Unusual Mills mechanism

[slotsoffun]

I wonder if the seller will part with just the star wheel from that rusty Mills... I need a cog for my rear wheel on the old pushbike, and that cog looks perfect for my bicycle chain to fit!!!!!!!

[special when lit]

That's exactly what I thought!

[treefrog]

Well after a lot of work, replacement of some parts and some fettling, now have the Merkur running and playing well. Next question, should I fully restore or leave as is.......in the meantime I will move onto next projects 5 Jamieson’s electro wall machines two Electrodarts, two Rotopools and a Bingola......hate electrics

[gameswat]

Next question, should I fully restore or leave as is....

Tree, after years of debating this same issue many times I came to a simple answer, do nothing but leave and wait............. Either you'll decide in the long term you like it, or else it can always be dealt with in the future by you or a later owner. I prefer to re-do as little as possible and keep the patina, though this often takes longer than stripping and repainting etc. I love to have truly unique pieces, and the collectors I deal with fall over themselves to have that too - and happily pay up! When it comes down to it collectors are whack - paying sometimes hefty amounts of money to be the caretakers of these rare and unusual machines! I like to look at anything I restore as what might a future aficionado owner/collector think or want from the object? As I was saying above about leaving things when undecided, the same happens if I don't know how to solve any issue, I'll walk away and leave until the answer presents itself. Sometimes that's a day, sometimes months, sometimes many years. And I always try and do what the particular machine tells me to do, rather than just imposing my own fantasy ideas that will likely degrade the future interest for others.

[bryans fan]

Wise words Gameswat, that is virtually word for word what I would have put. This is my opinion, everyone must decide for themselves. But I like to buy them untouched if at all possible, and have seen many a machine ruined by over restoring (IMO) over the years that I have been collecting.

[john t peterson]

And I always try and do what the particular machine tells me to do

Gameswat,

I walked by AutoTalkie yesterday and heard some mysterious muttering. Placing my ear to the case, I distinctly heard, "I need help. Get Rory here, now!"

Just thought you'd like to know.

J Peterson
All Talk in Tennessee

[gameswat]

JP - well I'm raring to go, and it's well known you prefer to move things yourself - so rent a plane and pilot your way here to pick me up please. Bag is packed with everything I'll need, screwdriver, hammer, diesel fuel, laccy bands and some ordinary household bleach.

[badpenny]

Well after a lot of work, replacement of some parts and some fettling, now have the Merkur running and playing well. Next question, should I fully restore or leave as is.......in the meantime I will move onto next projects 5 Jamieson’s electro wall machines two Electrodarts, two Rotopools and a Bingola......hate electrics

If I were you TF, I'd get on with the Jamieson's without doubt.
And so you have room to do that you best sell me the Merkur.


BP

[coppinpr]

I think this particular machine would be better fully restored,it would look stunning, if you really wanted to annoy BP you could sell it to me ....please

[treefrog]

Yes, I suspect I agree with all, which is the problem as I like old paint and some history, but know sometimes a machine needs a new paint job where pres bring an item demands, eg on these old alloy castings you get the terminal salt rot, where the metal terns to white powder and even can expand. This started happening on the Bolands Brooklands I did and needed to remove the paint to preserve and treat. Also where this was converted to 1D back in the day, the extra hole was made, which of course could be filled and coin entry returned to original position.

I think I will be taking Gameswat advise in the short term and give a light wax to preserve castings and clamp repair some of the base and then leave as it works...... below you will anther machine restored by the owner, although it was already shiny, can’t understand why they got rid of the lovely original reel strips