When I hit the Legalos ramp with a solid shot, it quite often flies off the ramp before it gets to the Shire area. I'm guessing that the point where it hooks to the Arwen plastic is high enough to create a crest, causing the ball to go airborne.
When I hit the Legalos ramp with a solid shot, it quite often flies off the ramp before it gets to the Shire area. I'm guessing that the point where it hooks to the Arwen plastic is high enough to create a crest, causing the ball to go airborne.
I've always had that issue and haven't come up with an acceptable fix yet. I wish they would have made the wireform fully enclosed at the peak
Ugh! It sounds like a common problem without a good fix. Dr, when you say bend it down, which part are you talking about? I guess I need to try to figure out where it's taking flight, but it happens so fast, that's going to be tough.
There was a thread where a guy replaced the sneeze guard plastic at the bottom with a single brass wire he bent himself. Maybe something similar could be done at the top
Quoted from Erik:There was a thread where a guy replaced the sneeze guard plastic at the bottom with a single brass wire he bent himself. Maybe something similar could be done at the top
I saw that thread and have plans to make one of those. I wonder if there's anywhere to attach a wire further up. Still, I think I need to figure out where the problem starts.
Quoted from APOLLO_13:don't bend anything... just loosen the nuts that hold the wireform... should be three is I remember right... let it sit with no tension then tighten your nuts back down... I had the same issue with LOTR and my BSD.
Thanks. I'll give that a try.
just loosen the hold down nuts for the wire form and let it go back to it's natural position... then re tighten. that's all you need to do, it's not anything that you need to bend or build anything for to fix this. you should see as you loosen the nuts, that the wire form will move a bit. you will also notice this when re-tightening, try and hold it in the "relaxed" position as you tighten
Herg, take a good look at mine when you come over. Mine has never had that problem. Maybe something will be visibly different?
I had the same problem. I fixed mine by paying special attention to the screw holding the ramp in place above Arwen plastic. I have a plastic protector there so maybe that's helping the height, I don't know. It's awesome when you can adjust that ramp perfectly - it's great to see a ball going lightning fast glued to the ramp.
Quoted from herg:Dr, when you say bend it down, which part are you talking about? I guess I need to try to figure out where it's taking flight, but it happens so fast, that's going to be tough.
For me, it goes around the sharp tuen, and then upward and then there where the form levels off is where the ball takes flight for me. Too much acceleration at that point overcomes the gravity. so that upward area is where Iv forced my wireform down a little. That way the angle of launch isnt as drastic.
I make/sell a bent brass rail to replace the plastic below the shire. It is also fairly easy/cheap to make for yourself.
Search "LOTR habitrail mod" in the modding forum.
I think it was referenced earlier in this post--- it will not fix the problem before the shire.
Quoted from APOLLO_13:just loosen the hold down nuts for the wire form and let it go back to it's natural position
Tried this, but only had time to try a quick game. It seems like it might have helped.
Quoted from DCFAN:take a good look at mine when you come over
Will do. Thanks.
Quoted from DrStarkweather:For me, it goes around the sharp tuen, and then upward and then there where the form levels off is where the ball takes flight for me.
I'll give that some special attention.
Quoted from ryan1234:I make/sell a bent brass rail to replace the plastic below the shire.
If you've started selling these more than just one here/there, I may just buy one rather than buying the wire, spending the time bending, etc. Thanks.
I rarely have a ball go off that ramp now. The replacement metal guard does help protect the shire plastic due to how it mounts. You will see if you get one. Recommended.
OK, I had a chance to play more yesterday, and the problem is still there after the bolt loosening, relaxing, tightening exercise.
Looking at DCFAN's machine and talking with him, I didn't see obvious differences that would cause the problem on my machine, but he did say the ball doesn't seem to whip around the hairpin at the back with as much speed on his as it does on mine.
I believe that DrStarkweather is probably right about where the ball is taking flight. It's really the only place that looks likely.
I have a few ideas that I might try:
-Video and frame by frame review to identify the problem, though, the framerate of my camera may be too slow to see anything.
-Make a guide of some sort to put at the area DrStarkweather mentions.
-Stop shooting at the ramp.
Oh, and even though it won't help with this problem, I sent ryan1234 payment for a habitrail mod. It really does class up that area.
Quoted from herg:OK, I had a chance to play more yesterday, and the problem is still there after the bolt loosening, relaxing, tightening exercise.
Sorry that didn't solve your issue... it did on mine. worth a shot
Please refer to this topic: http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/lotr-plastic-protector-missing-from-playfield-where-to-buy#post-547683
I made my own plastic to solve the "Legolas-Off-The-Ramp" (LOTR) problem! I can make you one if you like, just PM me. You can even attach the Legolas playalong figure to the plastic, if you like. The photos below show a pic without and with the figure (the first photo is mine, the second is Paulo's).
-Brannon
I have the levelers maxed out on slope so that may have something to do with it. I glanced at the ramp yesterday and there were a couple spots up top where you could connect a custom rod like ryan1234 made. If I can find brass rod like that I might give it a shot
Quoted from brannonrad:I made my own plastic to solve the "Legolas-Off-The-Ramp" (LOTR) problem! I can make you one if you like, just PM me. You can even attach the Legolas playalong figure to the plastic, if you like. The photos below show a pic without and with the figure (the first photo is mine, the second is Paulo's)
This looks like it would work!
Hey guys, it works great, thanks so much Brannon!
I can now wax my playfield and not worry about the ball rocketing off the ramp, so much better now. I can't tell you how many DTR balls I lost because of this issue. Thanks again and purchase with confidence from Brannon, cool dude.
Quoted from APOLLO_13:Sorry that didn't solve your issue... it did on mine. worth a shot
Yeah, that was definitely the easiest thing to try, and it was worth a shot. Thanks.
Quoted from brannonrad:I made my own plastic to solve the "Legolas-Off-The-Ramp" (LOTR) problem!
I'm planning to cut a plastic to help protect the Shire VUK plastic, so I'll try cutting one like yours when I do that. If you already had some cut, I'd just buy one from you, but I don't want to inconvenience you when I'm already planning on cutting stuff.
DCFAN has pictures in the thread you linked, and while I was at his house, I wondered if that might be part of the reason he doesn't have the problem. He said the ball doesn't hit his and that it is really only a mount for his Legalos figure.
Quoted from herg:I'm planning to cut a plastic to help protect the Shire VUK plastic
For the shire, I used this awesome protector mentioned in this article: http://www.pinballnews.com/news/nib8.html
Quoted from herg:so I'll try cutting one like yours when I do that. If you already had some cut, I'd just buy one from you, but I don't want to inconvenience you when I'm already planning on cutting stuff.
I like to do things myself, so I totally understand. You can make your new plastic so that it uses existing hardware from the bottom of the POTD. You'll need to drill two holes in your new plastic, but only one will get attached by the existing nut on the right underside of the POTD (the other just holds the plastic in place). It is a fun little project.
Quoted from herg:DCFAN has pictures in the thread you linked, and while I was at his house, I wondered if that might be part of the reason he doesn't have the problem. He said the ball doesn't hit his and that it is really only a mount for his Legalos figure.
I looked at his photo as well and thought that he fixed this problem without even knowing it! I would think a fast ball up the Legolas ramp on a clean machine would hit his figure.
-Brannon
Brannon's extra plastic solution was easy to install and works like a champ. -no more airballs! Thanks Brannon!
-Mike
Thanks Mike! Looks great Herg! It sure feels good when you hit that Legolas ramp and *know* that the ball is going to stay on!
I can make more for others if you have the need (I will be making one so far this weekend). Just PM me your address.
-Brannon
looks like brannonrad does not make his plastic protector anymore, anyone has a good alternative? I have never made some for myself but I may have to in this case?
Quoted from hisokajp:looks like brannonrad does not make his plastic protector anymore, anyone has a good alternative? I have never made some for myself but I may have to in this case?
Just buy this:
http://www.lowes.com/pd/LEXAN-0-6666-ft-x-0-8333-ft-x-2-3622-mil-Clear-Polycarbonate-Sheet/3143465
And cut it to the size you want with a jigsaw and drill a hole to mount it. You can also sand the edges by hand if needed.
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