Foosball.com Forums

Chat Area => General Chat => Topic started by: teslacles on July 14, 2014, 10:56:34 AM

Title: Bought my first table, old Tornado coin-op, needs some work. New rods?
Post by: teslacles on July 14, 2014, 10:56:34 AM
Hello everyone, first post here.

Started foosing in college on lunch breaks.  Moved into bachelor pad with a cheap Harvard table.  Searched around for a Tornado coin-op.
I finally pulled the trigger.  I took a risk on an old brown marble coin-op a guy had in storage.  Paid a little high, $500, but the playing surface is nice.  The counter inside shows 22,000 games.

Took a risk as the table wasn't playable (on a dolly cart). Could use some cleaning for sure.  I got 18 balls, 9 brand new.  4 extra men.  2 extra legs (2 of the legs have the laminate falling off).

What I ordered:
All this put me back about $60.
Added in 8 rubber bumpers as one was broke and a few seemed on their last leg.  $20
I found a listing for a guy selling 16 new men for $20, so I figured I would pick this up just in case.
This will put me at about $600.

Looking at the rods, I don't think any of them are perfect.  Hard to tell without cleaning everything.  I know I for sure need 1 rod, and would be a good idea to upgrade a few more.  I just can't see myself spending another $300 on this table.  Do I have any options here?  Used rods from within the community?  Upgrade 3-man offense first, slowly upgrade others?  Straighten rods the best I can?  Or is this a must-buy upgrade?  This will put me at $900 total if I overhaul.

Like I said, only 1 is a serious issue (2 man defense).  It's playable but the bend is obvious.
EDIT: Just spoke with the gentleman I purchased the table from.   He has parts in the storage he told me I could pull any rods I found that fit, so I'll probably do that this weekend in hopes I can find a few.

I don't see too many any cheaper in my area.  It is very old, metallic feet. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  I've got solid push/pull shots, finally excited about getting a snake shot down. 

Title: Re: Bought my first table, old Tornado coin-op, needs some work. New rods?
Post by: kgstewar on July 14, 2014, 12:37:55 PM
You might try a rig like this to straighten your rods. I built this one to straighten Bonzini rods, but should also work for Tornado.

http://foosball.com/forum/index.php?topic=5058.msg23614#msg23614
Title: Re: Bought my first table, old Tornado coin-op, needs some work. New rods?
Post by: Chaggy31 on July 16, 2014, 12:33:33 AM
Where are you located at?
Title: Re: Bought my first table, old Tornado coin-op, needs some work. New rods?
Post by: teslacles on July 18, 2014, 12:42:28 PM
Chaggy - I'm in Houston.

Ok, so I've got everything I've ordered and I met up with the gentleman who sold me the table and another from Craigslist.

Some notes:

The original seller tossed in 4 rods (look like great shape, qty 2 3-man defenders, qty 2 3-man offense).  He also gave me qty 2 rubber stops and the key to the inside coin box lock.
The scoring rod I ordered was supposed to be the 6+" rod but I accidentally purchased the 3".
I purchased the 16 extra men for $20 bucks.

I'm now pretty happy with my purchase.  Sometimes I get paranoid that my table surface isn't perfect but whatever.  At my skill level this will be exactly what I need.

I will be completely disassembling the table and meticulously cleaning/repairing everything t his weekend.  I should take photos. 

Any cleaning tips/tricks/advice?
Title: Re: Bought my first table, old Tornado coin-op, needs some work. New rods?
Post by: johnwallan on July 19, 2014, 07:06:32 PM
formula 409...
Don't worry about the two man bars... consider it a cost of doing business and buy new ones.