New dude working with bowling....

[Guest]

Hey all, just got a job working at a local bar/bowling establishment.... First day is monday.... This is my first time working with pinsetters/any bowling equipment. And I was hired to handle the small stuff (pin jams, maintain the machines, avoid/fix small problems, and help troubleshoot the machines) Any advice? I've seen the all the machines and they're pretty old AMFs (best guess 35-40 years) Boss showed me all the quirks of the machines... But dont know a model number or year.... If anyone could tell me where to find this info on the machines, I'd be greatful. The machines are old, and look like they could use some TLC.... I figgure the more I know about them the more I can make them last, and the easier I can make the job for my boss and co-workers (boss is trying to restore the machines/lanes into near-original condition). Becides, I really like the idea of learning to work in this field, possably long term. If anyone could help me with good starting reading/viewing material, I'd be greatful. Also, any funny/scary/whatever experiences you could share would be helpful. Sorry for talking all your eyes off...

Adam...

[Lampie]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Adam,
The quikest way to see if you are working on a 30(00) or 70 machine is to look at the disrtibor(the piece of the machine that brings the pins to the table(the piece of the machine that put the pins on the pindeck(the pindeck is the place where the pins are standing(a pin is the thing you have to throw your ball at(most of the times there are ten)(a ball is a round thing with most of the times three holes in them(those holes are drilled very precisely by a pro shop owner or worker(a pro shop is a shop that is making money with selling balls or removing some of your just bought ball))))))))))))))), well if your distributor is resting on a track on your table and is going up andown too, you have a 30(00) machine. If the distributor is hanging above your table withoout contact you have a 70 machine.
With all this knowledge you can hop around on this site and get alot of information or ask more specific information, allso try to get a manual of your machine.
Wellcome to the Bowlingworld and Bowltech.
Good luck
Martin

[Androooo]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Adam, another way to find out if they are 30's or 70's, is to look at the machine from the front while they are operating......if they look like metal monsters, with teeth(the pins) they are 30's...the old model

PS...don't worry about Lampie....he's always like that!! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

[Universal Revolutions]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Adam......

Please learn to be safe around any machinery. Spend time watching the motions of the equipment. Learn where to NOT put hands, arms, feet and legs. Like the spokes of a wheel on a bicycle, some areas will bite you with little notice. When and if you ever crank a motor, unplug that puppy or that crank could become airborne, and remember to remove that crank before plugging it back in. And if you have under lane ball returns and the balls get stuck underground, don't position your hand to become the meat for the sandwich. Take your time and be safe my friend, it is top priority. And welcome to bowl-tech, we are here to help one another.

[8270king]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Well put dog!

Jerry

[Guest]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Ok guys, after hunting thruough a manual that all the pages are out of order in.... I found out the machines are 82-70 series.... Does anyone know sites that have detailed instructions/diagrams to that series? Since the manual I have is... jumbled with out of order pages.... I've already looked at it very heavily.... and have learned quite a bit, but better more recent/in order instructions would be very helpful....

Thanks again,
Adam

[TheGMan143]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Quote:]Originally posted by Bull-Dog:
Adam......

Like the spokes of a wheel on a bicycle, some areas will bite you with little notice.[/QUOTE]

Come on Dawg... that element of danger is what keep things interesting! Didn't you ever get that rush after you reinstalled a kicker belt without turning off the pit, and came out with all 10 still intact? [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

Adam: In all seriousness, though, that's some really good advice. If you have to clear a jam, shut off the motors...if the machine isn't moving, it can't get you (in most cases... nothing like yanking a pin out that was jammed in the table, and having the cups fly back and whack your knuckles...), and by all means...if you have to get into the machine, reach under the cushion, or stick your hands anywhere that the pins or ball lands during bowling, DROP THAT SWEEP! You can be as safe as you want from the back, but there's nothing guaranteeing that one of the idiots up front (commonly known as bowlers) won't heave a 16lb cruise missile at you... it's easier and more comfortable to replace a sweep bar than to get stitches or re-set broken bones...

Welcome to the club... I'm a bit of a newcomer to the site myself, but I have some years under my belt in the business. The people here at BT are great, and there's a ton of good information to be found. Good Luck! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

PS: I have all the manuals and such, if you're missing pages or something, I can send you copies of 'em... You can also go to AMF's tech support area at <a href="http://www.amf.com" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.amf.com" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.amf.com" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.amf.com" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.amf.com" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.amf.com" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.amf.com" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.amf.com" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.amf.com" target="_blank">http://www.amf.com</a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a> and have them fax up a couple pages to you.

[ November 18, 2001: Message edited by: TheGMan143 ]

[Lampie]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Try to get a course at Stahls school, I did hear they're very good.

Martin

[knuckles]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Yoooo GMAN, I resemble that PIN JAM.

knuckles


Adam, the biggest thing you can do for yourself is double check that switches are off, plugs are pulled out, and pin cups are laying down flat. There are a lot of springs on the machines so you just can't go ripping into anything.

Until you get familar with the machines, caution is your best friend. Watch out for any loose clothing, jewelry, long hair that you might have on. My manager had a necklice on and bent over the chassis to reach for something, BUSSSSSS: ELECTRO MAN. He also had a headache after his head hit the curtain wall. Yes, Management strikes again. [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]


Best of luck and don't be afraid to ask any questions. BOWL TECH RULES.


knuckles-larry

[Androooo]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Hey Knuckles....I know we shouldn't joke about things like that, but did he get that Don King look?? [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

Just like sticking a knife in a toaster!!....A BIG NONO

[TheGMan143]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Quote:]Originally posted by knuckles:
Yoooo GMAN, I resemble that PIN JAM.

knuckles

My manager had a necklice on and bent over the chassis to reach for something, BUSSSSSS: ELECTRO MAN. He also had a headache after his head hit the curtain wall.[/QUOTE]

Sorry about that...guess I shouldn't have used 'whacking' and 'knuckles' that close together... [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

...and are you saying that you aren't keeping the proper guards in place???? Jeez, the next thing you'll be telling us is someone got thier leg caught in a ball lift... Heck...look at my place... definitely safety first... (heehee)

[Bobby Bee]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Sorry guys, just trying to figure out how to post a picture of our back end to show ALL of our safety features intact [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img] [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] I'll get it one of these days.

BB [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif[/img]

[ November 18, 2001: Message edited by: Bobby Bee ]

[Guest]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

I would just ask your boss. You will never survive this job if you don't get help quick. Good luck. Please be carefull, these machines can kill you.

[Guest]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

Hmm, I kinda figgured they could kill you.... Becides, the boss is very helpful, and very saftey minded. The main thing he stressed when he showed me everything is safety. As for the obvious, turning off the machines before working on them.... always beware of moving parts a b c and so on, I'm already very aware, and mindful of, but any other safety info you could give me/feel you need to give me would be helpful. And please no smart remarks, please)... You guys are the best. And thank god for bowl-tech!

[Guest]

Re: New dude working with bowling....

As to my last post... I AM also very safety minded, trust me I'm quite aware of the dangers/risks of machines... I have worked on cars from early on in my life... Becides, I am slow-going at first when working on machines of any type so I can adjust/learn them and be safe about everything.