Help: What kind of metal shop do I need? (Roulette wheel parts) (1 Viewer)

[inapinch]

I have a roulette wheel with number-separators/frets missing. I’d like to replace all of them if possible to keep things consistent.

What kind of metal shop do I need to contact to request this piece be recreated? precision machining or something else?

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Really cool project! following, got me curious.

 

[louBdub]

What up homie!

Those are stamped.

I’d say the best way to reproduce them in duplicate would be a plasma CNC if you want metal.

Or, and this is the cheaper option by far, plastic CNC out of acrylic on someone’s glowforge or equivalent

 

[JeepologyOffroad]

Cnc plasma or laser. Most fabrication shops likely have one. Shouldn’t be that expensive to make.

 

[inapinch]

on someone’s glowforge

whoa there. That sounds like PCF meetup dirty talk right there

 

[louBdub]

whoa there. That sounds like PCF meetup dirty talk right there

I’ll text you dirty pics right now if you don’t calm down!

 

[inapinch]

Thanks fellas! I’ll call a few shops tomorrow and act like I know what I’m talking about. I’ll follow up with finished pieces and pricing when it’s all done

 

[JeepologyOffroad]

Actually after looking again, those bevels on each end will need to be finished which will likely boost the cost

 

[buzzmonkey]

Could be a good time to touch up some paint. Just keep in mind the wheel may need to be rebalanced after the work is done.

 

[inapinch]

Could be a good time to touch up some paint. Just keep in mind the wheel may need to be rebalanced after the work is done.

Totally agree. I’m meeting with two antique furniture shops this Friday to get estimates on refinishing/repainting.

hoping to keep the total costs under a small bank heist

 

[JWC]

Totally agree. I’m meeting with two antique furniture shops this Friday to get estimates on refinishing/repainting.

hoping to keep the total costs under a small bank heist

I wouldn’t have an antique shop refinish anything like that. High charges, and no commitment to originality. Can you post pictures of the full wheel?

 

[allforcharity]

Don't substitute with plastic, it will probably screw with the balance.

 

[inapinch]

I wouldn’t have an antique shop refinish anything like that. High charges, and no commitment to originality. Can you post pictures of the full wheel?

Good point. Should I look into “gaming retail stores” That sell things like pool tables and whatnot? Or perhaps another type of shop?

i couldn’t afford getting it into original condition, but would like to have something that looks nicer. Just a fun weekend project for me at the moment

 

[JWC]

My thoughts:
- I like you plan for replacing the frets, I would move forward with that.
- does the rotor spin? If so, can you lift it out and send pictures of the underside of the rotor and the inside of the bowl?
- do you have the turret that goes with it? If so, send pictures.
- I would clean up the wheel with murphys oil or the like. It’s a 70 to 100 year old wheel, it would look odd with a bright finish. Keep it as original and possible.

 

[ekricket]

@Spinettis Gaming

 

[buzzmonkey]

You could actually leave it mostly in that condition. Sanding improperly could affect the balance but a little wood treatment with Murphy's like @JWC said could do wonders. You could even leave the numbers as they seem in adequate shape and give the wheel some character. I was thinking more along the lines of the bottom of the cups between the frets with some black, red and green, color matched as best as possible to the backgrounds on the numbers or corners of the existing cups. Also maybe some fresh black along all the trim work.

 

[timinater]

I bet this would be a pretty easy job for a machine shop or a CNC/Laser/Plasma cutting outfit. They need to cut the blanks and then grind them down to match. Honestly, seems like a good job for Adam Savage on his tested channel.

 

[inapinch]

The machining shop got back to me this morning — they’re asking $1000 for 42 of these pieces. That includes the custom programming for the part, the raw stainless steel materials to produce it, and the labor to watch over the machine.

I’m not sure I want to move forward on that. There’s only 1 piece that’s actually missing from the wheel, so perhaps I can ask him to only create 1? gosh that’s steep

 

[JWC]

For maching, you have a setup charge, and a production charge. My gut says you have $950 in setup, and $50 for parts. So making one will essentially cost the same as making 40.

Next two choices:
- find a piece of aluminum, and hand shape one yourself.
- find some car / mechanical device / slot machine enthusiasts and have them make you one.

 

[JeepologyOffroad]

Hand making a single to match is totally doable. Just some effort

 

[buzzmonkey]

Budget solution.

 

[JWC]

More thoughts…

People have mentioned that the modifications might make the wheel less random. My experience is that you will only play it 1,000 times or less. You will spin it lots the first week, then then when friends come by. In six months you will realize how much space it takes, and wonder what else you could do with the space. As such, I doubt that you will ever have enough spins to detect a minor bias.

More than the missed fret, the missing turret would drive me crazy. It contains the makers ID information, and adds lots of value to the wheel. I am guessing that you have a BC Wills wheel, but don’t know for sure

 

[JWC]

Budget solution.

View attachment 1195317

I bought fifty packs of five piece gum in China once, as I couldn’t get them from sources the US. They were for an old him vending slot machine.

 

[inapinch]

Thanks y’all. I’m calling several Casino parts repair shops across the country this afternoon hoping I find someone with an old roulette wheel kept for parts. I’ve got 1 lead so far, but need to follow up tomorrow.

Otherwise, I’ll be dropping by a few car shops to see what we can cook up. That was an excellent suggestion! Appreciate all the input @JWC

 

[timinater]

This could also be an option if you want to do 40.

https://sendcutsend.com/

They can cut the pieces out of steel/aluminum etc. from a CAD file. From there I bet a tabletop grinding wheel and a jig of some sort and you could grind those points x80 fairly easily.

 

[ekricket]

There’s only 1 piece that’s actually missing from the wheel, so perhaps I can ask him to only create 1?

You know, that kinda looks like half a key. Like maybe you could cut and file a key to replace that.

 

[inapinch]

Small update:
I made an order on sendcutsend.com — each piece was $5, which was an awesome price! But, I made the wrong size thickness selection. I got a chuckle out of the results.

I’ve got a mechanic trying to cut me something, but will resubmit another order on sendcutsend if the mechanic option doesn’t work out.

 

[louBdub]

Small update:
I made an order on sendcutsend.com — each piece was $5, which was an awesome price! But, I made the wrong size thickness selection. I got a chuckle out of the results.

I’ve got a mechanic trying to cut me something, but will resubmit another order on sendcutsend if the mechanic option doesn’t work out.

View attachment 1200590

Take those to a local mill and have them face it down to thickness.

At a minimum you’ll have two from those, and can hand finish with a file for angles, fit & finish

 

[inapinch]

Big updates!
A local mechanic came through for me. He charged $100 for six of these frets. I still need to file them down so the edges are beveled. If anyone reads this now or later down the line and needs one, send me a pm.

And, I found an antiques restoration shop with good reputation and I decided to move forward to partially refinish the wheel. They sanded down the outer area to its natural rosewood color. I instructed them not to touch anything else, particularly the numbers. I also learned this is constructed from several different types of wood, and dates back to 1887 (stamped underneath wheel). I think they did a good job.

In case it might help someone, I’m sharing overall costs:
Wheel: $1200
Shipping: $350
Replacement Frets: $100
Partially Refinishing: $500

Frets

Before

After

 

[JWC]

Nicely done! What does the wording on the turret say? I think that 1887 is a little too early, and the wording on the turret will help to better date it.