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» 3/16" silicone rings to snug to get on

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3/16" silicone rings to snug to get on

By onyxx

2 years ago

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23 posts
11 Pinsiders participating
Latest reply 2 years ago by onyxx
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#1 2 years ago

ZZZ

I'm replacing original rubbers and bands with super-bands and super-rubbers on my DP an am having a hard time replacing some of the 3/16" silicone rings. Does anyone have tips and trick on how to get these on without breaking my thumbs, these posts (6 posts) have six 5/16" and six 3/16" rings and the 5/16" rings slide right on after applying some pressure but the 3/16" are so snug that I only managed to fit one to a post but just can't get the rest on there. I have already replaced seven other 3/16" rings on other parts of the playfield and they were snug but with some force they got on - but these posts are killing me and my thumb is torn up and bleeding. The picture shows the posts with one new yellow 5/16" and old black 3/16" in place, on the bottom you can see one original black and new yellow 3/16" side by side, as you can see the hole is much smaller on the new yellow rings and I just got lucky getting one on.

Anyway, does anyone have any tricks on how to get these on?

IMG_0264 (resized).jpg

#2 2 years ago

LXL

Isochronic_Frost

Saratoga Silverball

7y 221K 9,409 108 1 1

OP
Quoted from onyxx:
I'm replacing original rubbers and bands with super-bands and super-rubbers on my DP an am having a hard time replacing some of the 3/16" silicone rings. Does anyone have tips and trick on how to get these on without breaking my thumbs, these posts (6 posts) have six 5/16" and six 3/16" rings and the 5/16" rings slide right on after applying some pressure but the 3/16" are so snug that I only managed to fit one to a post but just can't get the rest on there. I have already replaced seven other 3/16" rings on other parts of the playfield and they were snug but with some force they got on - but these posts are killing me and my thumb is torn up and bleeding. The picture shows the posts with one new yellow 5/16" and old black 3/16" in place, on the bottom you can see one original black and new yellow 3/16" side by side, as you can see the hole is much smaller on the new yellow rings and I just got lucky getting one on.
Anyway, does anyone have any tricks on how to get these on?
[quoted image]

Silicone rings are brutal to get on. I had a terrible time with the small ones and the flipper rubbers.
I heard boiling them in water can help but I’ve never tried it.
Paging LTG

#3 2 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Hopkins, MN

12y 191K 56,991 24 7

Quoted from Isochronic_Frost:
Titans are brutal to get on.

He didn't say Titans. He's trying super bands. ( Pinball Life ? ) I've found them to be harder/stiffer.

LTG : )

#4 2 years ago

LXL

Isochronic_Frost

Saratoga Silverball

7y 221K 9,409 108 1 1

Quoted from LTG:
He didn't say Titans. He's trying super bands. ( Pinball Life ? ) I've found them to be harder/stiffer.
LTG : )

Edited, my bad. Funny because I thought that while typing and forgot to change it!

#5 2 years ago

VIC

PinMonk

Pin Monk

9y 183K 30,217 16

OP
Quoted from onyxx:
The picture shows the posts with one new yellow 5/16" and old black 3/16" in place, on the bottom you can see one original black and new yellow 3/16" side by side, as you can see the hole is much smaller on the new yellow rings and I just got lucky getting one on.
Anyway, does anyone have any tricks on how to get these on?
[quoted image]

Do you have a 3D printer?

#6 2 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Hopkins, MN

12y 191K 56,991 24 7

I haven't had that issue with the Titan silicone rings.

LTG : )

#7 2 years ago

TOM

pinballinreno

Computer Extreme

9y 134K 15,522 31

Urethane rings are really tough and stiff to install.

I usually wet them with windex or sparkle to help slip them on.

#8 2 years ago

BRI

BriPin

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 58,800 431 6

Quoted from pinballinreno:
I usually wet them with windex or sparkle to help slip them on.

Yup! I usually use Novus 1 to lubricant them. You can even use a low heat gun to warm them up a bit to make them more pliable.

#9 2 years ago

CFL

centerflank

Inactive member

Unknown

11y 165K 13,962 7 206

Ok what you need to do is hold it in your hand and run a hot torch on it for at least 5 min, don't worry about the burning skin because in the end its worth it

#10 2 years ago

ZZZ

onyxx

Pinside member

3y 41,550 66 60

Quoted from centerflank:
Ok what you need to do is hold it in your hand and run a hot torch on it for at least 5 min, don't worry about the burning skin because in the end its worth it

so no tips nor tricks, just git good and take it like a man.

#11 2 years ago

CFL

centerflank

Inactive member

Unknown

11y 165K 13,962 7 206

OP
Quoted from onyxx:
so no tips nor tricks, just git good and take it like a man.

funny, but maybe like we formed mouth guards for football can heat up some water in micro, stretch out with some pin punches

#12 2 years ago

ZZZ

onyxx

Pinside member

3y 41,550 66 60

Quoted from LTG:
He didn't say Titans. He's trying super bands. ( Pinball Life ? ) I've found them to be harder/stiffer.
LTG : )

You are right, these are super-bands and not Titans. Titans are a bit easier and I will purchase 6 of those in stead as I just can't get these on. Im done with the hole playfield and am down to the last six but they are just impossible, 265 pounds of muscle but broken by rubber bands

#13 2 years ago

ZZZ

onyxx

Pinside member

3y 41,550 66 60

Quoted from centerflank:
funny, but maybe like we formed mouth guards for football can heat up some water in micro, stretch out with some pin punches

Did that with boiling water thing with boxing and mma mouth guards as well, can try it out.

#14 2 years ago

VIC

PinMonk

Pin Monk

9y 183K 30,217 16

OP
Quoted from onyxx:
so no tips nor tricks, just git good and take it like a man.

Reason I asked about a 3D printer is you could print a small cone with a hole in it and screw it on, then roll the superband down the cone onto the post.

#15 2 years ago

ZUM

Mr_Tantrum

Fort Worth, TX

8y 140K 12,540 3 6 75

Looked up the lane guide posts in my AFMr manual that look like what you show, and the spec is 3/16” ID. I used GITD colored Titans, and don’t recall any issues installing them.

#16 2 years ago

LXL

Isochronic_Frost

Saratoga Silverball

7y 221K 9,409 108 1 1

Quoted from centerflank:
Ok what you need to do is hold it in your hand and run a hot torch on it for at least 5 min, don't worry about the burning skin because in the end its worth it

Liquified human fat is the best lubricant out there. Ol’ veteran trick.
Thanks, CF!

#17 2 years ago

ART

OLDPINGUY

Arts Arcade

12y 171K 12,507 7

An old girlfriend told me Silicone is much softer to the touch, than Urethane.

#18 2 years ago

MWM

Hayfarmer

Pinside+ Frequent

5y 163K 15,950 5

Microwave a cup of water for 3 minutes. Drop rings in for about 15 seconds or so and they will slip right on. Don't microwave the rings, don't ask me how I know this

#19 2 years ago

MRM

mrm_4

Pinside+ Frequent

6y 126K 6,214 11 1

Trying rolling it up a sharpened pencil, put the pencil in the post and then roll the ring down the post.

Quoted from PinMonk:
Reason I asked about a 3D printer is you could print a small cone with a hole in it and screw it on, then roll the superband down the cone onto the post.

#20 2 years ago

ZZZ

onyxx

Pinside member

3y 41,550 66 60

Quoted from PinMonk:
Reason I asked about a 3D printer is you could print a small cone with a hole in it and screw it on, then roll the superband down the cone onto the post.

Don't have a printer but I tried finding something suitable in the garage for the good sounding cone idea but of course nothing fits.

#21 2 years ago

ZZZ

onyxx

Pinside member

3y 41,550 66 60

Quoted from Hayfarmer:
Microwave a cup of water for 3 minutes. Drop rings in for about 15 seconds or so and they will slip right on. Don't microwave the rings, don't ask me how I know this

Thanks, will try this tomorrow.

#22 2 years ago

ZZZ

onyxx

Pinside member

3y 41,550 66 60

Quoted from mrm_4:
Trying rolling it up a sharpened pencil, put the pencil in the post and then roll the ring down the post.

Tried this already before I posted, found a metal shaft that was the same size as the posts on one end but just could't roll between the parts. I will try the warm water solution in the morning.

#23 2 years ago

ZZZ

onyxx

Pinside member

3y 41,550 66 60

Quoted from Hayfarmer:
Microwave a cup of water for 3 minutes. Drop rings in for about 15 seconds or so and they will slip right on. Don't microwave the rings, don't ask me how I know this

^This worked like a charm. Boiled a small pot of water and let it cool for a minute before throwing in the rings for 10 seconds, made it fairly easy to swap them out. Thanks Hayfarmer and all others that threw in suggestions

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