A No Brainer

Lester's/Grandma's slot machine has been in our basement for a long time. It wasn't working and just sitting there under a blanket.
 The key to opening the back was lost and it was jammed. Not Working! I looked into getting it fixed off and on, but it was way too expensive so there it sat.
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When Mom would watch the kids for us when they were little, Bryan, Carrie, and Jon all played with it. They hit one jackpot. (actually Bryan did the pulling, but because Jon and Carrie were standing next to it THEY hit a jackpot).
They all loved playing it. Jon most of all. When it was time to pick the kids up, Jon would have to run downstairs for one last pull.
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So it was a no brainer that Jon would end up with it.
I thought it would be a great house warming present.

Now I had to just figure out how to get it working again.
First I had to get it clean so I polished it up. This is it dirty.

I called around and still - very expensive. (I don't know what made me think that it would get any cheaper with time.)

Elgin Key and Lock told me that they would look at it, so Mike and I lugged it up from the basement and took it in. This thing is HEAVY! They have never seen a lock like this one and didn't have a key for it.
They had to destroy the original lock.  I was worried that it would devalue the machine but it wasn't doing us any good as is. They got the back open again and replaced the lock with a new one - with 2 keys.

Now to get it working.
I did some research on it and found out it's a 34 (or 36) Mills diamond slot machine. And I'll be damned if YouTube doesn't have a video on how to unjammed it.
So with my Dad whispering in my ear, one eye on the computer screen, tool box open and cleaning supplies standing by, and camera in hand (I took pictures of everything before I took it apart so I would know what it looks like when I have to get it back together) I start cleaning this thing.
This is where 90% of jams occur so this is where I start. This thing was filthy and smelled like old coins. Yuck! I dismantled this escalator (the part where the coins show through the top front) and cleaned every spring and screw.

I get brave and take the whole thing apart to just give it a good cleaning. I took a picture every time I removed a screw. I gotta say I was a little nervous.

But I surprised myself and got the thing working again. Put it back together and did a happy dance.
I took the old coins (most were from the 60's and 70's) and put some in paper sleeves and the rest in one of Dad's old cigar boxes. Mom kept the coins in a cigar box next to the machine. I wrapped it up and called Jon and told him I had a house warming gift.
As soon as he unwrapped the cigar box he knew what I had in my car for him. Big Smile!

 Rumor has it that Erica is luckier at Slots than Jon.

I am so glad that it's being played again and I am sure Mom would approve of my choice. She knew how much Jon loved playing that slot machine.