The problem I think Dave is having is this:

The columns on a WC-44 is not like the WC-78 or the V-80 where each column is completely separated from the neighboring column by metal. There are 4 columns, but only the center partition has full depth top to bottom. The left and right partitions look like a lower case 'h'. The vending mechanism vends a bottle from the far right column first and goes right to left through the columns and then back to column #1, etc.

The PVC idea should work for you. The WC-44 needs to have each column loaded evenly and the outside and center partitions should hold the cans together. The PVC should hold the cans forward and the door liner will hold them back