Restoring Skee Ball

Skee-Ball notes...

Picked up one for the game room at the last auction. It's the short lane version and I thought I'd post the notes I have from working on it. (Thanks Eric - Cointech - for some pointers!)

Overhead flood lights in the back box are small, 30 watt flood lights and are easily replaced with the EcoSmart 8-Watt (50W equivalent) Bright White PAR20 LED flood lights. (Home Depot Store SKU # 866623) This reduces the heat generated in the back box and still provides nice lighting.

Bulbs for the score and ball displays are tiny, type 73 bulbs (GE-73), which are also used for ashtray lights in cars and may be found (for a HIGH price) at your local auto parts store, if needed in a pinch. Pinballlife.com has them for a MUCH better price, if you can afford to wait for them to be shipped. I couldn't, so I bought a bunch at Tanner Electronics, a local Dallas area store.

The sockets can be fragile, so take care when adding/removing bulbs. If the bulbs are good, but only light when pulled partially out of the socket, then gently clean the wires on the bulb base with VERY fine grit sandpaper (800 or higher) or replace them with new bulbs. DO NOT mess with the sockets.

The token mech on this one used the smaller .900 tokens and could be replaced with standard .984 token mechs *if* the exit chute where the coin switch is mounted was modified. I trimmed off the edge of the chute that is away from the switch with a nibbler tool to remove the bottom half of that side. If the coin mech you choose has the side mounted lever at the bottom exit which is used to keep things from being pushed upwards through the coin mech, remove it as it will interfere with the coin travel through the exit chute.

If you must drill out the locks, do NOT misplace the hook for the lock mechanism that locks the lid to the coin chute as it's a special shape.

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Next up:
  1. Replace the beacon light on the top of the back box
  2. Figure out how to properly fasten the marquee to the back box
  3. Drill out the ticket dispenser lock
  4. Install new locks on ticket dispenser, coin box, and coin mech access door
 
The marquee is held in place at the top by two oblong cams attached to the backbox with screws above the marquee they simply rotate into place to hold the marquee at the top. I have a good bit of experience with these I maintained several for the skeeball league I was in.
 
You can also still get them from Skee Ball directly, They were something like $1 for the short ones and $2 for the longer ones.
 
Bulbs and plastic balls

The bulb and plastic bulbs are still stock items.

I am more concerned with the alley and pucket board stuff. Is it cork?

I also seem to be missing a large metal piece for the ball return. I think it rocks back and forth to count the nine balls. one side up gathering returned balls until the coin drops then rocks to release 9 balls.

I have the Model 75 (1975).

Anyone have a source for wooden balls? Skee-Ball only sells plastic these days.
 
What's the deal with the two different types of intro music in classic Skee-Ball machines?

1. Do-do-de-do-de-dooooo!

2. Bum-ba-da-bum-bum-bum-ba-da-bum-bum-bum-ba-da-bum-bum-bop ba-bop!

Did one come earlier than the other? Was it a different sound system / chip set?

(Apologies if this has already been answered.)
 
I may have the wooden balls you are looking for. One other person ahead of you but he needs to answer my call by tomorrow. I just picked up a bunch of Skee-Ball parts, what all do you need?
 
I just bought 9

They had a multiple listing for 9 packs. Guess they sold out?

I received mine today and they are very nice. I have a saved search for skee ball parts and this popped up.
 
I have a box of extra balls and sure I have a decent wooden set of 9 or 10. What are they going for? I might part with them.
 
I have a box of extra balls and sure I have a decent wooden set of 9 or 10. What are they going for? I might part with them.

Depends on condition, but prices (for all skeeball parts) seem to have been constantly climbing since I've owned my skeeball machine. Decent ones with a few minor dings I would say around $10 each is fair. NOS wooden balls probably around $15 each.
 
Agreed

New plastics are 5.50 each
Good Old Stock wooden $10
New Wooden $15-$20 (I paid140 for 9)

If you want to make some money ePay is getting about $20 each for really USED wooden stock.
 
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