I am in the process of enabling the operation of coin mechanisms on each of my machines. Naturally each requires a coin box but in my experience EMs are rarely sold with coin boxes.

I have also had some difficulty in precisely identifying what spec coin box was supplied in a particular machine. So when pinballgirl recently advertised on ebay a pristine rarely advertised coin box for a woodrail I placed a bid but ultimately did not win and it went for $US61. But thankfully pinballgirl was good enough to provide the coin box dimensions.

RScoinbox1.jpg

Now in Australia we have a saying 'if you can't beat EM-join EM'; so I decided that 'if can't buy EM-make EM. I obtained a sheet of galvanised sheet metal 20g from the local recycling outlet for $2; purchased a sheetmetal bend brake for $50 similar to the Harbor Freight model

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-inch-bending-brake-39103.html

& which I will use for other bending projects such as brackets etc and called on my spot welder which I had previously used for car repairs to spot the sides as per the original. I am reasonably happy with the result after first making a cardboard profile. It was lucky I did because the width dimension provided by pinballgirl was 1/4in wider than the opening in my Rocketship so adjustment was required. These are the progressive pics:

RScb1.jpg

RScb2.jpg

RScb3.jpg

RScb4.jpg

RScb5.jpg

RScb6.jpg

RScbdisp.jpg

RScbinst.jpg

Finally I applied the Gottlieb A4658 label and again I extend my sincere thanks to Peter Koch for producing this label which I understand is now on his website.

I understand that early Gottlieb EMs had cash boxes made of 'tin' and no lid and a variety of cash boxes were available as listed in the parts list sections of successive catalogues. For Rocketship the cash box part no was A4550 and its price $0.60 per the Gottlieb 1960 parts catalogue. Apparently standardisation of cash boxes occurred sometime later and that included provision of lids. I have not been able to locate images of those earlier cash boxes apart from that included in post 1 of this thread on ebay by pinballgirl. If anyone has other images a post would be really appreciated.

Thanks jrpinball. I think you would be proud of my approach to the coin mechanisms although some may think it a bit odd. I have a combination of machines from those purchased in Australia where 20c coins are used and those I have purchased from the US which use a quarter.
I have retained those denominations for 'machine originality'! Rather on the US sourced machines I have not seen any point in replacing the original 110V transformer and use a number 240v>110v step downs & so have retained the machines in their original format.
I have found the Coin Mech brand mechanisms to be particularly well engineered and reliable and with the assistance of Ken Layton I have been able to iron out any issues quickly & simply. For me operation of the coin mechs is just as important as all other aspects of machine operation.

The dimensions Vic are 8in wide x 5 1/4in deep x 2in high. Are all of those 50's cash boxes (part catalogue naming) without lids Vic?

Thanks Pin-it for your post & your words of wisdom re safety. On this task with all safety gear intact, working outdoors & using the spot welder with light gauge sheetmetal and combining tong pressure with length of arc I was quite surprised at the lack of any apparent toxic fume being released so I was quite happy with that.

None of my 70s machines were supplied with cash boxes and as I favour the use of the coin mechanisms I need the cash boxes in each machine. hoov was good enough (thks again hoov) to send me a pristine cash box and I have used that as a template to have a go at fabrication.

This is a much more complex design than the earlier smaller non lid woodrail cash box but I decided to adopt similar fabricating practises using an inexpensive bend brake, clamps, jigsaw, tinsnips, drill, panel beaters hammer (for lid slides) & my spot welder.

I started with a cardboard template for the box proper:

coinbox701.jpg

Then transferred the template to a piece of galvanised sheetmetal (this was a leftover which cost $2 from a recycling yard) from the previous cashbox):

coinbox702.jpg

Initial bends completed:

coinbox703.jpg

Then cutting out, inserting, spotting the ends and making and attaching the handle:

coinbox704.jpg

After making a cardboard template for the x3 coin openings the lid was cut out ready for bending:

coinbox705.jpg

Cash box & lid now completed:

coinbox707.jpg

coinbox706.jpg

...and finally inserted in my Pro Football machine. Coin mechs activated and coins fall in cash box appropriately. The height of the cash box in the pic appears to be above the door opening but that is not the case-it aligns ok.

coinbox708.jpg

I am reasonably happy with result although the first is always a learning experience and improved processes & finish will be incorporated in future endeavours.

Thks for the kind comments. These however do not require great skill to fabricate which is just as well because as an accountant I am mainly used to fabricating the books!!

No IRS in Australia jrp!!

Yes thks jjpm I would like to see the pics.

Thks jjpm that's interesting. A4658 is already on the Peter Koch Inkochnito site-he may wish to include the extra one too. It is not easy keeping track of coin boxes and , where applicable, labels that were used in a particular game.

Terrific response Peter once again-thks so much -Wayne