Topic: Tornado Sport Maintenance

[Nsimone15]

Need HELP!! Just purchased a Tornado Storm table for my husband and wanted to replace the men with counterweighted men. The men on the table currently stay in the lateral position except the 2 five man rods, which tend to fall. Need to thoroughly clean, lube, replace men and handles before giving it to him, but cannot seem to find an easy method for removing the push-in bushings to remove the rods. Any help or step by step instruction is appreciated!

[bolt115]

You do not need to remove the bearings....knock the pins out of each man then pull the rod through...unfortunately this can be difficult sometimes and you might need help. I would put an old towel on table surface to make clean up easier. 

[johnwallan]

Mr bolt is correct, you are changing all the figures so remove all the figure pins and go at it...  New figures are tough to mount sometimes so here is some advice:

-the press snap bearings are quite difficult to change; consider changing them before you begin. (see ref below)

-be careful not to hammer the pins too much toward the play-field or too hard...  You may regretfully gouge it when the pin comes free and the tool shoots through.

-keeping the handles on helps so much with this process

-Use a rag or fabric glove as silicone is a beach to get off your skin

-lubricate the rods liberally with foos lubricant, especially near the figure on the pulling sides...  and with some clever thought about sequence and significant effort the figures can be taken off allowing the handle and rod to pull through both bearings


-use lots of lubricant both taking off and putting on figures; if you must, a rubber mallet keeps things gentle on both the figure and the rods. Push or pull and lightly rubber hammer the figures head... a friend is helpful with this process

-did you want to change the bearings?  now is the time!  They are removed with the help of dental floss or a 7/8" socket I believe.

-lightly and slightly deburr with a fine round file any sharp edges on rod holes as soon as they are exposed... especially before mounting so they don't gouge or catch on the figures as you wiggle them along

-It can be quite a challenge to reload a rod; ensure orientation of figure faces relative to the handle is correct... pain in the ass time-wise if they are loaded backward.

referring to bearing wear:  this is important as you will realize how awkward it is to change them later.  You must be aware that correct ball mechanics and control are a very important part of this game.  This is a huge part of what differentiates total crap tables from good tables.   On tornadoes, I think the minimum toe-tip to playfield distance is about 4 dimes or 3+a nickle with a tiny bit of slop 1 or 2 mm wiggle to allow rod glide without binding.  It should feel quite solid with only a slight rattle 2mm if you shake the handle up and down .