spin-n-spot jambing

0

#1 6 years ago

OP

???

amxman

Inactive member

Milwaukee, WI

6y 11,650 26 1

Hi all, I'm new to this forum. Grew up with a Gottlieb pinball in my dads basement(Playmates) still have it but it's showing its age. Not to long ago I bought a Gottlieb Ship Ahoy pinball machine. Overall in very good condition I think. I just recently have started having a problem with the spin-n-spot target. The wire connector that activates the switch keeps on sliding in between the metal roll bar cage thingy and the shaft that the target rides on. This jambs the spinning target in the switch on, all I've been able to do is turn it off quick and then slide the glass back and free it by hand. I've tried adjusting how the whole thing mounts to the two post's on either side with no results if anything it got worse. I want to get the connecting wire away from the side, but I realize it will be more exposed to getting hit by the ball. I don't really want to modify or construct something because it will look out of place. Is there anyone out there that has had this type of issue before? I'm sure this spin-n-spot gets beat up pretty good because of how the connecting wire is exposed to getting hit by the ball.

I do want to mention that the target was installed backwards when I got it... the skull/cross bones were upside down or spun around. This kinda makes me think there was a problem with this in the past before I got it. But I don't really see any difference to the bends on the shaft one side to the other. I'm confused.

When I get a chance I'll upload some pictures of it, topside resting, jammed, and the underside of the switch.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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#2 6 years ago

???

currieddog

Pinside member

Springfield, MA

7y 63,550 3,312 6

Can you download this pic and point where the problem(s) are? You can splice in some more wire and tuck it out of the way.

Ship ahoy (resized).jpg

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#3 6 years ago

???

Steve_B

Inactive member

Unknown

9y 10,650 86

Do these pics help? There is also a small rubber ring on the metal shaft ( hard to see in the pics) that keeps the activation wire from sliding up into the bracket.

image (resized).jpeg

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#4 6 years ago

BMR

Briehl

Inactive member

Saskatoon, SK

7y 27,800 229 3

It looks like the metal wire on your spinner has been bent a few times.

Also, I'm going by memory here, but isn't that clear washer supposed to be on the other side of the switch wire?

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#5 6 years ago

HOW

HowardR

Pinside member

Boulder, CO

7y 78,050 6,262

Quoted from Briehl:
It looks like the metal wire on your spinner has been bent a few times.
Also, I'm going by memory here, but isn't that clear washer supposed to be on the other side of the switch wire?

There should be a clear washer on both sides of the switch wire. The one he has keeps the switch wire from moving to where it won't be activated by spinning. The one near the target keeps the switch wire from getting hit by the target.

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#6 6 years ago

RHO

spiroagnew

Inactive member

11y 121K 982 161

There should be plastic washers on either side of the activation wire to keep it from moving. I've come across a few spinners with just one that have worked fine, so it's just a matter of fine tuning. I've also found that keeping the loop on the end of the activation wire perpendicular to the spinner wire arm, it'll will work wonders on getting maximum spin--I see yours is a bit on an angle and may be the reason it likes to "climb" and jam. You may have to bend the loop to get it to sit just so...just make sure the loop on the other end (attached to the switch) isn't bent out of adjustment when you do this.

Those plastic washers are available from Pinball Resource (GTB-20407, $0.25ea), and I use a drop of Super Lube Synthetic Grease/Oil on the spinner arms where they contact the frame for max spin. Getting a spinner's arms adjusted "just so" is almost an art. And a lost art at that.

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#7 6 years ago

OP

???

amxman

Inactive member

Milwaukee, WI

6y 11,650 26 1

I didn't know there was supposed to be a plastic washer, that may be all I need. Your washer looks more like a o-ring. And what kind of grease you using, I have been wanting to put a dab on those rotating parts. Here are some pictures of how mine is setup, I didn't take one of it jammed though. Two topside two underside.

DSC05144 (resized).JPG

DSC05146 (resized).JPG

DSC05147 (resized).JPG

DSC05145 (resized).JPG

0

#8 6 years ago

BMR

Briehl

Inactive member

Saskatoon, SK

7y 27,800 229 3

http://www.pbresource.com/spinner.html

Here they are on pbr. I don't know what year this game is, so I cant tell you the specific one. But it looks like one is for up to 1970, and the other one is after 1970.