1930s Mills slot machine.

[hjlocks]

Hello all,

I've run into a bit of a problem with this one. The customer bought a Mills slot machine at an estate sale. Good news, it has the keys. Bad news, it's been sitting in a damp basement for 35 years and hasn't been opened since it was put there. I managed to get the "pins" lubricated enough to move the key in and out, but the cylinder is locked up tight enough that I'd have broken the key before it moved. The owner just wants it open so he can sell it, so he asked me to drill it. Trouble is, drilling the pins out won't help, because the cylinder is so tight. The cylinder is pressed right up against the back panel of the machine, so there's no way that I can see to get lubrication into the cylinder.

This is a much nicer looking version of the one I'm working on http://www.evansamusements.com/images/M ... y_Slot.jpg
And I believe this is the lock mechanism. http://www.crowriver.com/cs/lk087.jpg

[Squelchtone]

Can you drill it with an electrician's step bit (unibit) like this http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools- ... /100662385 and just drill entire mechanism out and get another one on ebay like this one ending in 2 days? http://www.ebay.com/itm/351374116573


edit: or this lock which should fit if the seller doesnt need it to be the exact bell style lock that was original to the machine http://www.ebay.com/itm/151578361531

is the lock installed in your unit like in this photo?
http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/dokto ... k.jpg.html

[hjlocks]

Can you drill it with an electrician's step bit (unibit) like this http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools- ... /100662385 and just drill entire mechanism out and get another one on ebay like this one ending in 2 days? http://www.ebay.com/itm/351374116573


edit: or this lock which should fit if the seller doesnt need it to be the exact bell style lock that was original to the machine http://www.ebay.com/itm/151578361531

is the lock installed in your unit like in this photo?
http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/dokto ... k.jpg.html

Not without damaging the door. The hole in the door is only about 1/2 an inch in diameter. I could get a 3/8 bit through it but that's about it without messing up the door.

[Squelchtone]

Can you drill it with an electrician's step bit (unibit) like this http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools- ... /100662385 and just drill entire mechanism out and get another one on ebay like this one ending in 2 days? http://www.ebay.com/itm/351374116573


edit: or this lock which should fit if the seller doesnt need it to be the exact bell style lock that was original to the machine http://www.ebay.com/itm/151578361531

is the lock installed in your unit like in this photo?
http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/dokto ... k.jpg.html

Not without damaging the door. The hole in the door is only about 1/2 an inch in diameter. I could get a 3/8 bit through it but that's about it without messing up the door.

is it possible to lay the machine so the keyway is facing up towards the ceiling and then drown it in PB Blaster (may eat away at things you dont want it to unless wiped off sooner than later) and grab one of the working keys with vicegrips with the vicegrips also pointing towards the ceiling, not parallel to the ground, and give it some sharp attempts at turning left and right a few dozen times but not so hard that it breaks the key off? I wonder if that would work the plug loose enough to rotate and retract the bolt.

that's all I got, good luck!
Squelchtone

[hjlocks]

Possibly. The lock is directly behind one of the spinners though. If it leaks through it could damage the paper.

This is what the back looks like: https://www.proxibid.com/AuctionImages/ ... 1113_2.jpg

[nick08037]

Like other mechanical assemblies your choices are usually one or a combination of the following: chemical treatment, heat, impact. There has been some discussion here on chemical treatment, have you considered the options of heat and impact to loosen break the bond?

[hjlocks]

I don't think I could have applied enough heat to the proper areas to loosen things up without damaging the case.

Unfortunately the customer just wanted it opened fast, so despite my regard for old locks it fell victim to the drill.

[billdeserthills]

I don't think I could have applied enough heat to the proper areas to loosen things up without damaging the case.

Unfortunately the customer just wanted it opened fast, so despite my regard for old locks it fell victim to the drill.

That's how you have to do it with some clients,
people want everything Right Now

[Raymond]

When you got the panel open did the lock look like those suggested as replacements or was it a cam lock. The last picture of the back just looked like a regular bell cam lock.