Mechanical Memories Magazine

Well less of the waffling and let's tell you about my latest machine; it's called The
Haunted Manor. A few of these machines were made at the tum of the century around
1906 in America. Works set out on designing the cabinet with its metal claw feet. The
cabinet stands around 5ft 8" by 2 foot square, and is made from the best woods: oak,
marine ply and birch, polished in dark oak.
The coin mechanism is push mechanical. The original is meant to take one cent,
but I have set this one at 30 pence. The annoying thing is, since making this machine,
good old British mint has made the I 0 pence coin thicker. As the Essex slide-mech
takes 20p plus one lOp, it is causing some issues as it excepts the older lOp but not the
newer, not forgetting they're magnetic now as well (cheaper metal to produce).
The mechanical part of the machine is quiet complicated and some electro-
mechanics had to be changed such as the cam side but saying this there are no
electronics at all just a couple of relays. The dolls are handmade and so is the scenery,
trying to get as near to the original as possible. Listed below is the run-down of what
happens when the coins are inserted.
A light in the front glass of the machine illuminates until a coin is inserted. All i~
quiet for a few seconds, then a trap door lifts to reveal a skeleton; this comes with that
old solenoid sound of a buzz and snap, followed by the bedside lamp illuminating! The
bedside lamp then goes out followed by the fireplace lifting up, behind the fireplace is a
secret room. A light then comes on in the secret room to reveal an horrific scene (well in
those times it was horrific) - rather looks like Sweeney Todd having a go at some poor
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