by JPCass » Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:00 pm
I would suggest taking the reel axle out and examining it closely for any defects or damage, including putting it alongside a precision metal ruler and turning it several ways, to be sure it is absolutely straight. You can then clean and lubricate it, and also note if there is any point in removing and reinserting it where it seems to be binding, in which case you would need to look further into issues with the reel shaft tubes. The first machine I restored, actually had a bent axle, though that mechanism had been cannibalized for parts and probably had the axle swapped with one from another machine that had somehow been severely damaged, perhaps even in a raid.
Restored Mills 5c Extraordinary "barn find", long gone - now restoring 1934 5c Extraordinary Gold Award with original World's Fair reel strips
Restoring early Mills 5c Firebird (large coin view window)
About to take on a Mills 5c Vest Pocket