Shefras Aero - Where to start?

[chocolat223]

Dear Experts,
So having racked up a half century I've been presented with birthday "project" - namely what I now know to be an Allwin (the learning curve is very steep). I'm reasonably mechanically minded and not too shabby at restoration projects but where to start with this one? I've attached some photos so I wonder if someone in the know would be so kind as to provide some guidance? First of course I'd like to know what exactly it is I have here...age, make, etc.? Next I'd like to get it working again but the mechanism is incomplete and I have no idea where to find a plan or parts. Would greatly appreciate any advice in getting this restored - the chocolate cravings have begun! Many thanks.

[coppinpr]

Right...well first welcome to the best slot forum in the world,and that is not an idle boast, added to that the site specialises (but not exclusively) in allwins. This IS the place you want. I'm a one armed bandit man myself (although I do have four allwins including one very like yours). There are members on this site who can help you source parts, talk you through intricate repairs, tell you how to make parts and tell you the first name of the maker's mother let alone where and when it was made.

The resources and tips pages of this site contain much of what you need and the allwin boys will point you in the right direction but they will have one first command for you... photos, good clear photos of EVERY part, inside and out, that's all they need.

The boys will be along soon, I leave you in their capable hands.
Oh yes... forgot to say.... you do realise that within a year you will have at least six machines, a new shed, an angry wife and a scratched table.

[treefrog]

Welcome to start with, and looks all there at first glance... Looks like the spring is not attached on the inside to the "flicker" but I can't see from the picture.

Lots of companies made Aero machines, this looks to be made by Shefras. I posted similar one years ago see link below.

Win an Aero

[chocolat223]

First many thanks for the warm welcome. Alas already on Shed No.2 with other projects, haven't seen table top in some years (buried) and wife is a vintage and antiques dealer so hasn't a leg to stand on. It certainly looks very similar to the Shefras - right down to the lack of chrome. The flicker handle is broken and if there was a spring its long since parted company! My usual approach is to try to find a parts list for such "mechanical" projects or at least a detailed set of photos from a "Blue Peter" (as in "..over here I have one already prepared..."). Do parts lists exist? Anyway appreciate the info. Cheers.

[widget2k4]

It looks to be similar to my Shefras except the payout tray, so if you need any close ups let me know.

[coppinpr]

As to a parts list, not likely unless someone on here has drawn one up themselves. There MAY be a patent listed somewhere, If so, it will turn up on here in a day or so. Parts are very simple and very much like one another as far as makes are concerned (that doesn't mean they are fully interchangeable though). The coin hits a swing bar and releases a ball, a ball in a winning hole hits a swing bar and releases the lock on the prize release. That's about it really as I'm sure you have already worked out.
A well lit photo of the inside board please and all will be revealed.
Tomorrow I'll take a photo of the inside of mine although it's not the same make of course.

[coppinpr]

Here are photos of the inside of my machine. Please remember it's a different make but in the same vein.

[gameswat]

Choc, appears to be in nice unmolested original cond. When you're not sure what to do then always take the "less is more" approach. The cabinet joints look like they've dried out, the door will probably need re-gluing, but the case might be fine with just a clean and oil/wax. If it was mine I'd hand carve a piece of scrap brass into shape to braze that thumb lever back on. And the thumb stop for that lever is missing but not hard to make from a brass bolt or rod. Or you could wait and buy those two missing pieces on eBay. Other than that just needs a good clean, oil and service you'll have a great machine.

[badpenny]

I noticed you describe yourself as "I'm reasonably mechanically minded " that's good news.
As soon as you've worked out how these work, perhaps you could let us know.

All we've been able to decipher is that after you put a coin in it disappears through the hole and is never seen again. Somebody on here once suggested it then works a thingy, but we were all very dubious about that.

Bandits are easier as bloke who comes on here occasionally told us that after you pull the handle and the reels spin Black Magic happens which causes a lot of noise.

Looking forward to hearing back from you.

BP

[widget2k4]

Am I going mad or has BP just replied to a post well over a year old?

[treefrog]

Am I going mad or has BP just replied to a post well over a year old?

Maybe he is going through the 3000 posts from 1500 new members who never returned to see if they are still around This person has not logged in since the day they posted.

[liquorbox]

Is it possible this member somehow found his way into that penny slot and has disappeared with all the coins that have been put in there before?

[pennymachines]

Am I going mad or has BP just replied to a post well over a year old?

Possibly both...

[chris rideout]

I remember those choc dispensers at fairgrounds. If you were lucky enough to win one without paying at least double the cost of the choc bar, you would find that the summer sunshine had melted it and the only cure was to take it home to put it in the fridge for about an hour to solidify.

Then you tried to get the wrapper off...

[badpenny]

Am I going mad or has BP just replied to a post well over a year old?

I've waited three weeks before answering this as I can't be bothered to wait another year and a half.

What happened is I clicked on Unread Posts and discovered about half a dozen items I hadn't previously focussed my scruto-scope on.
I'm still sticking with The Black Magic theory personally, although I do know a lot of machines have woodworm in them, perhaps they do something?

BP