I’m also curious how many games at Pinburgh got lightning bats that don’t usually call for them.
Sounds like covert warfare.
I have toyed with slingshots. I once tried to install a more powerful coil. Do not do that. Not much difference. But sounded really unhealthy.
I am curious if hard and tight sling rings is the way to go. A tight band, you would think, would give the ball a harder push. Though lowering the sensitivity. By which you counter measure with switch adjustments.
But remember one thing. At comps you play few games in a stressful environment. At home you play a lot of games in a relaxed environment. I say this can cloud the preception of game difficulty and speed.
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I’ve done a lot of experimentation over the last few years with different sling setups. I’ve grown to prefer looser rings over tighter ones most of the time, though every game is different. Here’s the general rule of thumb I’ve created for myself, and why…
Tighter sling rubbers will give the fastest action but it can be tricky (or sometimes impossible) to get the switches adjusted close enough that the slings trigger at acute angles or on slower rolls without rapid firing. Sometimes a switch adjustment that seems to work great at first sees the ring settle into a slightly different position after a day or two and can start rapid firing again. Tighter slings are harder to nudge in a direction. This type of sling adjustment may work best and will probably play harder on a modern game.
Looser sling rubbers create a bit slower action and I think are a little more susceptible to nudges pushing the ball since the ball is spending more time “in the sling.” Switches have to be gapped a little bit wider but if the tension blade is doing it’s job they can be a more sensitive to acute angle hits. This type of sling adjustment may work best and will probably play harder on a classic game.
One of the more underrated setups on modern machines is to lower all of your multi-ball timers. On some games you can remove them completely but I usually go with a 5 sec. timer on all achieved multi-balls. As well the normal removing of ball save, sensitive slings, open outlines (on some game removing of rubbers is necessary), heavy pop bumper action, lightning flippers, a fresh wax and a slope of 7.5/8.0 (usually fronts legs lowered to max and back legs hiked up to the top) and you got yourself a pretty lean mean fighting machine.
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Anyone have tips for making sensitive slings that don’t machine gun?
Make sure have a few different sizes and types of rings on hand. I find changing the size or type will stop the machine gunning and leave the sensitivity. I can usually get them to the point that a ball can’t even roll down the sling without firing.
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I try not to change the difficulty of games at all, in terms of rules. But there are exceptions.
The blades have to be perfectly flat. If they’re old and they have kinks in them from people in the past bending them around… replace them.
Replace any switch caps that might be on there. Early williams use a cap and a resistor to make a strong pulse. Early Bally/Stern use a ceramic cap to lengthen the pulse so the software can see it.
Ring should be tight but not too tight (limits the sling effect) - too loose and it’ll be really difficult to have it sensitive and not machine gun.
Adjust the switch at its base with a switch adjuster (do not do this with the power on). The blade that rests against the sling rubber should be barely touching it - once you have that there, adjust the farther switch blade towards the rubber until you get your desired sensitivity. If you’re machine gunning, it’s too close.
It’s a bit of a black art that anyone can learn with experience. Be prepared to lift the playfield a lot to get good at it. If you’re really good, you can do it from the top of the PF through the access hole 
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don’t forget the tensioner!
adjust that at the same time…
I’m pretty sure I’ve left that off a couple of switches and they were fine.
It would be nice if someone started making natural 2 1/4" rings again. Many games call for 2" rings, but are too tight. 2 1/2" rubbers are often too loose on those games. Marco and Pinball Life currently sell 2 3/4 natural white rings, but no 2 1/4.
Silicone rings will make your slings more lively in a hurry, but definitely not recommended for every game.
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Yes, please bring back the 2 1/4" in white and black
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