Finally finished Ball Bowlers are a blast to play

[bcharlton]

But boy are they a pain in the ass to restore and then take apart in orfer to get into the basement.  Here are a couple "before pics"

BC

[bcharlton]

1957 Bally ABC Ball Bowler

This is the new favorite in the game room.  No room in the malt shop

[Slider-Bob]

Looks outstanding. Nice job Brian.

[bcharlton]

Thanks Bob

[MaineT]

Looks good! Looks like more fun then my puck bowler!

[kbareit]

Nice Job, I feel your pain on the resto, I'm doing a 61 United puck bowler that sat in a basement for 25 years unused. What a mess.

[bcharlton]

Not to insult the "puck bowler" lovers but having played and worked on both machines, I really like the ball bowlers.  No offence to my firends who love their "puck style" bowlers.



Brian

[MaineT]

The thing about the puck bowler is once you get the hang of it, you can roll a perfect game every time.

[jholmgren]

I'm jealous - I've never seen a ball bowler in person and yours looks spectacular!  I have played the puck bowlers a number of times but I would think the 3rd axis that the ball adds would make for a bigger challenge!

Jim

[bcharlton]

By the way, does anyone know where I can buy a decal set to number the pins?  They look a little plain and they need numbering

[Kilroy]

I haven't found anyone making decals or  the replacement pins that are numbered BC.
give me a day or two, I can get measurements of the size and pictures of mine if you want to  make your own.

[bcharlton]

Thanks Kilroy,

I look forward to hearing from you.

BC

[kbareit]

Not to insult the "puck bowler" lovers but having played and worked on both machines, I really like the ball bowlers.  No offence to my firends who love their "puck style" bowlers.



Brian

No offense taken. This is my first puck bowler and at $200.00 I couldn't pass it up. I am looking for a ball bowler when I'm finished.

[bcharlton]

Good luck with it kbareit

Let me know if you need help with the ball bowler once you aquire it. I actually had fun restoring it.  They are big!!!!


BC

[Wojcik]

Looks GREAT! Good job!

[Kilroy]

BC,
Sorry for the quality of pics, I was working off my phone.
I've been trying to find a 1 and 3 pin, no one I know of is making  reproductions, the numbers are imprinted and not a decal. though Big Ball Bowler in St. Louis has abnnounced "coming soon" on their web site, for a year or two

The numbers are approx 1 7/8" high, and  at the widest point 1 5/8"  wide, amd 2 7/8" from the top of the number  to the red bar on the neck.

I would think you can cut them out of  vinyl.


Hope it helps

J

[bcharlton]

Thanks Kilroy,

Working on them now.  My sign guy will cut the red vinyl this week.

BC

[Larry]

Looks good.  I did the same bowler this spring for someone.  I had five shuffles, three ball bowlers, and a turret game and they are all nice to play.  I kept my United Falcon ball bowler, United Embassy shuffle, and my Bally All Star Deluxe turret game.  I tried the United Midget Alley before, but was disapointed in that game.  I like the Bally All Stars better.

I checked Docs Old Ball Bowler sight and did not see any pins.  He has a ton of parts.  I'm sure he would have some used ones. 

[bcharlton]

Larry,

How can you not love a game called "Midget Alley"?  I still play it 3 or 4 times a week and I have owned it for 2 years.  I mean really, can't you see yourself as one of the "Midgets" bowling in the meadow or simply just reading a newspaper?

BC

[Larry]

I was so excited when I had mine years ago, but I just didn't like playing it???  I love the concept of a rotating ball and a braking system, but I just didn't like it.

I'd probably be chillin' on the mushroom.  Maybe after a mushroom, the little people would really be there.

[sledworks]

Love my Bally ABC Ball Bowler too. One of the more popular games in my arcade at work.

I've been dragging my feet getting another one that was offered to me. It's a United, little bit older and uses the larger 4.5" balls. It's in nice shape, works pretty well.... but seller's basement access is very limited and I'm just not motivated to move it out.

[Roadman]

Looks great BC, I need to get over to your place to see and try it out ! Love the old hardwoods on these -

[bcharlton]

Roadman,

Just make sure you bring dimes with you this time.

BC

[ClassicCokeLover]

Can you imagine the abuse these things took back in the day by those "hellions". 

[bcharlton]

Mine was so banged up, I went through a full container of wood filler with all of the nicks and gouges.  I was still amazed how well they were built.  They are like tanks.  The mechanics are built t last an I know if 3 of them in the Buffalo NY area still on a route collecting quarters.  I converted mine back to a dime.  Mine was at a bar working only 2 years ago.  They are out there.  You just have to look for them.

Good hunting.

Brian
 

[PopcornShop]

That machine looks outstanding!! Very Nice.. I just picked up a United Dixie Ball Bowler...  The machine works good but there is a little problem when it comes to the tenth frame.. Does anyone on here know much about these?  Anyways Outstanding machine!

[bcharlton]

I completely shopped mine out when I first got it.  I cleaned and oiled where needed.  I would reccommend the same before trouble shooting. 

[Larry]

That must be the bowler by the popcorn machine that I just commented on.  I have done many United's.  I actually owned the shuffle version of Dixie, called Line Up.

First and foremost, take all the parts off and clean them.  I basically prefer acetone and Q tips for the gummed up metal parts.  Then go through the contacts.  If you want to clean the smokey reels use warm soapy water, briefly soak, lightly clean, rinse well, for the reels.  Lightly wash with a lint free cloth, unless those had paper reels, then avoid any soaking.  United changed over in 1960 or 61 to plastic reels.  Lightly lube, I like Teflon, put together, then ask questions.

Schematics are available at The Pinball Resource.

Need any help, I can dig up my Line up Schematic.

[PopcornShop]

   Thanks for the info,  I have done a few of these but very true before anything give it all a once over..contacts,score motors,reels,ect.. Ive learned the hard way by jumping all over.. In the end I started from one point and went through everything..end results was a working machine.. I will take a few pics of the machines I have and post them... Thanks again!!

[Swachtelncc]

Awesome job BC with the restore

[Blind1968]

Looks awesome! Well done!

[Kilroy]

I am almost inspired to  start  shopping my bowler

[bcharlton]

Kilroy, my son just had a  hockey party for his team in our gameroom and I have 12 arcade games the boys could have played  but the 1958  ball bowler had more interest then even my Super Chex bubble hockey game.  These were boys from 15 year old to 18.

Glad to see young people enjoying the games from the 1950s.

Brian

[rayg]

Great Job Brian!!  It Rocks!
Ball Bowler are the best, I think it's the realism of them and the fond memories of playing them as a kid at the Moose Club with my dad.
How hard was it finding parts, did you have  schematic, did you have to fabricate anything? 

A bowler is the one big ticket item on my wish list.... maybe one day!

[SLIDER]

OH MY goodness!!!!  WOW that looks awsome!!!   

Gotta have one!!!

[bcharlton]

Thanks for the kind words Ray,

I have a friend that still services 3 of these in a Moose lodge and 2 American Legion Posts.  I am lucky in that respect.  Mine has been very reliable.  If you have the space, they are amazing.  Make sure you take accurate measurements to make sure it will fit in your basement or gameroom.  Mine is only 11 feet long and it cleared my basement steps by 2 inches.  That was lucky.  It comes apart in 4 major pieces.

Im here to help if anyone takes on the oproject.  It was actually not as bad as it could have been.

Brian