# Stern Tech School: Flipper Adjustment **Source:** Stern Pinball **Type:** video **Published:** 2024-06-08 **Duration:** 4m 40s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj1v4IVPDDw --- ## Analysis Kyle from Stern Pinball demonstrates how to adjust the upper right flipper on Jaws pinball machines. The tutorial covers diagnosis (checking flipper tip alignment with playfield dimple), disassembly (removing glass, opening coin door, lifting playfield to service position), adjustment (loosening flipper crank with 5/32 Allen wrench, repositioning flipper bat to align with dimple), and reassembly, with emphasis on proper end-of-stroke actuator handling during tightening. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] If unable to trap or lock the ball on upper right flipper, the flipper is likely out of adjustment — _Kyle explains this as the primary diagnostic indicator for needing flipper adjustment_ - [HIGH] Flipper tip should be aligned or closer to the dimple in the playfield for proper operation — _Kyle provides visual comparison and explanation of correct flipper positioning_ - [HIGH] Opening the coin door puts the interlock switch in powered off state, removing 48 volts from the playfield for safety — _Kyle explains safety protocol before performing service_ - [HIGH] A 5/32 inch Allen wrench is required to loosen the flipper crank for adjustment — _Kyle specifies the exact tool size needed_ - [HIGH] The end of stroke actuator can deflect and move when tightening the flipper cap screw, requiring careful handling to prevent hang-ups — _Kyle demonstrates technique of holding actuator down with finger while tightening_ ### Notable Quotes > "if you're unable to trap or lock the ball on your upper right flipper it's likely that the flipper is out of adjustment and needs to be adjusted slightly" > — **Kyle**, 0:10-0:25 > _Primary diagnostic statement for the problem being addressed_ > "the flipper tip should be aligned or much closer to the dimple than it is in this position here" > — **Kyle**, 0:25-0:35 > _Key visual reference point for correct flipper positioning_ > "it's always a good idea to shut the coin door when you remove the glass so it doesn't come out and scratch on the edges" > — **Kyle**, 1:30-1:45 > _Practical maintenance tip for protecting equipment_ > "we do need this to be tight if this is too loose the flipper back can start to drift so do be careful this does take a bit of force" > — **Kyle**, 3:40-3:55 > _Important torque specification and warning about flipper crank tightness_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Kyle | person | Stern Pinball technician/educator hosting the Tech School tutorial series | | Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer producing the educational content and the Jaws pinball machine | | Jaws | game | Stern Pinball game used as the subject for this flipper adjustment tutorial | | Stern Tech School | event | Educational video series produced by Stern Pinball for operator and owner education | ### Topics - **Primary:** Flipper adjustment and maintenance, Pinball machine service procedures, Jaws pinball game - **Secondary:** Safety protocols for pinball servicing, Tools and equipment for pinball maintenance ### Sentiment **Neutral** (0) — Content is instructional and educational in tone. Kyle presents technical information clearly and methodically without editorial commentary or opinion. ### Signals - **[community_signal]** Stern Pinball producing educational Tech School video content demonstrating ongoing commitment to operator and owner education/support (confidence: high) — Series of technical tutorial videos hosted by Kyle covering specific maintenance procedures on shipping Stern games --- ## Transcript hi I'm Kyle with Stern Pinball and today we are going to go over how to adjust the upper right flipper on your Jaws pinball game if you're unable to trap or lock the ball on your upper right flipper it's likely that the flipper is out of adjustment and needs to be adjusted slightly one quick check to see if the flipper bat is adjusted too far right is check the tip of the flipper in comparison to the dimple in the playfield the flipper tip should be aligned or much closer to the dimple than it is in this position here with the flipper adjusted in this position it won't be able to rotate and reach its furthest extent of travel to actually trap the ball in this position the fix is going to be to loosen the flipper crank on the flipper bat and reposition that flipper a little bit forward to perform this service we will need to remove the glass from the pinball game uh we will need to open the coin door we'll want to unlatch the lock down bar from the cabinet using the two latches on either side of the coin door take the lock down bar and set that aside it's always a good idea to shut the coin door when you remove the glass so it doesn't come out and scratch on the edges once you get the glass out make sure you put it down somewhere soft and gentle once the glass is removed uh we have the coin door open which puts the interlock switch in its powered off state which removes 48 volts from the playfield so it is safe to reach inside we want to remove the pinballs the quick and easiest way to do this is to locate the ball serve plunger which is attached to the end of your ball trough where all the balls live you can grab that plunger and push up on it and it will kick one pinball out we want to repeat that five more times until all six balls are out and to perform the service we're going to want to have the playfield in service position we will grab it here in the middle of the apron pull up grab the service rails pull it forward until it stops and lift it up and against the head to adjust the flipper all we need is a 5/32 inch Allen wrench I have a T-handle wrench here or if you have an Allen key index like this uh your 5/32 wrench will work fine to make this adjustment we need to loosen the flipper crank that tightens around the flipper bat shaft we don't want to loosen it all the way we're trying to maintain a little bit of friction that makes it easier to get the flipper into adjustment with the flipper crank loosened it will allow the flipper bat shaft to rotate in place this is what will allow us to adjust the position of the flipper bat what we're looking for is the flipper tip to meet up with the dimple that is in the playfield when we get the flipper bat adjusted in the correct position with the dimple on the playfield that will allow the flipper's furthest extent of travel to block the ball now that we've got it adjusted we'll want to tighten this cap head screw down this piece here with the spring attached to it is the end of stroke actuator when you start to tighten this flipper cap screw on the flipper crank the end of stroke actuator can start to move it can bend up and kind of have a couple degrees of deflection here we want to make sure that the end of stroke actuator here isn't too close to these flipper screws that can cause some hang-ups in this case we'll keep the actuator held down towards the playfield with one finger while we start to tighten this screw we do need this to be tight if this is too loose the flipper back can start to drift so do be careful this does take a bit of force now that the flipper crank is tightened down on the flipper bat we can lower the playfield back down into playing work and now that we've got that back together grab your flippers and let's go oh _(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: f18e3f14-6d5f-4aca-baaa-93edafd795e3*