(Topic ID: 28788)

Worst hack/repair you ever saw.

By mcclad

11 years ago


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  • Latest reply 6 days ago by jibmums
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    There are 4,635 posts in this topic. You are on page 61 of 93.
    #3001 3 years ago

    Female jones plug mangled by NOT paying attention to attaching the male side? No problem, just solder the wire to the tab and rip out the singular male connector from the plug! Fortunately I had a spare, but had to decrease the pin size from 10 to 6 position.

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    #3002 3 years ago

    This isn’t the worst. And sorry I didn’t take a pic. But spent a while trying to figure out why a Top Score always started a two player game. Only to find out someone soldered a jumper wire in the main cabinet so it would do that on purpose. Why??????

    #3003 3 years ago
    Quoted from DCRand:

    This isn’t the worst. And sorry I didn’t take a pic. But spent a while trying to figure out why a Top Score always started a two player game. Only to find out someone soldered a jumper wire in the main cabinet so it would do that on purpose. Why??????

    The worst problems to troubleshoot, in my opinion, are those where someone has installed a jumper or rewired something thinking they're fixing a problem....only really they are creating a bigger problem!

    #3004 3 years ago
    Quoted from JethroP:

    The worst problems to troubleshoot, in my opinion, are those where someone has installed a jumper or rewired something thinking they're fixing a problem....only really they are creating a bigger problem!

    I just dealt with that exact problem. They shorted the coin door lights to the lockdown bar release lever frying several things. The tried to rewire it and I had to get the manual out to undo and properly put it all back. I then replaced the blow fuse and it all worked again.

    #3005 3 years ago

    Drive a dry wall screw in and just keep the relay closed.

    01202110101 (resized).jpg01202110101 (resized).jpg
    #3006 3 years ago
    Quoted from chad:

    Drive a dry wall screw in and just keep the relay closed.[quoted image]

    Hey, that's better than my pioneer. They bent all the leaves of the switches in tilt hold and tilt so it was impossible to tilt - insead of maybe just disconnecting the told bob?

    #3007 3 years ago

    So this is hopefully a good hack. Flipper link on 1950 Spot Bowler and found the hole on one end of the link was seriously oval and allowed too much slop. Don't know if the part is available or not. But was a Sunday morning and wanted a fix that day. However, with the rod attached to it, couldn't just replace it from parts on hand. So drilled the out of round hole to just bigger than the smallest washer on hand that fit over the tension pin. Filled the hole with 4 washers, drove in a replacement tension pin, works perfectly.

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    1 week later
    #3008 3 years ago

    This is a 2 fer. Apollo just picked up. Who needs to replace the cord to get a longer cord. Just tape 3 wire 3 prong cord to the 50 year old 2 wire 2 prong cord. Then have seen more than one machine with plates and rods added to go across a coin door. But to go across the back box cover? And they even very neatly cut slots into the back box door for the plates to fit through. The rod was long since gone. And the plates will be soon. But think I will polish the bolt heads and leave them in.

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    #3009 3 years ago
    Quoted from DCRand:

    But to go across the back box cover? And they even very neatly cut slots into the back box door for the plates to fit through

    Back in EM days, if a game was in a dark corner, clever kids used a large screwdriver to pry the backbox cover open a little from one side, then turned the credit unit wheel to maximum with a bicycle spoke. We mounted a microswitch detecting open cover and a loud alarm inside the backbox. Also securing rods like that were used.

    #3010 3 years ago
    Quoted from Tuukka:

    Back in EM days, if a game was in a dark corner, clever kids used a large screwdriver to pry the backbox cover open a little from one side, then turned the credit unit wheel to maximum with a bicycle spoke.

    For me, as a kid I doubt playing for free would've been loads of fun for very long. Half the adventure was figuring out how I was going to come up with the dimes and quarters to play. Ask my mom for it, or sneak it outta her purse, etc.

    12
    #3011 3 years ago
    Quoted from frenchmarky:

    For me, as a kid I doubt playing for free would've been loads of fun for very long. Half the adventure was figuring out how I was going to come up with the dimes and quarters to play. Ask my mom for it, or sneak it outta her purse, etc.

    How many others would check the coin return slots of all machines in arcades, in hopes of finding change to play a few games? My parents were cheap and didn't give me very much spending cash. So I did what I could to support my game playing habit. Inevitably, I'd find a few bucks to play with.

    #3012 3 years ago
    Quoted from PinJim:

    How many others would check the coin return slots of all machines in arcades, in hopes of finding change to play a few games?

    Or hoping there was a game in the joint that somebody had walked away from with some credits still on it... or not realizing they'd won a match. Especially if the knocker was busted.

    #3013 3 years ago
    Quoted from PinJim:

    How many others would check the coin return slots of all machines in arcades, in hopes of finding change to play a few games?

    Coin return slot in arcade games.
    Coin return slots in pay phones.
    Coin return slots in paper machine dispensers.

    Used to check them all!

    #3014 3 years ago
    Quoted from JethroP:

    Coin return slot in arcade games.
    Coin return slots in pay phones.
    Coin return slots in paper machine dispensers.
    Used to check them all!

    Same! I was always on my hands and knees looking under games and always came out ahead!

    #3015 3 years ago
    Quoted from Tuukka:

    Back in EM days, if a game was in a dark corner, clever kids used a large screwdriver to pry the backbox cover open a little from one side, then turned the credit unit wheel to maximum with a bicycle spoke. We mounted a microswitch detecting open cover and a loud alarm inside the backbox. Also securing rods like that were used.

    I guess I am just too honest. Would have never thought of prying open a back box. Not to mention, sticking a bicycle spoke into a cabinet with live electricity? Kind of a Darwin test. But like others mentioned, always on the look out for coin return change or free credits. Also, most of my playing was at the local roller rink, where we had the 4 Square dialed in. Would run it up to 15 games, then sell them for a buck and a half. Wait till the kid lost them, then do it again. Bet the operator wondered why 4 Square wasn't a good earner. LOL

    #3016 3 years ago
    Quoted from Tuukka:

    Back in EM days, if a game was in a dark corner, clever kids used a large screwdriver to pry the backbox cover open a little from one side, then turned the credit unit wheel to maximum with a bicycle spoke...

    Not a hack, but similar to your comment: Somehow when I was a kid (meaning in the very early 70's), someone figured out if you put in 2 pennies and a nickel (I think that was the combination) in a 25 cent coin slot, we'd get a credit. Then when you hit the coin return, I'm pretty sure we'd get 1 penny and 1 nickel back. Went to the mall, tried it...and sure enough, it worked. Don't recall what brand of pin it was tho.

    #3017 3 years ago
    Quoted from Tuukka:

    Back in EM days, if a game was in a dark corner, clever kids used a large screwdriver to pry the backbox cover open a little from one side, then turned the credit unit wheel to maximum with a bicycle spoke. We mounted a microswitch detecting open cover and a loud alarm inside the backbox. Also securing rods like that were used.

    Jon Norris, the Gottlieb pinball designer, used a large magnet
    to guide the ball wherever the good spots to get points are at.
    He would rack up several specials and extra balls without damaging
    the game.

    #3018 3 years ago

    Oh the ways to get free games as a kid...

    Back in the day, one of the largest theme parks in the US used tokens for their games. The tokens were very similar to nickels. If you flicked a nickel quickly into the coin mech, it'd pass as a token.

    A local bowling alley has a checkpoint that was missing the door on the coin return. A penny could be flicked up into the coin mech and it'd give you credits.

    Of course, I never did any of the above! Ha. Kids will do much that we don't do as adults. For example, I bought a shower curtain rod at Home Depot last week and it rang up for 1 penny at the self checkout. I called over the attendant to make sure it was right (she called the manager, and they stuck to the 1 cent price).

    I taught my oldest boy (7 years old) how to check coin return slots for abandoned change. He does that now anytime he sees a game. Funny part is, he rarely plays the machines at my house. Hoping that changes as he gets older. I guess Nintendo holds his interest better at this stage in his life.

    #3019 3 years ago

    I wonder why someone taped the EOS switch together?

    Ohhh.

    20210317_110601 (resized).jpg20210317_110601 (resized).jpg

    Also, look at that beefy spring. Haha

    #3020 3 years ago
    Quoted from Jahkub:

    Also, look at that beefy spring. Haha

    What's that on, a Hercules?!

    #3021 3 years ago
    Quoted from frunch:

    What's that on, a Hercules?!

    Even worse, 6803 linear flipper.

    #3022 3 years ago

    Driver board out of a T2 I got off route from an op.

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    10
    #3023 3 years ago
    Quoted from mbwalker:

    someone figured out if you put in 2 pennies and a nickel (I think that was the combination) in a 25 cent coin slot, we'd get a credit. Then when you hit the coin return, I'm pretty sure we'd get 1 penny and 1 nickel back.

    We called it the seven cent trick. Jam the nickel in real hard . Gently drop a penny, and gently another. Each penny after that would fall into the coin box for a credit. Push the coin return and you got the nickel and first two pennies back- seven cents.

    Someone here on Pinside said they were the one who designed a fix to the trick for the coin chute company. Forget who.

    #3024 3 years ago

    Just found this on a wpc power driver board.

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    #3025 3 years ago
    Quoted from codered9394:

    Just found this on a wpc power driver board.

    He applied the same rule as for fuses:
    - if the fuse blows, it is the fault of the fuse, it is necessary to put a larger one.
    - if the resistance heats up and burns, it is the resistance's fault, I put a more powerful one.

    The board had to be repaired before, because we can see a redone track on the right side. But not by the same person, because it was clean work. The second time, the board was "repaired" by a butcher.

    #3026 3 years ago

    Always love finding lamp cord in a machine.
    No, no I don't!

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    #3027 3 years ago

    No flipper rubbers needed on the Spiderman at the TA truck stop in Rawlins, Wyoming.

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    #3028 3 years ago
    Quoted from MrBally:

    No flipper rubbers needed on the Spiderman at the TA truck stop in Rawlins, Wyoming.
    [quoted image][quoted image]

    Hey now, the upper flipper has one. Here's the thing that gets me...you'd think if it broke off it would still be jammed under something or in the trough. But if the game is still working and the rubber isn't somewhere in the game, someone must have taken the glass off, taken the broken rubbers out, not replaced them, and thought it was all good.

    #3029 3 years ago
    Quoted from PinJim:

    Oh the ways to get free games as a kid...
    Back in the day, one of the largest theme parks in the US used tokens for their games. The tokens were very similar to nickels. If you flicked a nickel quickly into the coin mech, it'd pass as a token.
    A local bowling alley has a checkpoint that was missing the door on the coin return. A penny could be flicked up into the coin mech and it'd give you credits.
    Of course, I never did any of the above! Ha. Kids will do much that we don't do as adults. For example, I bought a shower curtain rod at Home Depot last week and it rang up for 1 penny at the self checkout. I called over the attendant to make sure it was right (she called the manager, and they stuck to the 1 cent price).
    I taught my oldest boy (7 years old) how to check coin return slots for abandoned change. He does that now anytime he sees a game. Funny part is, he rarely plays the machines at my house. Hoping that changes as he gets older. I guess Nintendo holds his interest better at this stage in his life.

    The Sunrise Mall in Massapequa had a few large "wishing well" fountains when I was a kid. One was above ground and the water was just over two feet deep. I'd roll my sleeve up all the way, wait for the security guard to pass out of sight, then scarf up as much change as possible from the bottom. Mostly pennies but I'd get the occasional nickel or dime, and quarters were like manna from heaven. The Time Out attendants wondered where I'd gotten the twenty five soaking wet pennies I'd give them.

    #3030 3 years ago
    Quoted from MrBally:

    No flipper rubbers needed on the Spiderman at the TA truck stop in Rawlins, Wyoming.
    [quoted image][quoted image]

    Careful, EM guys will argue endlessly over how much alcohol and magic eraser is needed to get the swirl marks out of that machine.

    #3031 2 years ago
    Quoted from shirkle:

    Hey now, the upper flipper has one. Here's the thing that gets me...you'd think if it broke off it would still be jammed under something or in the trough. But if the game is still working and the rubber isn't somewhere in the game, someone must have taken the glass off, taken the broken rubbers out, not replaced them, and thought it was all good.

    I did not see any sign of broken flipper rubbers on that machine. They were missing on purpose....

    12
    #3032 2 years ago

    I was tearing down a Party Zone I picked up recently, and came across this....

    85 (resized).jpg85 (resized).jpg

    Yep... that's a hacksaw blade.

    I still don't know why.

    -Paul

    10
    #3033 2 years ago
    Quoted from Pablito350:

    I was tearing down a Party Zone I picked up recently, and came across this....
    [quoted image]
    Yep... that's a hacksaw blade.
    I still don't know why.
    -Paul

    Now that’s a HACK !

    #3034 2 years ago

    We heard you like hacks, so we put hacks in your hacks.

    #3035 2 years ago

    From the same T2 in above post. The game was displaying some strange behavior when ever the drop target was done? The game would start over (not reset). It would randomly add players. It would tilt. Found the problem see photos below....

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    #3036 2 years ago
    Quoted from GLSP3022:

    Always love finding lamp cord in a machine.
    No, no I don't!
    [quoted image]

    It would be awesome if it was wired to the lamp driver board.

    #3037 2 years ago
    Quoted from Pintopia:

    Found the problem see photos below....

    What is the voltage rating on that yellow diode?

    #3038 2 years ago

    Just a home made battery holder, little electrical tape, a little soldering.

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    13
    #3039 2 years ago

    Hey, at least he got the batteries off the board!

    #3040 2 years ago
    Quoted from pins4u:Hey, at least he got the batteries off the board!

    I was appreciative of that aspect.

    17
    #3041 2 years ago

    Not the worst, but a little amusing.

    20210330_174023 (resized).jpg20210330_174023 (resized).jpg
    #3042 2 years ago
    Quoted from Pintopia:

    From the same T2 in above post. The game was displaying some strange behavior when ever the drop target was done? The game would start over (not reset). It would randomly add players. It would tilt. Found the problem see photos below....[quoted image][quoted image]

    My old T2 used to have a similar problem sometimes when the cannon fired and hit the standup targets. Was the weirdest thing. It would add players to the game if it was still ball 1. It wouldn't tilt after the 4th player was added though. I searched for months trying to track it down and couldn't find it. Ended up selling it as is and the new owner informed me that after a lengthy search he found a tiny ground short in the wiring.

    #3043 2 years ago

    these photos are so sad.
    I wonder why people molested these games like this... very sad.

    #3044 2 years ago
    Quoted from GRUMPY:

    What is the voltage rating on that yellow diode?

    2 way diode

    #3045 2 years ago

    Luckily a kind pinsider pointed out where to get the unobtanium part I couldn't find so I didn't have to use my homemade piece in my Dredd. I was getting better with each attempt but it was still bad. Bending steel is hard.

    20210330_172343 (resized).jpg20210330_172343 (resized).jpg
    #3046 2 years ago

    Trying to figure out if the transformer in my Dolly was bad. Why bother removing the good one from Eight Ball! LOL

    Thankfully figured it out and no harm done (did not have any boards hooked up in either machine, simply testing voltages on the rectifier). I had wired in the new line cord backwards

    2021-03-19 (resized).jpeg2021-03-19 (resized).jpeg
    11
    #3047 2 years ago
    Quoted from play_pinball:

    Trying to figure out if the transformer in my Dolly was bad. Why bother removing the good one from Eight Ball! LOL
    Thankfully figured it out and no harm done (did not have any boards hooked up in either machine, simply testing voltages on the rectifier). I had wired in the new line cord backwards
    [quoted image]

    I think you may have forgotten these:

    pasted_image (resized).pngpasted_image (resized).png
    #3048 2 years ago
    Quoted from Tuukka:

    Back in EM days, if a game was in a dark corner, clever kids used a large screwdriver to pry the backbox cover open a little from one side, then turned the credit unit wheel to maximum with a bicycle spoke. We mounted a microswitch detecting open cover and a loud alarm inside the backbox. Also securing rods like that were used.

    Clever... Williams 4 player games were the easiest due to the longer width doors, but they all were susceptible to this type of 'delinquency'. Our gang did that on occasion; Williams were the typical victims, namely Strat-o-flite, Dealers Choice, and Triple Action... we used a straightened hanger in lieue of a bicycle spoke. We never spun the wheel all the way around in case someone were to look at the credit wheel and know that we couldn't have earned so many games on skill alone.

    #3049 2 years ago
    Quoted from vec-tor:

    Jon Norris, the Gottlieb pinball designer, used a large magnet
    to guide the ball wherever the good spots to get points are at.
    He would rack up several specials and extra balls without damaging
    the game.

    Watching players at one of the local arcades and noticed a lot of commotion on one of the games a kid was messing with something in a paper bag on top of a GTB Play Ball glass... as I approached I noticed the ball underneath the bag was stuck on the home run switch, reeling off hundreds of points and runs, and winning a ton of free games. He wouldn't show me, but told me it was his father's work magnet. Before I had any sense, I thought that was a brilliant idea if money was tight and no one was around to view the cheat.

    #3050 2 years ago
    Quoted from Dono:

    Met a much younger player in the mid-70s at one of the local arcades; I watched him as he placed something in a paper bag on top of a GTB Play Ball glass while the game was in play... as I approached I noticed the ball underneath the bag was stuck on the home run switch, reeling off hundreds of points and runs, and winning a ton of free games. He wouldn't show me, but told me it was his father's work magnet. Before I had any sense, I thought that was a brilliant idea if money was tight and no one was around to view the cheat.

    There are 4,635 posts in this topic. You are on page 61 of 93.

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