Bally Skill Roll handle functional alternatives?

So I picked up another Skill Roll on the cheap recently for parts (to use in restoring another Skill Roll I have). It's missing most of the handles, but had the other parts I needed (which are mainly cosmetic anyway).

But after looking at it a bit, even after I scavenge the parts I need off it I suspect I could get the game running and at least be playable (not the prettiest example, but function well enough). I'll have some 'hand me down' parts from the other Skill Rolls to use on it that would be decent enough(backglass in particular).

I don't want to bother trying to find handles though - those are unobtanium. So now I'm thinking of just trying to locate some substitutes that would work OK, even though not original/correct. Originality is not the goal on this one, but good functionality would be.

That's a long intro to ask whether anyone's found anything that works as a lever/handle, even though not the correct ones? I'd even consider plastic, although I'm not sure how well it would hold up. I was looking at plumbing supplies a bit (faucet handles and such), and might find something that route, but thought I'd ask. I'd rather put this game back to operation than fully part it out.

#2 9 years ago

JNC

jodini

Pinside member

Omaha, NE

10y 59,400 1,013 3

I was thinking of faucet handles too. I would go to ACE or some plumbing supply store and find something. Got any pictures of the Skill Roll? That one is defiantly on my list!

#3 9 years ago

GTB

DirtFlipper

Inactive member

I currently have three, with this last one being the fourth one I've picked up this year. It isn't pretty.

But I think I might be able to make it at least function, even after I steal parts from it for one of the others.

IMG_1637.JPG

#4 9 years ago

???

bdaily1983

Inactive member

Grand Rapids, MI

11y 29,150 401 12

I have a model drawn of the handles and have had them 3d printed and painted. They would probably work but who knows how nice they would look. Was originally going to have some cast, but that seems to be too expensive.

#5 9 years ago

GTB

DirtFlipper

Inactive member

I'm not really after appearance on this one so much (within reason), as just something functional.

I thought about the 3D printing route, but I just wasn't sure how well they'd hold up. Have you tried them?

#6 9 years ago

MEZ

meSz

Pinside member

12y 102K 7,398

I have no experience with this but would someone be able to make these on a 3D printer? Would the plastic be durable to use and stand up to wear? Just thinking out load (or typing out loud)!

and DF stop showing off that you got another Skill Roll!!!

#7 9 years ago

JNC

jodini

Pinside member

Omaha, NE

10y 59,400 1,013 3

I have a buddy that has a 3D printer and I could see what he thinks. I've had the plastic in my hands and it seems pretty solid. I could ask him, but you would probably have to send me the handle.

#8 9 years ago

PVC

patrickvc

Pinside member

Phoenix, AZ

15y 71,350 2,156 22

Wow 4 skill rolls. Some guys can't seem to find one. Game is awesome.

#9 9 years ago

GTB

DirtFlipper

Inactive member

Quoted from jodini:
I have a buddy that has a 3D printer and I could see what he thinks. I've had the plastic in my hands and it seems pretty solid. I could ask him, but you would probably have to send me the handle.

Thanks. I'm currently exploring that alternative with bdaily1983.

#10 9 years ago

GTB

DirtFlipper

Inactive member

Quoted from patrickvc:
Wow 4 skill rolls. Some guys can't seem to find one. Game is awesome.

They seem to grow next door in Wisconsin.

#11 9 years ago

MEZ

meSz

Pinside member

12y 102K 7,398

OP
Quoted from DirtFlipper:
Thanks. I'm currently exploring that alternative with bdaily1983.

Brilliant idea DF..... let us know how it turns out!!

#12 9 years ago

ARF

AlexF

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from DirtFlipper:
They seem to grow next door in Wisconsin.

We've got a lot of bars. Makes you wonder how many are still on location here.

#13 9 years ago

JPD

Dayhuff

Pinside member

Battle Creek, MI

11y 126K 6,349 79 11

I'd be interested in eight handles if they looked and feeled like the originals.

Thanks
John P. Dayhuff
Battle Creek, Mi.
369-979-3836

#14 9 years ago

ARF

AlexF

Pinside member

There would definitely be a market if someone reproduced nice chrome metal handles. Mine are fine but perfect chrome ones would be tempting.

#15 9 years ago

CMW

KloggMonkey

Pinside member

11y 47,150 764

What about flipper bats for handles? Could match the theme of a room filled with pins.

Here's a decent pic I found of a handle.

lever.jpg

#16 9 years ago

GTB

DirtFlipper

Inactive member

http://www.swisco.com/Copper-White-T-Crank-Casement-Window-Operator-Handle-Pella/pd/Replacement-Window-Operator-Accessories/39-227B

Quoted from AlexF:
We've got a lot of bars. Makes you wonder how many are still on location here.

I know of at least one still on location in a bar in Madison, and have heard mention of another in Lacrosse (unconfirmed though). The first one I bought came out of SD, and had been in use until the late 90's. The story was that it was still bringing in $150/month. On nickels!

#17 9 years ago

???

cjmiller

Inactive member

11y 46,050 181 33 13

It has a splined shaft, so I'm thinking window crank, maybe something from Pella or Anderson?

It wouldn't that goofy if you replaced them all, and they're only $3 each. Anderson and Pella are different sizes, and maybe there's even something in chrome?

#18 9 years ago

JEF

jeffc

Pinside member

12y 91,550 2,166

FYI, here's a pic of the split shaft on the stem and the pair of mating ridges inside the handle:

IMG_2963.JPG
IMG_2967.JPG

#19 9 years ago

JEF

jeffc

Pinside member

12y 91,550 2,166

While I've got the handle experts' attention, I found this in a stash of an operator's pins/jukes/slots parts. Does this handle belong to a game of some sort?? Looks a bit odd/new for an arcade handle but who knows?

OK, back to the skill roll...

IMG_2968.JPG
IMG_2969.JPG

1 month later

#20 9 years ago

ARF

AlexF

Pinside member

http://www.esnarf.com/6373k.htm

How about these? Price is right and they look nice. Obviously they would require some modification. But then I think anything outside an original might…

I bought parts for my Kicker Catcher from this guy and he is very pleasant to deal with.

Edit: May be too long?

#21 9 years ago

GTB

DirtFlipper

Inactive member

Looks interesting. The Skill Roll handles are 2" long, so these would stick out past the edge of the cabinet. That would change the 'feel' of the play, but I suppose could operate. I wonder what's on the back side of them? By 'undrilled', does that mean there's just a solid core on the round end? That would be a challenge to make fit potentially.

#22 9 years ago

ARF

AlexF

Pinside member

Yeah, I hear you. I just thought they at least look fairly appropriate.

#23 9 years ago

DJC

Don_C

Pinside member

Milwaukee, WI

12y 46,850 549 21

OP
Quoted from DirtFlipper:
I know of at least one still on location in a bar in Madison, and have heard mention of another in Lacrosse (unconfirmed though). The first one I bought came out of SD, and had been in use until the late 90's. The story was that it was still bringing in $150/month. On nickels!

One on location in downtown Sturgeon Bay, WI. Called the Op, he wanted about $1500 for one he had in his warehouse. Later found one for $600 at a retired operator's place near Tomahawk. Took slightly over 1 year to pry it out of his hands.

I found this interesting: A nickle in 1958 is the equivalent of about $.41 today. So every play back in the day was risking almost half a buck, or the common price of a game of pinball at the bar today.

Don C.

#24 9 years ago

GTB

DirtFlipper

Inactive member