Slot Machine Decals
It was rescued from a fraternal lodge in Northern Illinois just before the sheriff came with his sledgehammer.
By the time our proprietor inherited it, it was in somewhat sad shape. Apparently, every time the lodge's bar walls were painted, they painted the slot machines as well. It had many different color coats of latex house paint over the face, side and back. The reels operated, but very slowly. The handle worked its way loose, and the slop eventually split the wood on the right side.
Restoration started with removal of the mechanism from the case and complete sandblasting of the case. The split in the wood was repaired through biscuit joinery. The wooden sides were then sanded and revarnished and a reproduction of the original Mills decal applied to the left side. The front panel was painted a hammertone blue, a close match to the original discovered during sandblasting (see comments below on Buckley slot machines.) The rear bonnet and door were painted the original wrinkle black and a reproduction 'Owner's Maintenance' card was glued to the inside of the rear door.
A relubrication of the mechanism cured the slow operation. The slot now looked and operated as new.
This example of the Mills Black Cherry is actually a Buckley Company remanufactured Mills. You can see the Buckley stamp on this picture of the frame. Buckley would buy used Mills machines, refurbish the mechanics, change the color scheme a bit, then resell them. So technically, this is a Buckley black cherry slot, which is why the arrangements of the cherries and the color differ slightly from the Mills version (the original Mills cherries were offset rather than lining up horizontally and they painted their cases silver rather than light blue.)
The slot came with the original double sided key, somewhat of a rare occurrence. Over the years these keys tend to get lost and modern replacement locks end up getting installed.
Here is a decal we created in Photoshop to replicate the original Mills Owl used on their slot machine stands.
- The slot came with the original double sided key, somewhat of a rare occurrence. Over the years these keys tend to get lost and modern replacement locks end up getting installed. Here is a decal we created in Photoshop to replicate the original Mills Owl used on their slot machine stands.
- Find high quality printed Slot Machine Posters at CafePress. Shop posters in a variety of sizes and designs to find the perfect fit for your room. Free Returns 100% Money Back Guarantee Fast Shipping.
- Antique Prohibition Slot Machine restoration, service, repair and sales, Complete Antique Slot Machine and Coin-operated services / image library and free furum for the coin-op collector and gaming enthusiast, Trade Stimulator Restoration, Madison, Wisconsin, Arlington Heights, Illinois, Restore your Slot Machine, Restore your Trade Stimulator, Pricing and Explanation for Restoration.
Slot Machine Decals And Inserts
The only tool required is a screw driver. Every slot collector should own this. The following machines are covered: Mills Castle Front style machines (good for all Mills 1930s/40 'Silent' type of slot machines) Mills 1920s Gooseneck style slot machines Watling Rol-A-Top style machines Watling Gooseneck style machines Pace Comet Jennings Chief.
- Completely strip and polish castings to a mirror shine
- Paint castings to match original paint scheme(or any scheme you wish)
- Wood cabinet is disassembled, straitened, reassembled, stained and clear coated to match original
- Rusty old cabinet bolts replaced with new
- Complete disassembly, degrease, clean and reassembly of machanism
- All springs tension tested and replaced if necessary
- Nuts and bolts rethreaded or replaced where necessary(missing ones too!)
- Mechanism is then greased, lubed balanced and tuned to play as smoothly as day one.
Because of the unique nature of these machines the cost of these services can and will only be quoted once a machine is in our shop. Below though you can find a basic outline for restorations, full and partial. Any Mills, Watling or Jennings mechanical slot machine should fit into this pricing scheme. Any other machines please contact us for an estimate. Use our contact form to request service.
Full Overhaul and Restoration (mechanism, cabinet and castings, the entire works!):
Basic price: $795.00 / Roll-a-Top: $850
each additional machine option (ie. future pay mech, mint vender, etc.): add $25.00
Internal Mechanism Restoration (everything inside the case):
Basic price: $450.00
each additional machine option (ie. future pay mech, etc.): add $25.00
External Restoration (case & castings):
Basic price: $475.00 / Roll-aTop $595.00
each additional machine option / extension (ie. horsehead bonus top, external mint vender etc.): add $50.00
Bonanza Slot Machine Decals
Bally Slot Machine Decals
**Replacement of major parts and plating of external parts will be extra and are quoted at time of restoration based upon market prices at the time.**