Comments on: Timing lever, main operating fork and A-frame removal

By: Barry

Barry — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:38:22 +0000

Hello Slotter,
Please send me your email address so that I can send you a few pix and videos of my slot machine. My email address is: rowdymoose@yahoo.com

Thanks, Barry

By: Barry

Barry — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:11:23 +0000

Yes, I can send you some photos and video clips….but how do I attach them to this website? Barry

By: Slotter

Slotter — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:01:25 +0000

You may well have a sluggish kicker, which is a very common problem. Sometimes they are too worn out to work and need to be replaced, but often a bath in some solvent and a re-lubrication will get them going again.

It’s sounding more and more like this machine has some significant issues. Although I’m going to be doing a complete reassembly over time, it’s going to take me a few months to get around to it all due to more pressing concerns. If you are in a hurry, you might want to get the DVD set from ibuyoldslots.com. The production values aren’t Hollywood quality, but overall it’s an invaluable resource.

Do you have the capacity to take some digital photos and/or video? If so, I’d be happy to take a look and see if I see anything obvious.

By: Barry

Barry — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:23:53 +0000

The machine didn’t really work when I got it from my now deceased step father. Jack was one of these guys who thought he could do it all! But most of the time, someone else had to fix what he thrashed. What I’m seeing is what you mentioned above….that is, the timing lever is not engaging the vertical payout pushback lever properly. It doesn’t seem to get the elevation it needs to engage the pushback lever……I can do it manually and the pushback lever will snap into place thereby clearing the levers from the discs. But even though I set the levers manually, I can see that the kicker rests on the discs keeping them from turning freely.

By: Slotter

Slotter — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:03:47 +0000

Barry, it definitely sounds like you have some issues. Was the machine working before you started dismantling it?

It’s hard (at least for me) to guess at a cause without seeing the machine, but here are a few things to check. First, make sure that the anti-check payout hook (if present) hasn’t gotten out of position. I’ve seen these cause problems before, particularly if the part is worn or broken and someone reassembles the machine improperly. Next, check the vertical payout pushback lever assembly and make sure that the timing lever is engaging it properly. If I had to guess, I’d say this is where your problem lies. Let me know if that doesn’t make sense and we’ll try to figure it out together as best we can.

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:12:01 +0000

Also….forgot to add that the stop levers do release and then engage during unwind cycle. However, the left lever (when faced from front of machine) only releases for a nanosecond. Barry

By: Barry

Barry — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:38:13 +0000

Thanks for the quick reply. I’m about to make an “anchor” out of this slot machine!!! I’ve pretty much cleaned and lubed everything and hoped that would solve my problem. I didn’t really remove much except the reel bundle, the clock and whatever else connected directly to the clock. Here’s what’s happening: 1. The vertical levers do not pull back far enough to clear the discs and once the release cycle kicks in, the discs remain stationary. 2. the kicker doesn’t fully engage the notches……hence the reels do not turn. About all that is happening is that it goes through the wind up cycle, releases during the the release cycle without doing much of anything in the ensuing unwind cycle…..except for the clock turning. Any clue? Thanks, Barry

By: Slotter

Slotter — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:30:54 +0000

Also, sometimes you will find that a previous slot-jockey has marked the bearings with paint. In the photos above you can see some black paint on the top of each bearing piece, and usually that spot will denote the top of the part.

By: Slotter

Slotter — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:28:27 +0000

Hi, Barry. Mixing up the bearings isn’t the end of the world. The worst thing that can happen is that the mechanism may not move as smoothly as it could, or that the bearings might take a bit more wear and tear. Very often, however, you can figure out which bearings go where by looking at them very carefully. You may see a slight groove inside that you can match up with its mate.

If you think that the bearings have been reversed or switched around, you might think about putting them in place around the fork a few different ways and see which combination seems to operate the smoothest.

Make sense?

By: Barry

Barry — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:59:44 +0000

I’m not sure if I mixed up the main operating fork bearings. What will happen if they’re not replaced with their former mate? Thanks, Barry