Broken Machine Frame Weld

[BG]

So I get a call from my day mechanic saying the table is lower on the 10 pin side and it looks sorta like a bad pillow block strap but its not. I come in and find the area of the machine frame where the pillow block mounts has almost broken completely off the machine. I've never seen this before in all my 28 years of working on these bad boys. Luckily my manager (who used to be a mechanic years ago) has seen it before and showed me a trick to repair it. We bent a bin strap and drilled 2 holes and secured it that way. Machine is back up and running.
My question is, has anyone ever encountered this before? And what did you do to repair it?

[rivmike]

Need to weld it, Be VERY careful of fire and your scoring. Protect the lane with an old pit carpet, keep some spray water on hand.

[8270king]

There is a better fix than welding it

Do a search and it is back a few pages

It involves using all thread up through the wire channel

Welding can cause issues with scoring

[rivmike]

King, I agree the through rod does fix it , but the mach. was'nt bolted together there. I had one break before me in 38yrs. Any fix should last a life time. Hopefully we are'nt going to have a rash of these seeing all are machines are similar in age. (early 70's)

[8270king]

AMF sells a kit to fix it with the all thread

One zapped scoring unit is expensive to fix

Welding is a fire hazard too

Out center almost went up in flames when one of my machines was welded for this issue

Old lacquer on the tail plank will burn like hell fire if a spark hits it

[smurtland]

http://www.bowltech.com/forum/pinsetting-pinspotting-equipment/amf-pinspotters-82-70-through-xli-edge/48907-what-would-you-do

Here is the link to the post about what i believe is the problem you are talking about.

[clutchplate]

Air Force Mechanic had the exact same thing happen. Pulled out table torque tube, called in a welder and zapped it good.

[BillyT4QAMF]

Welding in the machine really isn't worth the risk, trust me on this please. If you would like I will send you some information on performing the fix as Jerry has described.

[clutchplate]

Welding in the machine really isn't worth the risk, trust me on this please. If you would like I will send you some information on performing the fix as Jerry has described.

I totally agree that welding on a machine is risky. Most of us were not aware of a repair kit. A 12 lane center cant have machine down for a week waiting for parts.

[smurtland]

Once I figured out what I needed the repair only took an hour and cost about $5.00. Run a threaded rod into the wire channel down through the pillow block. When tighten it down it will lift the frame back into place.

[dothan]

its a good temp fix still need to secure it better.

[seanm]

I have always welded these, but extreme caution must be taken to safe guard against fire and damaged electronics. Our pinspotters have had a separate ground run to them, but we unplug everything. The entire area must be completely covered with damp towels and rags, under lanes, back of pin deck, between bumpers, everything must be covered - EVERYTHING. 30 years of lacquer dust... not a good idea to not be concerned about.
I think threaded rod and welding would be the best fix, personally I think it would be a good idea to have a repair kit handy at all times, for other techs to use if necessary, and then weld it when the time is right.

What is included in the repair kit?

[BG]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I had no idea there was a kit for this either. I will order that baby and put it on, although I am kinda curious how long the bin strap will actually hold. I looked at it again today and it seems like a solid fix. It may last a year, 5 years or may drop next week. But I will get that kit for sure. No welding if I can help it. The last thing I need is a bowling center going up in flames because of a stray sliver of scorching hot metal. Thanks again!

[smurtland]

You can go ahead and order the kit but if you do about all you will use is the threaded rod that comes in it. That threaded rod will cost you about $100.00. The rod that I got from the store cost me about $5.00.

[BG]

Sounds like threaded rod is the way to go then. I'll save us a nice chunk of change. Thanks for the info smurt.