A 1940's Mills Vest Pocket Slot Machine restoration

A 1940's Mills Vest Pocket Slot Machine restoration - how it works and some history

Рет қаралды 76,164

2 жыл бұрын

My latest project is a light restoration and repair of a Mills Novelty Co. Vest Pocket slot machine. Manufactured between 1938 - 1952, this is a full and complete slot machine that takes in nickels and pays out up to twenty of them for a jackpot. The “Plus” designation on the machine means that the owner of it may also offer an additional jackpot bonus, paid separately.
The name "vest pocket" is somewhat tongue in cheek since it weighs over 20 pounds and is about the size of a large napkin dispenser; but as the name implies, it is intended to be concealed quickly, either under the table, under the bar, or just hidden in plain sight - it is deliberately nondescript in appearance.
Before modern times, gambling was considered one of society's biggest problems. A machine like this, although only five cents a play, could wipe out a poor person's savings pretty quickly. And sadly, the payout odds on these were particularly terrible.
Also included in the video is a little history about Mills and a demonstration of how the machine works.
Thank you for watching and please leave your comments and questions.
The description below contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and purchase it, I’ll receive a small commission.
Below are products I use in my video that can be purchased on Amazon.com:
Diamond Polishing Paste Set of 5 Syringes: Grits 5,000 8,000 14,000 50,000 100,000: amzn.to/36G6Rra
Noxon 7 - Metal Cleaner and Polish
Used for: stainless steel, aluminium, chrome, pewter, brass, bronze, and copper: amzn.to/3xOI1Bq
Simichrome All Purpose Metal Cleaner & Rust Remover Polish for Brass, Gold, Silver, Aluminum, Magnesium, Chrome, Copper, Stainless Steel & More: amzn.to/3etX77L
3M Wet/Dry Sandpaper 400 Grit: amzn.to/3wLamHy
3M Wet/Dry Sandpaper 600 Grit: amzn.to/3iqwlOV
3M Wet/Dry Sandpaper 800 Grit: amzn.to/3B7RMwu
3M Wet/Dry Sandpaper - 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 Assorted Grit Pack: amzn.to/3BheeU8
3M Trizact Performance Sandpaper 3000 grit: amzn.to/3ijCjkx
For freeing stuck parts: Seafoam Deep Creep - Premium Penetrating Oil and Lubricant: amzn.to/3ipJ2cw
Powder coat oven (I added ceramic fiber insulation inside the panels in order to reach 400 degrees): amzn.to/3zb2YGQ

Пікірлер: 69

@brx23692 2 жыл бұрын

This is my new favourite restoration channel. No loud noises, music, or backgrounds. Interesing choice of objects to restore. And the little bit of history you inject to the videos makes it fantastic. Subbed and I'll share among my friends.

@paulsweningson6261 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video. It was a lot of fun to watch. Wish I had some of your talent

@yumpinyiminy963 28 күн бұрын

Nice original machine. I several versions of the full size machines and I know how they work. It's amazing that they all the mechanics in that little box.

@user-vm1nu7xh1q 2 жыл бұрын

Мастеру браво!Отремонтировать аппарат 1940-х годов выпуска и полностью его восстановить...вы великий Мастер,я подписался на ваш канал и не жалею об этом.Лайк.

@LeeStJohn-ym4df 2 жыл бұрын

It's all very amazing and beautiful. But your matching paint job is something else!

@akehapkap6143 2 жыл бұрын

Omg I love this. It's so intricate and well made. I like that you keep the antiquity and still makes it work.

@pennygadget7328 2 жыл бұрын

Stunned at 3:39 when the scraper's shave and a haircut collided for two bits :D

@littlebacchus216 2 жыл бұрын

I would have to make a clear perspex case to replace the metal one. All the intricate mechanisms need to be seen in action and the engineering is a joy to witness.

@robinyoung6533 2 жыл бұрын

Powder coating looks really cool and interesting. I love your videos, my favorite is the old cash register Como Park Pharmacy. The 1914 sold brass that was owned by Frank Matschinger. You made it shine again. Figuratively and literally and I loved the photos and stories you add to these. Amazing work. Brava

@charlesyoungblood731 2 жыл бұрын

The fruit used were the flavors of gum back in the day. The bars depicted the sticks of gum. And the bells depicted the feeling.

@humbladybug70 2 жыл бұрын

How fun! Lovely little bit of machinery. Thanks for the restoration.

@hoperestoration5595 2 жыл бұрын

the HERO one restoration dear really amazing

@dr.skipkazarian5556 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting....I've never considered gambling (in any form) to be a "novelty" and I discovered that just about anything can be patented exclusive of its context of use! You have a very admirable talent....excellent work (including the wieners and butter thing).

@mariamc3111 2 жыл бұрын

Really inspiring! I just got my Dads slot machine and the slot the coin goes in is jammed. Your machine looks great!

@droid_protocol_official 2 жыл бұрын

Wow I’ve never ever heard of one of these before. So awesome

@RESTORATIONOFSCRAPMETAL 2 жыл бұрын

Cool project and beautiful restoranion buddy, I like it 👍

@suziemack7269 2 жыл бұрын

I’m still trying to work out how you get blue from black and white - definitely sorcery! Great job.

@pauldevlin3841 Жыл бұрын

I have never seen one of these before. Thank you.

@bertjesklotepino Жыл бұрын

how the heck did people even invent these things back in those days? Sooo many parts.

@jamesgyorko3850 2 жыл бұрын

Blue is a primary color, and no combinations can make it. The same for red and yellow. but you came close.

@thenoseknows9391 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful song 💯💯💯💙💙💙

@MillwalltheCat 2 жыл бұрын

Good work, educational too. Thanks.

@mglopez1 2 жыл бұрын

Another gret job. Happy to be subscribed, Thanks for sharing!

@gregwright392 2 жыл бұрын

Saw one of those in a antique store once. Should of bought it. Outstanding restoration

@psirvent8 2 жыл бұрын

How much did it cost ?

@repairrestore3293 2 жыл бұрын

perfect work👍

@risaricasio6985 2 жыл бұрын

amazing talent you have

@kirk8985 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@zacharyherman8437 2 жыл бұрын

I love how you even restored the coins. I laughed

@rymanjones3 10 ай бұрын

be cool to have that in an office way back then

@curedejouvence3456 2 жыл бұрын

Salut merci pour cette vidéo, Vraiment impressionnant est magnifique résultats, 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍. Bon courage pour la suite bonne continuation.

@leahcimressik5994 2 жыл бұрын

Super, I would have liked to see more! 👌 I've never seen a device like this before🧐🤩 what technology is in there💪🏼🤓👏 keep it up and stay healthy 👍🍀😷💪🏼

@AMRP 2 жыл бұрын

you very very profissionnal restoration 👍

@joelbennett7803 2 жыл бұрын

Nicely done - a true Master of Restoration! Where do you find these objects to work on?

@Momo_Kawashima 2 жыл бұрын

This is something I would expect to see in a New York public bathroom

@thenoseknows9391 2 жыл бұрын

Nah, they'd rip it from the wall 😄🤣✌🏼👍🏼

@Momo_Kawashima 2 жыл бұрын

@@thenoseknows9391 I said New York, not New Jersey. You can hear them already: "Frankie!" "Whassematter?" "C'mere" "Whassat? A tin can?" "It's a slot machine" "What you gonna do with it?" "I gotta give mama a present"

@thenoseknows9391 2 жыл бұрын

@@Momo_Kawashima 🤣🤣💙💙✌🏼✌🏼👍🏼👍🏼😆😄😅

@MrClaudio1951 2 жыл бұрын

WELL DONE! WONDERFUL JOB...INCREDIBLE...I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO PUT DISLAKE

@SpunkMonkey 2 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous work as usual, which brings up a couple of questions from me... 1: Is the flipping cover to help conceal it's purpose if caught? If so, dose that mean it's supposed to resemble a specific "something" if discovered before it's tucked away? There are so many intriguing bits of historic cultural lore I have to ask! 2: I'm curious why you applied your paint remover before dismantling the lock? I would have thought that could potentially damage its lubrication before removal, leading to possible lock damage. NOT to challenge your order of operations-- just hoping to learn from your experience in case it can inform my future repairs. (Although when I touch a lock it's usually closer to an easily replaced wafer lock, not something to keep original like this). 3: I've never used the brush method when plating; does that provide a lasting plate? How many layers do you apply for a lasting finish, comparable to the original? Note: I pray my questions don't read as challenging your decisions (am I overly worried by today's trolling-culture?) ;-)

@BOMReviews 2 жыл бұрын

All good questions! Yes the cover is meant to disguise it, but really, if law enforcement was looking for these devices, it's hard to believe they weren't pretty obvious. Paint remover before lock - rookie mistake. Brush plating works just fine, but it applies a REALLY thin layer, as I found out and if you look at the final pictures - the scraping from use had already begun. Dipping would be better I think.

@vincewhitworth3168 Жыл бұрын

What size spring set do you buy for the mini saga?

@user-vd4ew9fg8l 2 жыл бұрын

珍しいアナログで貴重なスロットマシンですね。修復お疲れさまです

@OhFU1 Жыл бұрын

I missed the part where you took the mech apart to clean & replaced the springs with new ones? I have the same problem like yours does at the end - the last reel isn't spinning that well

@tzkelley 3 ай бұрын

The "wings" on the governor are bent in order to control the speed of the machine. They shouldn't be bent back unless the machine is running fast. Also, I think this restoration took some of the value out of this rare piece.

@ScottRemick 7 ай бұрын

how did you clean up the yellow paint at 17:24?

@IrishKeshiHead 2 жыл бұрын

A very nice looking piece of kit there. I wonder if there was any valuable coinage there..

@chrisyost8167 Жыл бұрын

I have to ask, why didn't you remove the keylock before brushing on the paint stripper?

@user-jc2oj8kk4n 2 жыл бұрын

Как все аккуратно 👍 надо же

@TheAkaluna 2 жыл бұрын

that unit is very compact for pocket.

@theChaseGroup 2 жыл бұрын

I have one of these machines but the key was lost. Any ideas on how to get a new key? How do I know what key it is? Mine is completely chrome and in mint condition. Thank you so much for the wonderful video.

@zacharyherman8437 2 жыл бұрын

I would pick the lock, then either replace the lock entirely, or see if you can iether re key the lock (replace the pins so it accepts a different key) or decode the lock and recreate the original key. If you know a locksmith they could probably do all that for you, or with some info online, and a 3D printer you can make your own key. If the 3D printed key works you can go to a store with a self service key replication machine, and it will replicate the plastic key into a real metal one. Hope that helps! If you have any more questions feel free to reach out to me. I’m not a locksmith or professional restorationist so I might not know *that* much about the subject though.

@psirvent8 2 жыл бұрын

Just call the LockPickingLawyer 😂

@lindawilson8741 6 ай бұрын

I can't believe you didn't make the bottom as nice as the rest of the rest of the piece

@darckillsadvertising1199 Жыл бұрын

Thank you sir, I unjammed mine thanks to your video 👌

@JoseAntonio-lq9iw 8 ай бұрын

Pierde mucho tiempo del video en grabar las secuencias de limpieza. Lo que nos gusta de estos videos es ver el funcionamiento del mecanismo, una y cien veces,y asi entenderlo, no perder el tiempo viendo como se limpia o se pinta.

@nolan1234 2 жыл бұрын

Gooooood....😁

@caborobo 2 ай бұрын

Do you do repairs?

@oliviaquijano9018 2 жыл бұрын

If only I were a Genius, like my Brother.

@casandrahelena8273 2 жыл бұрын

👏👏👏👏👏💖💖💖

@mrclassic2284 2 жыл бұрын

The inside of these things always look like they were designed by committee

@psirvent8 2 жыл бұрын

What do you mean by that ?

@Mickt6 Жыл бұрын

on peut voir que la vis Philip n'était pas encore inventée ce qui remonte avant 1940 . Oui comme disait l'autre pas de son pas de musique énervante juste du travail d'artiste