Skill Roll remake

I like Skill Roll. I like weirdo EM games. I've always wanted a Skill Roll. I'm way too cheap to buy one (if one would ever come up for sale).
So I decided to make one.
It's not a reproduction as I'll be using modern electronics to control the game.
But nearly all of the parts and dimensions are reproduction quality.

I've been working on this for the past month and made a lot of significant progress.
While I'm stuck planning and designing during quarantine, I plan on using the tools available to me at my local hackerspace to get this done.
Some things I'm familiar with - Laser cutter, 3D printer, vinyl cutter, Arduino
Some things that are new to me - Tormach CNC (for metal), Shopbot CNC (for wood), plasma cutter, welding, metal lathe, brake and mill.

I love learning new things and this project has been a great excuse to do something new. I've been a bit burnt out with pinball projects and shopping playfields.
It's been on my list for a few years to learn proper modeling. I knew a little in SketchUp but knew that wasn't the right path. Fortunately, Fusion360 licenses are available for free for home hobbyists. I followed the "Learn Fusion360 or die trying" series in YouTube university. I'm very please with how powerful and versatile Fusion is. Also pleased with how much I was able to do with only a few hours of messing around with it.

Here's what's done:
Wood:
Cabinet design
Lightboard panel

Metal:
Knob
Flicker plate
Decorative bezel under knob
Shaft

Electronics:
I'll be utilizing an Arduino Mega to control the game logic, I got the programming done in a little over 1000 lines of code.

I'm itching for quarantine to be over to get the cabinet cut and assembled!
I've got a bunch more parts on the way and a few more problems to solve, but it's been very fun!
I finished the code tonight and am hoping to have a breadboard prototype with the switches and lights in a week or so.
cab (resized).JPGknobflicker (resized).JPGbezel (resized).JPGflicker (resized).JPGknob (resized).JPGlight board (resized).JPGplayfield (resized).JPG

#2 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

I have a real old and crappy 3D printer that had a bunch of things wrong with it.
Spent a couple hours today fixing it and tuning it up.
Still have some improvements to make, but I managed to squeeze out this prototype of the flicker knob.
Good for testing, but the final will be CNC'd out of 303 stainless.

pasted_image (resized).png

#3 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

I'm trying to keep costs down (see frugality in post #1).
A bell and knocker unit was being considered, but a nice eBay auction got me both in brass for $40 shipped, how could i say no!?

pasted_image (resized).png

#4 4 years ago

BLY

MrBally

Pinside member

Paradise, NV

12y 141K 13,936 22 1

OP
Quoted from dudah:
I'm trying to keep costs down (see frugality in post #1).

How much do you estimate you will spend on the remake for the components/materials? Asking since quite a few Skill Rolls have been coming out of the woodwork in Northern Michigan (Lower Peninsula) in the past few years for under $200.00; Usually complete just needing a repro glass and cabinet repair or painting.

#5 4 years ago

CPI

cait001

Pinside member

Yes!!! The world needs another Skill-Roll!

#6 4 years ago

CPI

cait001

Pinside member

Quoted from MrBally:
Asking since quite a few Skill Rolls have been coming out of the woodwork in Northern Michigan (Lower Peninsula) in the past few years for under $200.00; Usually complete just needing a repro glass and cabinet repair or painting.

holy carp! Please go tell them Skill-Roll thread because there's a lineup forming of people looking for one.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/bally-skill-roll/page/

#7 4 years ago

ZOD

Waxx

Pinside+ Frequent

10y 90,550 1,345 95

I imagine you are going to have a lot of people who will want to buy one from you.

Great work, keep the updates coming.

#8 4 years ago

RDS

RustyLizard

Pinside member

12y 121K 4,724 7

Awesome start.

#9 4 years ago

DOC

shlockdoc

Pinside+ Frequent

14y 110K 4,400

Quoted from cait001:
holy carp! Please go tell them Skill-Roll thread because there's a lineup forming of people looking for one.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/bally-skill-roll/page/

See my wanted add below

#10 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from MrBally:
How much do you estimate you will spend on the remake for the components/materials? Asking since quite a few Skill Rolls have been coming out of the woodwork in Northern Michigan (Lower Peninsula) in the past few years for under $200.00; Usually complete just needing a repro glass and cabinet repair or painting.

Lol I think you’re missing a zero there. Ipdb has 1500 confirmed units, from 1956 so there can’t be many left!

I’m currently a little over $200, I’d love to keep it under $400 but I’m not there yet.

#11 4 years ago

JPD

Dayhuff

Pinside member

Battle Creek, MI

11y 126K 6,353 79 11

I'll buy all the $200 Skill Rolls I can get my hands on, bring em' on!!

John

#12 4 years ago

???

Nhpolarbear

Pinside member

Unknown

4y 37,050 773 1

After John send one my way for $200.

I believe there is aNot her company making a remake. I’ll see if I can find.

#13 4 years ago

BLY

MrBally

Pinside member

Paradise, NV

12y 141K 13,936 22 1

You don't find them in the pinside marketplace or on-line ads for that matter. You need to drive and look for them.

#14 4 years ago

BBB

oldskool1969

Pinside member

Gilligan's Island

10y 134K 3,652 12

Not what I was thinking of but way better. Following

#15 4 years ago

BEN

edward472

Pinside member

5y 69,300 1,532

Interesting. Following. You need the most unnoticed part... the escosion washer around the lock

#16 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from edward472:
Interesting. Following. You need the most unnoticed part... the escosion washer around the lock

Nice! I didn't know what these were called, thanks for the info.
Managed to find one here - https://web.archive.org/web/20170417165448/http://pinballsalvage.com/Product/test
Their site seems messed up so I send them a message. Worst case I can make this also. While not necessary, I like the look.

pasted_image (resized).png

#17 4 years ago

BEN

edward472

Pinside member

5y 69,300 1,532

OP
Quoted from dudah:
Nice! I didn't know what these were called, thanks for the info.
Managed to find one here - https://web.archive.org/web/20170417165448/http://pinballsalvage.com/Product/test
Their site seems messed up so I send them a message. Worst case I can make this also. While not necessary, I like the look.[quoted image]

Give him a call. His website hasn't worked for awhile. Super nice guy. I bought a couple recently.

#18 4 years ago

DJQ

DanQverymuch

Pinside+ Addict

Neenah, WI

12y 98,550 4,531

OP
Quoted from dudah:
I didn't know what these were called

Just trying to be helpful: actual spelling is escutcheon, might help in searching.

#19 4 years ago

GMK

grantopia

Pinside member

Fairview Park, OH

8y 99,600 3,565 8

Quoted from Dayhuff:
I'll buy all the $200 Skill Rolls I can get my hands on, bring em' on!!
John

Hell, $2,000 is starting to sound good...

#20 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from edward472:
Give him a call. His website hasn't worked for awhile. Super nice guy. I bought a couple recently.

Did! Rich was a pleasure to talk to. Grabbed 4 of them in case I end up making a few more.

#21 4 years ago

GMK

grantopia

Pinside member

Fairview Park, OH

8y 99,600 3,565 8

So how much for all the plans to make my own...or just to commission one ha...

#22 4 years ago

SMV

Shawn1976

Pinside member

St. Augustine, FL

6y 32,550 245 2

Really nice job, thus far.
Looks like your close to having this become a reality.
Following.....

#23 4 years ago

HOW

hlaj78

Pinside member

Monroe, MI

12y 69,650 2,149 11

I’ve always wanted one too. Add me to the list right behind John Dayhuff.
Howie

#24 4 years ago

CKA

ryan1234

Pinside member

11y 82,550 1,004

If you are using modern controls, it would be nice to add a way to keep track of the exit of the nickel. The original design allows more than one nickel to be added at one time. This can cause jams that are a pain. If you had to wait for the nickel to exit before adding another you could avoid kids loading it up.

#25 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from ryan1234:
If you are using modern controls, it would be nice to add a way to keep track of the exit of the nickel. The original design allows more than one nickel to be added at one time. This can cause jams that are a pain. If you had to wait for the nickel to exit before adding another you could avoid kids loading it up.

I've already accounted for this. I'll be using a modern coin mech with a lockout coil. Once it detects a game is started/a coin is in there it locks out the coin mech.

Quoted from grantopia:
So how much for all the plans to make my own...or just to commission one ha...

I'm certainly considering offering it as a kit or maybe fully built units, all depending on how much it costs and long it takes to make one. I will revisit this when the project is complete.

#26 4 years ago

GMK

grantopia

Pinside member

Fairview Park, OH

8y 99,600 3,565 8

OP
Quoted from dudah:
I've already accounted for this. I'll be using a modern coin mech with a lockout coil. Once it detects a game is started/a coin is in there it locks out the coin mech.

I'm certainly considering offering it as a kit or maybe fully built units, all depending on how much it costs and long it takes to make one. I will revisit this when the project is complete.

Please do!

#27 4 years ago

PER

per3per3

Pinside member

Vienna, VA

8y 63,300 1,312 6

Love this project. I would buy one

#28 4 years ago

DRS

YZRider926

Pinside member

Nokesville, VA

12y 60,300 1,232 7

Looks like a fun game. Good luck.

#29 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

Thanks for the kind words so far, all! Makes me so happy to see the warm reception in this community.
Please shoot me a PM if you would be interested in a kit or a complete unit so I can gauge interest and I will assess it after the first unit is complete.

I should note that this unit has been re-designed to accept and flick quarters.
I have a design for a nickel based unit and could program the coin mech to accept them, but figured if this game were ever to earn, I need to bring it into this century.

#30 4 years ago

BWJ

Oldgoat

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 70,900 1,181

OP
Quoted from dudah:
I've already accounted for this. I'll be using a modern coin mech with a lockout coil. Once it detects a game is started/a coin is in there it locks out the coin mech.

I'm certainly considering offering it as a kit or maybe fully built units, all depending on how much it costs and long it takes to make one. I will revisit this when the project is complete.

I would definitely be interested in a kit containing plans, basic instructions and parts that are not readily sourced.

#31 4 years ago

JPD

Dayhuff

Pinside member

Battle Creek, MI

11y 126K 6,353 79 11

Quoted from MrBally:
You don't find them in the pinside marketplace or on-line ads for that matter. You need to drive and look for them.

Tell you what, you drive and find and I'll come get them from you and I'll double your money. Deal?

John

#32 4 years ago

JPD

Dayhuff

Pinside member

Battle Creek, MI

11y 126K 6,353 79 11

Quoted from ryan1234:
If you are using modern controls, it would be nice to add a way to keep track of the exit of the nickel. The original design allows more than one nickel to be added at one time. This can cause jams that are a pain. If you had to wait for the nickel to exit before adding another you could avoid kids loading it up.

That would be an awesome mod to add to the originals as well because your right it's a huge pain.

John

#33 4 years ago

CPI

cait001

Pinside member

Ok but can wire it up so it makes huge bomb sound effects when you make the 50 points

#34 4 years ago

JEV

yaksplat

Pinside member

Lancaster, NY

8y 85,300 2,104 8 6

Wow, you've just added something to my "need to build" list.

#35 4 years ago

DOC

shlockdoc

Pinside+ Frequent

14y 110K 4,400

I am psyched - good luck and keep us posted. My new favorite thread - much better than the insults and crime stories in the NE for sale thread.

#36 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from cait001:
Ok but can wire it up so it makes huge bomb sound effects when you make the 50 points

Anything is possible!

I've flirted with the idea of making a different track the coin rides on but shined away from it as there's only so much real estate to play with.
Another idea is swappable playfield with different tracks.

Another idea is a cool modern art package, I like monsters and tits.
I've got a very good idea in my head how this will come together, but always open to ideas and suggestions!

#37 4 years ago

CKA

ryan1234

Pinside member

11y 82,550 1,004

OP
Quoted from dudah:
I've already accounted for this. I'll be using a modern coin mech with a lockout coil. Once it detects a game is started/a coin is in there it locks out the coin mech.

Yes- you will need a coin lock out- but you will also need switches to tell when a nickel leaves through a drain hole or maybe a switch to detect a nickel before it enters the coin box. Either way it will be worth the effort.

#38 4 years ago

CKA

ryan1234

Pinside member

11y 82,550 1,004

double post

#39 4 years ago

CPI

cait001

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from dudah:
Anything is possible!
I've flirted with the idea of making a different track the coin rides on but shined away from it as there's only so much real estate to play with.
Another idea is swappable playfield with different tracks.
Another idea is a cool modern art package, I like monsters and tits.
I've got a very good idea in my head how this will come together, but always open to ideas and suggestions!

Considering your costs are so low, might as well entertain swapping playfields! Put in some loop tricks
Don't forget this contemporary version exists: https://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=5722
and yours could be way cooler

#40 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

Got the stencils done in about an hour.
While I love the idea of cool modern graphics, I also like the idea of sticking as close to the original out of the gate.

frontart (resized).JPG

side art (resized).JPG

#41 4 years ago

BLY

MrBally

Pinside member

Paradise, NV

12y 141K 13,936 22 1

Quoted from Dayhuff:
Tell you what, you drive and find and I'll come get them from you and I'll double your money. Deal?
John

I don't work that cheap.

#42 4 years ago

JEV

yaksplat

Pinside member

Lancaster, NY

8y 85,300 2,104 8 6

OP
Quoted from dudah:
I like monsters and tits

Some of the best art out there is a combination of these two (three?).

#43 4 years ago

CPI

cait001

Pinside member

Quoted from yaksplat:
Some of the best art out there is a combination of these two (three?).

sexy kaiju

#44 4 years ago

DAD

docquest

Docquest Pinball Mods

North Attleboro, MA

12y 131K 3,949 8

OP
Quoted from dudah:
Got the stencils done in about an hour.
While I love the idea of cool modern graphics, I also like the idea of sticking as close to the original out of the gate.[quoted image][quoted image]

Very Nice!

#45 4 years ago

SMM

dr_nybble

Pinside+ Frequent

Ottawa, ON

10y 114K 3,544 15

OP
Quoted from dudah:
Got the stencils done in about an hour.
While I love the idea of cool modern graphics, I also like the idea of sticking as close to the original out of the gate.[quoted image][quoted image]

I suggest you cut rigid stencils with the CNC in, e.g., 1/8" hardboard. That will give you a reusable stencil with an authentic overspray look. Don't use vinyl.

#46 4 years ago

BEN

edward472

Pinside member

5y 69,300 1,532

OP
Quoted from dudah:
Got the stencils done in about an hour.
While I love the idea of cool modern graphics, I also like the idea of sticking as close to the original out of the gate.[quoted image][quoted image]

I don't know how close you are trying to stick to the original. In case you are trying to stick close,the lines angle all the way to the top

Inked6fe4e40386f394d5e1dea9ee72a74b83475b58df_LI (resized).jpg

#47 4 years ago

???

westofrome

Pinside member

Alexandria, VA

11y 77,300 2,158 2

If this took quarters I could see it earning decently on location. The small footprint makes it easy to fit in lots of spaces.

#48 4 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent