Topic: rod weights

[Old Meister]

OK I bought the cheap version of Tornado in buying the Whirlwind II. Hey, I just wanted to play without Momma complaining too much about the price. Sooo, I talked Momma into going to a bar where they play foos and got my hands on a legit table. First off it was a well worn table in that the bushings had a lot of play as compared to my table. But I noticed that the rods were heavier and brought back the 'hook' to my push and pull. I liked that feedback in the feel and makes me a little more receptive to the Tornado table play. I wonder if I added a little weight to the rods on my table whether it would play the same, maybe some lead rammed into the hollow rod ends might do the trick. Any thought or suggestions on this?

[alaskan thunder]

Well the men on your table aren't counterweighted so that accounts for some of the lighter feel. The rods on a coin-op are heavier though. You may be able to fit the coin-op rods onto your home model but the bearings are not as smooth and probably will not feel the same. If it's not too late you may want to see if you can return the one you bought and get a coin op. You can find a used coin op for equal or better price than a new home model. I did the swap when I got into foos, bought a home model and instantly sold it and bought a coin op. The weight of the rods is only one of many reasons(heavier men, better bearings, heavier cabinet, superior build quality, etc.) a coin op plays better than a home model. The fact is the tables play much differently.

Chris 

[Old Meister]

A thunder, I didn't spend that much in the first place so when I get a deal on a coin op I will go for it but until then I'm playing foos. Still it is a legit question, should I add weight to the rods will it give me that feedback? My bushings are tighter than the ones on the coinop I played on and seem smooth enough for now.

[alaskan thunder]

Well I would sat that it is probably not worth your time. The coin op rods are heavier but I would say that most of the weight comes from the counterweighted men. You may be mistaking the feel of the men for the feel of the rod. Feel free to try to add some weight to the rod but I bet it would still feel the same. Just FYI you can find used coin-ops for around $300 if you are patient and dont mind doing a little work. I bought a whirlwind and once I played in tournaments and talked to other foosers I realized that my table did not play the same. I tried to add weight to the cabinet, and started to replace the men, but I came into some money and decided that I should just buy a coin-op. $1175 later it has almost paid for itself. (See Jacksonville's netfoos account)


Chris   

[chance37]

im with chris on this one buy the counterbalanced men too...Does your whirlwind have the side strips along the wall...if not id get those too

chance

[bbtuna]

new heat-treated rods     8 x $32  = $256
counter-balanced men    26 x $4.5 = $117
shipping for both approximately     = $30
Total cost to convert table            = $403
Price of inexpensive table             =  $250
Overall price                               =  $653

buying a used grey-marble coin-op with coutner balanced men, table weight more than 100 lbs more, heat-treated rods on the table = $875-$1250 w/shipping

old indestructable brown-marble w/counter-balanced men but not heat-treated rods would be around $550-$650 shipped and table weighs 100lbs more and can later be placed into a location if you are so inclined

you can pay me now and pay me later too or you can pay me now and be done with it