That's How I Roll! (Skeeball build)

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SavannahLion:

--- Quote from: thatpurplestuff on March 29, 2009, 01:42:08 am ---Thursday 3/12/09
Sometimes, it's the most simple solutions that are overlooked (at least for me). It's not the most aesthetically pleasing solution, but I've found that by simply coiling the rubber molding and then riveting it in place I am able to achieve a near perfect circle without experiencing any warping. I've decided that I'm going to suck it up and have some overlap in my rings... doing it so there is no overlap seems to be more trouble than it is worth, and quite frankly I was not able to get even one ring to look right without an overlap. I've got rings that I think look pretty good, and more importantly I think will play great. The only drawback from this method is that I’m guessing the rings will get dirty a lot faster than standard rings, because the inner part of the ring that the balls will be rolling on isn’t the smooth surface but the textured side that is supposed to be glued to the wall.

--- End quote ---

I know you built those bands, but I was thinking about what you said and had a look at one of those smaller skeeball clones (actually, I have no idea if it's made by skeeball... moot point anyways). It's smaller than your standard long skeeball. I figure no more than eight or nine feet in length. Looking at how it was done, the circles are actually rolled end to end. Around the smaller scores, there's an outer band (with a score label) and it's either overlapped around the back forcing the ring to hold the shape. Another technique on the larger rings is a partial outer band that wraps over the joint.

The main ring is constructed of something similar to what you used. The outer bands look like they're comprised of a heavy gauge material. It looks to be of the material as thick gauge vinyl from the NOS CP overlays. Probably stiffer. The end to end joings look like some kind of staple and the outer bands are attached via rivets. Since each joint is staggered from any other layer, this appears to force the rings into um... true rings.

I know it doesn't apply to you since you got so far, but it's an observation I made of a skeeball-like machine in the wild and someone else might benefit from it.

ivwshane:
I don't know if this will help or not but here is a pic I found:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valerierenee/286541694/sizes/o/

Wade:
Looking pretty good. If you want a free skeeball, there is one local to me in WV that doesn't work. You could probably at least use a lot of the parts from it, like the metal side rails and coin mech area and stuff.

Wade

unclet:
Looking good so far. Great work on the hop-ramp. :applaud:

thatpurplestuff:
SavannahLion- Even though I already constructed the rings, I appreciate the input. Hopefully this thread can serve as a source of information for anyone planning on building one of these things in the future.

Wade- Unfortunately I live in California, otherwise I would be ALL OVER that Skeeball machine. I'm looking for the metal side rails, coin mechanism, and even a ball release solenoid if I could get hold of one. I haven't seen anything like that for sale around here though.

ivwshane- Thanks for the photo... I went through Google images for over an hour grabbing Skeeball pics, so I might zip them all up at some point and post them here so other people can use them as references.

unclet- Thanks! If it weren't for your measurements, I wouldn't even be attempting this build. I thank you, but my girlfriend probably doesn't share the sentiment.. hahaha.

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