HOW TO FIX BROKEN PINBALL KNOBS

OR IN THIS CASE HOW TO MAKE A ALMOST COMPLETELY NEW KNOB

By Alan Lewis

Most woodrail pinball collectors will run into the broken shooter or ball lifter knob. You can buy new knobs for some games but not all, and besides what fun is that?

This project stretches the definition of repair, almost crossing over into the realm of making a new knob. Just how much of a knob can be missing before you decide to just search for a new or used knob?

HERE IS THE BROKEN BALL LIFTER KNOB. WELL, SOME OF IT ANYWAY. 25% TO BE EXACT.

ROUGHEN UP BONDING SURFACES WITH SANDPAPER AND CLEAN WITH ALCOHOL.

Cut slots in the plastic to act as anchors for the epoxy adhesive. Pinball knobs get hard use and the slots will be anchoring teeth for the adhesive.

USE STICK EPOXY PUTTY AND APPLY, WORKING INTO THE SLOTS.

Try to shape the epoxy like the knob but bigger. Wet your fingers when kneading and shaping the epoxy so it doesn’t stick to your skin. You also get a smoother surface if you wet your fingers.

MOUNT THE KNOB ASSEMBLY INTO A DRILL PRESS OR LATHE.

Slowly and carefully shape the epoxy repair. Do not use hard pressure when shaping because you will start to cut into the original plastic. Use light pressure and allow the abrasive to dance off of the epoxy until you get it to size.

SHAPE BOTH SIDES AND INSIDE CORNER.

HERE IS THE FINAL SHAPE. USE SPOT PUTTY TO FILL IMPERFECTIONS, FINISH SAND AND THEN PAINT.

AND AS USUAL; BOB’S YOUR UNCLE!

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