Bringing them back from the grave!

[coppinpr]

There has been a lot of talk on the forum about expensive machines, collecting for profit, what's a good price! One reply to a post even commented that all of the author's machines were crap! There are no crap machines, only machines that are (a) affordable and (b) appeal to that collector. My friend collects as an investment, another thinks his house looks better for a machine or two about the place. Everyone has his or her own reasons for collecting coin operated machines. As for me, I've bought quite expensive machines and put them on show at home.... nice but not my idea of fun... I've tried buying and selling... I can make a profit but then I just go and buy more machines. For me, what I really like about this hobby is buying a beat-up machine and bringing it back to life. I can't do a perfect job, not yet, but when I take a machine that was on the verge of becoming spares or, dare I say it, scrapped and bring it back to life so it will stay in use for at least another few years. I feel great about it, and that's what this hobby is for me.

Today I finished this Silver Jubilee Mk1. Cost me £80 to buy, all it needed was paint, two new locks (£15 the lot) and a bit of time, time I really enjoyed. Looked sad when I bought it, now it looks full of life.

jub start.JPG (26.32 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

[speedwell]

Very Nice Job!!!!

[badpenny]

Well done coppinpr, most truly a splendid result.
I have a very soft spot for those early Jubs. and can never refuse one at a good price.

I try to resist chasing all and every machine as my collection is already spreading over three counties

[silverbitz]

Fantastic looking job...superb. I agree with the above post, that it doesn't matter about the cost of a machine. It's the satisfaction in completing a project, whether it be a £50 piece or £10000. That's one of the great things about this hobby in that it satisfies all pockets. They generally need the same attention. I like a machine in excellent original condition, as I'm sure we all do, but must admit buying, for it to just get 'sited' in my collection, isn't really my thing. I get a bigger kick looking at what many would see as a 'basket case'. At least it makes me feel less guilty carrying out a full restoration.

[andydotp]

Terrific work, well done both of you (round of applause emoticon anyone?)


Time consuming though isn't it!

[badpenny]

[toibs]

Wow, that looks awsome guys - wish my restorations would end up looking that good - unfortunately I just "smarten them up" and play 'em - not a proper resto like you guys...

Paul.

[treefrog]

That Bursting Cherry looks good, not so easy to do on the polishing and paint front, quite detailed. As a matter of interest, what type of paint did you use and was this just a case of very careful masking work?

Coppin, I noticed in one of the restored pictures the formica at the bottom in a repaired state. One of the issues is getting supplies of this, so I assume you just removed some from the rear of the machine?

Both great jobs, only wish I had more time....

[silverbitz]

Hi Mr Frog. I've been using the 'Plasti-kote' range. I'm trying to stick to the fast dry enamel but not as many colours as the larger cans. If you spray, respray after an hour or two. Any longer and you'll be stripping the lot off again . The first one I did, I left it for the recommended 36 hours (in fact more) before another coat.....oh dear...all crinkled etc. Won't do that again in a hurry. Another major tip... spray into the cap and paint on! Sounds crazy, but the results are good, i.e., no streaks. Masking can always be a pain!

[13rebel]

Silverblitz - excuse my ignorance, when you say, 'spray into the lip and paint on', does that mean spray into the lid and brush on? Is that what you did all over? Fantastic job!

[coppinpr]

I'm a great fan of masking tape. I find it quite easy if you use the right tape, Green Frog tape is the only one I use. Expensive, but perfect to use, no leaks, a clean line every time and releases from a painted surface without damage. The standard every day tape is useless. I too spray in the lid and then paint on, but only in small areas. as to re-coating almost all the makes say within 20 mins. Sounds odd but it works.

[coppinpr]

Sorry, should have said after 20mins but within 1 hr.

I mostly use the Rustolium range now, more colors and goes on well. I won 10 cans from them in their monthly competition for photos of my yellow Mills hi-top. Got beaten into second by a picnic table!!!

[toibs]

Interesting - I found the Rustolium rather thin and not great at covering the primered surface. I ended up on my Aristocrat (just awaiting chroming now - the expensive bit!) using Plastikote, which seemed to spread better. Probably just down to experience and what you're used to

Paul.

[silverbitz]

Being a more modern machine, what paint would be used on a Hightop? I haven't got one yet but have always assumed they are of a Hammerite style finish?.

[badpenny]

They tended to exit the factory with a crinkle finish, then if I get my hands on them it's any old finish. My excuse being that many arrived at clubs/casinos/trade suppliers in primer so they could be painted in house colours .......... that's what I tell people anyway.

[treefrog]

If you look at the link below, Gameswat did a great job on a Hi Top with wrinkle paint, if you can have a steady hand with the right warm day, it is the best way to hide the poor metal finish of soft metal castings like Hi Tops, which tend to be pitted ans scrapped when stripped....

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1710&p=8036#p8036

[rbrewerton]

Hi Coppinpr, just like to say that I completely agree with your views on collecting. Where's the pleasure in buying an expensive machine, sticking it on the wall and just looking at it? Or buying a machine solely with the intention of selling it on for a profit. That's not being an enthusiast .In the ten years that I've been interested in slot machines I've acquired 15 mostly wrecks or basket cases or a couple that I built myself and have never sold any. Aside from the satisfaction of rescuing these machines what also gives me pleasure is when my grandaughter visits and always insists on playing them. Hearing her squeal with delight when a few pennies roll out and she shouts " I got a jackpot grandad" is magic.

[coppinpr]

I always used to do hi-tops in hammered finish but Ive started having good results with smooth finishes on my last two, this one is my favorite

hi-top yellow (1).jpg (57.55 KiB) Viewed 3270 times