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I need some advice on a Mills Brown Front 1938?

Posted:
Tue Nov 03, 2026 8:22 am
by MrDeeBee
I'm no pro. I will need some springs to recondition this machine to playable. There have been sheared off screws, stripped threads, missing screws, etc. It seems to be all original inside and out. I got about 48 dollars in quarters out and the newest coin was 1996. The quarters were scattered throughout the cabinet, some blocking mechanics. I need a schematic with part names. Is there something online available? This is a one time slot recondition for my sister-in-law. A family heirloom so to speak. I don't really want to invest alot in books, just the necessay parts. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.
Re: I need some advice on a Mills Brown Front 1938?

Posted:
Wed Nov 04, 2026 8:04 am
by mazzeosa17
Besides needing the parts, a book will help you to identify which parts and springs you need, and how to replace them. I suggest getting the Dan Mead and Bob Geddes book "Owner's Pictorial Guide For the Care and Understanding of the Mills Bell Slot Machine".
Re: I need some advice on a Mills Brown Front 1938?

Posted:
Wed Nov 04, 2026 9:52 am
by MrDeeBee
Thank you. I have ordered books and some parts from e-bay. It has been an interesting project. I am not the first to be inside the cabinet. Many boogered, missing, stripped screws and threads to replace repair. I have 8/32 and 6/32 screws that are brass that I have installed as replacements. Will the use of brass screws lessen the value of the machine and/or affect the integrity? This machine was set up to favor the house. There were 3 nickel sized plug blocking payout holes in the 1st reel disc. The 1st reel has patch over pictures. For example the original emblem was a cherry and the reel has a lemon patched over the reel tape. I'm not sure the tapes on on correctly. Doesn't seem like it. When the disc holes line up cherries, i got oranges on the reel. This is a fun project that has kept me out of trouble. But now I'm in reel trouble.