I fixed the problem on my Disco Fever by eliminating the horseshoe contacts and boards and used reed switches and magnets. Still works fine today.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/williams-drop-target-reed-switch

I don't understand why someone doesn't manufacture something like this. With over 100 posts regarding this problem seems there would be a lot of interest.

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When I made my assembly I used magnets from Home Depot because they were available. They are ½ inch by 0.20 thick. That’s actually a little thick because I had to space the board out a little to be sure the magnets cleared the reed switch. I think the ones Sckwaggs suggested would fit better.

Also when I made my prototype I simply glued the magnets with hot glue. However, they soon came loose. I then glued them with silicone glue, they are still holding. I think epoxy would have been better but I didn’t have any at the time.

I don’t think 10.00 per target is unreasonable at all. As far as more difficult to install, gluing in a magnet is much easier than trying to adjust those horseshoe contacts. That’s what prompted me to try the reed switches in the first place. Replace the board, glue in the magnet and you’re done – no adjusting required.

Hans, I have a Blackout coming soon that will need the drop targets rebuilt. I won't be at the MGC next week but is there any way I can test these on my Blackout?

Thanks

Bob

I'd really like to try them in my Blackout. I'll pay postage. I came up with the original idea and would like to see how well your design works.

Thanks

Bob

Hans, to put your mind more at ease:

1: The magnets I'm using now I think I got from Jameco but they're available most everywhere - including China. They are about 0.1 thick and 0.5 diameter. They fit fine in the horseshoe recess. I think they'll hold with a little epoxy but to be sure you could reverse the horseshoe sliders and cut the contacts off. See photo.

2: I think I solved the problem with the momentary switch - It can be moved to the bottom and stay on until reset. See my experiments:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/replacing-williams-drop-target-sliders-with-reed-switches

3: I read that magnets hold their magnetizeum for hundreds of years. I even have a Jameco magnet that broke in half and it still seems strong. However, I have noticed the magnetic pull seems stronger at circumference of the magnet than at the center. You may want to offset the reed switches to one side.

Bob

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I received the boards from Hans the other day. I did a lot of bench testing and made a few changes. I got it worked great on the bench. Today I finished assembling the target and installed it into the game. It works fine but I seem to get interference from the right target to the center target. I think the magnet is so strong that it's closing the center switch.

I guess a few more adjustments are required. But I guess that's what prototype testing is for.

Once Hans gets the bugs worked out this is going to be a great product. Can't wait to see this on the market.

Bob

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I moved the board over slightly and tested it again. It seems to work fine now. I then played a few games and it worked great in game play.

Yes in game play I hit 2 targets at once and it was fine.

Now I just need to build the upper target.

The really neat thing about this system is there is nothing to ware out - dirt isn't a problem - and no horseshoes to adjust.

Bob

For some reason I can't send photos on this private message system. I've taken dozens of photos that you need to see. Send me your regular e-mail address - I'll send them.

Bob

Great news Hans. Can't wait to see the revised layout.

My Blackout targets are still working great. No problems.

I'm working on a Flash now. Will need new targets for it soon. When will these hit the market?

Bob

They aren't that difficult to make your own. See post 103 above and here:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/replacing-williams-drop-target-sliders-with-reed-switches

I have them in three games and they all still work great. Try it.

Bob

Mine are still working great - never needs adjusting or cleaning.