Nice! Congratulations. First time? Feels great huh?

I remember it seemed so impossible for awhile to get all the way to the bottom. Then the neighbor kid did it in a few tries. What!? Then my daughter and her boyfriend both got it in afternoon. Then I was determined. It comes easier now but still not all that often.

Last November a collector buying another one of my games took interest in my Skill Roll. Maybe the only game I own that I never seriously considered selling. He made an offer that got my attention, and I almost had a moment of weakness. After a minute of mulling it over, I said I better not. He stated that if he could get the next nickel to the bottom I would sell it to him, and I agreed. He didn't make it and I felt a great sense of relief.

Looks like a pretty solid project. Don't notice anything missing. Coin catch is loose but probably to service the switches.

I have a friend with one so that makes three at least. Neat game.

Hmm. Maybe? In Wisconsin? This friend had a bunch of neat games including this one tucked away in storage. A few years back (around 2015) he considered selling it. Checking back later he had changed his mind. Not sure if he still has it or liquidated it since then.

Yes I was talking about Target Roll.

Oh yes, I remember those. It was neat to see them all lined up together. I helped him find his Genco Silver Chest when he was looking. A very nice example if memory serves.

I did the same thing for mine years ago when there were no reproductions available. I made two vinyl decals. One with the art on light-able vinyl. And a mask to block out the non lit areas.

Yeah, but if you don't sell him yours where is he going to get one? Skill Roll is hard enough to find anymore.

Congratulations. It's a solid starting point. CPR lists the backglass now.
https://classicplayfields.com/shop/pinball-backglasses/skill-roll/

I just sold my Skill Roll. Skill Parade is a nice game to have. Especially if you want to try to complete the set, but I don't think it is nearly as desirable as Skill Roll.

Yes, I know. It feels weird after so many years. The game I've had the longest. It's the one game that I was constantly asked if I'd sell. I'll take yours. Ha

Dang, you accomplished way sooner than I did. Nice work.

I wonder how many are still on route? I hear a lot of stories about people knowing of one at a bar somewhere in Wisconsin. Of course it could be the same one?

One looks cut down?

Got my Skill Roll back yesterday. Owned this one since 2006. Sold it to a friend last Summer and he was kind enough to sell it back to me.

SkillRoll (resized).jpeg

It's smart enough to only let you score one slot per row at a time. Kids try this cheat all the time but it doesn't work.

I saw it but figured the line had already formed. Sent the link to a buddy up North. Figured he might have a chance. Interesting that it appears to be the 1 cent version and the coin rails are polished?

Skill Roll just migrated to my office last weekend. I have had it since 2006. It's spent time and in 4 different rooms in my house. And even went out to visit O-din in California for part of 2019-2020. Getting a coin-op game displayed upstairs takes a special machine.

SkilRoll2020 (resized).jpg

It's a starting point. Funny in the old days there used to be Skill Roll parts machines. Now that they have gotten so hard to come by it seems like every example is a restoration project no matter how rough.

You say that now. I was fortunate that I sold mine to a buddy and was able to buy it back. You could sell yours for some nice coin, but if you get the itch to have it back good luck.

I'm sure there are probably some undiscovered potentially affordable examples still hiding out there in a garage or basement. But there are a lot of people hunting also.

My daughters boyfriend has enjoyed trying to beat my Skill Roll (light the star). He's gotten close. She will usually try a few times too if he starts in on it. They are in their early 20s and never play the pins. Although those are old too. I guess what I am trying to say is Skill Roll will probably be popular forever.

Good idea but no I want to encourage this kids to play as much as possible. There's a jar of nickels at the ready.

I think they have had a strong following for a long time but prices have really gotten crazy in the last couple years. Like everything I guess?

I'd say the same thing has already happened with Williams Ringer. A game I always thought I could grab at some point for $500. That's not going to happen now without some crazy luck.

Up in Wisconsin’s Northwoods on vacation. Was surprised to see this in a bar we ate dinner at last night.

FEB71850-2675-4413-BC65-CB47434409A9 (resized).jpeg

No it was shut off and I have one at home. Was mostly just excited to see it.

No, this wasn't the Blue Ox. I'm tempted to say where but can picture every coin-op collector within 150 miles swooping in to make an offer. I bet they get a few regular offers anyway.

Interesting this one had the all red, black and yellow glass. You can tell it's been in there for a long time as it was heavily flaked. There was a plaque with the history of where it came from. I should have taken a pic of that but everyone was headed out the door.

I wonder if adjusting the leveling could make it more achievable? When I get it, I have to just barely roll the nickel over the hump.

Well Criss Cross Hockey is pretty cool too.

Brought home my second Skill Roll. May be available for sale. Edit: Sold

SkillRoll (resized).jpg

Trust me, there was part of me thinking I should have one upstairs and one down stairs.

My 70 is hard also. You just have to barely roll it over the hump. After that my luck on the 80 line is about 50%.

I definitely think there is more involved to making these than people realize. Like anything though, once all the bugs were ironed out the more you make the cheaper the cost.

As far as $5k. They seem to occasionally sell in that range in the right auction setting. But then your creating a sense of urgency through competition.

Not missing. You will have a fuse in the Low Line or the Normal Line postion, not both.

Along those same lines maybe you have a switch not scoring and then any row after will not score. I'd see if the problem starts with the same switch.