Behind the Wall - How does the AMF 82-95 Candlepin Bowling Pinsetter Work?

How does a Candlepin pin setting machine work?
This is the first in a series of videos showing behind the wall at a bowling center.
Most of us have gone bowling, but few of us get to go out back and see the machines up close. This video takes you behind the wall that blocks the view of the machines, and shows how the machine does its job.
In this episode, we'll be showing possibly the rarest pinsetter mass produced by AMF, their 82-95.
Only two bowling centers still operate these machines, but at one time, these machines were fairly common in candlepin bowling centers throughout New England, especially in centers which also had AMF tenpin machines.

[@fredh.1255]

Wow, a very informative video on these old relics. I remember years ago they had these at Maple Alleys in Brockton, Ma. While these machines reset very fast, they loaded very slowly. Nowhere near as fast as a Bowl Mor. Bowlers were always waiting for the machine to start the reset cycle . The owner of the place wasn’t very happy with their lack of reliability and expense to maintain them. He had talked about pulling them out and replacing them with Bowl Mors but never did before it closed in the 90s.

[@surfinbird208]

This is so well done and very entertaining. Its pretty hard for any video to hold my attention for longer than 4-5 minutes, but this one held it for the full 10.

[@CandlepinSpecialists]

Thank you!

[@PinoyBowlerGS92]

I always wondered how these pinspotters operate even tho its similar to the 82-70. Awesome video !

[@JB-bs1se]

Wow. The pinwheel back looks just like the AMF 82/70 10 pin machine. The distributor looks like an AMF 82/30.

[@Yakkers]

I knew AMF made a candlepin machine but I never really found anything about them online before, they're like unicorns so thanks for showing us behind the veil! I'm also really looking forward to the bowl mor video, I'm currently working on a 3D printed 1:10 scale candlepin setter and my design is largely a simplified bowl mor however there are a few things I haven't been able to figure out how it does yet based on the patents and existing videos.

[@matunjt]

Great detail - didn't know only 2 centers still have these machines running.

[@JackMcGill-b3s]

Had these at Empire Lanes in Hyde Park Ma.

[@JohnPumphrey-z7y]

Well Done Scott & Candlepin Specialists! This was great!

[@christopherangel6690]

Nice detailed video. Would like to see a detailed video of the Janes and Bowl Fast machines

[@CandlepinSpecialists]

We'll see what we can do.

[@Funnade]

AMF really does love making it more complicated

[@NewAgeServer]

That was a really awesome video. Thanks for making this.

[@CandlepinSpecialists]

Thanks very much!

[@riversarcadereview385]

GREAT video. very informative.

[@williamchristensen6481]

Impressive most impressive loved the video

[@CandlepinSpecialists]

Thank you!

[@nicholaslloyd5623]

This is extremely well made. I've been wanting to make a similar video for my shermans- this video may help me provide a blueprint/script!

[@CandlepinSpecialists]

If I can be of any assistance, let me know. :)

[@riversarcadereview385]

the pin chutes remind me of the Brunswick A series deck chutes

[@RClaffieJr]

I'm hoping there might be a video for the Jayne pinsetter in the future

[@beantown_billy2405]

And the ones at Norwood Sports Center are getting loose in the hips. Don't think they'll be open too much longer unfortunately.

[@Tino-u5h]

Looks like a brunswick amf combo pinsetter

[@ajankowski2]

Excellent video. Looking forward to more from you. Is there any chance you guys are going to be able to cover the Jayne machines? I always wondered how they looked behind the wall. Now that Lanes and Games is gone, not sure anyone else even uses them.

[@PinoyBowlerGS92]

Just like what Bowler4Ever said that Lanes & Games is the only center that still has them. So when Lanes & Games closed, there's no chance of finding another Candlepin center still using Jayne Pinsetters

[@ikonix360]

One way to do it is to use computer controlled equipment to make parts, but that requires good parts to begin with.

[@deft_spex_jr9628]

Was that a ghost orb at 4:26

[@PinoyBowlerGS92]

That's just a spec of dust

[@chuckschafer942]

BUILD ONE FOR DUCKPINS

[@rockvilleraven]

Once bowled duckpins at Bowl American Westwood in Bethesda, MD where they used Bowl Mor pinsetters instead of the usual Sherman ones.

[@donbuttaccio4464]

Boy - I can sure see the #9 pin / bucket casuing distributor arm jam ups with the pin not fully dropping down fully. Yes? No ?

[@CandlepinSpecialists]

According to the woman running their bowling center, this particular machine was very reliable. As a mechanic myself, that 9-pin would drive me so nuts. I want to fix it and I don't even work there! Lol!

[@donbuttaccio4464]

Agreed.