CoinOpCollectorForum.com

First let me say what a great site this is for novice coin op collector. Thanks to the experts like Dave, Slot dynasty, Watlingboy and others for helping us new collectors. Ive never been to the Chicagoland so great site for my coin op fix.

Back to the reason for my post. Found these two machines locally. Asking for a second opinion on these machines as I'm a novice on slots and don't want to make an expensive mistake.

For the Mills, seller says it a restored machine but now I'm wondering if its a repo? I read the great article on this site about repos. Mechanism looks too clean and the different color metals have me concerned. Also no coin in the jackpot. Thoughts?

The Watling looks to be a good original machine. I believe the missing part for this machine is the front gum ball vendor. Really not positive what front is correct as alot different pictures on google. If it is the gum ball vendor, is that a impossible part to find? I don't mind taking a chance on this slot if possible to source the front vendor in the future. It does work and pays out correctly.

Going to look at them on Thursday. Thanks in advance for the advice.

The Watling is a Blue Seal Vendor Front Model. It is original ! However it is missing the Vendors on either side, the vendor roller and knob, the front vendor cover which is a casting seperate from the one with the jackpot. Good it has original cash box with lock and back door also with original lock. Wood sides and base look original but need stripping as they did not come painted red. The Mills is a Bursting Cherry first thing to see is if the part to the right of the jackpot is removable as this is one piece that most repros do not recast seperately its cast together and is not removable. Mech looks proper! Seems to be missing the cash box, adjustment screw for the handle return pump, do not see a back door and no mech hold down levers on either side. There should be some screw holes on both sides of the cabinet about 4-5 inches above the base. The paint job is not original on the front upper and lower castings except the red and green trim.

The mills machines looks like it has a repo cabinet and looks to have no jackpot. The mech also looks a little questionable with some of the parts being replacement parts. As for the casting, there should be a serial number on the top side above the payout card. The handle also looks to be from a high top machine. Be careful on this one if you are looking for an all original machine.

Only penny machines dispensed gumballs, all other denominations dispensed mints. The Watling gumball venders did not have a removable front cover. This Watling is missing its front cover. These were easily removed with a screw driver and had no lock in them. For that reason, they were easily removed and many of them got separated from the machine. With that casting missing, this is a parts machine. These survived in large numbers and it is not a lot of trouble to find a nice complete machine. What is a problem is finding the missing parts, it will be near impossible because there are lots of machines that also are missing that front cover and a recast never fit properly. In addition, it is also missing the tin pieces that hold the mints, the vender rod, which no one now makes and you would still need the knob and two additional pieces which go on it. Everything on the machine has been repainted incorrectly.

The Mills has a new cabinet, the mech looks like it has been pieced together, new repro reel strips, repro back door and pieces broken off the back bonnet, no jackpot. I'm not sure these 2 machines are even worth looking at, no matter how cheap they are. Collectors on this forum have had this machine for sale at fair prices and they are complete and correct. These are not

Watlingboy

On the two machines, you have good feedback from the blog. I have two similar machines on Craig's List right now coincidentally. My prices are "competitive" (meaning low as I have too many in the queue for work and these are good original fully working). Mills quarter Cherry is $995 and Watling is $950. Watling has working mint vender. Mills has been repainted not particularly well but plays very nice so good rec room machine. More info on Columbus, OH Craig's List. Hope that helps on real prices - as a first time collector, you should focus on all original and fully working. Just my thoughts.

Flip

Everyone, thank you for the knowledge, insight and willingness to help newer collectors. I will pass on these and thanks for leading me in the right direction.

Happy hunting!