Lift Rod Covers

[TheGMan143]

Does anyone know if the Brunswick lift rod cover stock is the same inside diameter as the AMF kicker ball lift rails, AND if it will work OK? I'm thinking about changing out some of the ratty looking ones, and I can get lift rod cover by the roll instead of pieces...

[poplarpetey]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

Someone who tried it told me that it falls apart or "melts" from the oil real quick. Might want to try Stahl's thick covers or Vantage one piece urethane covers.

[Lampie]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

They don't have the same diameter but you can get them on your upsweep with a compressor and some powder(approach powder works great, ask the Brunsman, they will have to do the same job in the machine they work on).They are working very good!
I'm working with brunswick covers allmost 8 years now and had to change them only one time.
I don't have experience with the Stahl ones, but I believe they are selling a good product too, I just can't get them.

Martin

P.S. And if they don't fit, you won't worry about it will you, you've got a hammer!

[ December 26, 2001: Message edited by: Lampie ]

[8270king]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

Stahl's white thick lift rod over gets the King's seal of approval.

I have had Brunswick cover on a pair of lanes for 2 years. No probs. I believe the Stahl's is better.

Jerry

[8270 pinspotter]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

I have never used "B" lift rod covers but my buddies center does. He likes it, but he has also experienced disinigration from oil. I think he has switched back to AMF. I personally just use the standard AMF covers with no problems. I have PBL's and have not had any problems with spinning balls. I also used them when I had kickers with no problems.

[SVLFever]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

We have been using "B" covers for almost 2 years. They seem to be holding up well. When they go, I will look at Stahl's product.

Another center is using AMF's cover doubled up. He cuts the tube in half (long ways) and glues in on top the already existing cover. He has great results too.

[8270 pinspotter]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

I forgot about the doubling up thing. I have a pair of two like that. I only did the bottom part to help get the ball started up the lift. It works great.

[Ed Fox]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

I have been using the Brunswick lift rod cover for over 4 years with out any problems. When you go to install it make sure the rod is spotless, you need to plug the hole on the other end of the rail so the air pressure can build up in side of the tube and use baby powder on the rail. Quality sells a special fitting that will fit in the end of the cover and connect to the air compressor. One other important thing is at the very bottom of the rail leave about 3 inches of the rail exposed and use an old piece of the AMF rail there. You need this for two reasons. 1) That's the high wear area and you will cause the cover to split there if you run it all of the way to the bottom 2) if you have kickers the starter pad arm will wear right through the soft rubber.

Charlie [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

I have also been using Brunswick cover for several years. They carry 2 different styles, biege and orange. The orange is their "heavy duty" cover. Over time the bottom does split, but then I just replace the bottom 6"-8". As they wear, they actually get stickier. If you're concerned about wear, you can twist it to a fresh surface. I'm sure Tommy has a great cover, but when you have to replace all of them as we did, that would get pretty pricey. We got 11 rails out of a 50' roll ($200) Maybe a guy could use Tommy's cover to replace the bottom that wears faster, but I'm not having that many problems here. I just let it go until problems arise, or I'm in there anyway (to replace a broken downsweep)(maybe a pair a year) It dosen't seem to matter much, if they split on the bottom 2".

[seand]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

Never used Bruns covers. Heard they were good, but also heard they get that gooey feeling after a while. You might look at Lifelong's rocket rails - they have a concave surface and you install them with wire ties.

[TheGMan143]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

After checking around a bit, I've found that there does seem to be a bit of an issue with oil reacting with the "B" covers, and I must say that a heavy oil condition does exist here (like if I leave the ball wipers on too long, I can literally wring the oil out of them). I'm still trying to figure out if the oil is reacting with my Vantage "red blaster" kickers and causing them to harden and turn glassy, after which they refuse to pick anything that has a smoother texture than a concrete block...

I may go with about 6-8" of rubber tube at the bottoms of the lift, and then use the softer stuff for the rest of the way up... I'm going to get some more info on the rocket rails, too...

[Dutch]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

I've used all of the covers mentioned above. This is how I rate them…

Rocket rails – Nothing better & since they're sectional, they can be used on the bottom only. Easy to install because they attach with zip-ties. No need to disconnect rail at top or bottom.

Stahl's thick covers – A good 2nd choice. Bottoms take many years to wear out. Installs as easily as OEM.

“B” covers – Only slightly better than the rest. Bottoms wear out fast & they're a pain to install.

All the rest – Why bother?

Dutch

[8270king]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

Dutch....are rocket rails durable?

Jerry

[Ed Fox]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

Quote:]they're a pain to install.[/QUOTE]

Dam F.T AMF guy's are light weights. [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

Charlie [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]


4 days!! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif[/img]

[poplarpetey]

Re: Lift Rod Covers

Any of you who still have Spectrum lifts- you can use the Rocket Rails on those,too. I've had some on for about a month and so far, so good.