Has anyone tried putting TWO flipper rings on each flipper? Not sure if it'd fit, but that would definitely lengthen the overall dimension, at least an eighth inch right there.

Simple fix if it does the job.

Ball traps that I have found so far with my machine (red splash star identifies the ball).

This one happens because of the placement of the mylar to the right:
balltrap_left_inlane_rail (resized).jpg

Locknut just happens to be where it is:
balltrap_library_shelf (resized).jpg

Odd place for the ball to land:
balltrap_purple-cityscape (resized).jpg

Another odd place, held by the spotlight post:
balltrap_spotlight-storagefacility (resized).jpg

Actually, putting extended outlane rails in place have absolutely reduced the drains. Can't say if it's 30%, as there's no real way of knowing, but those rails have kept the ball in play and given me considerably less of the thankless side drains. And, those rails give you height considerably more than tapping the original rails upward (you can only raise the rails 1/4 in. - any more and you run the risk of chipping the playfield hole on a hard shot).

The game just feels normal.

True. But the extended rails close the gap where the ball exits into the drain, and relocates the uppermost post by maybe 3/8". So you don't need to move the bump pin, but being as the gap is smaller, many of the would-be drains will rebound out and keep the ball in play. It reduces the cheap shot drains considerably.

Once you play it - and compare the "before and after" effect, you would look at it as less of a cheat and more of a design improvement. Doesn't really feel like you're cheating the game because you still will get the side drains. But less of them.

Same concept as adding airball shields. You're not cheating the game, just making it more playable. Airballs apparently are considered acceptable by the designers, yet are some of the most irritating features. So, design isn't always sound and can always accept improvement.

You might be right. At the factory, when they install the rail, sometimes have a hole that's a bit too large. Rather than scrap the playfield, it's likely the assembly line worker added a "flute" or "knurl" on the end of the rail to enlarge it just a bit, to keep it tight in the hole.

You do this by laying the rail on a table and whacking the entry end with a chisel, causing the metal to grow slightly. Not it will fit tightly.

Common practice when metal meets wood.

This said, I still stand by my claim of adding an additional side rail to the drain lanes, giving the ball less of a chance to easily drain. I did it on my machine, and call it a day. Been there since new and they do work. Nicely, I'll add.

^^ with your thought about functionality mods, upgrading the rubber rings to add rebound to the ball would be considered a cheat as well. And the carrot flippers - big cheat. Those aren't delivered from the factory but actually do improve the play.

The factory isn't perfect, but keep in mind, the goal of any manufacturer is to minimize ball play time, because, believe it or not, the arcades (profit centers) are the big users of these machines, and profit per hour is the mitigating design criteria. The manufacturer also wants you to wear it out, hence, NO cliffys. You put them on, are you cheating the game? No, you're preserving your "investment". Same reason you put the plastic protectors in your machine. No cheat there, right?

For home use, our mentality is the opposite; we want longer ball time to keep our (and our guests) interest in the machine. Just because the factory says so doesn't hold water in my book. If I can improve on my machine, I'm goin' for it.