Deering, NH
Easy to determine the scoring... simply reset to a new game and push down
all the switches in one of the strike corridors to see if it scores a strike.
(Topic ID: 87707)
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Quoted from stoli1:I don’t think the switch on the alley is directly connected to the 7 light on the back box or alley. Those alley switches likely go to the scoring circuitry which in turn determine which pins drop. See if the scoring works correctly. If it doesn’t, there is probably a bad/dirty connection on the switch bank. On CCM bowlers, that is located in the back box. United put them under the alley. Try to follow the wires from the alley switches to find that bank. If the scoring does work correctly, it could still be a bad switch on the bank, but it could also be a bad 7 relay coil or a bad ground on that coil.
Thanks, I'll give that a shot!
Quoted from poppapin:Cool looking game that your kids are enjoying!! Looks like your neighbor's hobby is VW buses. HaHa
You are correct. Lol!
I'm fixing this up for a friend. As much as I'd love to keep it, a 9.5ft shuffle bowler just doesn't fit anywhere here.
Quoted from stoli1:Easy to determine the scoring... simply reset to a new game and push down
all the switches in one of the strike corridors to see if it scores a strike.
Straight down the middle leaves 7/10. :/
20201212_100401 (resized).jpg20201212_100407 (resized).jpg20201212_100427 (resized).jpg20201212_100449 (resized).jpg20201212_100456 (resized).jpgA strike is possible, but the puck has to make an impossible path to do it. Seems this has trouble resetting pins and advancing the frame if the 7 pin is left, too. Not sure if that tells me anything about what's ailing it but I digress..
A 7/10 split is correct for a straight down the middle shot. The strike corridors are just to the left and right of center. The paint is worn but it looks like the yellow lines that define the corridors are still there. What happens when you close all the switches in either?
Quoted from stoli1:A 7/10 split is correct for a straight down the middle shot. The strike corridors are just to the left and right of center. The paint is worn but it looks like the yellow lines that define the corridors are still there. What happens when you close all the switches in either?
Whoops! That makes sense. I'll try both sides and see what happens.
I noticed your thread in the em repair forum. I am moving our discussion there since this is more of a “show me” thread. I just posted a troubleshooting suggestion for you on that thread.
Love the game by the way. I believe this was the first bowler that Bally produced back in ‘49.
Quoted from stoli1:I noticed your thread in the em repair forum. I am moving our discussion there since this is more of a “show me” thread. I just posted a troubleshooting suggestion for you on that thread.
Love the game by the way. I believe this was the first bowler that Bally produced back in ‘49.
Thank you for all your help! I'll try your suggestions and reply back on that post. I think the game is rad for sure! Only bummer for me is that it's a one player game. That certainly helps from a complexity standpoint but it kinda kills the 'party game' vibe IMO. Alas, we get what pops up and this is what popped up. 
Thanks again for the help, I really do appreciate it. See you on the other post!
-Jordan
I am in the process of restoring a Red Ball parking meter. There is very little info available on these machines. Does anyone have any knowledge of their site location/s please. I can only find reference to litigation between the manufacturer and Lovell City, Wyoming in 1963 where apparently a contract for supply of 224 existed. Thanks.
ebay.com link: Martin Red Ball Parking Meter Service Manual
A service manual on eBay..
Quoted from presqueisle:ebay.com link » Martin Red Ball Parking Meter Service Manual
A service manual on eBay..
Quoted from presqueisle:Info from the Franklin Co Auto Museum, home of the Benton IL. Chamber of Commerce.[quoted image]
Thanks so much Dave. I do have a copy of that manual produced by Rick Akers but it does not have a lot of info re history of machine. The refs in the Franklin piece are very helpful.
1 week later
Thrilled to add this to the collection.....literally thrilled. I don't know much about them, and I know it needs some work - the main scoring motor doesn't appear to work. But slowly started cleaning it and it's slowly coming to life!
It's a 13' United 5-Star
Bowler1 (resized).jpgBowler2 (resized).jpgQuoted from Turdbol:Thrilled to add this to the collection.....literally thrilled. I don't know much about them, and I know it needs some work - the main scoring motor doesn't appear to work. But slowly started cleaning it and it's slowly coming to life!
It's a 13' United 5-Star
Ball Bowlers are a hit for any game room..
On the Score Motor, the gear box may need to be takin' apart
cleaned and re-lubed, but if you put a couple drops of light weight
oil (I like using Remmington Gun Oil), on the tail of the Score Motor's Armature,
that alone could make a good size difference on the Score Motor's performance.
The tail of the Armature draws in when the motor is energized, and springs back
out as the motor stops running..
btw: Same with the Pin Reset Motor, and of course the Ball Lift Motor has
a couple small copper tubes for a couple of drops to go in..
Quoted from Turdbol:Thrilled to add this to the collection.....literally thrilled. I don't know much about them, and I know it needs some work - the main scoring motor doesn't appear to work. But slowly started cleaning it and it's slowly coming to life!
It's a 13' United 5-Star[quoted image][quoted image]
You're gonna love it! Congrats!
sweet bowler
I have two
If a pin keeps resetting
folding up and down again before finally staying down after all the pins reset
Is this due to a dirty contact switch?
I’m having a issue with my head pin doing that occasionally
Quoted from Turdbol:Thrilled to add this to the collection.....literally thrilled. I don't know much about them, and I know it needs some work - the main scoring motor doesn't appear to work. But slowly started cleaning it and it's slowly coming to life!
It's a 13' United 5-Star[quoted image][quoted image]
I am amazed at the condition! It looks fantastic, and shows no signs of abuse. Good luck with all of those relays.
Quoted from rollinover:sweet bowler
I have two
If a pin keeps resetting
folding up and down again before finally staying down after all the pins reset
Is this due to a dirty contact switch?
I’m having a issue with my head pin doing that occasionally
Usually there is a clutch type of design in the motor so when power is removed the motor will disengage so the gearbox stops quickly. I have seen this done with the motor rotor and a spring. When energized the rotor is pulled down and engages the gear box. When power is removed the spring pushes it out of the way. Check this out and apply some light lube to the rotor shaft.
A friend of mine acquired a Haunted House rifle game and wants my help in getting it back to working order. I have worked on EM's before, that's it. What's a good website to go to to get information on how these rifle games are put together so I can get into this restoration?
Quoted from Peruman:A friend of mine acquired a Haunted House rifle game and wants my help in getting it back to working order. I have worked on EM's before, that's it. What's a good website to go to to get information on how these rifle games are put together so I can get into this restoration?
Did you find this yet?
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/1972-midway-haunted-house-gun-game-restoration
Quoted from Turdbol:Thrilled to add this to the collection.....literally thrilled. I don't know much about them, and I know it needs some work - the main scoring motor doesn't appear to work. But slowly started cleaning it and it's slowly coming to life!
It's a 13' United 5-Star[quoted image][quoted image]
You're gonna love it. They are a blast. I'd love to find some lane extensions and make this thing a beast.
20200511_201816 (resized).jpgQuoted from gliebig:I'd love to find some lane extensions and make this thing a beast.
What size is your Mardi Gras, 16 ft.?
It takes a little time, but I had made center lane extensions
for ball bowlers including Goose Neck Bowlers which two of them
happen to be Mardi Gras. Made both 13 and 16 footers into 21 footers.
If you make a 16 footer into a 20 footer, it's literally like night and day
for the good. That 4 ft. seems like 10 ft..
Quoted from Mopar:What size is your Mardi Gras, 16 ft.?
It takes a little time, but I had made center lane extensions
for ball bowlers including Goose Neck Bowlers which two of them
happen to be Mardi Gras. Made both 13 and 16 footers into 21 footers.
If you make a 16 footer into a 20 footer, it's literally like night and day
for the good. That 4 ft. seems like 10 ft..
Mine is 16ft. I have plenty of room behind it. I'd love to extend it.
Quoted from gliebig:You're gonna love it. They are a blast. I'd love to find some lane extensions and make this thing a beast.
[quoted image]
Some time ago, I saw a guy in Ohio on ebarf, selling ball bowlers he may have what you need.
Hi all,
Just posted a question here about my ball lift mech. Any thoughts appreciated.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/ball-bowler-lift-removal-question#post-6037331
I was all fired up about a 4ft extension for my 16 ft. CC Majestic until I played a 20 ft version at the VFW event in Michigan. Even though it’s just 4 extra feet, it seems like 10, and gives it a very, very narrow visual to the pins. It wasn’t for me. I highly suggest playing one that long before you make a decision.
I have a 14' United Bowling Alley and believe me, 14 is plenty. I agree with @Budman. Try it before you add sections. Plus then you don't have to wrestle a lane section. They aren't light.
Quoted from bob_e:Some time ago, I saw a guy in Ohio on ebarf, selling ball bowlers he may have what you need.
He sold them all
I got my EM gold medal from him
St. Louis ball bowler came and bought everything he had left
Believe it’s all gone
Quoted from Pugsley:I Played the 20' at VFW and that's why I want the extensions.
16 foot's not bad, but on C.C. Goose Necks, the pindeck's much further up
than the earlier ones, which makes 20' a huge plus.
I put a few out, and once I converted the 13 and 16 footers into 20s, they
got much more play. The MBA was 20', and I converted it to 28'. Huge difference
for the good..
Quoted from bintzknocker:I have a 14' United Bowling Alley and believe me, 14 is plenty. I agree with Budman. Try it before you add sections. Plus then you don't have to wrestle a lane section. They aren't light.
I had that as well. The 14 feet seemed a good size, but remember, that uses 3 inch balls. I had a 13 foot gooseneck at the same time, with 4.5 inch balls. It was far too short for me. Right now my 16 foot with 4.5 inch balls is a nice sweet spot, but I think an extra 4 foot of lane would really hit the mark! I get the visual narrowness though.
Quoted from Mopar:16 foot's not bad, but on C.C. Goose Necks, the pindeck's much further up
than the earlier ones, which makes 20' a huge plus.
I put a few out, and once I converted the 13 and 16 footers into 20s, they
got much more play. The MBA was 20', and I converted it to 28'. Huge difference
for the good..
Your MBA is awesome. I wish I had the room for one
Quoted from edward472:Your MBA is awesome. I wish I had the room for one
Thanks. During parties it gets played pretty much non-stop.
It was my first ball bowler. Back in the early 90s, a ball bowler was listed in the Swap Sheet
for $400.00 so I checked it out and picked it up. A few years later after being revealed, it
turned out to be a hot item..
Quoted from Turdbol:Thrilled to add this to the collection.....literally thrilled. I don't know much about them, and I know it needs some work - the main scoring motor doesn't appear to work. But slowly started cleaning it and it's slowly coming to life!
It's a 13' United 5-Star[quoted image][quoted image]
Congrats on the 5 Star Bowler! They are well built and yours looks to be in a lot better shape than mine was. Just finished restoring a 16 foot United 5 Star bowler so if you have any questions let me know. Good luck and enjoy the journey!
Dave
IMG_2747 (resized).jpegIMG_3031 (resized).jpegIMG_3032 (resized).jpegQuoted from dkatgs:Congrats on the 5 Star Bowler! They are well built and yours looks to be in a lot better shape than mine was. Just finished restoring a 16 foot United 5 Star bowler so if you have any questions let me know. Good luck and enjoy the journey!
Dave
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
Very nice
are those new swirl brown white balls
If so where you get them
Quoted from rollinover:Very nice
are those new swirl brown white balls
If so where you get them
Chris sells them I'm sure.
St Louis Ball Bowler
https://www.stl-bb.com
Quoted from RonSS:Chris sells them I'm sure.
St Louis Ball Bowler
https://www.stl-bb.com
He does. You can also get them personalized.
Quoted from rollinover:Very nice
are those new swirl brown white balls
If so where you get them
Yes I did get those 4.5" swirl balls from St. Louis Ball Bowler. Love how they look! Just as I remembered from my youth. I couldn't use the ones I received in the purchase after bringing it back to life and was glad to find them.
I also found these cool light up LED button switches. They are 12v boat horn switches and you can get them in all different colors. Bowl On!
DSC01284 (resized).JPGThose swirl balls look nice but a set of them is probably worth more than my bowler.
How bad were the originals?
Quick question: what do you call the thin plastic strip in the lower back glass that you customize with your name and such? I'd like to order a new one to fool around with but know what to search for.
Quoted from dkatgs:Yes I did get those 4.5" swirl balls from St. Louis Ball Bowler. Love how they look! Just as I remembered from my youth. I couldn't use the ones I received in the purchase after bringing it back to life and was glad to find them.
I also found these cool light up LED button switches. They are 12v boat horn switches and you can get them in all different colors. Bowl On![quoted image]
Very cool
Completed full resto of a fairly rare Red Ball 1950s parking meter. Ball down:time remaining; ball up:time expired. Not a great deal of info around about these machines but understand the red ball was a target for sharp shooters??
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Quoted from wayner:Completed full resto of a fairly rare Red Ball 1950s parking meter. Ball down:time remaining; ball up:time expired. Not a great deal of info around about these machines but understand the red ball was a target for sharp shooters??
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Great, now I want one too. Amazing work, well done.
1969 United Laguna is always a hit for get togethers. Especially for people that don't care for (or are no good at) the pinball selection. Some of the ball bowlers in this thread make me wish I had more room but this fits the bill nicely and no gutter balls lol
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