Mills Silver Belle Slot

[ashford_dave]

Hi all,
Many appologies if this is posted in the wrong section I'm a newbie here.

I have just purchased a Mills Silver Belle Slot which is in need of restoration, it's missing parts as well, would anyone know of anyone who restores slots, I don't have the knowledge or time to undertake the work myself.... Any info names, web sites blah blah would be great.

I'm in the UK in West London

Many Thanks

Dave

[badpenny]

Hi Dave welcome to the premier site for slotties!
There are some members here who may tackle the job for you. Alternatively you'll probably get oodles of advice if you fancy having a bash yourself. The first thing to ascertain is the condition of your machine and learn what's missing.
Any chance of posting some photos on the site? If so I suggest front and back of the machine. Then remove the mech from the case and photo the mechanism from all angles. Finally a picture of the inside of the case with the mechanism removed.

You're amongst good company

Badpenny

[ashford_dave]

Hi Badpenny,

I'll post some pics tomorrow, I know for a fact the the "money tray" ??? at the front is missing, side panels / rear panel and bottom plinth are not original and need to be replaced....... Looks like someones used an old kitchen cupboard for the panels.
The reel tapes need to be replaced as well.

The slot worked for a few plays and now seems jammed....I haven't yet looked inside...

Ohhh what did I buy?!? lol

Cheers in advance

Dave

[badpenny]

Sounds like the sort of "project"most of us regularly tackle.
It all depends on how pristine you want it to end up. It's worth remembering that almost all vintage slots were tampered with at some time during their working life. The coinage got changed, certainly the symbols got altered as the odds of winning were tampered with. Also the panels and sides get "redecorated" in an attempt to make them look more modern. Many of the American Bandits were delivered in primer as the clubs etc. wanted to paint them in their own house colours.
I'm in the middle of repairing our kitchen cupboard at the moment so I may be interested in your case after you've replaced it !!!!!

[ashford_dave]

The case is yours....! If that's what your kitchen will look like, you'll never sell your house... lol

So the the "Money tray" is infact a "money Bowl Apron part number MLB-8721 according to the Service manual... any idea where I may pick one of these up?

I'm also guessing that the case panels can be bought or made to order, I don't have the tools or skill to make these along with a plinth...

As for pics of the mechanisam, I haven't yet taken the real panel off

So does anyone want to make me a case and I'll throw in the Belle Kitchen!

Feel free to drop me a line.... I'm interested in peoples views and so on

Cheers Dave

[badpenny]

Hi Dave .... without seeing inside, it's fair to say most of us have tackled worse at some time or another. The Hi-Top is probably the machine with the highest production run ever. And is a style calssic (in my humble opinion) You'll find other postingson here that refer to it and explain the history, including the Sega connection.
Yours reminds me of a girlfriend I once had, looks attractive, seems to have the "fun" bits but most of my mates had got there before me and tampered selfishly.
Others may correct me, but from an external look it appears to be early 60's, if you peel the formica off, chances are you'll find oak underneath (why the hell did they do that?) I seem to remember there was a fad for adding a hellish electrical solenoid gubbins (attempt to modernise) on the payout, hence the nonsense about jackpot and lit lions, I had one of these once and ripped all that twaddle out of it.
You appear to have the correct coin escalator in the little window above SILVER BELLE but no jackpot (jackpots weren't always fitted but are nice to have) Internal photos will confirm or deny both statements.
Yes, you're right payout tray and corresponding surround trim are gone.

Unfortunately I have neither to spare, however they do crop up on e-bay UK in fact I'm sure there was a tray on just last week (can't see it now so it must have finished) Many of us extend our searches to include E-Bay USA. failing all that you might want to contact Metal Form Products USA (mfpcomp@msn.com) his e-bay user id is nimblelass his catalogue which lists wonderous treasures is a must to have.

Let's see what it looksd like inside.

Cheers Badpenny

[ashford_dave]

Inside... As you said.... it's looks as if it was converted to electric, the word LIVE is clear to see. I'll have a look at peeling the formica, as see what appears... Thanks for all your time and effort in helping me.

Dave

[badpenny]

Aha ......... the thick plottens! If you'd photo'd without the back bonnet on we'd have seen the escalator, but I can just make out the bottom lever, so I reckon it's probably complete. Do the coins move across one at a time behind the window as you pull the handle? If so the escalator would seem to be correct.

The electrics they fitted to work the add-on special feature should not be trusted in any way shape or form, unless you're into waking up on the other side of the room with a half melted scewdriver in your burnt hand.

When you remove the mech is there any sort of oblong metal jackpot bank bolted to the inside front of the case behind the window with the lion on? If so it'll look like the one in the photo of item 102250669850 on E-Bay look at the photo of the inside of the empty case and you'll see the part I'm talking about. If it's not there you don't have a Jackpot bank.

When you get the mechanism out look for the ever present loose coin that has probably jammed the mechanism ...... they get everywhere!

Good Luck

Badpenny

[daveslot]

hi, i would not rip the formica off the cabinet, this could be original, it was also put on to hide cheap materials like plywood of fibreboard, just look at the edge of the sides were the formica does not cover to see what you have, if its oak then rip away

[ashford_dave]

The formica on the plinth is two different types & colours, which makes me think its not original.... either way its damaged and looks pants.