How many coins to operate slot machine?

[hlhopp]

I just bought my first slot machine, a 5 cent Mills Black Cherry! When it gets here I want to fill it with enough buffalo nickels to operate. Does anyone know how many nickels it will take to fill it?
Thanks,
Harry

[Midcoast Vintage]

HI, and, WELCOME.
This subject has been discussed a bit on another thread.
While it does not cover your exact machine, the information contained on the thread will give you a rough / approximate amount of the coins you will need.
Hope this helps.
Here is a link to that thread.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2886&p=9055&hilit=how+many+coins#p9055

[TheFatman]

You might want to recondiser the buffalo nickles. If they are worn, it is possible to get an incorrect (overpay) of coins because they have been worn down and and thinner than a regular newer one, and an extra one might fit in the slides. The best way is to try it and see. 2 rolls will give you enough in the coin payout tube and what ever you want to put in the JP. This will fill as the reserve fills and overflows unless you have a hand fill JP. With continued playing, the levels will fill to where they should be and all excess coins travel down into the cash box.
Dave F

[Frank]

I use clean dateless buffalo nickels in about 20 machines and they work well. Look for clean dateless nickels for about $.20 each

[Frank]

Hi Dr. Frank... I see your 800 nice no dates were delivered on 11-26-14....
just wanted to make sure you are happy with the coins....
and let you know that I have 900 more on hand right now....
If you want some more.... 100 up to 900, please let me know ASAP....
I am offering them to you first before I list them on eBay...
Same price as before which is .18 each vs .20 each on eBay....
Regards, Liz Williams

From: Frank DeTrana <detrana1@cox.net>
To: Elizabeth Williams <mew0822@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2014 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: No Date Buffalos for Slots...Liz Williams...1katykat on eBay...11-21 at 10 am

[hlhopp]

Thanks for all the help! This is a great forum! I'll let you all know how many coins my machine holds when I get it in a few days. I don't think there is a jackpot payout. There is a window in front, but I think it holds coins just for looks. If anyone knows for sure I'd like to know about that. I'm anxious to get my FIRST machine! Thanks!

[Anglobritish]

Sir,
Firstly welcome, you have joined probably the most important forum for coin machine collectors. Some of the most knowledgible people in this field are members of this forum, Bill at slotdynasty is probably the worlds best authority on Trade Simulators, Nic Costa as wrote a best selling book on the subject, I have been in the coin machine industry for more than 60 years on a daily basis, and so many more of the members on this forum, have been involved for many years in our hobby, And Dave the founder of this site makes so many sacrifices to keep us all informed.So welcome once again
Freddy Bailey
The Official British Coin Machine Historian

[TheFatman]

Thanks for all the help! This is a great forum! I'll let you all know how many coins my machine holds when I get it in a few days. I don't think there is a jackpot payout. There is a window in front, but I think it holds coins just for looks. If anyone knows for sure I'd like to know about that. I'm anxious to get my FIRST machine! Thanks!

Most of the Black Cherrys I have seen all have Jackpots. There is a chance it could have been removed but they usually put a sign in the window. Send a pic of the front of the machine and the inside without the mech in it and I can tell you more about it. Feel free to ask any questions about it here. This site if so full of very helpful and informed friends.
Dave F

[hlhopp]

Thanks thefatman,
I figured out it does have a jackpot and apparently a secondary jackpot that I think dumps into the jackpot after it empties. I spent a lot of time studying it and playing it after I got it yesterday and it works great!!! It stopped paying out but I figured out a couple places were dry and dragging the clock mechanism so it wasn't completing it's cycle. I put dabs of grease on those spots and it pays out fine now!
I figured out how much it takes to fill it. I started with only coins in the escalator and a cup of 300 nickels. I filled the payout tube and the jackpots and played it quite awhile and ended up with about 30 nickels consistently in the coin box, so it apparently holds max. about 270 nickels.
I bought it on Ebay and the seller said it was original finish but was skeptical since it looked so nice but now I believe it is completely unrestored except the door lock isn't marked Mills.
I'll post some photos if I can figure out how to.
Thanks again,
Harry

[TheFatman]

Be careful of what "grease" you use. I find that a high quality white lithium grease like lubriplate works good. Regular gresae will attract dirt and dust. Also I have used petrolium jelly. It doesnt get hard over time and when used in moderation, provides great lubrication. As long as you machine remains in a warm environment. If cold, ant lube can stiffen and cause issues in operation. No matter what you lube, do not lube the payout slides in any way. They are designed to operate dry and any lube over time will cause them to stick and hang up and not operate correctly. This also means no wd40 on them as well.
Dave F