Guys,
I'm interested in getting my first upright slot machine.
I've been collecting coin-op machines for almost 45 years and I've never owned an upright.
I'd like to get your opinions on what would be a good machine to get.
I'd like to find a nice all original unrestored machine but will look at anything in my budget.
My budget isn't very big. I hope to have right at $9,000 -11,000 to spend, assuming I can sell off several other machines. See Facebook for postings.
My first thought was a Mills OWL. I figured they are somewhat plentiful and hopefully cheaper.
It's my understanding that parts are very difficult to come by, should I need any.
I hear the wheel graphics are bad about flaking and originals, or reproductions, are hard to find.
How reliable is the mech in these?
The next machine I'd like to lean more about is the Caille PUCK. Is this a somewhat plentiful machine?
I guess Caille would be my favorite, if I can find a good one in my budget.
I hear that the graphics on the wheel is paper and are fairly easy to find reproductions for the wheel.
Reading Dick's description of the PUCK, he mentions the coin head is sometimes missing or cracked. Why, to both situations?
How reliable is the mech in these?
What machines do you recommend and why?
To buy a machine, or if I need parts, who are the upright collectors to contact?
I know there are a lot of uprights sold at auctions. One fear I have of getting one that way is there is no one to speak to that knows the machine. You don't really know what you're buying. Is that about right?
I have found an unrestored, pretty much complete and working PUCK for around $10,000 including freight.
To me, this seems like a pretty good buy but with me now knowing a thing about uprights, I wonder.
Rick