It's Sunday - what EM are you working on today?

OHEMIO

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A Sunday morning question...

What EM's are you working on this Sunday? Me I'm finally going to jump back into figuring out an new issue with my CDI Criss Cross Ski.

A few months ago I moved into a new residence and had to move my arcade collection twice. Old residence to storage, storage to new residence. Although most games faired well in transport my 67' CDI Skiball did not.

I began to have a frame issue - just like a bowling game has 10 frames my ski has four. It would not switch frames consistently. Every time I thought I had it fixed it would show it's ugly face. Now that I've begun to tear down and clean the step units another problem has returned upon testing. The game is now self scoring though game over.

Yesterday I was watching a youtube vid on repairing ball bowlers from Mickey up in Rodchester, NY and I realized that I may have warped boards on my stepper units. He stated it's a common problem with bowlers. That over time they bow outward.

Thus causing erratic play. In the vid he states that just bending the fingers will not work.

His fix was to take a 5"L x 1/2"W x 3/4"D wood block and affix it to the underside of the printed board of the step unit on one side. Here is the youtube vid where in part of it he explains the issue (right around the 4 min. mark)



So I thought I'd share this information with all of you as us self taught EM'ers are always thirsty for knowledge. I've never met Mickey as I've not been on the circuit for long but can tell he's a great guy for sharing this information with everyone regarding tricks of the hobby.

Have a good sunday guys...

OHEMIO
 
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I rearranged my Williams' Jungle Drums (2 of them) in the storage shed if that counts.

Trying to figure out what I need to get the other one complete besides the rifle....
 
Well I found the issue on the CDI ski it wasn't a warped board. I had a mis-aligned contact on my score motor. So we're up and running. I also had to loosen the tension on my frame unit shaft spring as it was causing issues with frame shift. All is well in the family arcade for now.

Onto the S.A.M.I. restoration...
 
awsome... its always the little things right?

anyways good to hear your gonna start the restore on SAMI.. i just purchased one and im gonna start soon on mine. I jusy also recently purchased another that ill have in a couple of weeks. Im gonna start my restore once i have the other machine. be intresdting to see how yours goes
 
Luckyman

With our hobby it is the little things. That's what makes it challenging. I can tell you everytime I tear down a game mechanically I learn something new. I have projects for the next year even with the games I already have restored mechanically.

It truly is addicting. I'm pumped about the S.A.M.I. I was ready to change fuses and fire it up now I'm glad I didn't. It's always the initial excitement opening up a game for the first time.

OHEMIO
 
yeah definitly... I really just started getting into these EM games and they are very unique compared to video machines. What ive seen in such a short experience is looks like most of these machines its either dirty contacts or bent peices. They are definitly easier to work on then video machines too. definitly easier to diagnose the problem..
 
Luckyman

I take my time with EM for how rare the parts are becoming alone. I do have an Bally Space Invaders to restore from top to bottom and that'll be my first solid state machine. Can't help but love an American made machine full of electronics. The only other machine I have is a MAME that is essentially an original xbox with the original roms.

I've never had a computer based MAME. In all honesty from what I've reserched I'm better off with what I have. I plan on building a 4 player controller using the X-Arcade platforms, one with track ball and one without. I'll add some LED buttons to dress it up.

I prefer EM so I'm minimizing space by going with a MAME. Essentially may build a bar with controllers and a flat screen to optimize space for EM. That's my plan at this point. One of the reasons I moved into this space is the 1700 sq foot basement can suit my arcade needs.

I hope the 8 track place works for you. I think it will.

Ever been to the Allentown Coin Op show? I see your close by. If so what are your thoughts of it? Thinking of hitting both to pick up some games.

OHEMIO
 
@Ohemio - I tried to locate for pics on the CDI Criss Cross Ski and didn't find anything???

Is it called something else by chance?
 
parts are definitly hard to get. Ive been to the allentown pin show a couple of times already. havent been to a coin op show yet.. got a link to it? is it soon? or did i miss it?
 
Schusler -

This is kinda funny and some what interesting. When I purchased this game last year I was told it was from 1967. However I'm realizing today since you've asked this question it may be from 1956. I can only confirm this based on the backglass being different in the links below:

http://www.pinrepair.com/bowl/ccskiball.htm

http://www.pinrepair.com/bowl/skiball67.htm

The difference I see now is in my backglass NOT having "looper" on it in the center above the black graphic of the person throwing a ball. So it looks like unless the backglass has been swapped that it could be considered a 1956. My ski was repainted prior to my purchase. I plan on restoring the body to the original artwork at some point.

Here's my vid of the ski in action. It really is a sweet machine.



I guess I need to thank you for asking this question.

Have a good one...

OHEMIO
 
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