Topic: Help Needed: Balance Foosball Players

[Starbrdtack]

I have a Tornado "Whirlwind" foosball table that came supplied with un-balanced players.  Is it possible to modify these players to balance them?  What would be the process?  I tried adding steel fasteners to the pre-drilled hole on the backside of the player's head without success,  it seems much more weight is required to acheive balance. 

[SumnerH]

They use lead slugs.  It might be possible but I don't know how--there are 26 men on the table so you're looking at around a hundred bucks to replace them all unfortunately.

[JimWaterman]

Some thoughts and ideas....

1) which RODS (men) do you want/need to be counter balanced and why?...   
... if you are playing singles and shooting out of the back, then being able to put the 5-bar up and out of your way is the most important.   so  you could get by a little better by replacing those 5-man with coutnerbalanced ones, and be a "bit" better off.
... if you want the same "feel" on your offensive 3-bar when shooting a rollover or certain shot.. then you can get by with just upgrading those 3-men.
... it will get PRICEY quick like Sumner stated... but you can ease into an upgrade depending on what your main goals are.   here's a link to our counterbalanced tornado men.   http://store.yahoo.com/foosdirect-store/fts-110-010-01.html

2) might some "brain surgery" help???   i haven't tried this... but it might be worth a shot...   the "weight" in the men for the counterbalanced guys is pretty big and heavy....   how might you be able to converte non-balanced tornado man to a balanced one "consistently"...   I'm thinking that if you drilled straight down into the top of the non-balanced tornado figure (dunno if you'd want it on or off the rod) with an appropriate diameter drill bit.. .then fill the hole with a heavy material.. .you might be able to come up with a consistent way to improve the balance on your exiting men.     If you try this out..... let us know how it works!

JimW

[Starbrdtack]

Thanks for the tips - I had considered the "brain surgery" approach but I feel more confident now that I have a "second opinion.

Note: 
I'm a beginner fooser.  I thought I was getting pretty good.  I was beating-up on my little girls pretty good.  Then my friend visited who has been playing for some time and took me to school.  I noticed he was careful to always get the feet up of his men when shooting from defense and commented the my table would benifit with counter-balanced men.

 

[JimWaterman]

Take heart in knowing there are quite a few "little girls" who whoop on on their Dads!!!    Seeing some of the kids at regional or national events that WIN in novice events or under 17 events is quite impressive.  (and scary to some of the older players!)

Happy Foosing... JimW

[Aman1234]

How do you remove Tornado men?  Can you use the same pin, once you take it out?  I purchase a Twister II on e-bay and will be picking it up this weekend, but I worried it is going to be too wide to put in my van with the rods still attached.  I will be able to get it in the van, but I may have to leave it in a diagonal position.  If I can do that with out putting a load on the rods fine, If not how do I get the men off?

Thanks,
Ara