I need to ask a question about the top ball arc on some older pins and how the ball seems "magnetized" to it, even holding the ball for a brief moment at the top of the arch before the ball falls. I want to know if that piece can be de-magnetized. I changed a ball and I still notice it. I will increase the slope to reduce it some more but is there a way to resolve this short of purchasing a new part?
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Rick-
Why dont you test it to see if it is actually magnetized. Take a piece of metal that is small and not ball shaped and see if it will stick.
The only way to demagnetize is with a machine that jiggles the polarity every which way. Not practical for a top arch. There is an article on it in the pinball news this month.
Hmmm, what I have observed over the years is that there is often a groove worn on the playfield at the top arch, holding the ball up there - not magnetism, from my experience anyway.
Cheers, - Sylvain.
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Hmmm, what I have observed over the years is that there is often a groove worn on the playfield at the top arch, holding the ball up there - not magnetism, from my experience anyway.
wow, an arch magnetized! I would most likely check for what Sylvain stated. Otherwise, to magnetize your arch would be quite unusual, not impossible but! Use a paper clip and see if it attracts you will know right away. As for removing the magnetism on metal if this is the case you will have some big fun but it is feasible.
If you want to learn a bit more on big pieces of metal being magnetized and demagnetized check this out:
Hmmm, what I have observed over the years is that there is often a groove worn on the playfield at the top arch, holding the ball up there - not magnetism, from my experience anyway.
Cheers, - Sylvain.
And I third it. It's called a BALL TRACK. 95% of playfields I have restored had that problem.
3rd ... (edit) 4th...Sparky was 3rd Especially on the older games where the ball shoots up the arch and is stopped by rubber. Many years of use result in a groove in the playfield.
Well I examined the pf more closely and yes, as you Maaca veterans suggested, there is a groove from ball wear. Thank you Sylvain, Cooke, Sparky & Twilghtzone for the guidance. I should then ask what is the best way to fill in this groove? Clean, sand? Reclean, wax or use clear to fill groove? Pin is an EM Gottlieb.
Ricker's current lineup;
El Dorado Flash. Royal Flush Joker Poker Volley Pioneer Barracora Black Knight Meteor Xenon
Excessive top ball arch wear (from the ball being served from the shooter lane) can cause the ball to "hang" in the worn ball groove. There are a couple of things you can do. The easiest is to enlongate the holes in the top ball arch metal about 1/16", and shift the whole arch towards the coin door 1/16". This will give the ball a new area to ride on.
Another alternative is to take some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper and smooth the groove. Then follow up with (Novus#3 optional and then) Novus#2. This works very well if the groove isn't too worn or dirty. If the groove is excessively worn, you'll have to take this a step further. Sand the groove smooth with 150 grit, then 220, then 400 grit. Do it only enough to remove the groove and any ground-in playfield dirt. Now the new 'fresh' wood will be much lighter in color than the lacquered wood. Re-coat the area with clear spray acyrlic lacquer, feathering it in to the surrounding lacquer. Spray lacquer is available at any decent hardware store or Home Depot. Don't go nuts and spray a ton, just enough to cover. The bare wood color should blend in nicely with the surrounding areas. After drying, lightly sand with 600 grit, than polish with Novus2.
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I need to ask a question about the top ball arc on some older pins and how the ball seems "magnetized" to it, even holding the ball for a brief moment at the top of the arch before the ball falls. I want to know if that piece can be de-magnetized. I changed a ball and I still notice it. I will increase the slope to reduce it some more but is there a way to resolve this short of purchasing a new part?
Hey Rick .another way to fix would be to oblong the holes in the arch just a bit so the ball rides in a different spot.
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Especially on the older games where the ball shoots up the arch and is stopped by rubber. Many years of use result in a groove in the playfield.
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