Topic: Tournament Soccer table modifications/improvements

[jadam984]

I got a screaming deal on a vintage 1-man goalie Tournament Soccer table. It has many cosmetic blemishes, mostly having to do with the vinyl laminate peeling or missing. I'd like to know if anyone else out there has any experience refurbishing one of these tables.

These are things I'd like to do:

1) Repair and replace the finish so my table looks good.

2) Modify the ball return so that it returns the balls in front of the players. In other words, I'd like to cut holes in on the sides of the tables and fabricate some kind of return system so the balls come back to the player who was scored upon. Is there a danger to trying this? Will it weaken the table at all?

3) I'd like to improve the passing/ball control of the men. Do I need to just replace the men, use a certain ball, etc? It seems like the ball wants to roll away from the three-man, when tic-taking. I think that has something to do with the sides of the club foot on the original men with hats. I think the table is relatively well-balanced, as I've put the level on the playing field on multiple spots on the field with no major aberrations, so I feel like it has to do with the balls or the men.

4) Does anyone have advice on the best ball-type for the classic 1-man goalie Tournament Soccer tables? It's a smooth finish, and the balls I have now either roll erratically at slow speed (soccer ball textured), or are so fast and bouncy that a hard shot can clear the table, hit the opposing player's wall and return to MY goal before I have time to react. Do the heavier, scored Tornado balls play well on these tables?

I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience working with the old-school Tournament Soccer tables. I won't even tell you how much I paid. I feel like a thief after getting it in my house and cleaning it up.

Cheers,

John

[jadam984]

Alternately, if this isn't the proper forum for these kinds of questions, can anyone recommend a good place to get advice on restoring, repairing, modifying foosball tables?

By the way, just to post some of my experiences "restoring" this old beast in case anyone else is interested:

Last night I removed all the players, rods, etc., cleaned the rods throughly with a clean rag and rubbing alcohol. Then I cleaned out the holes with a clean rag and rubbing alcohol. Then I cleaned each "man with hat" players and modified and "resharpened" the club feet on each man. These old guys had developed some irregularities, some of which I suspect they came with back in the day (i.e. a ridge where the two molded pieces came together) and some of which developed after a couple decades of hard hitting. Anyway, I filed down the sides of the feet to make a nice flat surface  on the side of the foot and removing the lip that had developed along the edges. Then I gently filed down the bump at the bottom of the foot and rescored it with the edge of the file. These minor improvements resulted in much better and more predictable ball control, and saved me the expense and hassle of trying to reorder a new set of players that may or may not be any better.

I also cleaned the bushings and all the plastic and metal washers with alcohol and then lubricated them with silicone. Then I gave the rods a nice silicone rubdown . Then I lubricated the rod holes (stop snickering) and put everything back together. A little more silicone on the rods, and voila! She plays like she's brand new!

You wouldn't believe how much gunk came off all those parts, especially the holes. It's amazing how much smoother and faster the rods are.

The players react to the ball in a more predictable manner as well.

I also found that the Tornado-style (not sure if they are Tornado brand) heavy, scored, pink balls work very well on the table. They lay down when they're told do and don't roll erratically or unpredictably. They also don't roll as fast, so if you like speed, these might not be the best choice.

Still interested in anyone's thoughts on adding a center ball return, re laminating, etc. Also, has anyone here changed over to a knife-blade foot player on these old tables? Thoughts?

I hope to hear from someone soon.

Happy foosing.

[EDGEER]

What year was your table made?  You can relaminate but I wouldn't.  I would just buy a Tornado 

[chance37]

post a pic! id like to see it

[Steve]

Im in the same boat I have a brown top I played 30 years ago I decided to play again bought a table off ebay $40.00 It needs lots of work but at least I can play a little . To modify it I would like to do the same thing you are doing But I think I`ll get a tornado and still try to restore and up date the ts .it needs a new top and bars the crome is pealing off . good luck steve mi.