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Tech Tip: Cutting Coil Sleeves

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  • Video Games
Last response: in Video Games
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Anonymous
September 29, 2005 12:24:25 AM

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I have been buying coil sleeves from the usual suspects for some time
now although i usually buy them from PBR with all the other generic
items. The problem is that often times even though you give a specific
part number for length and bell size in your order they send you
different (longer) sleeves and tell you to cut them down to size. The
only problem is, How in the world do you cut them down? I have tried
just about every method possible, cutting with a dremel, a coping saw,
heated razor blade, you name it! All with poor results due to uneven
cuts.

Well, the other day while doing pinball stuff a friend and I were
debating on the best way to cut these darn things when it hit me. A
tubing cutter! I have several brake line tubing cutters for automotive
use in my tool box that I haven't even touched in years. So break out
the old Snap-On device and give it a try. It turns out that the tubing
is too soft and collapses under the pressure, so i slide in a craftsman
5/16 deep socket (1/4" drive) into the sleeve which fits perfectly and
cut to perfection! It even has a recessed area in the guide wheels so
that I can shorten the bell end if necessary. After that i just took a
rotary knife and cleaned up the edge and it looks like a factory cut.

I had an expensive Snap-On tubing cutter but that is not necessary. I
have found similar tools at OSH and I'm sure other places for under $8
and they also have the knives in the same spot too. So never be without
the right size sleeve again with some cheap tools and some ingenuity.

Perhaps Scott Bogart could add these to his website for easy locating
in the future.

Happy cutting.

Kevin
--

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More about : tech tip cutting coil sleeves

Anonymous
September 29, 2005 12:24:26 AM

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I usually mark off the length from the old one (all the way around.
then score it around with a razor blade. Then jab the knife in and
spin till it cuts all the way around.

Yeah, I'll probably be called a hack for this one. But it got my
machine running 100% again.
Anonymous
September 29, 2005 12:24:26 AM

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I cut them on a band saw and clean up the edges with an exacto. Yeah, the
ends arent "perfectly square" but I just make sure they are long enough to
clear the plunger bracket.

Stocking the longer sleeves is waaaaaay easier IMO.

--
Mike S.
Kalamazoo, MI

Gameroom: http://tinyurl.com/4hfev
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Anonymous
September 29, 2005 12:24:26 AM

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Actually, I was thinking that may earn you a cargpb rating, seeing how
new ones are like 50 cents or so.

steve

---
Steve Kulpa (cargpb10 - sigh)
Hermitage, TN
http://www.geocities.com/stevekulpa/rgpidx.htm


c_kubie@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> Yeah, I'll probably be called a hack for this one. But it got my
> machine running 100% again.
Anonymous
September 29, 2005 12:24:26 AM

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I just use my dremel with the hard duty cutoff wheels and it works
perfect. When it's cut i simply push the entire edge to the side of the
running wheel to smooth it off. Great results works perfect
September 29, 2005 12:24:26 AM

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I buy my sleeves like I buy my lumber--long.

You can always make them shorter. You can't make them longer.

Tubing cutter with an old plunger inserted into the sleeve so it won't
collapse under the pressure of the cutter.

Cuts them clean to the length I want.


Otto

CARGPB11

My web page: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-Ottoslanding
Anonymous
September 29, 2005 12:24:26 AM

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I just use my dremel with the hard duty cutoff wheels and it works
perfect. When it's cut i simply push the entire edge to the side of the
running wheel to smooth it off. Great results works perfect
Anonymous
September 29, 2005 12:35:10 AM

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Good suggestion; that's the method I've used with success.

Of course, it's annoying that Steve just substitutes anything the same length
or longer, and doesn't tell you about it. I finally switched to For Amusement
Only for all my coil sleeve orders. Dave sends the exact part so you don't
have to dink around with it. With coil sleeves costing less than a buck it's
hard to justify spending ANY time cutting them to proper length.

Joseph "Tony" Dziedzic

In article <2005092813035275249%tvsound@sbcglobalnet>, Kevin L'Heureux
<tv-sound@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>I have been buying coil sleeves from the usual suspects for some time
>now although i usually buy them from PBR with all the other generic
>items. The problem is that often times even though you give a specific
>part number for length and bell size in your order they send you
>different (longer) sleeves and tell you to cut them down to size. The
>only problem is, How in the world do you cut them down? I have tried
>just about every method possible, cutting with a dremel, a coping saw,
>heated razor blade, you name it! All with poor results due to uneven
>cuts.
>
>Kevin
!