Topic: Twister Modification?

[FoosNoob]

Ok, so I broke my budget and bought an old used Twister table.  I would like to get better practice shooting from the 3 bar.  Would it be possible and worth it to change out my 3 bars to the solid rods and counter balanced men?  I realize that the bearings would not be an option, as the thickness of the walls is different. 

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
-FoosNoob-

[foozkillah]

Ok, so I broke my budget and bought an old used Twister table.  I would like to get better practice shooting from the 3 bar.  Would it be possible and worth it to change out my 3 bars to the solid rods and counter balanced men?  I realize that the bearings would not be an option, as the thickness of the walls is different.  Any thoughts?  Thanks,  -FoosNoob-

I recommend the counterbalanced men, but solid rods?  To train for Warrior?  The bearings aren't designed for the weight of the solid rods.  They will wear down quickly.  If you want, you could order some of John Merkel's hollow gray marble rods...  the best of the best.

If you insist on solid rods (don't know why) the best solid rods I've ever played on were from a TS and a Dynamo table in a biker bar in Ames, IA.  Those were crafted by one of the biker players who worked in a tour bike fabrication shop (ala Orange Cty Choppers) and they were green!  That's because they were solid rods, coated in green teflon or other PTFE loaded supersmooth bonded encapsulation.  I've never played on any better solid rods than those...  We could stand on the damn solid things to change the lights above the table .. One swipe with a clean rag or paper T and they were slick as lightning again, every time.

[FoosNoob]

You are correct, I didn't mean solid, I just meant use the upgraded rods from the coin op tables.  Pretty much do everything I could to get the 3 bar as close to a tourney table feel.

I figured this would be a fairly cheap upgrade, since I'll most likely never have a tourney table.  I guess my real question is, would this change bring the weight and feel of the home model 3 bar closer to the tourney models?  Would the change be significant enough to warrant the upgrade?

Thank-you,
-FoosNoob-

[bbtuna]

no, first off I don't know any place you can get the Merkel rods...second, to replace a set of men and leave 2 of each color back up you would need 30 men @ $4.50 each...which is $135 and then 8 rods at $35 each which is $280 ... this is a total of $315 and the table will not be heavier enough to notice and will not be a "tournament" table

if you are willing to spend this kind of money, sell your Twister and add that money to the $315 save a couple bucks and buy yourself a used coin-op which you can get for $400-$650

it is a total no-brainer...the difference between a twister and a coin-op is the difference between a Yugo and Lexus

[FoosNoob]

Thank you for your input.

I realize the drastic difference between the home tables and the coin op tables. I am not trying to turn my home model into a tourney table.

Would it be possible and worth it to change out my 3 bars to the solid rods and counter balanced men?

I am only looking to change out ONE 3 bar and a total of 3 foosmen.  I'm just looking to make a small change to up the quality of my practice.   I wanted to know if people thought it might help and if so, would it help enough to warrant the cost/effort.

-FoosNoob-

[foozkillah]

Thank you for your input.
I realize the drastic difference between the home tables and the coin op tables. I am not trying to turn my home model into a tourney table.

Would it be possible and worth it to change out my 3 bars to the solid rods and counter balanced men?

I am only looking to change out ONE 3 bar and a total of 3 foosmen.  I'm just looking to make a small change to up the quality of my practice.   I wanted to know if people thought it might help and if so, would it help enough to warrant the cost/effort. -FoosNoob-

If you're bent on doing this, I'd switch out the 5bar and the 3bar, for practice..  But it still sounds like a lot of work for the benefit.

[bbtuna]

I wouldn't make the change because you would want to change at least your 2, 5, and 3 unless you are under the impression that all you need to practice is your 3 bar

you can learn plenty like this and then if you stay interested you can upgrade to a better table later