Gerald Shearer's Story of Building a Slot Machine
I am or was a Knitting Machine Master
Mechanic. Before I enlisted in the US Infantry,
where as Sergeant in the mechanical part of
Ordinance, I was asked to build a slot machine for
the Officers' Club. This was in the New Bebrides,
just before our 27th Division went in for the inva-
sion of Okinawa.
I built a machine very similar to the one in the
pictures. It worked with nickels, but the winnings
had to be paid by hand.
When we went to Okinawa, I took the machine
with me as far as the beach. I left it there when we
advanced inland. I never saw it again. This was
about 1945.
I got a job after the war building knitting
machines. Later I started my own business and then
retired in 1996. I built the machine once again, but
this time I installed a mechanical payout and a jack-
pot. The pictures will serve to describe the machine
in more detail.
Description of the series of photos below:
Note in the front panel you see six pointed posts.
Counting from right to left (coins trajectory is from
right to left) the section between post 4 and 5 is the
winning section. Between 1 and 2 and 2 and 3 the
coins are returned. All others you lose.
The throw-bar is spring-loaded and actuated
from the right side. By pulling it down and releas-
ing it, coins will fly in proportion to the distance the
throw-bar was held down. Winning can be adjusted
two ways: by closing the distance between the win-
ning section (post #4 and #5). Also by tightening the
spring support via the adjustment nut located on top
and behind the coin receiver slot. Notice that in the
winning sections (post #4 and #5) the posts are
pointed the opposite way to favor the house.
The payout wheel (dispenser) located inside
holds 11 payouts. You can fill it with 11 different
amounts. Each section holds up to 15 coins. If you
want one to hold more, a one inch diameter tube can
be attached to one section.
It is a lot of fun to build this home entertainment
machine, especially the payout mechanism. It was
constructed so that each section can easily be taken
out for inspection or adjustments.
Build your own ...
MECHANICAL SKILL-TYPE
AMUSEMENT MACHINE
(Value $1000)
You can build it yourself for $55.00
from four (4) drawing plans.
Send $10.00 for first drawing plan (#1)
•.
I
:
I
I
A handy guy could build this using only Plan #1
;
Drawing #1
includes a color
photo of the
completed
machine.
INSIDE & OUTSIDE
Send to:
Gerald Shearer
P.O. Box 1347
Toms River, NJ 08754
.
I
If more information is
wanted, write for FREE
DESCRIPTIVE BROCHURE
8
..
·· -
--
-· . .
••