Comments on: Reel stop levers and back bracket removal

By: Slotter

Slotter — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:57:26 +0000

If the reels spin freely, more oil is not the answer. Check out the section on cycling the mechanism out of the case (http://www.slotrestoration.com/2010/01/14/the-basics-cycling-a-mech-outside-the-case/) and try the following: Cycle the mech while the clock fan is blocked, either with the special part mentioned or with a screwdriver or other implement. If the reels don’t spin and coast to a stop, but will spin freely when you push them, you probably have a kicker problem.

By: roy

roy — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:41:14 +0000

I have oiled my 31 mills war eagle slot machine but still having a problem with reels spinning,
they will spin once every 10 or so pulls, I see the kicker, it seems to be working, the reels spin freely when i pull the stopper out and the finger that go into the reels

By: Slotter

Slotter — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:50:51 +0000

The part the activates the jackpot was missing on this machine when I got it. When I finally get around to reassembling it, I’ll be sure to take good photographs of the part and its installation.

Thanks for writing!

By: Nigel

Nigel — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:14:13 +0000

I have been given an old Mills machine it is for 3d (I’m in the UK) and is in very very bad condition compared to yours. It is wonderfull to see your pictures, but a bit disheartening as mine is so much worse. One query which you don’t seem to cover, what part of the mechanism operates the jackpot mechanism which is screwed to the front of the machine? There doesn’t seem to be any linkage between the two on yours or mine. I understand about the normal payout mechanism of fingers and coin sliders, but I don’t see how the ‘pot’ gets triggered.
Any help would be appreciated.

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:02:20 +0000

Slotter, based on your comments, I looked inside my machine and I saw the little channels next to the reels as you described. I guess I was expecting something a bit more “elaborate”, but, in any event, I installed them and everything is working OK. Thanks for the help.

Jim

By: Slotter

Slotter — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:07:22 +0000

Jim, the wires ride on top of a channel that you can find next to each star wheel. The wires don’t press down very hard and aren’t critical to the operation of the machine. Basically, once you have the wingnuts installed keep them very loose and play the machine. If the reels are moving too fast or stopping in a jarring sort of motion, tighten up the wingnut a bit and try again. In theory each reel should be *almost* stopped when the reel stop lever engages it.

Barry, that particular spring doesn’t usually have a lot of tension. I’m guessing you should look elsewhere for your problems.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 06:34:03 +0000

Another question. My machined did not come with the reel brake wires, but I have picked up an original set. However, I’m not sure where the wire end installs on the reels. Can you give me a hint as to where the wire installs. I got the wing nut end, just not the wire. Thanks.

By: Barry

Barry — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:03:05 +0000

The spring on the disc stop lever looks pretty gnarly. Is it supposed to have a lot of tension? The one on mine is very weak and I was wondering if this has anything to do with the problems I’m having. Barry

By: Slotter

Slotter — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:24:04 +0000

Blair, generally if the anti-check payout hook is the problem you will get zero-coin payouts since the hook and related assembly will keep any of the payout fingers from moving forward. It’s easy enough to tie the hook up with a zip tie or a piece of wire, so that is a simple thing you can try, but I’m guessing that you still have some sticking in your payout slides or in the horizontal fingers. I’ve never used graphite to lubricate the slides but all reliable sources say to use NO lubricant on the slides. You are probably better off cleaning them thoroughly.

The situation you are describing could have a number of causes. First, I’d make double-sure that your payout discs are lining up with your reel strips in all cases. If they are, it’s a simple matter to manually set the reels to a particular payout combination repeatedly and track the payouts. If the exact same reel positions yield different payouts on subsequent cycles, your problem likely lies elsewhere.

Does that help any?

By: Blair DeJean

Blair DeJean — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:43:40 +0000

this is my second posting and have read your document twice.. i now believe that the anti-check payout hook is the cause of my problems.. the machine pays out accurately a majority of the time.. but not consistently.. on 2 cherries, i might get 3 or 4 coins in the payout instead of 5, for the oranges and bells, occasionally i will get 4 coins instead of the 10 or 18 coin payout.. does this sound like my problem.. i have cleaned the slides 3 times, the last time using a little graphite on them but still have an occasional problem with consistent payouts..

blair