Rol a Top

[interested again]

Hello,
I have recently become interested again in mechanical slots and have come across a machine i like but couldn't find a lot of info on other than some were reproduced. I would like to find an original slot machine but i dont know what to look for on this model. Also i know these Watlings are a bit pricey sometimes any help on what i should pay.

[SLOT DYNASTY]

Welcome to our Forum.
If this is a pix of a machine that you are interested in buying, I will say "Go for it". From it's condition, it is definitely
not a reproduction. In fact, as far as I know, the Cherry Front "Rol-A-Top" has never been reproduced. The machines
you would have to be cautious in buying, are the ones that are all bright & shiney. You have to deal with reputable
dealers, that can guarantee they are selling a restored original. Just be aware, that many sellers are not honest, and
will flat-out LIE about what they are presenting as original. This is very true about many eBay listings.
You have come to the right place, to educate yourself, on what to look out for in the way of Reproductions, Fakes,
Bogus, and just plain Trash. Check out all areas of this Forum. There is much to read, and by all means, watch all of
Dave's videos, about how to tell the difference between original and repro.

[interested again]

This is the machine i am interested in. I forgot to mention that it is a 5 cent machine. I didnt find any discussions on this (or other) sites i have researched, however i might have been a little quick to ask y'all questions as the seller seems to want $3000 for it. That figure seems high as I have seen Rol A Top's on eBay (forgive me for that value ref) in better shape and going for the same amount and the operation of the machine i will look at is unknown until i can try to see it. (insert usual story in dealing with old stuff, this was grandpa's)
Condition being equal, does this machine have the same value or desirability as the other rol a top model's?
Anyone have a ballpark dollar per hour a resto shop would charge for a mechanical cleaning, inspection and re-lubrication?
I prob would might disclose to seller but i personally like the patina of age and faded paint, verses a shiny machine. Its only orig once....

[SLOT DYNASTY]

I did notice that this was a 5c model. I also didn't mention, that most repro machines of any kind,
are most always 25c, which is the 'coin-of-choice' with many.
The $3000 price tag is not outrageous for this model, but is a bit pricey for it's condition, and not
knowing if it works, and has all it's parts. The "Cherry Front" is my personal favorite of all "Rol-A-Top"
models, as well as many other collectors, and always brings a premium, because there are not as
many on the market as the other models. If you can check this out in person, and it works, as well
as being complete, I would say, try a little negotiating, and "bring it home".
Our resident Forum member (watlingboy), can fill you in with much more detail than the rest of us,
as this is his area of expertise. Hopefully he will lend a few words to your decision.
You are right..........."It is only original once".
Also remember........"A Repro will always be a Repro, no matter how many years ago it was built".

[5inlv]

Be careful this machine has major damage to its bonnet.

[SLOT DYNASTY]

Be careful this machine has major damage to its bonnet.

MAJOR DAMAGE ?????? All I see is chipped paint.

[5inlv]

Bonnet was pried off and broken where it pins in. Ask for a picture of the top

[watlingboy]

Very bad of the owner not to show any damage that may exist. It's a bit strange because when the back door is pried off, the part that usually breaks is the top casting and not the back bonnet, that is the weak point. But all that aside, I would be much more concerned with the right front edge of the top casting that looks pitted and eaten away. The area where it says Jackpot 1 and 2 also looks like it heavily corroded. This damage cannot be repaired successfully and therefore makes this machine a bad deal.

To ask what a Rol-A-Top is worth? is a difficult question because there are too many variables. You have 4 different top castings, different bottom castings, plywood cabinets, 2 different oak cabinets, unrestored, restored and then the odd ball versions and condition adds or subtracts. So you have to ask on an individual basis. Other machines you can hang a general price or range on but this is difficult to do with the Rol-A-Top. If this machine had no broken castings or corrosion, $3000 would be a fair price, you could even resell it and make a profit.

Watlingboy

[MJFHouston]

Damaged or not someone bought the machine, It is no longer for sale. The owner told me he was looking for 3000 for the machine

[interested again]

Be careful this machine has major damage to its bonnet.

Update.
I did go and take a look at this Watling cherry front and you are right, it does have damage to the top front casting in the rear, where someone must have pried on the front casting and rear bonnet. It is missing the female portion of the front casting where the pin goes thru from the rear bonnet.
The machine kinda, almost worked the first pull (reels kinda spun) then jammed and didnt do anything after that. But the thing is i noticed how everything seemed to be original and inplace as far as i (rookie) could tell with the mechanism.
The cash box is there too including the original lock but the key is missing of course.
I was really surprised how everything was old and original with no replaced or cleaned/missing parts. The back door and lock is present too but drilled out accross the tumblers and a screw driver or even a dime could be used to turn the lock to keep the back door latched.
The reel strips have a couple rivets or something simular fastening them to the reels in the middle of some symbols in a few locations.
The good news is that the suspected corrosion was not there at all just a product of low quality pictures.