NCR's Class 52 Electromechanical Cash Register: Part 1

[@johnd1432]

You deserve an award for figuring out how to take that Behemoth apart and put it back together again!

[@CelGenStudios]

There was a lot of swearing....

[@terryowers5815]

I served my apprenticeship with NCR started in Feb 1959, After being trained in Sydney Aust on the class 51 I specialised on the 51 and worked on many many machines adapting them for many operations from Bars to Supermarkets , Service stations and Department stores. I was involved in conversion from Sterling to Decimal currency in Australia and New Zealand. By changing the Type wheels they could be used to provide computer input They were printing on the Journal NOF or National optical font which was read by an electronic reader and used as input to computer systems .Change computation was fairly common which with the addidion of a set of slide switches , the output could be sent to a NCR 410 Coin Dispenser which would dispense the change coins. I am currently restoring a class 4000 which were built in 1930's in the Art deco style. Have also restored some brass machines. I have really enjoyed your videos

[@Jimorian]

I worked at a local toy store in the late 80s early 90s that had a similar model, maybe the same with different config? We definitely had the hundreds place, and ours were all beige. Only have memories to go on. We could still get actual NCR service on it at the time, but you could tell those days were quickly coming to a close. We still had the crank, and tried it out a couple of times. For how complex the mechanics were, they were also robust! A toy store during Christmas meant they were running full out open to close!

[@pheehzero]

I worked on thousands of these from the '60's thu '70's. The grand total that you want to reset has a limit (actually a cord clamp) that stops the left lock from going down all the way. Just remove the bottom screw on the part with the hole for the lock, and remove that clamp...you might have to shorten the screw or put a washer on it. The drawers are controlled by the transmission that lifts the selector to as many as 4-drawers. When they went to 6 and 8 drawers they used solenoids. At Wiebolt's they had stacked drawers. I'm impressed with all you have learned.

[@CelGenStudios]

Thank you! It was a bit of an interesting tangent trying to get at least a basic idea of how everything worked together.

[@pheehzero]

@@CelGenStudios I have respect for all that went into these machines...they represent what American ingenuity was. I enjoyed the challenge of re-engineering them. Thanks for bring back the memories, it was a good craft.

[@JanusCycle]

That was fascinating. I want to see that mechanical memory in action.

[@CelGenStudios]

I'll try, but actually getting a good shot inside is really hard

[@JanusCycle]

@@CelGenStudios Whatever you can get will be fine. Just seeing some of the mechanics moving will be interesting.

[@welxxonyoutube4487]

Thanks for the nice video. People don’t very much nowadays remember this kind of machines that were a part of every day’s life before. I have just restored a Sweda 46 cash register. My Sweda is most likely from the middle of the sixties.

[@driverm4544]

I alwqys love seeing these machines restored. Just the insane engineerinf that had to go in to this to make it work before the age if computer chips was insane!

[@NeoJ4K3]

Always love seeing what new stuff you got. Ended up having to watch this one twice :)

[@vlad4evar]

good to see you back, i haven’t seen your vids despite being subscribed but i’m glad i found your stuff again, haven’t seen you since facepunch hope everything’s going well, your fascination with old tech was contagious

[@MelancoliaI]

Beautiful machine!

[@DaveInBridport]

Superb piece. Beautiful engineering.

[@ElmerCat]

It would seem it has been re-configured to operate as a bar cash register where each drink is registered as a single transaction, and not a list of items to be totaled. This would explain why the cash drawer opens with each entry. The bartender serves two draft beers - registers $4.00 (or whatever the drinks cost) - bell rings, drawer opens, money in and out, close drawer - and it's all over with. There's also no need for the clerk key to reset because there's usually just one bartender per register, and having to press it each time would be a nuisance. Since your machine was modified by NCR at some point in its lifetime, it stands to reason it was converted from a grocery totaling cash register, into a single-entry bar cash register. This could also be when it's original tan upper case was changed to a chrome case, as this was often a preferred feature for cash registers in a bar location. There's a smaller, older class of NCR machines typically configured like that, and were very commonly seen in bars and clubs. Until very recently, several such machines were in use (some chrome and some woodgrain) at the Paradise Bar in Cambridge, MA. An old man from Dayton would come by to service them periodically. Alas, the bar closed a couple of years ago, but I've heard all of the equipment is still in place, perhaps even those old registers.

[@CelGenStudios]

Hmm. I never really considered a bar machine to operate like that.

[@susanlanier4915]

I WANT THIS!!!!😮 my dream machine!!❤

[@Veronica-ld8nk]

Just watched your video. It was a big help. Someone I know has of these they still use that suddenly stopped working. Now they can’t get the cash drawer open. The manual crank you showed seems to be the solution. Is there a drawing or photo or a specification for the shape of it? I don’t have immediate access to the machine or I could just look. I would like to bring a crank with me next time I see them. If not, I guess I will have to either fake it or take measurements and photos of theirs.

[@CelGenStudios]

There doesn't seem to be anything for diagrams or specifications on the crank. I took a piece of steel rod, punched and drilled the center and then ground off enough material for the two teeth to seat on either side. that's the best I can offer.

[@computeraidedworld1148]

So there's a separate register for each button. It's just not adding to that final register. I'd really like too see the insides

[@stevecurl7430]

They were designed to be heavy so that a thief could not steal it and run away.

[@joe_tagliavia]

First time I recall seeing an NCR 52 in chrome! Fancy-Shmancy! I don't know that I can provide any useful info, It really does seem like something is not functional when it comes to totaling. My only experience with those registers is from the customer side of things, but I honestly saw many of them in action in supermarkets during my childhood and teen years. I don't recall cashiers re-entering their clerk key, and that is because each cashier had her own drawer insert. So, the "A" key was down the whole time clerk "A" was on shift, until that shift ended and then the manager would "Z out" the register, clearing all the totals and getting a tape printout of all totals. I do believe the key may have multiple positions to determine clerk vs management functions, but the functions were accessed by moving the key up or down (not just a round hole) to select the function, once the key was turned (like a gear select, I guess). The sequence I recall is that all items were entered by department and then the Taxable Total key was hit. There was a tax chart taped to the register for the clerk to use. She then entered the amount and pressed the Tax key. Now she he the Total key and announce the amount due. Once she had payment in her hand, she would enter that amount and press the Amount Tendered key. Then she would press the key labeled "Bal Due" (Balance Due) and the register would subtract the total from the amount tendered to display the change due. OK, this might have been zero help, but it is what I recall from the 60s and 70s, so if one iota of it helps then I am glad. BTW, the sound coming out of that machine is different than what I recall from NCR 52s. They had a distinctive crisp "click" sound when keys were depressed and when the all sprang back up after the Dept key was pressed and the numbers rolled around. So, this video was interesting in that regard. There is a guy who did videos of restored NCR registers somewhere here in the States and his channel is called "original restorer". I believe his name is Eric. He may have some useful info. He had at least 2 NCR 52 videos.

[@DaveInBridport]

Most registers have three keys. Clerk, supervisor and master. Master allows you to total out the X and Z totals.

[@archeobits607]

Here is the NCR Class 52 service manual: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1L_SVe-MTdScAjc_cogcMD7duyYTD1N1o Do you know which numbered keys you need?

[@CelGenStudios]

I do not, actually. Thank you for the service manual link by the way!

[@jenniferbrady6870]

I have an electromechanical NCR from around 1965. Need advise

[@CelGenStudios]

If it has not been recently greased and oiled, you got a lot of work ahead of you.

[@jimgillert20]

Wow cool.

[@auskinboy]

You could have asked me, I have the full field tech manual!

[@CelGenStudios]

I didn't know. Sorry. D:

[@swedacashregisters]

very good to see someone else with a ncr 52 . I just like to add some stuff it was modified because the entire case should be tan the chrome is a cabnet used for a bar or restraunt. when you ring up that for some reason is doing what is called single item and not adding up i think i can figure that part out . its the same idea as the old brass you push down $1 drawer opens but that is not correct for this register no mater the configuration it should not do that. I have been trying to teach myself to work on these for ever any original ncr tech alive for some reason will not help or share any of there knowlege that to me is insane. but i have service manuals I would def share with you. I would really like to get with you and see if you would offer me some lesson on some stuff I have come along way on these i just managed to un jam my first ever one after destroying so many. i would really like to know how you made that crank wow all i can say is i would love to colaberate with you thanks for putting up vids you can see mine i fix what ever i can

[@CelGenStudios]

Hmm, so there *is* something weird going on here. If you wish to email me you are more than welcome and we can talk about this more.

[@swedacashregisters]

@@CelGenStudios i dont have your email ?

[@CelGenStudios]

@@swedacashregisters Head on over to the ABOUT tab on my channel. A contact email is available there.

[@alyeam2673]

Do you know how much one of the register programmers that you were talking about got paid for doing that?

[@CelGenStudios]

I can only guess. I would suspect a few dollars an hour which doesn't sound like much but 70 years ago a dollar went a LOT further.

[@jaredini]

Do you have any of our British machines like Gross?

[@CelGenStudios]

Just my two NCR's and a much more modern IBM SurePOS system. I promised myself just to get a specimen from the mechanical, electronic and terminal eras and leave it at that.

[@richbooth8948]

WTF? I got a slot machine, now I have to get a cash register? Mechanical memory fascinates me. My juke box makes use of it, as well. I'm sure you'll get a hit from an old school NCR tech that will know what's going on. Can't wait to see the inside.

[@CelGenStudios]

Oh I am an idiot for getting this thing. It's way too big and I don't have anywhere to put it or use it. I really don't like to buy and resell but I'll probably be forced with this one.

[@richbooth8948]

@@CelGenStudios LOL. Don't do it! There's always room for cool stuff in the mancave.

[@auskinboy]

@@CelGenStudios don't you dare! NCR 51/52's are sacred objects.

[@comeradecoyote]

I want one of these haha

[@CelGenStudios]

They are so heavy! x_X

[@michaelrollins8345]

If you can get a crome 1900 bar machine very rellble and easy to work on

[@robertdefazio2885]

Why was there 2 draws please ?

[@CelGenStudios]

Not a clue. you could order them from NCR with one two and even four drawers.

[@robertdefazio2885]

@@CelGenStudios cheers I've seen a 4 draw it was masive in a store in Dandenong Victoria Australia It was just a display but my goodness it was huge and beautiful

[@michaelrollins8345]

One l could stand for one cash drawer

[@tyleredwards6489]

Ya I lifted one earlier. Much regret

[@DandyDon1]

It might be Nickel plated, not chrome.

[@DandyDon1]

On older machines which I've been exposed to, in coffee shops and a bar where I worked, there is an X mode and a Z mode or X key and Z key. X shows the running totals of each department, and that is printed on the journal. Z displays the totals of each department prints this on the journal, then clears each department out as you go through them. As far as I have seen, the X and Z key system was carried out even on other mechanical cash register manufactures such as Sweda, VM (Victor), TEC, etc. Even the later incarnates of electronic registers like NEC, Sharp, Sweda, TEC etc. used the X and Z key system On some machines each clerk had there own "clerk" key. The variations/possibilities are endless! 😬 I have no idea how X and Z are referred to on this model, but I think you have already figured this out. I also do not know if the individual clerk's keys amount totals can be readout and printed on the journal too. The same clerk button was always pressed down for everyone on the NCR register I learned to use. As far as I know DRAFT would be for DRAFT Beer. Seems this machine's last setup was for the hotel's coffee shop which sold food (a waitress would submit totals from the handwritten check), cigarettes, juice (or soft drinks/soda) and draft beer?

[@DandyDon1]

Astounding that I could not find any information in the wild about NCR class 52 other than a couple service manuals which were already sold.... Here is another video of a fully loaded Class 52. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hanFpKSwitqtppo

[@DandyDon1]

Complete with a Petty Cash key which opens the lower drawer independently from the top drawer.

[@DandyDon1]

I just remembered, cash registers for supermarkets/grocery stores could do simple addition, subtraction (for each item in the grocery cart) and multiplication for sales tax. Cash registers in Bars and Restaurants typically do not. The totals are entered from the waitress/waiter's tickets in a coffee shop or restaurant. In the case of a bar when a patron walks up to the bar station and buys drinks, the total of all drinks is entered into the register, not each item. It requires a lot more math on the part of the waiter/waitress, bartender, but it's also faster as it requires less key punches.

[@auskinboy]

@@DandyDon1 not really astounding. But for collectors and people who were brought up appreciating their true mechanical value, the 51/52 disappeared almost silently from view. It's actually quite sad because the register speaks of a truly ingenious mind. That and the fact that moving one was better than ANY gym workout will ever provide.

[@mikearena1246]

Cash register of today they are horrible