Mills Black Cherry Springs

[thornebt]

My Black Cherry mentioned in a previous post as not paying out is now paying out quite erratically. For example for a winning line of Cherry Cherry Bell (supposed to pay out 5) payouts for the last four wins have been 3, 6, 2 & 2 coins. I have previously taken the slides out and cleaned them making sure they are dry and grease free.

Sometimes the payout is short and remaining coins fall out on the next pull.

The slides seem very free to move and return well but I'm wondering if it's worth replacing the long springs as the coils are stretched for about a 1cm section in a couple of places.

There's also a hook on the top horizontal lever with nothing attached. Is this correct please? See photo.

Where can I get replacement springs please?

IMG_20240805_221840_HDR.jpg (1.43 MiB) Viewed 656 times

I should add that I've had no payouts larger than six coins.

[thornebt]

The more I think about it I believe the problem is that the vertical levers are not pushing on the horizontal levers hard enough. If they were a bit closer then it may all work.

However, I can't see how the vertical and horizontal levers can be brought closer together.

[coppinpr]

Check the springs on the vertical levers first. They may not be activating the horizontal fingers hard enough. Also, are all the horizontal levers free-moving and are are all of their short springs in good working order? These fingers do get full of grime around their pivot point.

[thornebt]

The springs at the top of the vertical levers look new and seem strong. The vertical levers also pivot easily.

The horizontal levers seem quite stiff. They need a bit of pressure before they suddenly click across.

If I line up three oranges on the win line (pays 10) the fourth lever from the left goes through the holes in all three discs but even applying extra pressure to it does not activate the bottom horizontal lever. It looks as though it is touching it but that's all.

I'm confused by all this as I think the bottom three levers should click across to pay 10. But only the bottom horizontal lever is close to being moved.

Perhaps I should clean the pivot on the horizontal levers and give it some light oil. I think I could probably do this by unhooking the springs, removing the pivot post and leaving the horizontal levers in place?

[thornebt]

With three oranges on the win line the levers look like this. The second lever you can see is the one that is fully through all three holes in the reel metal discs.

[treefrog]

Might be a timing issue if the slide locking lever releases before the fingers trigger…… If you push the horizontal fingers at the bottom with a screwdriver, if they release and the slides move, more likely the issue above.

[special when lit]

Make sure the slides are being pushed forward enough on the wind up cycle, to allow the slide holding lever to slot in behind the slides. If it isn't holding the slides forward like it should, then all the pressure will be on the horizontal levers, and the vertical levers won't have enough power to move them.

If the slides aren't being pushed forward enough, try adjusting the dog and anvil slightly, just enough to get a bit more throw on the main operating bar.

[badpenny]

It's not merely enough for the vertical finger to pass through all the three discs. It must do so and still be under tension, otherwise it won't have the energy to move and hold the relevant horizontal finger clear of the slide it's supposed to release.

BP

[thornebt]

Many thanks to all three of you. I've got a busy few days coming up but will have a look at it next week.

I've seen a Mills Owners Pictorial Guide on Ebay which looks as though it might be useful to a novice like me and there are also some cheaper options.

I don't want to splash out £50+. Is there a cheaper option for a service book or something online that would at least give me the correct terminology for the parts and some basic service info?

Or has anyone on here got a suitable book gathering dust that they would be happy to sell? A photocopied one would be fine.

Cheers. Bruce.

[special when lit]

It is expensive, but worth it.