Questions for all you long time mechanics

[Schu]

I have a survey type question that I could use some help on! Our center will be hosting the 2004 Womens Nationals. We have a 40 lane AMF center. Now to all those long time head mechs out there. What type of PM would you do, or cleaning or machine work would you do to insure that your center ran the best for 3 months, 7 days a week 18 our 24 hours a day...no stop running...What types of things would you suggest to go through, check, clean replace etc etc etc. Im curious to see how well the list I made matches up to the lists that I hopefully receive!
Thanks guys!

Schu-

[TheGMan143]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

Assuming you do basic PM on the machines & have some of that out of the way, concentrate on the known 'trouble spots':

CHECK YOUR PINS! Get rid of any that are developing neck cracks, have badly chipped/cracked bases, or any that are getting warped/soft in the belly.

Distributors & Clutches - if you're using AMF original-style clutches, clean & adjust them a week or so before the tourney starts, so you'll have time to fine-tune the tension to prevent jams. Make sure the belts and lacers are in good shape.

Check the bin for broken straps, guides, and pin holders.

Respot cells and spotting cups (check & replace broken/bent ones), adjust if needed

Check all the belts, replace any that are frayed, showing a lot of wear, or squealing.

Run the machines & shur-piks a while, feel the motors and take a close look at any that seem to be running hot.

Go through your T & S cams if they haven't been done in a while.

Check your cushions, planks, and tubeweldments for cracking/damage, make sure the shock is functioning and the spring is tight.

Kickers (if you have 'em) - check/adjust/replace as needed. Pay special attention to the 'saddle' rubber and the centering of the filler pad.

Shur-Piks (again, if you have 'em), check the belts and track covers for wear/damage.

Go over your autoscoring (if you have it)... take a can of dust-off to the cameral lenses, and make sure that any triggers/sensors/beams are in alignment and fastened down tightly.

[amfpinboy]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

The G Man has covered it all. Check all the belts. The temp. of all the motors will usually find the trouble spots.

[Schu]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

funny thing, as far as pins go....The national committee MAKES you buy 2 full sets (40 pins) for every pair in the house. Every 7 days they require the center to go through and trade out pins...clean the ones you just took out and let them sit for 7 days. Something tells me, Im going to have alot of back problems come next summer....

By the way, we have a year to get all of this ready for nationals (May 12, 2004)

Any other advice now that you know I have a year to complete any and all tasks

[ewen]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

Along with everything on The Gmans list, I would be checking the condition of the bounce plate, pit support weldments,front, and rear carpet rollers ,and bearings. If there was enough time, I would check the table drive shafts for hairline cracks around the shuttle cam.

Mark

[8270king]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

1. Apply for a job in a 12 lane center.

2. Let some new schlepp take all the stress of the national tournament.

[img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

Jerry

[Jerry Smith]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

We had the honor of hosting the WIBC back in 1988 and all the advice already mentioned is important. A couple of key things to remember- you will probably have to hire and train additional employees for 'round the clock' PM & Repairs as well as conditioning the lanes for the first squad in the morning. Hire and train a couple of months before the tournament begins. Bringing in someone at the last minute is a gamble. Typically the WIBC will leave one or two pair open as an emergency pair. If you are lucky to have two pair, dismantle at least one of the lanes to create addition inventory of extra parts. Complete distributors, motors and chassis will be there to use. I would also beef up your regular inventory starting now. By building up your inventory now it will be less of a strain on your monthly budget and will eliminate any parts shortages that may happen during the course of the tournament. This includes parts for your lane machine.
I would also practice different methods of repairing certain items as to not disrupt the tournament. Carpet/bounce board replacement must be quick (20 minutes or less)and through the back of the machine not the front. The idea is the be fast and not be seen by the bowlers. If you have a distributor problem, change the whole thing (2 minutes) and use the 'spare lanes' to fix the problem. (unplug the deck lamp)
Also train the front desk personnel to 'watch' for potential problems. Their eyes and ears can help troubleshoot backend problems.
We also used a wireless headphone system for trouble calls. Each mechanic and someone from the WIBC and the front desk had one on. This eliminated the loud speaker system and kept everyone on the same page as to how everything was going. It also allowed the mechanics to talk to each other no matter where they were. This system will speed up trouble calls as well as increase communication between all parties.
Dutch and I remember this all too well!

[Mike Stalker]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

Origonally posted by schu
__________________________________________________
I have a survey type question that I could use some help on! Our center will be hosting the 2004 Womens Nationals. We have a 40 lane AMF center. Now to all those long time head mechs out there. What type of PM would you do, or cleaning or machine work would you do to insure that your center ran the best for 3 months, 7 days a week 18 our 24 hours a day...no stop running...What types of things would you suggest to go through, check, clean replace etc etc etc. Im curious to see how well the list I made matches up to the lists that I hopefully receive!
__________________________________________________

Schu, are you the head mechanic or what!

How could someone working for the Corp. ask such a question?

If you guys are doing your job properly and have back-up spare parts and another oiling machine to fall back on, then all you need to do is to bring on more staff during the tournament.

I do not see what the problem is?

[lanemech]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

Mike, I think he means he has amf equipment, not that he is owned by AMF.

[Schu]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

CORRECT! We are not owned by AMF, what do you think we are stupid? We are a family owned business. And NO I am not the head mechanic, I am just curious as to what kinds of things we should be doing to be prepared. WE are already doing major lane breakdown and rebuild to check for problem areas and doing major major cleaning on every part of the machine, not just the basics. I was just curious as to what other mechanics would do in a "National event" comes to their center.

We do not have an extra lane machine ready...I have been told by WIBC that they will provide our center with 2 lane machines with their stripping fluid and oil products to be used. They will have 1 tech who will be in charge of the cleaning and maintance and re-filling of the fluids on the lane machine, the only thing me and the staff will be in charge of is pushing the button twice and moving it from lane to lane. GOTTA LOVE THAT!

[TheGMan143]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

I will add one more thing to the list... climb into each machine and stomp around a bit on the bounceplate (within reason... let's not get silly, now)... broken brackets and vibe dampeners will have a 'mushy' feel to them, usually around the area where it's broken, where a good assembly will feel pretty much consistently stiff and a bit 'springy' over the entire assembly.

[ModelTech]

Re: Questions for all you long time mechanics

GMan,
You're "on it", as usual! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

I have found recently,, that a ball going under a cushion, and ending up at the pin wheel, is a clue that the bounce plate's busted!

Took care of THAT pronto, LOL :p

Doug