Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

Just thought I would throw out a new question since one hasn't been posted in a while. Ya know those little pin ears that are mounted at the front of the bins on an 82/70? Do you think that they are usefull, or a waste of metal to make a machine look complete? Just spit out some opinions on the subject. I look forward to hearing your responces.

deadwood

[jim k]

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

SLOWLY LOOSING MINE, WHEN THEY BREAK I DO NOT REPLACE THEM I JUST REMOVE WHAT IS LEFT OF IT.NO PROBLEMS THAT I CAN SEE WITH REMOVING THEM.

[Kat]

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

I agree that those pin ears are not necessary...especially seeing how my bin/shuttle assemblies have been jacked up so high due to an overlay install. I like the machines without them as it's less metal for pins to come in contact with. Also helps when pins start doubling up in the bins, as it prevents floating pins when neck lays across stringer...butt of pin is allowed to drop instead of being supported by pin ear.

Kat

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

Absolutely you need them! The "ears" support the belly of the pin, preventing it from falling through the shuttle. Without 'em, you'll get a lot of pins in the table creating major havoc.

[masternut]

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

We removed all of ours at all pin postions.

[Kat]

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

pitboss...

It's the pin HOLDERS that support the belly of the pins, they are in the shuttle assembly. The pin EARS are mounted to the stringers in the bin ass'y.

They are not necessary, as all 10 positions would have them instead of the 2-3-4-5-6 positions. I have been running several machines without them and have had NO problems whatsoever. Now, I'm putting in new lumber next week an I don't want any pin markings from unecessary metal in the pinsetter.
I've known other centers who run without them for years with no problems as well.

Kat

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

Kat

I am fully aware of where the pin ears are mounted, and don't we see them in the 7,8,9 and 10 pin slots as well? You bet. And the only reason they are not in the head pin position is because it has the guides with rollers. No - you don't need them if everything runs perfect, but....did you ever see a pin fall short off the dist? What guides it into the slot? Again, if you're the only one touching your machines, and you do it right, and you have the money for good parts - well, you should get my point. I stand by my original post. The only machine I've seen without these "ears" (or butt plates for that matter) was one of the first models of the 82-90XL, which I think was a prototype. It had a plastic bin assy with molded openings for the pins only. I don't believe it ever went into production though, as I worked on the XL's in '97 and they had the original 70's style bins.

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

Pitboss. I think your confused. First of all the pin ears and the butt guides are 2 different things. And when a pin falls short of the pin it is not the pin ears that help it go all the way into the bin it is the those littile sloped metal things bolted to the sides of the bin. I call them pin guides. The pin ears just cause damage to the pins and are a waste of space. And yes there are none on 7 8 or 9. Right now we only have them on the 5 bins due to any rolling that may occur. Face it, they are a waste of space and money. Should send them back really so amf can recycle them into other parts!

deadwood

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

To Kat and others in this thread, I humbly apologize for misunderstanding what you are talking about. Your reference is to the "pin guides" part"s # 070-006-380/381, while my reference is to "pin guide" part # 070-006-353, which have always been referred to as "ears" not only by myself but AMF tech's as well. Makes sense too, because part # 070-006-353's location in the bin is at the head of the pin - hence the term "ear". All that aside, I'll agree with others in this thread that the "pin guides", part # 070-006-380/381 are indeed worthless, and the only purpose they serve is to damage the pin bottom/bases when they themselves become damaged.

[Dutch]

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

We flatten them & use them for up-right (vertical) pin guides where we have a problem with the head of the pins flopping over the stringer, usually at the 4 & 6 bins. It works well but you have to be careful of pin damage.
Dutch

[Kat]

Re: Pin Ears...Use em or Loose em?

Pitboss...

Apology gladly accepted. Nice to see we are all on the same page and in agreement.

Kat