Topic: Help - reversed handles on Tornado F-5

[BostonFoos]

Hi everyone - first time posting and hoping someone can help me.  I recently bought a used Tornado F-5 in pretty good condition - however, when I got it home and went to play it “felt funny” and then I realized that the handles/rods had been installed reversed (see pics)!  Any suggestions on how to switch?  I saw that there are punch pins to knock out / replace roll pins for men and handles - but any tips on how to do this as efficiently with minimal work?

Thanks in advance!!

https://rhsant.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Public/i-fZvvXHb

[BostonFoos]

Trying to post a pic, but having challenges!

[ShopTeacher]

You will have to remove all handles and bearings but you will NOT need to remove any men. The bumpers will fit in the bearing hole and the end of the rod will clear the inside edge of the sidewall. If you have a punch and a bearing wrench (or at least some channel locks... dont mar it up) the job should take about a half hr to an hr.... its an easy fix

Good luck

[TSR_Brad]

Unfortunately, to get the handles on the correct side you're going to have to disassemble the rods... If you just move the rods to their correct position, the men will be on backwards.

[bolt115]

Might want to invest in the "super pin driver"  as you will be removing all men. 
 https://shop.foosball.com/superpindriver.html

[ShopTeacher]

Oops... i didnt think about the men being on backwards.... yes it is going to take considerably longer now. I would get that pin driver. I think its a 5/32" if getting one at the hardware store. Or get the one on this site,  you might want to get extra pins too, possibly clear sidewall trim, handles, and a few spare bumpers/guys if you feel like spending about $100.

[alaskan thunder]

Also if the table is backwards, check for other things as well. Make sure the goalie 3 bar is not in the spot of the forward 3 bar (they're different).

[BostonFoos]

Thanks to everyone that responded - looks like it will be a bit more of a project than I had originally expected!  Should I buy enough pins to replace all of them, or can they be reused?  Thanks again!

[bolt115]

I have reused pins without much issue but some will probably break.   If it were me I would do 1 rod at a time, flipping the rod so handle will be on other side when you are done. As someone mentioned make sure 3 rod and goalie rod are not mixed up. The goalie rod men are farther apart than forward 3 bar. 

[ShopTeacher]

I didnt buy these but made my own out of scrap wood and glued leather from an old belt on to them so I didnt scratch up anything. It wedges btwn the rod and play field to stiffen things up for pin pounding.

https://www.shop.tornadofoosball.com/Rod-Block-TFBRB.htm

[kgstewar]

This bearing wrench does double duty as a rod support when pounding out pins. Perfect size, works like a charm.

https://shop.foosball.com/fts-110-049.html