Slot Machines: How does a mechanical one arm bandit mechanism work?

Hi

I know a little about how a one arm bandit works, you pull the lever it sets off a clock and releases the brake holding the wheels. Let go of the lever and the spring activates the ‘kicker’ which sends the wheels spinning.

My questions are:

1) The 3 payout disks correspond to each wheel and are located to the left of the 3 wheels. How does each payout disk connect with each wheel. For example. How does disk 1 connect to wheel 1 when the other two disks are between it and wheel 1?

2) How does the kicker spin the wheels and do the wheels rotate around the axle independently while connected their relevant payout disk?

In my short and unprofitable experience of one-arm bandits, there is no connection whatsoever between the payout disc and the wheels that rotate.

Regards,

Richard.

Aren't the payout cams located to the left of each wheel as in this video, and simply bolted to the wheels?

Brian

Edit: Hopefully this time with player controls
 

Edited By Brian G on 06/06/2018 14:55:38

You might have to buy one to find out

Mentally, slot machines are lost somewhere with signal boxes and engima machines in a part of my brain I'm happy not to explore in detail...

Can anyone help?

I have an old one arm bandit machine which has been converted to accept the new 1p coin, when i put these coins in they fall straight through the macine, how can this be fixed?

Hi Brian G, that's a very informative video, thanks for sharing, not that I've ever thought about them and haven't put a single coin in one for probably 40 to 50 years.

Regards Nick.

Something wrong with the conversion I would imagine. There should be a gate to slow down the coin and divert it into the coin collection box.

regards

The coin mech should be removable and still work without the rest of the machine so you should be able to see whats going wrong.

If it's a one penny bandit have you tried a 2 pence piece?

Old pennys were non magnetic new ones are steel ! could be trouble ? Noel.

In the years since this was originally posted I've seen several of Big Clive's videos.

They are generally very good.

Neil

Hi Christopher,

We need a bit more information. Apart form what machine, did it ever work after the conversion?
A conversion for personal use does not need a coin acceptor becuse you are not going to cheat yourself. It just needs a tube or chute to connect the slot to the trip lever (or switch if an electrical machine).
My first fulltime job was fixing amusement machines, mostly electronics but had to everthing including old Jennings mechanicals. It was where I first used a lathe. There was a early Super 7 in a corner of the basement. No one used it. I got a copy of Sparey's book and put the 7 to good use.

Robert.

Has anyone ever made a scale model of a one armed bandit?

Could be a first

You need a licence to own, sell, make, repair or service a fruit machine. They don't make a distinction on size.
You can get a relatively cheap single machine permit for personal use. In theory even friends are not allowed to put money in a personal machine. And you can't fix a friends machine either.
https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/page/single-machine-permits

Robert G8RPI.

Is this another example of regulation over-reach? We get turned away by pubs when trying to perform a traditional mummers play for charity as they don't have a performance licence. All down to politicians not differentiating between a rock band with load amfiers and a group who have been performing for many many years but only a few times a year.

Hi ,You do not need a license to own a fruit machine for your own use at home.

Maurice

Hi Maurice,
Can you reference a UK goverment document or website that states this please? The Gambling Commision website clearly states
"

You may be able to apply for a single machine permit instead of a gaming machine technical operating licence if you:

• collect gaming machines, such as fruit or slot machines as a private individual
• want to sell, repair or maintain a single machine or part of a gaming machine.

"
This is an alternative to a full gambling licence, not an option you don't need.
Some have argued that if ONLY you (and not even other members of yor household) use the machine you don't need a licence or permit. This is because you have not made the machine "available". However it is clear that you need a licence or single machine permit to install, repair or maintain (among other things) a gaming machine or part of one. This means for all practical purposes you need a permit because you can't even clean it (maintenence) without one. It is also difficult to show that nobody else uses it.

Like many laws enforcement may be low, but like speeding not getting caught does not make it legal.

Robert G8RPI.

Hi,

These two sites say that a license is not needed for personal use

https://www.onlinegamblingwebsites.com/blog/can-you-install-fruit-machines-in-your-home/

https://www.bettingoffers.uk/articles/buying-fruit-machines-for-use-at-home/

Maurice

If you make a quarter scale machine that takes quarter scale coins how is that gambling?

regards Martin