Abstract: A modular rake shaft assembly is provided for attachment to and use the support frame of a bowling pin setting machine which includes three components namely, two rake arms interconnected by a tubular member. Each arm has a transversely extending stub shaft at one end. Each stub shaft has an opening on its outer end and a flange on its inner end. The tubular member has flanges at each end for connection to the respective stub shaft flanges. Each arm is tubular, but is deformed by a longitudinal groove along one side to increase the strength of the arms against bending. An angle member is also mounted on each arm to serve as a stop during movement of the arms and to further minimize the likelihood of breaking due to repeated striking of the arms against the stops. The flanges each have spaced lobes spaced unequally to accommodate swinging movement of the rake shaft assembly with respect to the support frame.