WMS topper post

[BonanzaDriver]

Wondering if there are different size posts for the topper on a BB1. Mine is @23" from the base and while I could modify it, I would rather buy a stock smaller one. Any information would be helpful.
Thanks Jim

[rickhunter]

To the best of my knowledge the standard "oval" topper used in bb1 cabinets had the short post.  The one used for the dual screen bb1's and special leased games, the "flower shaped" topper uses the longer post.

[BonanzaDriver]

To the best of my knowledge the standard "oval" topper used in bb1 cabinets had the short post.  The one used for the dual screen bb1's and special leased games, the "flower shaped" topper uses the longer post.

So I wonder what the length of the short post is? Also if my goldfish "flower" topper fits on the shorter post? Machine won't fit in the room with the topper! 

[rickhunter]

I think the post on the "flower" type are a smaller diameter than the ones that use the "oval" type.  Someone who has both types can confirm this. I only have the oval type toppers.

[Jimise]

I had the same problem, I had to cut the pole down & take the candle off the top.
I have about an inch to spare between the topper & the ceiling 

[BonanzaDriver]

I had the same problem, I had to cut the pole down & take the candle off the top.
I have about an inch to spare between the topper & the ceiling 

Thanks for the picture, cutting the tube is what I was thinking but just wanted to check the forum to see if there was a smaller pole that might allow the candle to stay. Since I am the attendant, not really much need to put up a call light!!! Where did you find a generic top WMS glass?

[Jimise]

When I first looked into shortening the topper, I could tell a short pole wouldn't work.
So I tore it apart, grabbed the cutting wheel and went to town!
I had just enough room between the ceiling to keep the candle on the machine and have the topper sit just above it. I just had to keep a candle on it 
I had the WMS logo made up a sign shop, and mounted it to a piece of plexi.
Good luck with your topper!

[hemiroid]

When I got my dual screen BB1 it was obvious it wasn't going to fit in the game room.  The topper had to come off just to get the slot machine out of the door from the shop I bought the slot machine out of.  Thanks Kevin!  I didn't plan on using the topper.  Once I got the slot home and positioned I was kicking this flower topper around trying to figure where to put it?  For fun I figured I'd put it back on the slot.  I took the topper all apart.  I measured once, then twice.  I didn't get a pic of it but there is a "notch" in the pole, it removes about half the pole about 2 inches long, that is where the topper bracket locks into place.  I was going to make another "notch' in a lower position like Jimise did but I am a bit lazy so my first attempt was to just cut down the topper pole and remove the candle on top of the topper pole to see how it fit in my game room.


I have a cut off saw that would have done the job.  I have a air powered cut off wheel that would have done the job.  I have a "thing" for tools and wanted a large pipe cutter and have been watching one on craigslist for a while.  This was the perfect job for one so I pulled the trigger and bought a 2 inch pipe cutter for $40 cheap off craigs.  The pipe cutter is made for cutting steel water pipe and did a great job on the topper post.

[hemiroid]

Things to ponder...The height of the base you are using to gauge what to do or where to cut your topper post. 


Measure once, eye it up and measure it again.  I measured from the top of my top cabinet to the ceiling.  I put my topper together without the candle and made sure the top of the flower would clear.  Mine did by an inch.  If I had a taller base cabinet it would not clear.  I cut the topper pole about an inch under the top of the flower topper.  No reason I chose that measurement but it felt right.


I put it all back together and put it back up on top, ran all the wires and now I am not tripping all over it. 


Standing back and taking a look it needed a candle.  I got a WMS candle that mounts to the top of the cabinet and wired it all in.  [I plugged in the connectors!]  Nothing to it.  I guess I like having all the cabinet candy more than not...

[hemiroid]

Before and after...


I have about 2 inches between the top of the candle and the bottom of the flower topper if I ever need more room or if I get a taller base cabinet.  The base cabinet I used right now is 18 inches tall.  To get the topper any lower I'd need to "notch" the topper pole.  A lot of work if I can avoid it but not impossible.  That topper pole is a thick well made piece of steel...

[hemiroid]

I took my topper project one step further.  It looked out-of-place mounted so far up in the air.  [the big gap between topper and cabinet, even filled in with the candle]  I was going to take the pole out to the garage and lower the notch with a sawzall, grinder and cut-off wheel.  I talked with a neighbor machinist and had him do a little side job for me.  Sometimes using the RIGHT tool makes for a better end result.

I lowered the notch 6 inches and that brought the topper about 3/4 inch from the top cabinet, similar to my single screen BB1 topper factory placement.

I had to keep the total height under 8 feet so I cut off 7 3/4 inches of tube [off the top] and still have 2 inches to spare with the base height I am using.  The candle is lower than factory but it is still in view and is just there for cosmetic reasons.  [I have to get up and get my own drinks and change]  I could have cut off one more inch of tube but that might hide the candle too much to view from the front.

[BonanzaDriver]

Very Cool!!

[Jimise]

Looks great!