AMF promo video (1955)

Promotional film by AMF released in about 1955 promoting the latest generation AMF automatic pinspotter, the model 82-30. In addition, this film mentions AMF's "Underlane" ball return system. Back in these days, bowling centers that had automatic pinsetters were a big deal, and Brunswick was lagging behind, giving AMF a virtually free run at locking up the business.

[@rfs1701e]

It's hard to believe this model is still being used today it's the model I grew up with. And it celebrates it's 60th anniversary next year. But then I was told that's testimony to how well AMF takes care of it's equipment

[@Triley215]

Buuut...there's far more A's still out there in the wild than 82-30s. I think the better way to put it is that it's showing how well old pinsetters still work, and how it's a testament to the quality of products from before manufacturing was sent overseas.

[@zachariassiefker9249]

Cool! Never knew that commercials were done for bowling pinspotters until now! Very interesting and nice at the same time!

[@dulle1230]

Still used in the bowling alley that i currently work in almost 60 years later of course has a few problems and much more than modern pinsetters but gets the job done

[@bobg4657]

I worked on this model for over 20 yrs. Lots of dangerous moving parts, high voltages and cumbersome work areas. But they do force you to develop good diagnostic skills and an appreciation for routine maintenance.

[@NipkowDisk]

This is WAY COOl to see- these are the original 82-30's with the 3930 'latch' chassis and incandescent deck lighting. Thanks for uploading this!

[@4HBirtcher]

Except if pins get off spot like that 6 pin in 0:54 of the clip if any alley has that 82-30 pin spotter and you've got bowlers like Sean Rash or Kyle Troupe or yet Jason Belmonte find any pins off spot for the spare shot they would not appreciate it!

[@Sean-mclaughlin]

This machine is a mechanical wonder. An underrated invention. AMF beat Brunswick to the punch. Many of bowling centers still have these pinsetters. They will last forever if taken care of.

[@therandomytchannel4318]

Ok I'll look for the magic triangle for bowling Fun!

[@jimlandreth555]

This is the machines I worked on in the early 1960's. The sweep was two bars !

[@InflatablePlane]

Wow. What a piece of 1950's awesomeness. And absolutely love that AMF jingle at the end. I love the 50's XD.

[@drummachine434]

About the song at the end, on the English captions it said, bowling is great, ALL NIGGAS FUN, select the magic triangle.

[@theamflitebowler]

@@drummachine434 u can't say dat

[@NomadUniverse]

They haven't changed much since then. They still work on the basic principle of stylus and cam wheels. Pretty amazing. Very interesting vid. Thanks.

[@Triley215]

Maybe AMF hasn't, but Brunswick sure has made advances!

[@vittoriostoraro]

I'm not sure what you are talking about. AMF switched to electronic chassis in the late 60's and there have been significant upgrades. (Yes, I know this is from 8 years ago)

[@vittoriostoraro]

@@Triley215 Meanwhile Brunswick is OOB as far as Bowling is concerned. Also, the above info is wrong, AMF started using Solid State chassis on the 82/70 in the 60's.

[@Triley215]

@@vittoriostoraro that's good. Also, OOB?

[@vittoriostoraro]

@@Triley215 Out Of Business.

[@moboutmen]

Old Brunswick spotters returned the ball above ground. Not too distracting!

[@NipkowDisk]

I seem to know that voice from ages past- it sounds like 'Smiling' Jack Smith of 'You Asked For It' fame.

[@dept2]

That looks like part or all was filmed at Faetz & Nieson in Chicago

[@4HBirtcher]

0:54 If any of today's bowling alleys have that 1955 pinsetter set pins off spot like that 6 pin in that 6-10 spare shot! And have today's pro bowlers like Sean Rash or EJ Tackett or Jason Belmonte bowling on those lanes and see a pin off spot then they should tell the alley's employee to fix it!

[@MrEkg98]

Amf makes a fine machine but i always see issues with the ones i bowl on. Pins stuck in ball door. Pins falling from above. I never had these issues on a brunswick machine but thats probably because i havent played on one in league play.

[@derekdietz5782]

The machine is only as good as the mechanic working on it. I’m an AMF mechanic but I’ve seen both AMF and Brunswick machines run awful

[@PinoyBowlerGS92]

@@derekdietz5782 I’ve been Bowling for 10 Years on both Brunswick GS-92’s and AMF 82-90 XL’s that were both Poor maintained. The GS-92’s were better to me cause even with Poor Maintainance, Brunswick’s Pinsetter hardware seems to withstand all the dirty, while on the 82-90’s I bowled on were so weak that they had more problems than GS-92’s. This is just pathetic that for the AMF Center that was opened in 2013 with refurbished 82-90 XL’s and the breakdowns start to happend in 2017 while the Brunswick Center was opened 2004 with refurbished GS-92’s and the breakdowns start to happend in 2013. What huge difference this was. Sadly that Brunswick Center was burned down and our my Bowling League were stuck in this situation that the AMF Center was the “one and only” Center left and we’re unable to move, unless hope for someone build a new Bowling Center here in Davao City, Philippines.

[@christophereichorn5036]

65th anniversary in 2020

[@amandateague8763]

I have 10 pinsetters from 1960 Brunswick Any one want to save them!?

[@chass5438]

Bowling is great, bowling is fun, bowling is "EXPENSIVE." Quit due to that. And shoes ?!!! Worse.

[@MattPat427]

Well for me shoes(because I am in a leg) is free! And just buy your own shoes, and bowling is cheaper because I am in a leg, so... Bowling is fun, bowling is cheep, when your in a leg.

[@jcornelius2]

How do you bowl in a leg? 😂😂 You mean league right?

[@upsd70ace]

F AMF

[@vittoriostoraro]

No, Fuck Brunswick, which is now defunct.

[@theamflitebowler]

Jay

[@PinoyBowlerGS92]

@@vittoriostoraro AMF Sucks ASS. AMF totally lost the Mini Bowling division, no one ever wanna have a Mini AMF and never will be, Brunswick will always be king for our Mini Bowling community. I never trust AMF from 100% of my 10 Year Bowling experience, they even left the Bowling Ball Market. AMF will be always mechanical fail. Never be with AMF, they’re always die and fail from Lack of Maintainance due to CHEAP HARDWARE, while Brunswick are built like tanks. Like I said, test all Brunswick Pinsetters from Poor Maintainance to see how they withstand Poor Maintainance, trust me that Poor Countries and Cheap Managers and Mechanics aren’t gonna treat their Pinsetters properly.

[@theamflitebowler]

@@vittoriostoraro thank you so much! With support from me!

[@qyu8160]

En Nouvelle caledonie il y avait un bowling avec ces machines. J'ai travaillé dessus 4 ans, de la belle mécanique Le seul soucis était l'approvisionnement des pièces détachées.