What's your angle?

[REVOLUTION]

No, seriously.

I know most games are recommended to be set at 6.5º, but I like mine a little more steep than that. Some games however don't play properly if not set within a certain boundary. I know the POA on Williams IJ doesn't work properly if the game is set within a certain range. Other games, you can't make certain ramp shots.

 

[mwong168]

I like them at 6.8º or the top of the bubble just touching the first thick solid black line if it has the bubble level by the shooter lane. Speaking of level, Canadian Tire has their digital torpedo level on sale for 50% off this week. Great to have if you are leveling games yourself or setting the pitch under your game and nobody is there to tell you when it is good.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6 ... ?locale=en

 

[Vengeance]

You guys have too much time on your hands, lol

Side to side is all I care about as an unlevel machine seriously affects gameplay, pitch I've never even bothered, I just do what feels right, if a game is to slow I make it steeper, I have yet to find a game to fast.

 

[Menace]

Agreed on the side to side, that is an absolute MUST for me. Nothing makes me more mad when playing pinball... Not even other people talking to me.

D

 

[REVOLUTION]

You guys have too much time on your hands, lol

I never set mine to an exact number (I don't have the patience for that), but yeah.. the steeper the better. And it drives me NUTS if a game isn't level from side-to-side. That, and you get some serious SDTM issues (like AC/DC)

- B

 

[Chris Bardon]

That digital level is awesome-used it just the other night to verify that my CV is, in fact, perfectly level side to side. I suppose the real question is-how do you use it? I usually try to go right on the PF (between the slings, once higher up), and then do the pitch. I'll usually start around 6.7 and see how that works. Can always go steeper or shallower if you want. Big issue is that shots HAVE to be possible. I really hate it when you can't make things like ramp shots.

Of course, for the time thing, it helps only having a few games to level, although I did help Jim do 45 or so one afternoon. Took a couple of hours for that, but much easier with two. Also depends on how much crap you have underneath your games

 

[mark]

Its on sale again, not sure if anyone mentioned it.

 

[jooky]

Just wanted to throw out there that I use this free app on ios "iHandy Level". I just put my iphone right on the playfield and it tells the pitch. You can calibrate all 3 axes beforehand on flat ground. Works great!

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/ihandy- ... 52753?mt=8

 

[superjackpot]

Don't forget to wax your ramps. That helps immensely.

Side to side level is a must. The game's all wrong if it's not. But that's beef #2 with me. I'd put proper flippers as #1. Working flippers with correct coil stops/plunger lengths are a must (with decent alignment relative to the lane guides). Without the correct flipper arc the angles and flipper sweet spots are plain wrong, and not how the game was designed to be played. Just like when a game is not level I suppose.

 

[DRANO]

I stick to 6.5 unless the game is playing slower than I like. Side to side is of course measured at both the top and bottom of the playfield. I also picked up that mastercraft level... Works great!

Now, for my EMs, I have no idea what they're supposed to be set at, but I've jacked them up on 2x4s to get some better action

 

[Monkeybug]

I mount 4x2's under the rear legs on my classic Sterns or else they play like someone spilled Aunt Jemima all over the playfield.

 

[McMean]

I find 2.8 works well for me to be able to play longer than five or six seconds per ball. That and I leave lots of dirt on the PF... slows 'er down nicely. It's how I've gotten some of my best scores!

 

[hippochrome]

Side to side is all I care about as an unlevel machine seriously affects gameplay, pitch I've never even bothered, I just do what feels right, if a game is to slow I make it steeper...

+1

 

[novaguy]

Side to side is all I care about as an unlevel machine seriously affects gameplay, pitch I've never even bothered, I just do what feels right, if a game is to slow I make it steeper...

+1

+1 and I get it up enough that it feels good.

 

[luch]

Bought one of the levels above from CTC works great . Even has an audible sound when level side to side. Did it on top of the glass . Hope this is ok?

 

[flyer666]

Bought one of the levels above from CTC works great . Even has an audible sound when level side to side. Did it on top of the glass . Hope this is ok?

Nope playfield only

 

[mark]

Bought one of the levels above from CTC works great . Even has an audible sound when level side to side. Did it on top of the glass . Hope this is ok?

I use it on the playfield for pitch. For side to side I put it on top of the head and adjust the rear legs and I also adjust the front side to side as well.

 

[luch]

all my machines are newer stern's , should i still level it on the playfield ?

 

[Slam_Tilt]

Always level playfield. Head and glass can be slightly off. You know you will guarantee a level game if you do the playfield.

 

[Vengeance]

Always level playfield. Head and glass can be slightly off. You know you will guarantee a level game if you do the playfield.

I never level on the PF, it's impossible to find a straight line on the PF so you can never be sure if the game is actually level or your level was just tilted one way or the other.

At least on the glass the lock down bar and backbox offer you two straight lines.