So here is a trick to help people..
Tonight I had to dive into the Geneva switch in the gumball.. which can be a real PITA.
For those who don't know, the Geneva Switch is a micro-switch with blade attached to the bottom of the gumball machine and is a common fail point. The ugly part is the switch is basically right next to the playfield, and the switch is held on with a backing plate. And removing the entire gumball machine not only takes major disassembly on the topside... getting the gumball machine out the playfield hole with the switch attached is super sketchy. So taking the gumball out is not really an option... and working with it under the PF is really frustrating. Getting the switch off is easy, getting it back on due to the backing plate and no room.. ugh.
So after taking the switch off, adjusting the blade and verifying its operation in test... I have to get the switch back on, while holding in position, and trying to somehow place the backing plate.
Well here is my simple solution..
I took a piece of 1/16" thick acrylic I had lying around... and broke off a small piece. I then put a piece of two sided tape on it, and then put the backing plate on the tape. This game me a nice little sheet I could use to position the plate.. It let me reach behind the bracket where you can't get your fingers in.. it held the backing plate secure and let me adjust the position. And even better.. the thickness was almost perfect in that the plate just held in place with friction, so I didn't even have to hold it while I positioned the screw and switch!
Check it out
Just small plate with two sided tape..
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And here it is holding the backing plate in place for me with no hands needed
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Use this idea anytime you need to hold those impossible plates in place where you just can't get your hands!