You guys have my design gears turning yet again. So lets talk about the way they are mounting the PF to those commercial units.
It appears to me that they are using the existing holes in the PF, to attach the front to the rotisserie - by way of a couple of secondary brackets. The other end of the PF is attaching by way of the hardware on the "sliding-rails", and some additional steel tubes and brackets that run the length of the rotisserie. So what they have created here, is a large one piece rotating and open "frame", that the PF attaches to using existing "features" on the PF. Obviously that works well for this style of PF.
But what about all of the EM, early SS and pivoting playfields that came before the sliding rail system which appeared around 1992 IIRC? Now you are back to attaching those playfields on the ends I would think.
But first I want to ask the question. What is the concern with the c-clamps? Is it the fear of leaving a small impression in the PF surface? Well this is very easily negated by using a small wooden block. Is the concern the fear that the c-clamps would not provide the required gripping power, and the PF would fall off? IMO, this should not happen assuming the c-clamps are snug as they should be. I have already had my very heavy Black Knight playfield on the rotisserie using only four c-clamps, and it was very secure. There was never a concern that the thing would loosen up and fall off- even after spinning it a countless number of times. So please help me understand what the apprehension is here.
It is currently likely out of scope to try to design a rotisserie with the large open rotating frame feature- similar to the commercial units. The frame would need to be a one piece design, and not modular in order to provide the required strength. No way I could use the telescoping extenders like I am using for the bottoms on the premium models. That said, I have to keep my rotisserie as modular as possible to make it feasible to ship. Its the size of the box, and the additional weight that would send the shipping cost through the roof, and not necessarily the additional cost of the materials.
So I want to try to first try to find a better way to attach a PF with a tall back wall, to my current rotisserie, and I think that can be done. I am currently designing a custom spanning type clamp that would easily clamp the tall back wall of any PF, to the angle bracket. One clamp would go on each side of the pivot, and there would be no need to remove anything in most cases I believe. I am looking for the components on-line now, and I will provide a sketch ASAP. I really think this would mount a tall back wall PF to the angle bracket very nicely. And the front of the PF would attach with a pair of small c-clamps and blocks - with only the need to first remove the apron.
So again, please help me understand why the apprehension to the c-clamps. And I also need to know how tall the "tallest" back walls are on the more modern pins. I'm guessing around 7-8 inches or so. I have a Funhouse and a Twilight Zone I can measure tonight. That will help me in my clamp design.
Great discussion guys. Lets keep it going.