Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

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Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by Bdgf99 »

I have a Century 100C oil machine I am using at a small center that we are working to reopen this season. Does anyone have any tips for ensuring smooth operation of this machine?

Any spare parts or shims anyone may have would also be helpful. Thank you!
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by kellytehuna »

I have a little experience with this machine. I ran that machine for about 18 months, once a week. After some back and forth discussion with Mo, I found the condition played best if you short oiled (like 10-15 feet) then oiled full length, with a shim, or some cardboard in front of the wick. If you don't do that, you can end up with an OB near the gutter. Not necessarily a bad thing, but something to be mindful of.

I made sure to wipe down the machine before and after every use, because I didn't know if it had been used since I last used it. Once a month, I would clean the transfer brush with a towel with a little bit of lane stripper in it to try to help keep it clean and clog free. I would clean by standing the machine up and get it running so the transfer brush would spin. Then, I would just hold the towel against the brush and go back and forth a few times until the towel stopped coming off the brush dirty. Obviously, I would be folding the towel and repositioning the contact point on the towel. Usually only took me about 10 minutes. Again, I did this AFTER I had used it, so I knew the brush would have a chance to dry out before it's next use.

Mo has a lot of experience with this machine and I'm sure could offer you a lot of advice as to how to keep it running smoothly.
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by Bdgf99 »

Awesome. Would love to hear Mo's advice.

Currently I oil based on usage at the alley. The lanes are original wood from 1949-50.
I have been shimming from 7-7 with smaller shims on the outer edges. I run once to 40 feet.
I swap the shims and run again to 40 ft.
This has created a playable and usable shot for reactive equipment. I don't want to wall it (only 5 300s have been shot here, only 7 700s yes 700s) and I'm trying to respect the history of the alley and without a newer oil machine and my limited experience I have to make do. I use urethane here and do pretty decent there.

I will try to do your idea next time after I strip (by hand old school style). Thanks a lot for your input.
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by MWhite »

kellytehuna wrote:I have a little experience with this machine. I ran that machine for about 18 months, once a week. After some back and forth discussion with Mo, I found the condition played best if you short oiled (like 10-15 feet) then oiled full length, with a shim, or some cardboard in front of the wick. If you don't do that, you can end up with an OB near the gutter. Not necessarily a bad thing, but something to be mindful of.

I made sure to wipe down the machine before and after every use, because I didn't know if it had been used since I last used it. Once a month, I would clean the transfer brush with a towel with a little bit of lane stripper in it to try to help keep it clean and clog free. I would clean by standing the machine up and get it running so the transfer brush would spin. Then, I would just hold the towel against the brush and go back and forth a few times until the towel stopped coming off the brush dirty. Obviously, I would be folding the towel and repositioning the contact point on the towel. Usually only took me about 10 minutes. Again, I did this AFTER I had used it, so I knew the brush would have a chance to dry out before it's next use.

Mo has a lot of experience with this machine and I'm sure could offer you a lot of advice as to how to keep it running smoothly.
I have first hand experience with the OB created by a Century 100 machine. I once took the 6-9 out of the full rack by hitting the OB. And to show my consistency, I managed to go through the hole again on my spare attempt. This occurred back in the early 80's.
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by kellytehuna »

MWhite wrote: I have first hand experience with the OB created by a Century 100 machine. I once took the 6-9 out of the full rack by hitting the OB. And to show my consistency, I managed to go through the hole again on my spare attempt. This occurred back in the early 80's.
That's quite an achievement! LOL! Closest I've done is going through the 3 pin to leave a washout, then go through the hole and miss the spare entirely!

I just noticed I left out and important detail above! In the short run, you use the full wick unimpeded. In the full run you use the cardboard/shim ONLY on the outside portion of the wick to avoid the OB. The transfer brush will pull some of the oil down the lane from the short run. :)
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by KWagner1977 »

I think you also left out the importance of the shims and what pressure you want on the wicks. The A B C or D.

Joe, I still have a pressure gauge somewhere for the wicks. I will have to try to find it and one of these days stop up and see what you have going.

What I used to use was curtain blinds. I would cut them in 7 board, 3 board and 5 board lengths just like the Phoenix pads. I would then shim the wick on the C300 just like the pad lengths in the Phoenix with the 7 board shims outside, the 3 board shims in the track and the 5 board shims in the middle.

The pressure I can't remember what I had but it was very light outside, than it increased as I added more shims in the track, and then even more in the middle.

I then would run the lanes in different lengths. Full 42 ft, than 35 ft, 20ft. I can't remember the exact distances.

For the most part it worked well, not perfect but it was good enough at the time.
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by dougsterner »

Can I inquire as to which center you are reopening? I went to college at BU and bowled for the school team. I also lived in Danville and Sunbury for about 6 years....

Where are you at? Just curious.....

Back on topic...I think we still have our C-100 here at Owego. Also have a Blue Thunder stripper if I recall as well. Maybe I can get you hooked up with parts.,.,...
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by Bdgf99 »

KWagner1977 wrote:I think you also left out the importance of the shims and what pressure you want on the wicks. The A B C or D.

Joe, I still have a pressure gauge somewhere for the wicks. I will have to try to find it and one of these days stop up and see what you have going.

What I used to use was curtain blinds. I would cut them in 7 board, 3 board and 5 board lengths just like the Phoenix pads. I would then shim the wick on the C300 just like the pad lengths in the Phoenix with the 7 board shims outside, the 3 board shims in the track and the 5 board shims in the middle.

The pressure I can't remember what I had but it was very light outside, than it increased as I added more shims in the track, and then even more in the middle.

I then would run the lanes in different lengths. Full 42 ft, than 35 ft, 20ft. I can't remember the exact distances.

For the most part it worked well, not perfect but it was good enough at the time.
Thanks Keith. I would love to see you in July sometime.
August 10 I am doing a coaching clinic. It's a Saturday from 10-2.
If you could help out that would be awesome. Need help drumming up bowlers and interest.
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by Bdgf99 »

dougsterner wrote:Can I inquire as to which center you are reopening? I went to college at BU and bowled for the school team. I also lived in Danville and Sunbury for about 6 years....

Where are you at? Just curious.....

Back on topic...I think we still have our C-100 here at Owego. Also have a Blue Thunder stripper if I recall as well. Maybe I can get you hooked up with parts.,.,...
Doug,

Thanks for writing. I am reopening the lanes inside the Moose Exchange on W Main Street.
It's still like it was in the 1960s in there. Very cool. Old school. No scoring all manual.
I'm also glad to hear you we're on the school team. From what I've seen the club is not active. But I am hoping the local high school teams will use us for practice.
Any parts would be appreciated. My father in law lives in Sayre not far from there.
I will also be posting for AMF 82-70 parts. That will generate some more responses hopefully. Lol.
It's been a good chance to use love of the game to grow the sport.

The Moose Exchange is a 501-c-3 so donations are tax deductible. :) if that helps the decision maker in Owego.
Can you please give me more information about the Blue Thunder unit.
I am interested in that too. I am currently stripping by hand so that could be an improvement. :)

We have 6 lanes and not much budget but loads of energy. :)
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by dougsterner »

I will see the owner tomorrow night...let me see what I can do for you.....
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by Bdgf99 »

dougsterner wrote:I will see the owner tomorrow night...let me see what I can do for you.....
Thanks Doug. I will be up your way July 5-6. Are you in Owego Bowl?
Wouldn't mind stopping in either.
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by MegaMav »

Bdgf99 wrote: Thanks Doug. I will be up your way July 5-6. Are you in Owego Bowl?
Wouldn't mind stopping in either.
You will meet Doug at the seminar in Albany. :)
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by Bdgf99 »

MegaMav wrote: You will meet Doug at the seminar in Albany. :)
Matt,
I may or may not. I have a tournament on the 20th and there is a points list which I'm pretty high up on. Keith also may be bowling.
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by MegaMav »

Bdgf99 wrote: Matt,
I may or may not. I have a tournament on the 20th and there is a points list which I'm pretty high up on. Keith also may be bowling.
You reserved a spot for the seminar, so we are expecting you to attend.
Please inform me if this is not the case.

-Eric
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by dougsterner »

I do operate out of Owego Bowl. Summer hours are very, very slim as I do most of my work on an appointment basis.

Keep me posted.
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by dougsterner »

Give the owner of Owego Bowl a call. His name is Rick and the phone there is 607-687-5631. He told me he still has the oiler and the stripping machines and, as far as he knows, they are both still functional.

The price he quoted me is almost silly, making it a total no-brainer.

Just let him know you are the one I told him about who was interested in the machines.
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by Bdgf99 »

dougsterner wrote:Give the owner of Owego Bowl a call. His name is Rick and the phone there is 607-687-5631. He told me he still has the oiler and the stripping machines and, as far as he knows, they are both still functional.

The price he quoted me is almost silly, making it a total no-brainer.

Just let him know you are the one I told him about who was interested in the machines.
Thank you sir. You are a gentleman and a scholar.
I will call him today. What does he have? A VLS and Century 100?
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by russelldean »

I may have some spare parts, depending on what you are looking for. let me know. If I have them, you can have them. As far as the machine, it is important to use a low viscosity oil. the newer oils will not flow through the wick machines. I prefer to use a spray bottle or bug sprayer and newer oils, and use that machine simply as a buffer.
Please click the Green Button, If i have been helpful..
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by TurnersClub »

Can anyone tell me:
1) Where to get a new felt wick for a Model A Century 100 machines and
2) How to change it? [It looks like it's just 'Jammed' in.... no screws or clamps to hold it in place]

Thanks
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Re: Anyone still using the Century 100C Oil Machine?

Post by JJakobsen »

TurnersClub wrote: November 26th, 2019, 4:15 pm Can anyone tell me:
1) Where to get a new felt wick for a Model A Century 100 machines and
2) How to change it? [It looks like it's just 'Jammed' in.... no screws or clamps to hold it in place]

Thanks
1) Your QubicaAMF distributor is my bet, Century merged with/got bought by AMF, our old lane machine is an AMF Summit, it says AMFCentury on it.
2) They are just jammed into the tanks on my Summit, but we also got 6 separate tanks and wicks. You only got one, right?

Anyways, the tank looks very much like our tanks, just larger and singular. There could be some metal plate acting as a retainer for the wick, we had retainers for foam wicks on the Summit, but not on the felt wicks, as they created too much pressure onto the wick, causing it to give to little oil.
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