New Life Games LLC
**Reel Slots** Gaming Machines => Other Reel Games => Topic started by: shortrackskater on January 29, 2018, 10:03:00 PM
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I've started working on the Mills Black Cherry I recently bought. After some fussing with it, I got it to cycle. But there's a problem with the escalator.
I hope this makes sense...
In order for the coin to go in fully... I have to manually advance the escalator to the left (from the back) which puts the first coin in line, in the coin tube. Then the coin dropped sits in the proper place... BUT the handle won't pull unless I press in that wire toward the bottom of the mechanism. And, once it cycles the escalator just stays put... it doesn't advance the next coin into the tube. Could it just be gummed up in the track? I did do a quick clean but didn't take it apart.
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I can't say what's wrong without looking at it. There are two bars behind the escalator. One is for the "check separator", the other is the coin sensor. Checks are sensed because they have a hole that the pin goes through. Assuming it's set up in the old manner, only checks go in the tube - nickels go somewhere else. The two vertical fingers resting on these bars are what releases the mech. When you pull the handle they try to go forward and move the bars. If there's a coin there, neither bar should move. If it's a check, one moves and the other won't.
The lever that advances the escalator comes up near the two sensing fingers. It's probably not connected properly.
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Not sure what a "check" is. The machine takes nickles and, if I fill the escalator and manually advance it, they drop into the coin tube although somehow some do drop into the jackpot reservoir. But it won't advance and the handle won't pull even when a coin is lined up with the pin or finger is against it.
I can only find ONE post on the old site but it doesn't show enough detail in a working escalator for me to see.
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Sorry for my lack of the proper terms here! There's a wire "hook" at the bottom of the mechanism on the left side, if you're facing the back. Even if I manually advance a coin in, and have one at the "finger" point, I can't pull the handle and cycle the machine unless I press that wire hook inward. I see what it does internally but don't know what's causing it to hang up. I sure hope that made sense! I think I have two issues here... one with the escalator and one with the mechanism.
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The escalator advance lever is the part marked 'N'
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Thank you.
I think my brain will wake up eventually, with regard to mechanical slots. :)
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Have you tried to do a YouTube search on how one works?
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There's not a whole lot out there I've seen. I'll look again. And I have the book as well.
In the meantime, I found there was a missing spring for the escalator advance lever. I replaced it with a decent makeshift spring but the escalator still won't advance the nickles. So yes I'll be taking it out now.
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I did find a video on cleaning the escalator and I think that's where I will start. There is one sticky lever in there. I'm not sure if it's bent but after watching the video, I think I better disassemble and de-grease it and see what happens.
This is the video I watched. They added an AWFUL "video frame cropping" of some sort and it's annoying as hell but you just have to get used to it.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJQaiBmuuxo#)
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I have multiple issues. The escalator doesn't return smoothly and it also doesn't advance the coins all the time.
The other problem is that the machine won't cycle properly out of the case. I hold the lever to "fake out" the machine, and start the cycle. The reels spin (it pays out properly as well) but it won't release the handle lever point back to the start position. Also for some reason the fan stop lever doesn't let go of the fan during the cycle. I have to manually release it to complete the cycle, but when the mechanism is in the case, it's working properly. Maybe that's normal but in one of the videos, the man has to put a screwdriver in to keep the fan from moving on the initial "pull." On mine I have to use a screwdriver or my hand to "let go" of the fan. :Scratch-Head:
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I'm wondering if you have a bent link or lever due to someone forcing the handle. It also could be that something is dry or sticky. You might have to do a complete tear down. Your reel mech should function the same in or out of the cabinet. Do you have a Mills manual?
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Yes I've got the book - I'd still like to figure out this issue before or if I completely tear it apart. This definitely is a dying hobby with very little out there on the internet. Maybe I will have to make some videos and put them out. :propeller:
The handle returns when it's in the case, which is weird. I'm not sure what's different when out of the case.
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Is the handle spring loaded?
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It has the plunger on the bottom, which seems to work fine. I think it was just my "force" level. It's working now, out of the case. I just wasn't giving it enough pressure. I'm using my hand and a rag. I should probably use a screwdriver or buy one of those cool outside the box handles.
I think my problems may all be in the escalator.
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The entire handle mechanism was loose, where it's mounted to the case. I tightened that and another problem is solved I think this machine must have been moved and banged around a lot.
Now back to the escalator.
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I have a Diamond Front Dime machine from around the same year as yours. I have the same problem with the handle mounting hardware coming loose. I have considered trying to use a little bit of lock tight to keep it from coming loose. I'm guessing that is and was a common problem.
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I've taken apart the escalator and found it was completely gummed up with old sticky oily crap. I cleaned it and have ordered new springs. I know this is 90% of my problem. I'll report back with pics when I re-assemble the escalator.
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I got the springs in, cleaned and re-assembled the escalator and have a 100% working slot machine. Well... I'm lying a bit: it does jam occasionally, but it plays longer each time. I'm thinking there just may be a metal burr or nick somewhere in one of the arms but so far it's played about 200 coins without a jam. I did a front clean up with auto cleaner/wax and just touched up the black sides with magic marker. The back door now has an original Mills lock and the inside cash box cover lock has a repo lock.
I may just leave it as it is, looking like a nice unrestored 1946 or 47 Black Cherry.