Don’t be this guy

[DennyW]

Look at the way this guy pulls the handle on a Groetchen Columbia slot machine.
Doesn’t know these are prone to cracking.
https://Youtu.be/gOzxe3KT7Xc

[marsonion]

Look at the way this guy pulls the handle on a Groetchen Columbia slot machine.
Doesn’t know these are prone to cracking.
https://Youtu.be/gOzxe3KT7Xc

Yeah, I remember that machine being advertised relentlessly over 12 years ago; it was apparent even then that the clock was on a death march as the cycle was receding so fast that all the reels were stopping nearly simultaneously. And while I remember thinking that the original color scheme was sort of cute-- "original" to the rattle-can "restorer" I mean-- I was amused that the seller seemed to believe that the amateurish palm tree decoration on the cabinet somehow increased the value of the machine. In the end, the seller got his price ($1.5K if I remember correctly) after two or three years of advertising efforts.

[DennyW]

Look at the way this guy pulls the handle on a Groetchen Columbia slot machine.
Doesn’t know these are prone to cracking.
https://Youtu.be/gOzxe3KT7Xc

Yeah, I remember that machine being advertised relentlessly over 12 years ago; it was apparent even then that the clock was on a death march as the cycle was receding so fast that all the reels were stopping nearly simultaneously. And while I remember thinking that the original color scheme was sort of cute-- "original" to the rattle-can "restorer" I mean-- I was amused that the seller seemed to believe that the amateurish palm tree decoration on the cabinet somehow increased the value of the machine. In the end, the seller got his price ($1.5K if I remember correctly) after two or three years of advertising efforts.

I never noticed the palm tree on the machine. I would have never have done that. I agree machine cycles and stops too fast. Can’t believe seller got 1.5k for that thing.

On my Columbia machine it doesn’t payout correctly without a little help by me moving the carousel on a payout. Do you think it can be a spring issue? Carousel doesn’t seem bent but it might be I’ll take a closer look at it.

Denny

[marsonion]

Can’t believe seller got 1.5k for that thing.

I recall that there were some pretty incredible prices realized on eBay for Columbias at the time; one rather badly JB-Welded machine actually fetched over $2,800.00!

On my Columbia machine it doesn’t payout correctly without a little help by me moving the carousel on a payout. Do you think it can be a spring issue? Carousel doesn’t seem bent but it might be I’ll take a closer look at it.
Denny

I suppose a weakened spring could be a possible explanation, but I've never had a problem with that particular spring (A-308). One time I was having trouble with sporadic, balky or short payouts on a Columbia, I discovered that the problem was with the rail that the payout finger assembly rides on: it looked OK, but had some light corrosion on the underside which was effing with the travel of the whole payout contraption. It was downright sticky in some spots. I used some metal polish on the rail and added a few drops of 3-in-1 oil to the sliding part of the contraption and that solved it.

[DennyW]

Can’t believe seller got 1.5k for that thing.

I recall that there were some pretty incredible prices realized on eBay for Columbias at the time; one rather badly JB-Welded machine actually fetched over $2,800.00!

On my Columbia machine it doesn’t payout correctly without a little help by me moving the carousel on a payout. Do you think it can be a spring issue? Carousel doesn’t seem bent but it might be I’ll take a closer look at it.
Denny

I suppose a weakened spring could be a possible explanation, but I've never had a problem with that particular spring (A-308). One time I was having trouble with sporadic, balky or short payouts on a Columbia, I discovered that the problem was with the rail that the payout finger assembly rides on: it looked OK, but had some light corrosion on the underside which was effing with the travel of the whole payout contraption. It was downright sticky in some spots. I used some metal polish on the rail and added a few drops of 3-in-1 oil to the sliding part of the contraption and that solved it.

Thanks for the tip. I’ll try that the next time I’m working on the Columbia.

I corrected the coins from doubling up in the coin slot by not bending the flat spring that controls the gate in the vestibule to make it slower instead I just moved the flat spring counterclockwise a tiny bit, works great! These flat springs may get harder to find that’s why I didn’t bend it.

Denny