I was always fascinated by these machines. I think most bowlers don't appreciate the mechanics and engineering that happens every time they throw that ball. Especially that these things were designed in the 1950's and are still working. I could never figure out how the distributor (if that's what its called) knows where pins are needed and smootly moves back and forth to those positions. And no computers, all anolog. Amazing equipment.
The distributor on both 82-30's and 82-70's follows a preset pattern in terms of putting pins in the spotting cups or bin. On the 70's, that pattern is controlled by a cam located at the rear of the distributor. On the 30's, there is a triangular shaped track on the top of the table, and the front of the distributor is attached to that track, and follows it around as it drops pins into the cups.
Thank you ! I was the mechanic long ago and this was the version I worked on. I remember the "brain" had a clear plastic cover and was an amazing electromechanical device. They worked flawlessly most of the time and when there was a problem, it was very easy to determine why and correct it. I would love to have one of these machines
Watching these videos of the 3930 series chassis in action, I'm impressed at the consistency of the timing delays of the first and second ball cycles between the various machines; it shows me that someone really cares about their equipment functioning properly.
Grew up on 82-30-70s dad owned a couple of lanes( centers!) in nassau L I .A different era of time Amazing mechanal how it worked .I would bring people in the back during league play and it would blow them away .. the noise and sounds of the machines working all at once .Another life ago.
True workhorses, nothing made today can last like the 30s could. Having original (or near original parts) and then put on something new, and it lasts a year tops. Simply feeling the parts you can tell the difference, the original (or something made 30 years ago) weighs 5 times something "new" does.
They run nice but did you notice not only vertical ball lifts but surface ball returns too!! There is a fellow next town over still driving a 1931 Ford model A pickup truck really nice conditions every now and then someone asks why don't he get a new truck and be comfortable his reply is this suits me just fine I deliver 5-6 cords of firewood a day all a new truck would do is cost me money I can fix anything on it myself those new ones are computer driven I can't fix. A computer with a wrench and a hammer like the 82-30 there is still a place for old school engineering
That 2nd lane you showed certainly starts feeding pins before the table has barely set the pins down. Does it ever feed the pin into the 7 pin cup before the table returns home and the pin just falls to the lane?
I thought amf stopped making parts for the 8230 a long time ago. Where do you get parts to keep these running? You must be very proud of your machines.
+MadeOfSolder Some common parts are still made, and for other things it's good to have connections with other people :) There are still parts out there, just have to look for centers that are closing with these machines, or replacing them with newer pinspotters.
I learned how to bowl on this AMF pinspotter. I was fascinated when Mr. Stone took my siblings behind the scenes. Loved it!!
I was always fascinated by these machines. I think most bowlers don't appreciate the mechanics and engineering that happens every time they throw that ball. Especially that these things were designed in the 1950's and are still working. I could never figure out how the distributor (if that's what its called) knows where pins are needed and smootly moves back and forth to those positions. And no computers, all anolog. Amazing equipment.
The distributor on both 82-30's and 82-70's follows a preset pattern in terms of putting pins in the spotting cups or bin. On the 70's, that pattern is controlled by a cam located at the rear of the distributor. On the 30's, there is a triangular shaped track on the top of the table, and the front of the distributor is attached to that track, and follows it around as it drops pins into the cups.
Thank you ! I was the mechanic long ago and this was the version I worked on. I remember the "brain" had a clear plastic cover and was an amazing electromechanical device. They worked flawlessly most of the time and when there was a problem, it was very easy to determine why and correct it.
I would love to have one of these machines
Looks like you’re still using Pindication masking units, very cool! Sadly hurricane Katrina wiped out the 82-30 & 82-70 machines I worked on.
My local alley still uses these. Paired them with AMF AccuScores and AMF SurPik Ball returns.
Watching these videos of the 3930 series chassis in action, I'm impressed at the consistency of the timing delays of the first and second ball cycles between the various machines; it shows me that someone really cares about their equipment functioning properly.
Grew up on 82-30-70s dad owned a couple of lanes( centers!) in nassau L I .A different era of time Amazing mechanal how it worked .I would bring people in the back during league play and it would blow them away .. the noise and sounds of the machines working all at once .Another life ago.
AMF 82-30 are really rare to be found. The most common pinsetters you seen is Brunswick A2
Where I live, 82/70's are the most common.
True workhorses, nothing made today can last like the 30s could. Having original (or near original parts) and then put on something new, and it lasts a year tops. Simply feeling the parts you can tell the difference, the original (or something made 30 years ago) weighs 5 times something "new" does.
awesome video
They run nice but did you notice not only vertical ball lifts but surface ball returns too!! There is a fellow next town over still driving a 1931 Ford model A pickup truck really nice conditions every now and then someone asks why don't he get a new truck and be comfortable his reply is this suits me just fine I deliver 5-6 cords of firewood a day all a new truck would do is cost me money I can fix anything on it myself those new ones are computer driven I can't fix. A computer with a wrench and a hammer like the 82-30 there is still a place for old school engineering
That 2nd lane you showed certainly starts feeding pins before the table has barely set the pins down. Does it ever feed the pin into the 7 pin cup before the table returns home and the pin just falls to the lane?
Does the Sparemaker still works?
Are u related to pete weber?
Tough old machines. Like any machine, they only work as well as they are maintained. Surprised to see closed pinwheels still in use.
The pit area where the pins gather to feed and align into the pin wheel almost always gets overlooked in posted videos - not sure why.
What center is this? Love it
Hii! May anyone please tell me what happens when there’s a out of range on the 82-30s? As the pin cups are slanted I suppose it’ll knock the pin down?
I thought amf stopped making parts for the 8230 a long time ago. Where do you get parts to keep these running? You must be very proud of your machines.
+MadeOfSolder Some common parts are still made, and for other things it's good to have connections with other people :) There are still parts out there, just have to look for centers that are closing with these machines, or replacing them with newer pinspotters.
Even more part than the 82-70“A”
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Make more videos!
And I thought my A2's were loud.
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I cant believe you still run upright ball lifts
I preferred the upright ball lifts over the 2" belted 82-70's....more reliable.
Just my opinion, but they are superior to other lifts
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