Secret to removing Atari Cone/Volcano buttons?

Altan

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I'm replacing the CPO on my Marble Madness. I've removed everything from the control panel except the 2 cones/volcanos for player 1 and player 2.

It's not obvious how these guys are removed and I don't want to force anything and end up breaking it...

What is the trick to get these off?

Thanks

... Altan
 
On my Rolling Thunder, the volcano cones unscrewed first. The rest of the swtich assembly could then be pulled from behind out of the panel.

Try turning the cone while keeping the bottom switch from turning.

800px-Volcano_switchs_red_n_blk2.jpg
 
The cones are locked in place.

Do you have an example of this ?

I just recently removed a pair of cone buttons from an Asteroids Deluxe panel and all I had to do was unscrew the cone and the switch assembly came out the bottom. (no real force needed) Actually just went and looked at those switches again and the cone has no "lock" of any kind, they just screw on like a nut.

Unless there is something I'm not seeing or a version I haven't seen. Like maybe a cone with a positioning "tit" or something.
 

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I have no pics, so let me clarify.

If the cones won't turn, it is because they have positioning tits that are sitting in a recess in your control panel. You will have to unscrew the switch at least 3 or 4 threads to clear the positioning tits on the cones.

If I wasn't sick, and tired from being sick I would run right down to my work space and pull out different Atari control panels and buttons and take all kinds of pics.
 
Thanks Dokert.

I just did Dokert's method and the volcanoes definitely do not spin. As he said, there are little plastic protrusions that keep them from spinning. Spinning the switch part was needed.

... Altan
 
Aha...I know what he's talking about. I've attached a quick drawing of what the mounting holes for my volcano buttons looks like. Note the little 'notches' in the sides.

Some of the volacano button cones out there have tabs that lock into those notches to keep the buttons from being unscrewed from the top side of the panel. Helped keep snotty kids from unscrewing the buttons.
 

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If the cones won't turn, it is because they have positioning tits that are sitting in a recess in your control panel. You will have to unscrew the switch at least 3 or 4 threads to clear the positioning tits on the cones.

That's what I was envisioning you were talking about, I just hadn't personally come across any yet.
Thanks for clarifying, I'll keep that in mind when a cone comes along and kicks my tail. :)
 
post a couple of pics if you would please to help out others in the future.

The first picture shows the slots on the Marble Madness control panel. It clearly shows notches. The second picture shows the protrusions on the volcano (a little over exposed). FYI... more stuff about my Marble Madness is at my site.

DSC_1033.jpg


DSC_1034.jpg


... Altan
 
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