Author Topic: Scratch built pinball (Read 6475 times)

Minwah · « **on:** August 28, 2013, 08:27:20 am »

Has anyone here made a scratch built pinball machine? As in a real one with flippers and balls, not a virtual one.

I've seen a few on youtube and so on, just wondered if anyone has experience with this. I think it would be a cool project, although I should talk myself out of it as I'm sure it is a LOT of work...

I quite like the idea of building quite a simple one which uses solenoids for flippers/bumpers etc., but not much else in terms of electronics. Maybe a circuit to keep and display score.

spoot · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2013, 10:21:48 am »

Working on one........but it's alot of work and expensive. Damn hobbies.

Minwah · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2013, 10:55:58 am »

Quote from: spoot on August 28, 2013, 10:21:48 am

Working on one........but it's alot of work and expensive. Damn hobbies.

Cool, how far have you got?

spoot · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2013, 11:52:13 am »

Slowly buying up parts and have a chunk of the code written up. Have many layouts drawn up on notepads and still designing modes and such. Theme is aliens.....with the modes/targets/etc going along with the first two movies. Destroy eggs, aliens, queens, etc. Contemplating getting a 3d printer to make some "toys" like the cargo loader.....so, it will take me forever and a day.

Looking at using a beaglebone and the pinproc boards to drive the hardware itself.

Not getting as far as I'd like as I'm still messing around with my Vpin machine and writing a pinball FE among other crazy things.

TopJimmyCooks · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2013, 12:42:51 pm »

That is a stout project to take on. I would be worried about playfield layout design. There are so many, designed by a select group of pros, that just aren't that great. I'd be scared to commit to a pf and decide later that I don't really like it or there are mistakes. Of course, if you build your own you can make a Mark II of your own.

spoot · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2013, 01:03:00 pm »

Yeah, layout and flow are a big concern for me. Will alpha test with FP or VP layout, then beta with hot glue and foam I'm guessing.

I should not have started this....but I needed to do sumthing while in re-hab before

with pure boredom.

Rick · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2013, 01:04:29 pm »

I'm just going to subscribe and sit here, anxiously awaiting pictures. Lots and lots of beautiful pictures.

macattack · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2013, 01:08:43 pm »

Take a read of this thread. Scott's done a great job. Happy to say I have been part if the project to date with creating the raw playfield and cabinet. Due to start work on the plastics for it also soon.

http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=21874

WWW.Xtremepinball.com

smartbomb2084 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2013, 08:23:10 am »

You cats are WAY too ambitious ...

I find it daunting enough to tear apart and reassemble existing games let alone design, prototype and program them.

When do you have time to sleep?

Like Rick said...PICTURES?

monkeychunkuk · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2013, 10:27:42 am »

That is a huge project would the parts and time
Compare to picking up a old pinball machine ?

ebarlow99 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2014, 11:50:04 am »

check this out...very cool

spoot · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2014, 01:01:41 pm »

Yep.....those are the boards I'm using.

Generic Eric · « **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2014, 02:11:23 pm »

Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on August 28, 2013, 12:42:51 pm

That is a stout project to take on. I would be worried about playfield layout design. There are so many, designed by a select group of pros, that just aren't that great. I'd be scared to commit to a pf and decide later that I don't really like it or there are mistakes. Of course, if you build your own you can make a Mark II of your own.

I looked at several youtube videos a year or so back. One that I followed was a built piece by piece. There was a lot of trial and error while the made an effort to get the ball to go where they wanted after launch. Lots of prototyping done on a flat piece of wood and screwing-then-moving blocks around.

ebarlow99 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2014, 02:22:28 pm »

how far have you gotten with it?

im really thinking of trying it.....im gonna start designing my own playfield to cut on the cnc but the design is little tougher than I thought

Quote from: spoot on May 20, 2014, 01:01:41 pm

Yep.....those are the boards I'm using.

TopJimmyCooks · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2014, 02:43:05 pm »

start by copying the layout of a real game close to what you want to build then modify from there.

Le Chuck · « **Reply #15 on:** May 20, 2014, 04:05:23 pm »

I've got a retheme in me - a few years down the line for sure, but that's the way I'll go for a custom pin. Retheme.

Generic Eric · « **Reply #16 on:** May 20, 2014, 04:10:40 pm »

Quote from: ebarlow99 on May 20, 2014, 02:22:28 pm

how far have you gotten with it?

im really thinking of trying it.....im gonna start designing my own playfield to cut on the cnc but the design is little tougher than I thought

Quote from: spoot on May 20, 2014, 01:01:41 pm
Yep.....those are the boards I'm using.

Not sure if this was directed at me or not. I have a set of 6 pinballs, a plunger, but that is as far as I've gotten. 1 project at a time I guess.

spoot · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2014, 11:36:50 pm »

There I started a thread......and I'm too lazy to link it.

PL1 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 22, 2014, 12:31:06 am »

Quote from: spoot on May 21, 2014, 11:36:50 pm

There I started a thread......and I'm too lazy to link it.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,139333.0.html

Hopefully the lazyness doesn't extend to the builds.

Scott

spoot · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2014, 10:25:55 am »

See Scott, I thought you'd just pick up my slack.

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 27, 2014, 04:52:59 pm »

An Aliens themed Pin.. Ive always wanted to do one. Cool stuff.

I "might" add or redesign my BK2K.. due to the original Playfield being shot..
as well as limits on gameplay depth.

Ive thought about ways to add to the game, without the need for any additional boards or
programming... such as adding another ramp, adding a few motors, and a few other tricks.

If only I could program... as well as didnt have such time limitations. The creativity oozes from
every pore of my being... but gets kicked down with the boot of drone drudgery, and then lack of
energy and or funds.

Ahh well. Maybe one day...


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