Fix for Shootin' Hoops broken flipper problem

[Mercury]

This was about 100x easier than I thought it would be! I was going to make it out of solid metal, but that was waaaaaaaaay overkill.

Anyone with a modicum of mechanical ability can fix this problem!

Everything comes apart fairly easily, you only need basic hand tools, a drill and bit, and small metric sockets.

I'm not going to describe the "how to" part. If you have any ability at all, you can look at the pictures and figure it out. I didn't buy (or measure) anything, this was all just parts I had around the shop. I used 1/2" rigid pvc, but the regular white pvc (I would get the thicker walled stuff) would work too. Just cut a piece about the same length as the flipper, and then drill some holes about where you think they should go. (Thats how I did it!)    You don't need to bend the pipe like the flipper, it works fine just straight.

The only tricky part was I couldn't get the balls to go into the basket! Couldn't figure out why, then I realized the cap bolt was making them shoot off to the side. I ground a flat spot on the bolt head, and it works great now! I think it is more accurate than the original!

After I got it all done, I cemented a cap on the pipe with pvc glue (don't forget the primer! Don't want it to leak! LOL!) and then painted it black.

The finished pics on the machine didn't come out very good, it is hard to take good pictures of black stuff in the dark.....

Any questions, just ask.

Merc

Unpainted flipper

http://www.videogames.org/DSCN0752.JPG[/img]

The new and the old broken flipper.

http://www.videogames.org/DSCN0755.JPG[/img]

Painted

http://www.videogames.org/DSCN0759.JPG[/img]

In the machine

[Mercury]

Thanks Kelly. Also, you may have to grind the sides of the holes where the pin goes through, to get both washers back in there, one on each side.

Merc

[dperry]

Merc,

Thanks for the tip.  I have been trying to design a version of the hoops game that I can make myself, but the thing that was stumping me was the flipper.  I wasn't sure how to proceed with it.  Now I have a good idea of how to proceed.

[Mercury]

No problem. Let me know when you need my address for my royalty checkS!!!!!

Merc

Merc,

Thanks for the tip.  I have been trying to design a version of the hoops game that I can make myself, but the thing that was stumping me was the flipper.  I wasn't sure how to proceed with it.  Now I have a good idea of how to proceed.

[jayhawk22]

Looks good!  Luckily I haven't had any break yet.......knock on wood!