1963 Valley 770 Coin-op restoration questions.

J

JLSACESUP

New member
I was hoping that someone has made their own rails from scratch. If anyone has, could you please post some pictures. I would like to try making them. I enjoy woodworking and thought it would be fun to give it a try.
I acquired the table without any rails.
I tried looking online but only came up with companies that have similar rails but they all have the wrong spacing for the holes. My table has 3 holes for each rail and the holes are spaced 12" apart. Center to center of the holes.
The rails for my table were held in place with wood screws and the newer rails are held in place with t-nuts and machine screws.
I have included pictures. First picture is the original build back in 1963. I decided to give it a fresh coat of paint. I had to make a ball return window from plexiglass and had to adjust the ball return rack. I replaced all of the key locks.
After the rails, I will replace the felt, pocket liners and laminate for the top.
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JLSACESUP said:
I tried looking online but only came up with companies that have similar rails but they all have the wrong spacing for the holes.
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If the rails are made could you not contact the company to drill the holes in the locations you need? Alternatively, could you order them without the holes and drill the holes yourself?

Just some thoughts.
 
Chopdoc said:
If the rails are made could you not contact the company to drill the holes in the locations you need? Alternatively, could you order them without the holes and drill the holes yourself?

Just some thoughts.
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I finally got someone at Penguin Amusements to help me. He said he could send me a set of blank rails 40" long, milled for K-55 rubbers and no holes. $133 for the set or he could make a set with K-55 rubbers, no holes drilled and covered for $333.
 
JLSACESUP said:
I finally got someone at Penguin Amusements to help me. He said he could send me a set of blank rails 40" long, milled for K-55 rubbers and no holes. $133 for the set or he could make a set with K-55 rubbers, no holes drilled and covered for $333.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a plan!
 
Very cool old table there, I'll bet that could tell some stories.
Those look like good prices for Penguin rails, the on-line suppliers that I've seen charge that for stock rails.
Please post up pics as you progress with your project.
 
The problem with those rails is that table was built long before Valley started mounting T-nuts in the rails and using machine bolts to secure the rails, and they were actually made out of Maple, not popular. There was another company called American Shuffle Board that made coin ops with the same maple hardwood and lag screws to mount them. They would be a direct fit if Penguin still makes them, but you need to pre-drill the screw holes first, or you'll split the rails. I've worked on a few of them over 40 years ago.
 
Thanks for the info. I ordered a custom set from Penguin Amusements. Fully assembled without any holes. I will drill pilot holes before installing the screws.
 
realkingcobra said:
The problem with those rails is that table was built long before Valley started mounting T-nuts in the rails and using machine bolts to secure the rails, and they were actually made out of Maple, not popular. There was another company called American Shuffle Board that made coin ops with the same maple hardwood and lag screws to mount them. They would be a direct fit if Penguin still makes them, but you need to pre-drill the screw holes first, or you'll split the rails. I've worked on a few of them over 40 years ago.
Click to expand...
As always .. king cobra dropping the knowledge. 👍
 
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