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Thread: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    I acquired this nickel slot machine back in January and briefly mentioned it in a post about an Arrangeball machine, but I thought I should be more respectful and create a separate post about it should someone wish to research the machine at a future date.

    I found the machine at an estate sale - the owner was an older gentleman who had an impressive collection of about 150 old wooden radios, and each one had been carefully restored to "like new" condition both inside and out - every single one of his radios worked 100%!! He really knew his way around vacuum tubes, EM relays and resistors!! Anyhow, according to his son he had acquired this slot machine in non-working condition and spent several months going through everything learning about how it worked, and he was eventually able to fix it and get it working again. He then went several steps further and documented all of the circuitry, every change/repair he made, labeled every EM relay, switch and plug, and then researched the entire history of the machine starting with when it was built, who sold/bought it, and the entire chain of history, which he documented it in great detail. His work is very impressive, to say the least.

    When I bought the machine it was located in the basement of his home and it probably weighs about 250 lbs. It was a tremendous challenge for two of us getting up the stairs and into my van - it's awkward doesn't really have any good places to grip - but we eventually managed. It came with about $40 in nickels, a framed information sheet that includes a brief summary of the machines history, and a cool 1950's era stool. I later discovered a manila envelope inside the machine that included all of the typed research and hand drawn schematics he created for the machine, as well as a few spare parts.

    1967 Ainsworth Slot Machine - Minty's 002.jpg1967 Ainsworth Slot Machine - Minty's 003.jpg1967 Ainsworth Slot Machine - Minty's 004.jpg1967 Ainsworth Slot Machine - Minty's 005.jpg1967 Ainsworth Slot Machine - Minty's 009.jpg1967 Ainsworth Slot Machine - Minty's 010.jpg1967 Ainsworth Slot Machine - Minty's 029.jpg1967 Ainsworth Slot Machine - Minty's 023.jpg


    The machine was built in September of 1967 by Ainsworth Consolidated Industries of New South Whales, Australia as their "Golden Gate" model. It was purchased shortly after from a distributor out of London by The Mint Casino in Las Vegas, which operated as "The Mint" until the casino was acquired in 1988 by it's next door neighbor, the Horseshoe Casino. Upon delivery of the machine, The Mint changed the belly glass and reel stickers to brand the machine for their casino. "Minty's" was the nickname for the casino, and a mascot/character was created to fit the nickname (as seen on the front of the machine). As far as he could tell, this particular slot machine was placed into service October or November 1967 and was decommissioned sometime in 1972. From there it was sold to the person he bought it from, who played it until it stopped working, then put it into storage until 1997.

    As I mentioned above, the machine works as if it were brand new! The operation is smooth, the payout counter works, and there is even a bell on the back that rings when you reach a payout that is over $1. Also, you can flip the switch on the front of the machine to illuminate the attendant call light on top.

    The machine will only pay out maximum of 20 nickels regardless of the amount won, and and if the player is due more money the bell on the back starts ringing. It is believed that the bell would signal the casino attendant and he/she would come over and pay the rest of the winnings to the player either in cash or script, since a $10 (or higher) jackpot would most certainly drain the machine.

    I have spent many hours playing the machine since I bought it and have had a lot of fun. I have also had the pleasure of hitting the $100 jackpot at least once!!

    Jackpot!.jpg
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    Pachi Puro Card Shark's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    What a cool machine!!! Thank you for sharing.
    "Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well."
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Nice find.. great looking machine
    Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, .......... /........ If your not going to stand behind our troops
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Classic Aussie quality that!!


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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Very nice! Much more electronics than my Mills. Jackpot ! At least you have all the documentation and schematics to go with it. What a prize! The reel strips must have been changed to have the Minty mascot, but even though I would normally want the machine to be original, with the documentation of it's history...it is actually better this way, and would be a crime to revert it back to original! I'm sure it was pricy...but worth every nickel! By the way...some 1942 nickels were 35% silver. Might want to look closely at some of those old nickels in there!Save Your Nickels AND Silver Coin Melt Values - Coinflation (Live Prices)

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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    look for the large P. D. or S. mint marks on the back for silver nickels 1942 to 1945
    幸運わんわん Luckydog or Yukiwanwan in Japanese

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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    If the mechanism is easy to take out...it would be nice to see some pics of the mechanics! If you haven't had it out & prefer not...understood.

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Which mechanism are you referring to?
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Most of those machines the whole mechanical part has two levers that hold it in the machine. You lift those up and the total insides come out to work on.
    Over the hills and threw the woods, pachi hunting we go.
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    Pachi Puro pachiwall's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    On Brains Beer, there is no latches, the mechanism just slides out, after unplugging this connector.ElectroMechanical 011.jpg It slides on rails of the case that line up with ridges on the base. At the very back are 2 fingers, or hooks that it slides under to hold it down at the rear when fully inserted. I guess to keep it secure when tilted while moving it. I just looked again...I am surprised that nothing but gravity holds the front in place. Close clearances prevent movement inside...along with the 80lb weight! All i have to do is open the front door, unplug the connector, slide the mechanism out...and lift by the top bar of the frame, which makes a convenient carry handle.

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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Ahhh... so by the term "mechanism" you mean the reels.

    I will see if mine remove as easily as yours. Is there anything specific you would like a picture of?
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Not sure what happened, suddenly I couldn't add any more pics, so I just posted and will continue here. When out you can access all sides. brains beer 004.jpgThis is what I was trying to add next to the pic above to show where the plug connects. brains beer 007.jpgbrains beer 008.jpgbrains beer 009.jpgbrains beer 010.jpg Mills has a more elegant method of access. After opening the door, unhook these latches.DSCF7157.jpg It flips down, pulls forward by the hook, then rotates out of the way...one on each side. Now you simply pull on the handle in the middle, whole mechanism slides out lihe a drawer on slides. Then it swivels on a l Lazy Susan. For some reason, the pics that I was going to post are not loading, claiming the files are too large, however I have posted them in the thread Jackpot! linked earlier. The connector on the mills is on the back and simply unplugs when slid forward. you have to be careful to line it up when sliding it back in though. In case any new members became interested in brains Beer, and haven't stumbled onto it here it is, so I wont be tempted to : Brains Beer! (Slot/Fruit Machine) I am sure yours comes out similar to Mills, but has more electrical, so look for connectors.

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    Pachi Puro pachiwall's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Quote Originally Posted by JACKSJE4 View Post
    Ahhh... so by the term "mechanism" you mean the reels.

    I will see if mine remove as easily as yours. Is there anything specific you would like a picture of?
    Mechanism, meaning the entire mechanical frame that articulates the reels. Nothing specific...just a good overall view of all 4 sides. Maybe some closeups of anything that you find interesting. The mechanism will function outside the box, you just have to find the latch that prevents the handle from being pulled and hold it back, then push down on the roller that the arm pushes on. Easier to use a long screwdriver as a lever...but I can do both Brains Beer, and Mills by hand. It is very interesting to watch how the parts interact with each other. Many things are going on in there, as you can imagine. It would be interesting to see the differences between the machines. Do you know who makes it? Brains Beer is made by Bell Fruit, and is similar to Mills...but has many differences.

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Quote Originally Posted by pachiwall View Post
    Do you know who makes it? Brains Beer is made by Bell Fruit, and is similar to Mills...but has many differences.
    Well, my machine was made in Australia by Ainsworth Consolidated Industries.

    Minty Slot Machine.jpg
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    Pachi Puro pachiwall's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Quote Originally Posted by JACKSJE4 View Post
    Well, my machine was made in Australia by Ainsworth Consolidated Industries.

    Minty Slot Machine.jpg
    Says so in the title of the thread! Don't I feel dumb!

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    Tokie Owens Granox's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Hi Jaksje4,
    I just found this forum and am in the process of trying to restore my machine only I've had it apart for about 5 years and like an idiot I didn't take photos before I disassembled it. Could I please see some photos inside the back of the front door please.

    Thanks

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    Pachi Puro Moparformances's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Quote Originally Posted by Granox View Post
    Hi Jaksje4,
    I just found this forum and am in the process of trying to restore my machine only I've had it apart for about 5 years and like an idiot I didn't take photos before I disassembled it. Could I please see some photos inside the back of the front door please.

    Thanks


    Welcome to Pachitalk
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    ...committed people can change the world. ............. /.................Please, Please stand in front of them
    .....Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has............./
    .........................................Margaret Mead

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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Well thank you MPF I have only had my slot for about 21 years and decided in the last 5 years to give it a complete revamp. So I'm doing it in black powdercoat with most of the front parts brass plated and changing all the timber with solid mahogany.
    Finished the plating an painting and should get all the timber in the next couple of weeks and etching all the glass like they did in the 1800's and hopefully will have it finished in about wees.

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    Default Re: 1967 Ainsworth Aristocrat Slot Machine - "Minty's"

    Quote Originally Posted by Granox View Post
    Hi Jaksje4,
    I just found this forum and am in the process of trying to restore my machine only I've had it apart for about 5 years and like an idiot I didn't take photos before I disassembled it. Could I please see some photos inside the back of the front door please.

    Thanks


    Welcome to the forum!! Thanks for taking the time to join our site.

    I have just returned from vacation and picked up your post. I am at work today, but will be happy to post a picture of the inside of the door when I get back home this evening. Are there any other shots or close-ups that would be helpful to you? Let me know and I will post those as well.

    Best regards,

    ~Jeff
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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