The one in the caster's club will go up and down depending on balls locked , multi ball and game difficulty. If the game is set on hard , after collecting a jackpot from caster's club , you will need to hit the drop target twice in order to open caster's club again. Normal difficulty you need to hit it only once. It will also block the caster's club entrance depending on how many balls are in play , etc. If you have 2 balls left in multiball and place one in caster's club , it closes the entrance so you can't activated double jackpot, because you don't have the 3rd ball to collect the jackpot with.

Thanks, makes perfect sense

At the recommended level from the manual , between 6 and 6 1/2
20210416_103844.jpg

Did you replace the switch? Old switches can get very stiff and cause ball hang-ups.

Also, is the playfield level side to side?

Just installed Rad Cals. Pardon the Rainbow Puke.

0554208B-BC9C-4581-9DE2-1FB9FE1EE700 (resized).jpeg5286EFAE-70C4-4E1C-91B1-CBEFD68DE790 (resized).jpeg

The playfield is leveld and yes , I changed the switch because I couldn't just get the actuator.

I got this crap : https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/12-SMSW

If anyone as a source for a better quality switch, I'd be interested.

It looks like the end of your ball guide is peened over. Send a pic without the ball there.

My game has that exact same problem every now and than.

I'd adjust the switch as low and sensitive as possible. Also don't trust the bubble level, maybe double check the angle with a digital meter on playfield. It is a known Stucky spot on Fishtales.....

I have had my game for 20 plus year and never had the ball stop like in your picture.

I assume the ball is kicked out of the upper hole and bounces around to the position in the pictures?

Yeah, either that or it bounces back up the L-I-E lane from the jet bumpers and end up there. It only sticks there when it has very little speed, but it occurs every 3-4 games..

If you remove the switch, so it is just a bare groove, the ball will roll to the right and down and not get stuck, correct?

The ball is getting stuck because of the switch actuator?

Feel the tension of other switches.
Compare it with each other.
Exchange the switch with the lowest tension/pressure needed to the top of your plafield.
There are places which can "handle" high tension switches, like in or outlanes, long shots like the fast cast.
Being horizontal is the most difficult place for a switch.
The ball sometimes lack the speed to actuate the switch.

Cherry switches come in various strengths.
You have DB1, DB2, DB3 ect....

I would try it a bit steeper , this is where the bubble sits on my game .

Me too , I've had my game since 2000 and have never had a ball get stuck there .
I've always wondered about this hole to the right of the casters Club , anyone know anything about it .

IMG20210417195212 (resized).jpg

IMG20210417195406 (resized).jpg

Good Info! Never knew this. So DB1 would weakest or strongest?

https://pinside.com/pinball/biz/directory/1772-mampm-creations

This company makes a magnetic switch that has no physical contact with the ball. Maybe it would work for your situation.

Found it. Actuator
Minimum Over-Travel inches (mm)
0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6)
Max. Movement Differential inches (mm)
0.004 (0.10) 0.004 (0.10) 0.006 (0.15) 0.004 (0.10) 0.006 (0.15)
0.004 (0.10) 0.004 (0.10) 0.006 (0.15) 0.004 (0.10) 0.006 (0.15)
0.020 (0.5)
0.020 (0.5) 0.030 (0.75) 0.028 (0.70) 0.030 (0.75) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.047 (1.2) 0.039 (1.0) 0.047 (1.2) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.268 (6.8)
Max. Rest Position inches (mm)
0.366 (9.3) 0.366 (9.3) 0.366 (9.3) 0.366 (9.3) 0.366 (9.3)
0.366 (9.3) 0.366 (9.3) 0.366 (9.3) 0.366 (9.3) 0.366 (9.3)
0.551 (14.0) 0.551 (14.0) 0.551 (14.0) 0.551 (14.0) 0.551 (14.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 1.063 (27.0) 1.063 (27.0) 1.063 (27.0)
Actuation Length inches (mm)
— — — — —
— — — — —
—
— 0.189 (4.8) —
—
—
— 0.276 (7.0) —
—
— 1.654 (42.0) — onrequest —
— 0.098 (2.5) —
—
—
— 0.185 (4.7) —
—
— 1.563 (39.7) — onrequest —
— 0.098 (2.5) —
—
—
— 0.185 (4.7) —
—
— 1.563 (39.7) — onrequest —
— 0.276 (7.0) —
—
—
— 0.551 (14.0) —
—
—
— 0.220 (5.6) —
—
—
— 0.205 (5.2) —
—
Code Type
AA DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
BA DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
LB DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
LC DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
LD DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2/7
SB DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
SC DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
SD DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2/7
RB DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
RC DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
RD DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2/7
WB* DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
WC* DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
VB* DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
ZB* DB5 DB1/3
DB6 DB2 DB7
(gms.)
70 150 150 250 280
70 150 250 250 280
30 60 60 100 115 25 50 50 85 100 9 18 18 — 30 65 65 110 125 25 55 55 95 110 9 20 20 — 30 65 65 110 125 25 55 55 95 110 9 20 20 — 24 50 50 85 100 18 38 38 63 75 25 55 55 90 105 25 55 55 90 105
0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6)
Maximum Switch Operating Force
Maximum
Pre-Travel
inches (mm)
0.039 (1.0) 0.039 (1.0) 0.039 (1.0) 0.039 (1.0) 0.039 (1.0)
0.039 (1.0) 0.039 (1.0) 0.039 (1.0) 0.039 (1.0) 0.039 (1.0)
0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.197 (5.0) 0.197 (5.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0)
Operating Point inches (mm)
0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3) 0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3) 0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3) 0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3) 0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3)
0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3)
0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3)
0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3)
0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3)
0.331±0.012 (8.4±0.3)
Auxiliary actuator, rear-mounted (RM)
0.421±0.051 (10.7±1.3) 0.421±0.051 (10.7±1.3) 0.421±0.051 (10.7±1.3) 0.421±0.063 (10.7±1.6) 0.421±0.063 (10.7±1.6) 0.437±0.059 (11.1±1.5) 0.437±0.059 (11.1±1.5) 0.437±0.059 (11.1±1.5) 0.437±0.071 (11.1±1.8) 0.437±0.071 (11.1±1.8) 0.512±0.138 (13.0±3.5) 0.512±0.138 (13.0±3.5) 0.512±0.138 (13.0±3.5)
0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5) 0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0)
— — — — —
0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.197 (5.0) 0.197 (5.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0)
0.630±0.051 (16.0±1.3) 0.630±0.051 (16.0±1.3) 0.630±0.051 (16.0±1.3) 0.630±0.063 (16.0±1.6) 0.630±0.063 (16.0±1.6) 0.646±0.059 (16.4±1.5) 0.646±0.059 (16.4±1.5) 0.646±0.059 (16.4±1.5) 0.646±0.071 (16.4±1.8) 0.646±0.071 (16.4±1.8) 0.720±0.138 (18.3±3.5) 0.720±0.138 (18.3±3.5) 0.720±0.138 (18.3±3.5)
0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5) 0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0)
0.020 (0.5) 0.020 (0.5) 0.043 (1.1) 0.028 (0.7) 0.043 (1.1) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.047 (1.2) 0.039 (1.0) 0.047 (1.2) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.268 (6.8)
0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.787 (20.0) 0.787 (20.0) 0.787 (20.0) 0.787 (20.0) 0.787 (20.0) 1.260 (32.0) 1.260 (32.0) 1.260 (32.0)
— — — — —
0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5)
0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.197 (5.0) 0.197 (5.0)
0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0)
0.622±0.051 (15.8±1.3) 0.622±0.051 (15.8±1.3) 0.622±0.051 (15.8±1.3) 0.622±0.063 (15.8±1.6) 0.622±0.063 (15.8±1.6)
0.638±0.059 (16.2±1.5) 0.638±0.059 (16.2±1.5) 0.638±0.059 (16.2±1.5) 0.638±0.071 (16.2±1.8) 0.638±0.071 (16.2±1.8)
0.713±0.138 (18.1±3.5) 0.713±0.138 (18.1±3.5) 0.713±0.138 (18.1±3.5)
0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5)
0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5)
0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0) 0.157 (4.0)
0.020 (0.5)
0.020 (0.5) 0.030 (0.75) 0.028 (0.7) 0.030 (0.75)
0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.047 (1.2) 0.039 (1.0) 0.047 (1.2)
0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.268 (6.8)
0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0)
0.787 (20.0) 0.787 (20.0) 0.787 (20.0) 0.787 (20.0) 0.787 (20.0)
1.260 (32.0) 1.260 (32.0) 1.260 (32.0)
— — — — —
0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.236 (6.0) 0.236 (6.0) 0.236 (6.0) 0.236 (6.0) 0.236 (6.0) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5) 0.177 (4.5)
0.437±0.059 (11.1±1.5) 0.437±0.059 (11.1±1.5) 0.437±0.059 (11.1±1.5) 0.437±0.059 (11.1±1.5) 0.437±0.059 (11.1±1.5) 0.480±0.071 (12.2±1.8) 0.480±0.071 (12.2±1.8) 0.480±0.071 (12.2±1.8) 0.480±0.071 (12.2±1.8) 0.480±0.071 (12.2±1.8) 0.469±0.055 (11.9±1.4) 0.469±0.055 (11.9±1.4) 0.469±0.055 (11.9±1.4) 0.469±0.055 (11.9±1.4) 0.469±0.055 (11.9±1.4) 0.630±0.055 (16.0±1.4) 0.630±0.055 (16.0±1.4) 0.630±0.055 (16.0±1.4) 0.630±0.055 (16.0±1.4) 0.630±0.055 (16.0±1.4)
0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.118 (3.0) 0.118 (3.0) 0.118 (3.0) 0.118 (3.0) 0.118 (3.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.079 (2.0) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5) 0.059 (1.5)
0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.035 (0.9) 0.024 (0.6) 0.035 (0.9) 0.031 (0.8) 0.031 (0.8) 0.047 (1.2) 0.031 (0.8) 0.047 (1.2) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.035 (0.9) 0.024 (0.6) 0.035 (0.9) 0.024 (0.6) 0.024 (0.6) 0.035 (0.9) 0.024 (0.6) 0.035 (0.9)
0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.669 (17.0) 0.669 (17.0) 0.669 (17.0) 0.669 (17.0) 0.669 (17.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.591 (15.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0) 0.748 (19.0

Oops it did not post up well hang on...

file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/da/10/E7B68746-772F-4F9B-AFB8-A881E1DB71A2/Cherryswitches.pdf

Me too , I've had my game since 2000 and have never had a ball get stuck there .
I've always wondered about this hole to the right of the casters Club , anyone know anything about it .
[quoted image][quoted image]

I have Curious about that hole in the PF also. Anyone know what it’s for?

So it appears that the DB5 is the soft one.
DB1-3 is next. https://www.arrow.com/en/products/db3c-a1ba/zf-electronics

Yes, correct, without the switch it can roll back down the slot and not get stucked.

I can't really use another switch, because the position of this switch, its actuator is very long and a particular shape. And since the original actuator broke, and the replacement is not designed the same way, I can't move the lever from this switch to another one.

I will start by increasing the slope, then might lower the actuator and increase sensitivity on the switch.

How reliable are magnetic switches? That sounds like a good idea.

Pretty sure nobody has an explanation about that hole in the long cast lane. Every playfield I have ever seen, even digital games, all have it.

Thanks for the ideas! I'll try adjusting it, again, sometimes today.

https://www.pinballlife.com/microswitch-with-diode.html

This one (DB5) is actuated with only 25-30 grams Compared to 50 grams for DB3 I am going to order a couple for my FT and some other games that have orbit switches and the game cant be raised to the correct height due to low ceiling.

Your ceilings are so low, that orbit switches hit them?

Magnetic switches are perfect. My CV has one and it has never missed sensing the ball.

Lots of people are using these magnetic switches in various games to replace cherry arm switches.

Yeah you got me there lol, that does read strange! goes to show ya what happens when I am not wearing glasses.

Had the same issue.
Tried with a cliffy slot protector but was not satisfied with the result
Not sure what helped in the end but IIRC I bent the wire ball guide in upwards direction towards the top end of the playfield. That solved it for me i think

20210418_111255 (resized).jpg

I get an occasional hang up there. Will give that a try.

Me too. I'll definitely give it a try. It shouldn't be such a fine adjustment between ball hang-ups and not scoring the long cast shot.

I also have that issue. I have adjusted the actuator as low as it will go, but it still gets stuck once in a while. If someone finds a good solution, it would be good to hear it.

I have the same issue every now and then, sucks to have to tilt a game to free up the ball

The glass comes off!

Just get a grab and release magnet and you don’t even need to take the glass off!

1C7ED343-FAFF-43FC-AED3-88FCF6DD73FB (resized).jpeg

Lit up all the star posts.

A80F4ADA-7613-4A4E-A982-5F4989DFAF8C (resized).jpeg

Looks great love Fishtales I will never sell mine

Just picked up a great FT after having it on my wishlist for a while. Looking like whoever shopped it out mixed up all the posts and rubbers... does anyone have some good pics of the PF with the plastics removed but posts and rubbers in place? specifically the area behind the casters club and to the left of the pops? Obligatory new pin pic below...

Fishtales (resized).jpg

Latest restoration I did for my friend Gary
Gbailey069
His Pictures are amazing.
The Game was a 7 and he gave me « carte blanche ». I’m really proud with the results.

011D784A-86ED-407B-9EE8-735F640C5A35 (resized).jpeg

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8871F59F-0EAA-4EEA-AA83-4ED02BF82D97 (resized).jpeg

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B10778E6-850A-459E-B9E7-29A9D055BD0C (resized).jpeg

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Looks great. Any pics of the pop bumper area?

What did you use for PF lighting?

2 double spot lights on the slings, led strip under the apron and on the back. All cold white

Great job , just needs the lit up speaker panel .
And I'm trying to decide between the mirrored back glass or the 3D translite and either the color dmd or LCD
IMG_20210502_221453 (resized).jpg

I like the speaker panel/ lcd colordmd combo on mine

IMG_20200117_174201707 (resized).jpg

I'm not suggesting the 3D translite is the better option because I've never seen a mirrored backglass on FT. What I can say though is that I have the 3D translates for FT, WH2O and MM and of these 3 titles, the 3D translite for FT is easily the best. If you do decide 3D, FT is a great one to get.

Finally back in the boat! I owned a really nice FT in 2019 that I bought in Pitt for a bargain price. I traded it, then started missing it soon after. Now I realize FT is a classic 90’s pin and this one is staying. It’s got a nicely re-clear coated pf, and solid cab with some fade and dings. I have a set of Radcals that I’m adding soon. Color DMD, blades, new black legs and Chris Royalty did the chrome rod. I’m going to powder coat it black and add mirrored backglass. So glad to be back. What a pin!

574D0D10-5E26-473E-8F27-58DEB7BAF07D (resized).jpeg1908B112-A65C-4EC5-B89E-85BA204762CE (resized).jpeg515289CE-6C3F-4B44-9AD2-B582BCDAEAA3 (resized).jpeg6FF9F9D7-895F-4027-A64E-D40FB09404DE (resized).jpeg6799CE48-B90F-477C-969D-5B8BF9635A14 (resized).jpegB8AFC2D2-CAC4-47D6-B003-36AA24947326 (resized).jpeg

Thanks for the inspiration!

I installed a green version on mine.

64256772728__F1DDDD08-A7EE-4A28-9354-AD0F5669CB5C (resized).jpg

Looks great , any info on what and where you got it .

Looks great, been thinking about fitting one for a while now. No need to bend down to see if it’s actually up!

I’ll be lighting that casters club too! My approach will be to use comet matrix system. Probably easiest to use a bendie wedge lamp in a wedge matrix socket. That matrix socket can tie into one of the nearby lights using a bayonet bulb with the matrix extension.

That’s what I’d do but I’m curious if you guys lit it up another way?

Who sells the drop target in that clear opaque? you can light it up a few ways, small strip or a couple bendies.