Jennings Chief in freeplay

[Phan000]

Just got my first mechanical- a Jennings Chief “tic tac toe”


Mostly working, pays off, but is in free play right now.


Dimes go to reject slot.   I played with the elevator chain and got it to accept a few dimes, but it’s not advancing consistently.


Also, thinking of replating the top.  Chrome is in bad shape.


Any advice?  Is there another forum geared more toward mechanical
Slots?


Thanks!

[shortrackskater]

Go here!

https://www.coinopcollectorforum.com/index.php
This is the best place, in my opinion for mechanical slots.

If your slot is in "free play" there must be something preventing the handle release pin that senses the coin before it goes through the escalator, right?
There may just be something stuck or jammed in the coin slide that's sending the dimes to the reject area. Have you throughly inspected all those areas?

[Phan000]

Thanks for the info.


I haven’t inspected the coin in area yet.  I guess I’ll have to take that section apart and make sure it’s clean and free of debris.

[Phan000]

I was able to get the machine working properly.  Still need to test the jackpot.  Not sure how to manually make it hit.


Other than some cleaning and needing a key,  it seems pretty solid.




I tried to register for the coin op forum,  but it states you need a “special number from an existing member”
to join.

[shortrackskater]

I'll PM you the number soon.

Great you got it up and running. What was causing the pin to be stuck open, allowing the free play?
For manual jackpot testing, open the back door and locate the fan. It should be near the back at the bottom. Find something (a rag, stick) to prevent the fan from spinning. Then put in a coin and pull the handle. This will release the reels. Then just carefully set each one to the exact jackpot positions. Make sure they don't drift, then remove the fan stopper and the machine will start the cycle, lock in the reels and, hopefully, pay off accordingly.
I have a Mills Black Cherry that I repaired but decided to just play it from time to time, hoping to get the jackpot!   I like the suspense. 

[Phan000]

I got it out of free play with liberal amounts of forced air in the coin chutes, adjusting the magnet, lubricants, and some wiggling of the chain.


Works very  consistently now.


Thanks for the tip on the jackpot.  It only pays 10 coins, only the furthest pin goes into the reels.  Nothing moving in the jackpot door area.  I don’t yet understand how it’s supposed to operate.  Will have to fiddle with it.

[Jim]

you can contact Bernie at mrslot1.com,  he has parts and information for most older machines. they make a handle to use to play the machine out of the cabinet, all you have to do is hold back the coin sensing lever while pulling the handle and you can activate the machine, then hold the fan with one hand and rotate the wheels to a winning combo, release the fan and let it lock in  and check the payout, you can do this to check out every payout, including the jackpot. Plus you get to see everything operating.

Jim

[shortrackskater]

you can contact Bernie at mrslot1.com,  he has parts and information for most older machines. they make a handle to use to play the machine out of the cabinet, all you have to do is hold back the coin sensing lever while pulling the handle and you can activate the machine, then hold the fan with one hand and rotate the wheels to a winning combo, release the fan and let it lock in  and check the payout, you can do this to check out every payout, including the jackpot. Plus you get to see everything operating.

Jim

Oops... I forgot to add the sensing lever part. My grandpa had a Jennings Mints of Quality that he'd bring out for me to play (I was 6) and had a string tied to that lever, so if I ran out of nickels, I could still play! I own one now.

Regarding Mr Slot... Bernie passed away many years ago and it's now run by his son Dave. Dave usually responds within a week or so. He's rebuilt a few slot locks for me. I've been trying to contact him for months now, by E mail and though his listings on eBay, and have had NO response. Not too happy with that since he's selling stuff on eBay currently. I don't know if he's just swamped or there's someone else running the place for him.
I get help from Monti, who is also on that forum. He's definitely a pro, restores machines frequently, and is very friendly and helpful.

[Phan000]

I pulled the mech, and put in some, and am able to manually crank the action.


The levers seem lined up correctly, but the jackpot still won’t open.  Is the slide supposed to push out and engage the upper lever?


It seems really close to working, just something simple that is out of place, or needs lube. Wondering if there is a spring missing on side of the lever closest to the slides?

[shortrackskater]

I've never messed with my jackpot mechanism, yet!
I would try cycling the machine a few more times, performing the manual jackpot and see if it pops open.
Whatever you do, DON'T put any kind of lubrication on the slides. You may have to just pull them open slightly and clean/de-gunk them, which may be why it's not opening. They should remain nice and clean.

[Phan000]

I ended up getting the jackpot working consistently.  Needed adjustment and some cleaning.


The auto-refill feature isn’t working, but I’m not too worried about that.


I was not happy with the oxidation on the top section of the front.  Chrome was peeling badly, and I hear it is very common on this machine.


Opened a big can of worms stripping it down,  now plan to get it replated.


Fun project overall.  Fascinating the way they used to make these work with no electricity.