Topic: Issues updating my Gray Marble T2000

[new guy]

Hey foosers,

I have been reading this message board for a long time and find the table restoration/modification posts extremely interesting.

I finally have an issue of my own that I am hoping to get some reassurance/advice on. 

I have a gray marble T-2000 that I am slowly upgrading with the new components.  This is a T-2000 from 2003 (has "product of valley" under the Tornado logo). So far I have done side strips, 5 and 3 bar slim bearings, and new handles.  I just got my shipment of new men to update the 5 bars and had a hell of a time simply sliding them onto the rods!  I literally had to put the end of the rod on the ground and apply all my weight  to get them to slide into position.  I eventually got them all in place and pins inserted, cleaned up and got back to playing!  The first thing I noticed was that the "bounce" off the men was much more springy than the one achieved off the older men.  This was not surprising, I have felt the same thing on other updated/new tables that I had played on and was the main reason for the upgrade.  What has been surprising is that it seems like there is almost an unnatural "spring" to these new guys.  Is it possible that they are so tight on the rods that little/none of the impact is being absorbed by the men/rod/pin?  I shoot a very fast stick lane pass series, and I'm having a hard time adjusting to the new setup. It also seems like the new men are putting excessive spin on the ball to the point that even when I shoot a square pass and catch it normally I cannot get the ball to stop.  I will say that I am getting more and more used to the new setup, but it still seems a little "tight" compared to the other tables I have played on that have the new components.  Will these guys "loosen" up as I play more, or is it possible that the rods on my table are just a tiny bit larger in diameter than the other ones out there and this is causing a problem? I have access to a micrometer if it helps determine if the rods I have are out of spec.

Sorry for the longwinded post, but I was just curious if anyone knows of any compatibility issues with the old and new components.  I am actually considering going back to my old setup just for playability until I can afford a newer table.

Thanks for the help!

[bolt115]

I also have a Grey Marble with "product of valley"  under logo.  I  had same issue with sliding men on rods until i applied a little foos lube and they slid much better.  Other than a different sound when tic-tac ing  between men I have not noticed a huge difference. 

[new guy]

Thanks for the reply bolt.  Good idea on the lube, that probably would have helped and I'll keep it in mind in future upgrades.  I also refurbished my entire stock of foosballs before installing the new players, so that might be adding to the amount of grip/spin the new men are imparting on the ball.  If anyone else has experience with this feel free to chime in.

[Chaggy31]

Now all you have to do is finish buying the rest of the bearings.