DIY/Homebrew Pinball Scene?

[Well Fed Games]

OK, so I've got it in my head that I would love to build a a real mechanical pinball someday (at the rate of my projects, it may be a decade from now). Anyway, is there a "scene" for this, or a forum similar to BYOAC for that kind of projects? I've enjoyed what I have seen via Ben Heck and Jeri Elsworth but when I search I tend to run into virtual pin sites. Anyway, links, suggestions on search terms, etc. appreciated!

[Nephasth]

Supposedly, Skillshot Pinball is a company that can provide most of what you need to build your own pin. They're new, and the info I've found is very little...

Skill Shot Pinball are creating a complete system to allow people to design and build their own pinball machines, supplying everything from the cabinet to the control system.


The Skill Shot Pinball driver board

They had a demonstration machine with the driver board controlling multi-colour LEDs below the playfield inserts.

Like you said, years down the road...

[macattack]

Check out t800's WOOLY thread over on vpforums. He has taken his virtual table and is turning it into a real pin. I recently cnc cut the Playfield for the project and also just sent him a wide body cabinet kit for it.

[Well Fed Games]

Thank you both, I will check out those leads!   

[spoot]

There is these guys too.......some projects/code/etc in the forums.

http://www.pinballcontrollers.com/

[TopJimmyCooks]

If you want to do it easily, get a solid state pre dmd game with playfield features that you like, rearrange them on your newly Macattack cnc'd pf, and get a p-roc to run things and do your rules and scoring.  cut and extend the harness as necessary.  Print a vinyl overlay for the pf art.   Seems like donor game plus $1K of p-roc bits plus beater pc plus playfield plus artwork and you're in business.  could probably do a budget build for under $2500. 

[macattack]

If you want to do it easily, get a solid state pre dmd game with playfield features that you like, rearrange them on your newly Macattack cnc'd pf, and get a p-roc to run things and do your rules and scoring.  cut and extend the harness as necessary.  Print a vinyl overlay for the pf art.   Seems like donor game plus $1K of p-roc bits plus beater pc plus playfield plus artwork and you're in business.  could probably do a budget build for under $2500.

I have similar plans at some point.

[Well Fed Games]

Yeah, I am keeping my eyes open for a donor. I would want a widebody so that may limit me a bit. The hard part is it is so much fun designing the thing in my mind/on paper I want to get started... then my arcade cabs remind me that they are in line first!

I get the feeling that the scene is going to boom pretty quick. When I see a project like t800's it is really inspiring... makes sense that physical tables would sprout out of virtual ones!

[Gray_Area]

...makes sense that physical tables would sprout out of virtual ones!

I guess. Not to me....   Why a wide body?

[Well Fed Games]

...makes sense that physical tables would sprout out of virtual ones!

I guess. Not to me....   Why a wide body?

Well, I mean, you've got these folks building virtual pin tables, learning angels and physics (or at least a close approximation). The knowledge is there, so I assume the challenge of building a physical pin cabinet might be attractive to some of the creators. Mostly a theory based on the Wrath of Olympus build.

Widebody, as the concept I am mulling over involves several inner playfields (possibly one under the main layer, like Black Hole). I think I will need the extra inches.

[spoot]

Looking at widebody as well to fit more stuff on my design.  Heck, I was even toying with rotating playfields but cost would start to be an issue. 

[Well Fed Games]

Yeah, I haven't priced anything yet... I get the feeling that it is going to be really expensive!

[ebarlow99]

they are fun! here is mine
go here www.xtremepinball.com
 
tell him Bartop-Arcades sent ya! Greg does awesome work!!

[MTPPC]

Are you running the dB2S backglass on that attack from mars setup? If so, you can set the backglass to 3 screen mode and lose the speakers and empty dmd space at the bottom of your second screen.

[ebarlow99]

ah thanks! will check it out.....to much to do so little time!!! 

thanks!!