Ball dispensing/vending machines

[Garzweiler]

Hello! I'm new to the Pachinko scene and the forum and have been drawn down the rabbit hole by my purchase and cleanup of my own Nishijin machine. Something that I have had a hard time researching though are always at the periphery or just out of frame - I'm talking about the machines that give balls to players. The small handful of pictures I've found make them look every bit as fascinating as the game machines and I would like to learn more and perhaps start hunting for one.

From a (very unflattering) 1962 BBC mini doc:
https://youtu.be/x0xWcPdu-Yo?si=XNvfotJkHHTxcM3D&t=93


Another BBC spot from 1977
https://youtu.be/N0nIx9Gnb6I?si=-27Gn1N7-tbrSPim&t=16


Scene from House of Bamboo (1955)

[lotsoballs]

I tried to buy a really nice 2nd generation ball loan machine from yahoo auctions once; but it turned out to be a very irritating experience. The seller didn’t package it well; and there was a plastic “arm” piece that the balls get ejected from that was broken in shipment to the proxy bidder (Buyee)

Buyee then told me they were forced to DISPOSE of this rare piece of pachinko history!! Just because it got damaged.

I asked them to ship it as is; (plastic parts can be superglued; or maybe even 3D printed) but due to some policy they have into the trash can it went. They did refund me at least I guess…

However this this really pissed me off at Buyee…

Next time, if there ever is one, I will order from FromJapan and get one of the first generation machines with no plastic; all metal construction.

Picture of the ill fated ball loan machine in question (RIP)

[Garzweiler]

What a drag! Looks like it would have been quite a piece. Is that what they're called? "Ball loan machines"? It's been very challenging even researching them as anything keyworded with pachinko returns nothing but game machines.

Here's another photo I tried to upload in my first post: I wonder if this is the kind of thing someone could come up with plans for a build of?

Capture.PNG

[lotsoballs]

What a drag! Looks like it would have been quite a piece. Is that what they're called? "Ball loan machines"? It's been very challenging even researching them as anything keyworded with pachinko returns nothing but game machines.

Here's another photo I tried to upload in my first post: I wonder if this is the kind of thing someone could come up with plans for a build of?

Capture.PNG

They are usually referred to ball lending machines.

They seem built pretty heavy duty; cast aluminum, would cost a fortune to reproduce one of that kind of quality.

[Garzweiler]

They are usually referred to ball lending machines.

They seem built pretty heavy duty; cast aluminum, would cost a fortune to reproduce one of that kind of quality.

At least it's not cast iron! I wonder how hard it would be to CNC something like that or design an inspired-by machine made from easier to fabricate parts. 🤔

[Garzweiler]

I have been mining through Japanese patents to try and find something and I think I'm getting close...
Screenshot_20240724_141005_Drive.jpg

[bjab]

Why would you even want one of these, just to dispense balls ????
Maybe a gumball machine would work for you. You could modify .

[Garzweiler]

Why would you even want one of these, just to dispense balls ????
Maybe a gumball machine would work for you. You could modify .

I mean, why collect anything related to pachinko? I can only speak for myself but I find the machines fascinating, functional artifacts in their own right - to say nothing of the historical context.

pbdg4l7i1a381.jpg

[lotsoballs]

I mean, why collect anything related to pachinko? I can only speak for myself but I find the machines fascinating, functional artifacts in their own right - to say nothing of the historical context.

pbdg4l7i1a381.jpg

Agreed! Once you’ve got 20-30+ machines it’s fun to add a few period correct parlor accessories to the collection. Flags, seat covers, authentic ball trays, card reader system, parlor type ball lifters, battle/data counters, ect. Adds to the home parlor experience.

Bubble gum machines aren’t going to dispense nearly enough balls to be of any practical use anyhow… not with the rate of fire even a vintage machine is capable of!

I wasn’t really planning on using the ball lending machine I won in auction much besides as a conversation piece or maybe put it next to my Powerflash. I am curious how they work…

It would be much easier to just buy a vintage one than try to make one from scratch though.

[Garzweiler]

Ain't that the truth? It still leaves me pondering where all these machines went​? There would have been some at every pachinko hall but they're somehow terribly elusive objects.

[emmadog]

those machines are really interesting and came in multiple styles. i've come close to buying one a few times.

[Garzweiler]

Reached out to a friend in Tokyo and he found a couple of listings!
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/1074220503

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp...on/s1115837538

[bjab]

Yeah , I get what you're saying guys......but how often and where do you find them for sale ?

[lotsoballs]

Yeah , I get what you're saying guys......but how often and where do you find them for sale ?

They are almost always up for sale on yahoo auctions.

The only problem is the vast majority are still in Japan so costly shipping to import one; (heavy, bulky machines) they were not mass imported to the US like pachinko machines which is why they are extremely rare here.

Not to mention seeing how well built they look they probably last many years/decades before wearing out; it’s not like they need to replace ball lending machines every couple years like pachinkos which were basically disposable. So far less of them around in general.