columbia help please?

[pj waelti]

Can anyone tell me the correct orientation of the rack and pinion gears? I had to remove the round coin holder and didn't know the gears were spring loaded. The pinion popped up and hence the gear position changed. It looks to me like pinion should be parallel with the rack gear. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks alot, PJ

[marsonion]

Can anyone tell me the correct orientation of the rack and pinion gears? I had to remove the round coin holder and didn't know the gears were spring loaded. The pinion popped up and hence the gear position changed. It looks to me like pinion should be parallel with the rack gear. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks alot, PJ

PJ, I read your question a few times over trying to figure out exactly what you were calling the "pinion" in this connection, then figured that in automotive terms-- by analogy to rack-and-pinion steering assemblies-- you are asking how the spring-driven payout probe rack engages the payout half-gear-thingy, cog-for-cog. In the attached image, I have pulled back the probe as far as it will go, and it appears the first cog on the rack engages the first cog on the half-gear-thingy. Does this answer your question, or not--?

[pj waelti]

Yes that is what I was looking for. I have the machine somewhat working except for one thing. When it pays out it pays the correct number of coins, then on the next pull the coin carousel moves clockwise a little causing the coin to go into a slot already occupied with a coin.
It makes this move at the same moment the the handle is about to release the mech to make the reels spin. This causes a jam. It does not make this move any other time other time, only after a payout. This is a cool piece of engineering but has got me to get up and walk away from it frequently. I was warned to stay away from these machines but just could not resist the urge to own something different. I'm sure I'll get it eventually but I might have to rely on help for this problem.. Thanks for the help marsonion, PJ

[randyjaco]

PJ, I know what you are talking about. I have a similar Columbia that I can spend about an hour on, before I have to walk away . They are very interesting machines, but I still haven't figured out how this one works. I wish someone had a video of the operation.

Randy

[marsonion]

Yes that is what I was looking for. I have the machine somewhat working except for one thing. When it pays out it pays the correct number of coins, then on the next pull the coin carousel moves clockwise a little causing the coin to go into a slot already occupied with a coin.
It makes this move at the same moment the the handle is about to release the mech to make the reels spin. This causes a jam. It does not make this move any other time other time, only after a payout. This is a cool piece of engineering but has got me to get up and walk away from it frequently. I was warned to stay away from these machines but just could not resist the urge to own something different. I'm sure I'll get it eventually but I might have to rely on help for this problem.. Thanks for the help marsonion, PJ

A couple of things you can try:

1) The payouts may be correct with regard to the number of coins delivered, but a not-quite-perfect carousel advance setting may nevertheless leave the carousel rotated a bit too far (or too little) to accept the coin properly for the next cycle. Try resetting the "adjustable linkage fulcrum" (AKA "Magazine Vertical Arm Adjusting Plate," part# A-99-A) mentioned in the Coin Slot article just a little and then ascertain that the step is perfect; if that adjustment is only a tiny bit off, an accumulation of error may occur such that the coin drop into the carousel will proceed smoothly for several pulls, but either come up short or overstep maybe halfway around the magazine. When you've got that step adjusted properly, screw the adjustment plate down tightly!

2) On the backside of the escalator (opposite the coin entry side) you'll find a little linkage supported by a stiff steel leaf spring. Bending this spring just a little backwards or forwards will alter the timing of the gate that drops the coin out of the escalator and into the coin carousel slot. If the coin drops a little too early or too late, it will either double-up with whatever coin is occupying that slot before the carousel advances or get snagged between the escalator and the carousel. It's a delicate but necessary adjustment to make in some cases.

Somewhere between these two adjustments I have always found a "sweet spot" where jams and irregular advances and payouts disappear... except in one cussed situation in which I had a worn clock which was "slipping" every several pulls, probably due to eroded cogs or a bent pinion. Replacing that clock with a NOS one from Bud Gott cured that machine of all ills.

[Edited 10-17-2015 for clarity and to correct bonehead misstatements.]

[pj waelti]

I don't see a leaf spring. Is it inside the escalator? because I don't see one on the outside. Thanks again, PJ

[marsonion]

I don't see a leaf spring. Is it inside the escalator? because I don't see one on the outside. Thanks again, PJ

This thing, indicated by the green arrow. "Leaf spring" may be a misnomer. Wiggle the linkage around a little and watch the escalator drop gate and you'll see what it does.

Also including an illustration I posted elsewhere to show parts that the Coin Slot article author was writing about. These are names he made up himself, apparently; the Groetchen publications don't use these terms.

[pj waelti]

My machine does not have what the green arrow is pointing to. I wonder how many variations of columbias they made? PJ

[marsonion]

My machine does not have what the green arrow is pointing to. I wonder how many variations of columbias they made? PJ

Wha--?

Please post a picture of whatever hardware you have in the "leaf spring" zone. This has got me really curious...

[pj waelti]

This is a pic of the back of the machine pj