Topic: Advise on modding Dynamo Striker?

[dangercro]

Hi all, so I pulled the trigger on an old dynamo striker.
It's in worse shape than I thought it was, the surface is good though.

I am looking for advise on counter-balanced replacement men. I like the tornado players but they only fit on 9/16 rods correct? Are there any counter-balanced men for 5/8 that rival tornado, or is there a close second?
Any opinions on these? http://www.thompsonsportinggoods.com/product/solid-red-square-chest-counter-weighted-foosball-man-set-of-11/
Also, any advice on new bearings? The rods have quite a bit of wiggle room, is this normal for these old tables, or are the bearings worn out and should be replaced? If so a recommendation would be great!

Thanks

[NJMike]

The bore on Tornado men is 5/8".

[dangercro]

I've read that they're 9/16. Do you know of a link that supports that? Also, if I do get them at 5/8 will the pin system work on my old dynamo rods?

Thanks

[kgstewar]

NJMike is right, they are 5/8.

[dangercro]

Okay thanks. Would you know if the pin system on tornado men is transferable to most tables, or do they only work with tornado rods?
Thanks.

[hackjob]

oh oh...You may have gone off on a side road thru hell here... but off the top of my head I am offering you some clues to make things work out...anyone on this board is more than welcome to correct me because I don't have your dynamo to check: 

The dynamo used a bolt and locknut combo I beleive; a bad system that wore out the fastener area of the figure over time introducing unbearable slop in the figure...they may have graduated to roll pins with later designs...  Also the dynamo figures were a bit brittle compared to modern abs figures used on tournament tables and tended to break.    I think the dynamo 5/8" rods will likely have a larger hole for these bolts to pass than a tornado pin will snug into; luckily you can measure the hole with drill bits and measurement calipers to estimate the correct roll pins that fit snug into your rods and drill out tornado figures just enough to fit things on tightly with no figure "slop".

Now the important part...  the key measurement is toe tip to playfield with new bearings... this measurement is key and at its lowest point should be about 4 dimes thickness maybe 3+a nickel...for a tornado figure. 

The only way for you or me or anyone else to be sure is to buy or borrow a sample figure and test it out on your table.  Make sure the front pin and back pin release is usable with a real tornado ball then you can confidently buy and mount a full set.  I have a feeling the tornado figures will work but highly recommend you purchase a sample figure and tornado pin from your gaming store and a few sizes of roll pins that are close from your hardware store if necessary.  Once you are sure you have an arrangement that is useable, a whole set from this website is available 26x$5, plus the pins you decide on...

At the end of it all you will have what I call a "frankentable" if it works out...  It's overall feel will be off due to ramped corners, playfield texture, rod weight finish and glide, bushing design, release points and pin positions, handle shape / diameter, goal mouth width etc...  I suspect it will play quite nice and be usable, but feel quite different to a tornado.  If you don't care too much I bet it will be quite fun and playable for recreational use.

Alternately you could keep it with original figures if it's just a fun table?

I only pretend to know wtf i'm talking about...Good luck!
HJ 

ref:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-DYNAMO-COUNTER-BALANCED-FOOSBALL-MEN-OEM-PARTS-NEW-STYLE/221751214896?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3Df29a225db7864356a983a15ef41d9022%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D221383524676

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Two-Replacement-Dynamo-Foosball-Fussball-Men-Balanced-w-NUT-BOLT-old-style/121695123059?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3Df29a225db7864356a983a15ef41d9022%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D221383524676

https://www.fastenal.com/products/fasteners/pins/spring-pins;jsessionid=F318165D039A2F18B7DB4FAAAC357C31.jvm4?r=~%7Ccategoryl1:%22600000%20Fasteners%22%7C~%20~%7Ccategoryl2:%22600108%20Pins%22%7C~%20~%7Ccategoryl3:%22600120%20Spring%20Pins%22%7C~

[dangercro]

Thanks for the reply.

So I've read, thanks for not just advising to buy a tornado. I want a cool table with playability on a moderate budget... Plus I like projects, I plan to completely refurbish the ol beaut.

Excellent point! I heard drilling out the main bore hole is almost impossible, but if they fit in the rod I should have no problem with the roll pin hole.

I measured the men on my table and their legs are the same length as tornado men.

I think you're right, I just need to buy a tornado guy and see if I can make it work.

There's very little info on these tables, which is odd to me as I'm under the impression they were really popular back in the day. I just wish someone could say "yes, it will work, buy these and put them on".

Joe