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Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:52 pm
by pauljt71
I think it’s a mixture of the timing out and incorrect reel labels. Misalignment and the fingers do not go into the holes correctly. I have put this one aside while I work on another machine now.

Today I learned the importance of the coin tube push lever overflow spring! Couldn’t understand why the machine was constantly jamming before discovering the overflow leave a spring was missing.

I installed a mech into the yellow cabinet machine today. It seems quite an early mech as the timing bar is different from the others. Pics attached.

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:47 am
by coppinpr
That clock needs lightly oiling. Better still, if you can remove it and totally dismantle it. Could go another 50 years if you treat it well. :D

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:43 pm
by pauljt71
I have learnt so much about these machines since purchasing them. Thank you to everyone on the forum for all of the help.
Today I have been cleaning and removing one of the clocks. I think I’ve just about cracked it now. Managed to make three good machines from the five broken ones. Need lots of bits though to make up the Boland machine. Anyone know of a good resource to acquire a hightop bonnet?

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 10:29 pm
by coppinpr
Well done, so pleased you have become a keen slotty... The rest of your family might not be so pleased. ^{}^

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:01 pm
by pauljt71
So, seeing as I have lots of time on my hands right now........today I stripped and started to repaint the Jewel Hi Top.

I have found some great paint online that matches the red almost perfectly. I wiped the original crinkle paint down with white spirit and then have sprayed a couple of light coats of the new paint straight on top. It seems to be drying well and the original crinkle finish is showing through nicely.

Satin black over the oak on the lower sections with the red to go on tomorrow. I found an original paper label with cabinet number that matches the one stamped into the wood.

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:19 pm
by badpenny
pauljt71 wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:43 pm ...... I have been cleaning and removing one of the clocks. I think I’ve just about cracked it now ......
What size hammer were you cleaning it with?

BP !PUNISH!

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:14 pm
by coppinpr
You must be more careful when posting on threads BP reads, he will pull you up on every little mistake and play on words... It's his only bit of fun these days... We pretend not to notice. buttkick

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:39 pm
by pauljt71
It was a left handed Whitworth :HaHa:

The sun was out first thing so got some more paint on :D

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 6:09 pm
by pauljt71
All finished and very happy with the results. I may look for a blue and paint these areas too if I can find a match.

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:49 pm
by badpenny
That's looking really good Paul, compared especially to when I saw it a few weeks back.
Why do you need to match the blue up? Just find one you like.

BP :cool:

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2020 8:36 am
by pauljt71
badpenny wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:49 pm That's looking really good Paul, compared especially to when I saw it a few weeks back.
Why do you need to match the blue up? Just find one you like.

BP :cool:
Thanks my friend :D
I want to try and keep it looking as original as possible without it looking like a brand new machine. I am pleased with the way the paint allows the original crinkle finish to show though. It has taken almost 2 days to dry though!

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:11 pm
by badpenny
If retaining that surface is your goal and you haven't access to a decent paint stripper (don't buy brands like Nitromors since EU made them change the ingredients). Try searching YouTube for home made paint strippers. You'll find some involving brake fluid and Maynards Wine Gums or some such. You don't have to remove it all just enough so you can retain the surface after you've added your new coat.

Don't forget during their 60-80+ year life they will have been regularly repainted, if only to try to make them look modern.

BP

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2020 8:45 am
by pauljt71
The finishing touch to my Hi top case arrived today from the US. It’s a reproduction water applied decal to replace the original.

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2020 12:22 pm
by deano67
Hi,
just renovated 2 Mill's Hi Tops during lockdown and like you I wanted to keep the crackle finish. I found thinned down Hammerite dabbed on with a short bristled brush gave a great finish. Trick is do it quick and don't brush the paint on. Two coats worked best I found.
Pics attached.

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2020 4:21 pm
by pauljt71
deano67 wrote: Sat Apr 25, 2020 12:22 pm Hi,
just renovated 2 Mill's Hi Tops during lockdown and like you I wanted to keep the crackle finish. I found thinned down Hammerite dabbed on with a short bristled brush gave a great finish. Trick is do it quick and don't brush the paint on. Two coats worked best I found.
Pics attached.
These look great 😀

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 5:41 pm
by pauljt71
Done some more stripping down and refinishing. Waiting for the blue paint to arrive now!

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 6:47 pm
by grains
Looking really good !!THUMBSX2!!.
Did you use the Hammerite and thinners for the Black?

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 8:32 pm
by pauljt71
I have found a great range of paint called Rust-oleum Painter’s touch. I did the Jewel burgundy with this and also the black. I have just ordered blue to finish this.

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 9:04 pm
by pauljt71
Before and after........

Hi top all finished and very happy with the results. Thanks to everyone I have chatted to along the way......next project the Boland Black Beauty......

Re: Mills Hi Top Projects

Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 9:33 pm
by grains
A great effort and I really like the two tone blue black finish. It's nice to see the end result. !!THUMBSX2!!