Repair - Replace reel strips

[litterbox99]

Just curious, I've never seen a write up on how to replace
reel strips.  I would imagine you would un-crimp the reel
cage...install new strips and re-crimp.  I'm sure it's more
complicated than that.

I don't think I would try it myself...


I'm fixing a slot for a buddy and the reel strips
are catching on the back of the reel mech.
They make the flop,flop,flop sound and slow
the reel down.

Should I try to loosen the crimp and tuck under,
then re-crimp ?

Or if I used some thin light tape to hold it down
and try to minimize weight and maintain some
kind of 'balance' ?

What have others tried ?

[reho33]

There are no "crimps" on a reel strip. The strips are "tension fitted" under the groove in the reel basket. If done correctly, they should lay down flat and no protrusions should exist.

[Jim]

no its really that simple.  just try one at a time, and before you start mark where the strips start and observe how and where the crimps are.  the metal is easy to work with and you could apply too much pressure,so just take it easy.

depending how long the strips have been like that could determine how and if they will lay flat.  don't have any recommendations for that. perhaps a combination of  re-crimping and double sided tape will work.

the reels will come out of the mech. making it easier to work on.

Jim

[slot monkey]

I agree with the previous two posts.

From your pic it looks like all three gaps are in the same area of each reel.

Remove one reel, then remove the strip from the reel.

Peel the sticky seam apart and lay out flat.

Clean and remove the sticky from the reel ends, usually a citrus based goo cleaner works good.

Be careful and check the cleaner on a very small portion of the reel to make sure it doesn't damage the surface.

The next step is where to be careful.

After cleaning, apply a strip of double stick tape to the end edge of the strip.

The tape should not run the whole width of the strip, make it about 1/4" shorter than the reel width on each side.

Then reassemble and do the next two.

The reason for the gap to begin with is the left side of the seam was not seated against the reel track because the glue strip stopped it short on the left side.

That's why you make the double stick tape a 1/4" shorter on each side of the reel width.

Hope that helps!

[litterbox99]

Tried to disassemble one reel cage, was very gentle.

Reel strips are very BRITTLE, cracked it a bit and
then some :-(

Ratts !

Anyone have a reel strip 234-321, or the set (321-323)
It's a wide body Bally E series.

[slot monkey]

Hey litterbox

When it is hard to separate the glued edge of the reel strip, I will apply some citrus goo remover, let it sit for 20 minutes, then try to separate.

If it is still a no go, then I use an exacto knife and carefully insert it between the overlap, using it as a pry tool and working it slowly across the seam.

[stayouttadabunker]

Tried to disassemble one reel cage, was very gentle.

Reel strips are very BRITTLE, cracked it a bit and
then some :-(

Ratts !

Anyone have a reel strip 234-321, or the set (321-323)
It's a wide body Bally E series.

Take a photo of the strips laid out flat and IN THE CORRECT ORDER.
I have some laying around you can have.

[litterbox99]

Hey litterbox

When it is hard to separate the glued edge of the reel strip, I will apply some citrus goo remover, let it sit for 20 minutes, then try to separate.

If it is still a no go, then I use an exacto knife and carefully insert it between the overlap, using it as a pry tool and working it slowly across the seam.

I wasn't separating the overlap on the strip, I was trying
to pull one side of the cage off and crack !

I'd like to remove the strip or strips to take some pics for
replacements, but I'm afraid I'll crack some more.  

Considering I may not be able to find replacements and
that this is a 'customers' slot, I guess I'm a big chicken ;-)

I may make a text version of the strip for now.

[proten]

This is a ally E series slot right?
If that is right then you do need to get
the tools to uncrimp and crimp the strips.
There was a set on eBay.
Talk to Barry (Foxsslots) about reel strips
before you remove the old ones.
It will help realign the strips so it will pay out right.

[litterbox99]

This is a ally E series slot right?
If that is right then you do need to get
the tools to uncrimp and crimp the strips.
There was a set on eBay.
Talk to Barry (Foxsslots) about reel strips
before you remove the old ones.
It will help realign the strips so it will pay out right.

Yes it's a Bally E2000 wide body with the double progressive
display.  3-coin, center pay line.  Has 7's, single/double/triple
bar's and a cherry.

M1 = 755-80
M2 = 755-47
M3 = 755-48
P1 = 568279   2332-6 CTB
P2 = 002300

Strips are marked;

234-231
234-322
234-323

[proten]

PM Barry (Foxsslots) with that info and
he can tell you if the strip are available.

[litterbox99]

Foxsslots hooked me up with some new strips !

They will soon be on their way.

Any tips from those that have done this
reel strip replacment before ?

[Neonkiss]

Ya, Look at where the crimps are. Actually they were punched with like a center punch. I use a small screwdriver and open up the punch mark.
As a tip, use the sharpie marker and draw a line on the reel basket where the end of the current reel strips are. Use it as a reference for the new strips.

It's not rocket science, so don't over think it.    

[litterbox99]

Yeah I over thunk it...

Foxsslots hooked me up with some replacements !

I took my time and it worked out well.

The slot looks so fresh now :-)

[kforeman]

Yeah I over thunk it...

Foxsslots hooked me up with some replacements !

I took my time and it worked out well.

The slot looks so fresh now :-)

Sweet!!  even though i didn't post i was following this discussion so  for letting us know how it worked out!