipper button (cabinet) switches and replace the end-of-stroke (E.O.S. ) switches on the flipper units themselves.

2. Replace the coil sleeves.

3. Replace the coil stop brackets.

4. Replace the plunger/link/pawl assemblies.

5. Replace the nylon bushing that goes through the playfield.

That should now give you _plenty_ of power to whack the ball clear out of the machine!

That pretty much does it... But...
Don't forget lots and lots and lots of WD-40!!!

Now... excuse me while I duck for cover....
Ed
 
Lot of people just give up and sell them, your spending money and putting in the time get them running, thats great. Perfect time of year where folks come over for holidays they will all be able to play some good functioning pins :) . Seems like fun!
Enjoy! Jeff
 
Ed,
Are you feeling ornery today or what???? That WD-40's going to mix with the 'white lithium goo' and just explode!!!!
 
I know to not use any lube thanks to the pinrepair site. Can't believe I have not put a pic in this thread yet.

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There that's better.

Surprised that the flipper rebuild kits are so cheap. I only replaced a few parts last time, so going to pick up kits for both machines and do it up right. Need to get a soldering iron too. Any suggestions on what to get. Might just search on here or make a new post for that.
 
That looks great, nice set of games. I'm confused though, what's that space between and next to the games, don't think I've seen anything like that before!
 
:0 I know. Almost picked up another Monday, but I simply did not have the funds to get it :(

Saving some money up and checking craigslist daily. After seeing the pics of games lit up thread I think I need some new carpet too.

The wife is very happy to have the machines out of the living room and I am giddy thinking about turning my new man cave into an arcade. She does not mind me doing what I want with my money, so it is on. Picked up my first arcade game last weekend. Building her some kitty shelves helped a bit too.

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