Topic: Ghetto counterweighted men?

[MikeyMike]

I just picked up a used Tornado Whirlwind from Craigslist for $60 (I know, I know... NOT a coin-op... yada yada).  But hey, I'm a noob and I just bought it to play with the kids.  Anyway, I was wondering if anyone's tried to balance the men by filling in the cavity in the back of the men's heads.  Or should I just buy some new men and save myself the headache?  Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

[snake eyes]

Buy some counter balanced men and save the time and trouble. They will fit your whirlwind rods. Same table my roomates and i learned on. $60.00? Good Buy. You can get the weighted replacements for $5.50 ea. on this website.


Snake

[MikeyMike]

Buy some counter balanced men and save the time and trouble. They will fit your whirlwind rods. Same table my roomates and i learned on. $60.00? Good Buy. You can get the weighted replacements for $5.50 ea. on this website.

I was thinking about buying, but I'm a cheap-ass tightwad!  I'm not sure if I want to spend more on the men than the table itself.

[bbtuna]

hey, you are just banging the ball around and you only paid $60 for the table, why spend any money or time on trying to counterbalance the men...for what you want to do, that is a waste of time and money

if your feelings about the game change over time, you can step up and buy a big boy table and you won't be out anything...whats more, if you keep this in decent shape, I bet you can get $100 for it when you go to sell it - hows that for tight wad yada yada

[MikeyMike]

hey, you are just banging the ball around and you only paid $60 for the table, why spend any money or time on trying to counterbalance the men...for what you want to do, that is a waste of time and money

if your feelings about the game change over time, you can step up and buy a big boy table and you won't be out anything...whats more, if you keep this in decent shape, I bet you can get $100 for it when you go to sell it - hows that for tight wad yada yada

I'm not sure if it would be a waste of time and money if it were possible to counter balance the men by melting $5 worth of solder into their heads.  If possible, I would rather try this first before spending big bucks for new men.

If my tone in my fist post was a little flippant, I apologize.  I didn't realize this board was for pros only.

Mike

[alaskan thunder]

I would advise against counterweighting because:
1. it will hurt the resale value of the table (I doubt anyone wants a ghetto counterweighted table)
2. what if you screw it up? you could put too much or too little weight and that could feasibly make the table unplayable, also, what if the weight is too back heavy and the men will not stay up but instead stay sideways?

If you are not worried about either of these problems, go nuts. It's your table and you got a good deal on it so only you can decide what risks you are willing to take... if it comes down to it, you could always try it and if it fails then buy new men

[bbtuna]

MikeyMike,

the "no pros" comment is way off base, especially with me...no foosball board is more welcoming than this one, the fact that you got straight answers to a question of melting solder into men's heads says a ton

are you feeling like you got "big boyed"...you threw out the "coin op, yada, yada" and I gave you some back  but my answer was straight up, specific to your situation, stated goals, and tightness with money don't go getting all injured on me

you got a super bargin to get the Whirlwind at $60 and you want it recreationally anyway, no benefit to you that I can see to try and make them counter-balanced men

the only time that makes much difference is in singles or goalie wars...Goalie wars you can use rubber bands or buy rod locks...singles, you will get used to balancing the men straight upside down

when I started playing serious first time around on TS in the 70's, nobody had heard of counter-balanced and the best foosball played in the world didn't have it...you learn to play around it in singles

you can have plenty of fun...save your money and buy some new balls and a light for overhead, these will make a much bigger practical difference in how much fun you have...oh, and buy a few wraps for the handles and a little silocone

[MikeyMike]

BB,

Let's just agree to disagree here.  I have my financial constraints and I'm just trying to enjoy foosball within my means.  Not everyone can afford a $2000 table, or a $700 used one for that matter.  Hence my wanting to pursue the cheapest alternative.  If I absolutely had to spend money, I would probably replace the men only on the 5 bars.  I also would want to get one new goalie rod to replace one with a slight wobble.  Maybe I'll start skipping lunches or something.

FWIW, I used to play in college and I also have a crappy Sportcraft table at work that gets daily use, so I'm afraid that I misrepresented myself when I declared that I was a noob.  The Sportcraft surprisingly has counterbalanced men and it comes in very handy, because I usually play alone against 2 people.  I've been planning to invite them over to my house for a foos-night or something, but not having balanced men would put me at a disadvantage.  It's already hard enough 1 on 2!

And thanks for the advice on the new balls, light and silicone.  I already ordered a few pink balls and silicone (in fact, I just got confirmation that it was delivered!), and the table is already in a very well-lit play room.

I'm going to ask another question that might get poo-pooed, but I just can't help my cheapness.  Has anyone modified an end return to a center return?  I have moderate wood-working skills (and tools).  And I'm not too concerned with the resale value.

Mike

[Chase Pennell]

$60 is a great deal!!!! I am currently Ranked Pro and i learned on a non-counter balanced table and won a Rookie singles title practicing on it...I used it for a long time! We had it while i was in college. The counter-balanced men do make a big difference but if you are just looking to get better and play with the kids it is fine the way it is! if i had to list upgrades in order it would be...

1, Order the new Ball (Easy Upgrade)
2, Counter-balanced Men (I have a full used set that i could sell but i dont know how much to charge to be honest and i know you are trying to save Money)
3, New rods on the 3 and 2 rods..(no need for the 5 or Goal)


Anything else is a waste of Money

[EDGEER]

I am about to reset all the men on mine so if you send me your address I will hook you up.

[Tyler Foos]

Mike,

I think Alaska hit the nail on the head about not trying to counterbalance yourself. I can picture you putting too much solder in, then discovering the men stay feet up when you let go of the rods! 'NOW what do I do'! - LOL!

I think the idea of buying used men is the best alternative from a cost/benefit perspective, and I was glad to see Ed's offer show up on this thread. The cool thing is, once you get some counterweighted men, you may play more and your kids are more likely to want to play more as well.

Also, congrats on getting that table for only $60. If you eventually do get an upgrade table you can sell the non-counterweighted men with the Whirlwind and likely get your money back.

Take care........................................Tyler

[MikeyMike]

Thank you for all your replies.  And thank you Ed, for your generous offer; you have a message.  I had no idea that there was a market for used foosmen.  Anyway, I'm glad that I won't have to try to counterweight the men myself!  I had visions of playing foosball with horribly disfigured men  

Mike

[EDGEER]

Mike I finally did my upgrade, let me know if you still need the men