Picked up a Skateball recently that was working but could use a new playfield. I got lucky and found a fellow pinsider with a CPR Silver playfield not too far.

This is my first attempt at a playfield swap and this game seems like a perfect first pin to try a swap. Not too complicated with mechs and wiring and the value makes it so that I’m not putting way too much money into a Bally SS game. (Even though the $ adds up quickly) I figured I would start a thread to help me document some of my progress. I always find it encouraging to see others try something they haven’t done before to show it’s possible to learn. I’m not going to write a long step by step because there are others out there that are better than what I could do. But I didn’t see any recent threads about a Skateball.

This is a good excuse to buy some tools and I made a rotisserie out of bike stands. It’s working great. I ordered parts and I have started the tear down process. Took tons of pictures. I added molex connectors to some mechs because it was going to help me with cleaning and making extra room on the playfield to work on other stuff.

I have the topside torn down and put into a bunch of ziplock baggies labeled by section. Started working on tearing down the underside mechs and cleaning everything and replacing worn parts. I ordered yoppsicles for the insert lights and new sockets for all the other lights. The old ones are crusty and the lights were hit or miss before.

I plan on doing a mix of the “pizza oven” method of sliding over all the underside mechs and wiring with cardboard and replacing some stuff one at a time.

Next step is going to be putting new wiring down with the yoppsicles and new sockets on the new playfield. That’s where I am now. I’ll add some more details and pictures about the work I have already done.

Wish me luck. The picture of the new playfield is just to look at it, not ready for that part yet. Goal one is don’t screw up the new playfield and Goal two is the pin is fully playing when I’m done. I expect to make some mistakes and learn a lot.

Kevin

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Thanks. I just received a package from Wire-bot today to get me ready for the next step. Wire and install the yoppsicles and new lamp sockets on the new playfield.

I tried to de-solder one old lamp socket to see if I could use the old wire and quickly determined that was not going to work or be worth the effort. That’s when I ordered the new wire and decided to go all new lamp sockets.

Thank you for making supplies available for us to keep these old pins going.

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I spent about 6 hours working on the new playfield today. Drilled out the dimples and then used a dremel cone bit to remove some clear around each hole. This took a long time because I was double checking the old playfield vs the new before I drilled each hole. I used electrical tape on each drill bit to make a depth check to make sure I didn’t drill too deep. Added the tee nuts. I used big C clamps to press them in.

Then I started the bus wire, yoppsicles, and all new lamp sockets. Worked for a few hours, but my back was telling me it was quitting time. I still need to do the bus lines on the GI and then solder all the lights. That’s next on the list.
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Used my new hakko solder station. Having a nice solder iron made this so much easier. Got the bus wires all done. Yoppsicles and new lamp sockets soldered. Next step, start moving over the mechs, switches, and wire harness.

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This process is definitely time consuming when you are new at it. I’m taking precautions to make sure I don’t forget where things go. Taking tons of pictures, writing notes on the old playfield, and snipped wires (that had extra length) for the insert lights with a little left on the old lamp sockets so I can see the color of wire.

I also have been cleaning everything as I remove it. I’m not doing a full restore. But I am cleaning everything by hand and using a dremel and polish wheel on my drill when necessary. It won’t be like new, but it will be clean.

I finally was ready to start transfering the wire harness and mechs to the new playfield. I unscrewed everything and put the screws back into the same hole so I don’t mix up screws later.

I used cardboard to slide up the playfield as I lifted everything onto it trying to keep things in their general same area. Worked great and I was able to then slide it right onto the new playfield. Next up is reconnecting everything on the underside.

I’ve probably put about 20 hours into it so far. But I think I’m taking about twice as much time as someone who has done multiple swaps. I think I probably have another 10 hours of work left.

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Playfield swap is all done. Finished yesterday and spent some time making a few adjustments to switches and the launch guide. One gremlin that I still have to fix is the spinner isn’t registering at all.

Overall I would say it took 30-40 hours total. I think an early solid state was a good choice to start.

Just had to make sure to read and watch a lot of great info on pinside and YouTube, take a lot of pictures and notes. Buying a good soldering iron was a must. Like most things, I think I learned a lot on my first try and would get better each time.

Next Spring or Summer I may work on restoring the cabinet. I need warm weather for all that sanding and painting.

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A bunch of pictures just for reference in case someone does a Skateball playfield and needs them.

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