National Cigarette Machine

[davethebirdman]

Hello Chaps

some of you will remember that I was lucky enough to get my hands on a seven pull National, in the summer last year.

It was minus a few bits for the coin mech but Tim has come up trumps on that score.

Well, I have now managed to get hold of two further machines. One is a seven pull and the other a nine pull. They arrive a short while ago.
They are both in poor condition, having sat in a barn for years.

However, the only bits they seem to be missing are the product card holders. The metal strip that holds the different packets and provides instructions on how to work the machine.

Does anyone have these parts for sale. I need a seven pull one and a nine pull one. I suppose I could make something up but would rather the real thing.

Also the product cards that slip into the metal frames - are they old cigarette packets or decals?? Does anyone sell these??

As always all help advice gratefully appreciated...

Dave

[mznb1u]

Dave,

I might be able to get my hands on some of the product cards from a guy that I know in the cigarette vending business.  Can't help on the racks.

  Tim

PS--I sent you an e-mail with something that may help.

[collecture]

I might have a few product cards around...let me look! I mean try to remember where I have them.

[davethebirdman]

Tim - Have e-mailed you back ..

Tom - Would be grateful if you could have a look around..

Cheers

Dave

[davethebirdman]

Okay guys another question about the Nationals.

All three of my machines have knobs that appear to have some sort of a plastic coating over them. Not the chrome type I see on everyone ese's machines.

Is there chrome lurking beneath.. Does the plasitc strip away or are there different types of knobs... ?

Dave

[mznb1u]

Dave,

That is a good question.  My 7 pull has chrome knobs but I have seen others that appear to have a plastic coating on the knobs that is bronze in color.

  Tim

[davethebirdman]

Hi Tim didn't see your post...

All three of my machines have those Bronzy coloured pulls. They look like a plastic coating but I don't want to pull it off and find nothing underneath that can be salvaged.

Dave

[mznb1u]

Dave,

You might want to PM Curtis at memorylane.  I suspect that he would know the answer to your question.  I would be interested to know the answer to that one as well.

  Tim

[memorylane]

They are plastic all the way through, no chrome inside:) I sent a set to the chrome platers years ago and they came back melted.

[davethebirdman]

Thanks Curtis

Glad you said that cos I was in the process of taking them off one of my machines and getting them sent off this week...

Dave

[mznb1u]

Glad to know that as well.  I thought about peeling the plastic off of one to see what was under there.  I guess that would have been a bad idea and a tremendous waste of time.

Dave--I will keep my eyes peeled for donor machines that have chrome pulls.  They pop up from time to time in my area.  Looks like you will need 23 total.  I think the pulls on the old national candy machines might be interchangeable.  Curtis--can you comment on that?

  Tim

[Larry]

My machine has the bronze plastic knobs.  I like them better than the silver.  The bronze matches the maroon and pink better than the silver.

A word of advice on these handles.  They will crack if you clean and lube your machine like I did and then have some kid pull the knob out and release it.  BAMMM, there goes the knob.  After I glued it back together, I removed all the pull knobs and added an O ring to be used as a cushion.  I haven't broken any since, or should I say my kids friends haven't.

[davethebirdman]

Tim - That's very kind of you...

Larry - Great Idea...

Hope to have one of the machines back from the chromer/painter this week and will re-assmeble soon and take pictures. Have gone for the maroon/pink theme.

Dave

[davethebirdman]

Well Chaps ..

I have almost finished my first National Restoration. Its not perfect and I don't think Curtis has to worry too much
but I'm quite pleased with the way it came out.

I still need to fit the light, you guys have a funny idea of electricity so I need to convert it over to what the rest of the
world use but apart from that its almost ready to go.

This was the worst machine. I still have two more in the garage but I think I'll hold onto this for a while and leave the other two
where they are.

I'm still in need of a seven pull product card holder and a nine pull procduct card holder.

Some pictures..

Dave

[davethebirdman]

A couple more...

[GreginNM]

Looks great, Dave!  Just like all the others in your collection, first rate!   

[collecture]

Looks good Dave!

[Ltransam]

 


                     OUTSTANDING !!!!!!

[bubba]

Looks great Dave!

[mznb1u]

Dave,

That turned out great!  What did you do with the chrome?  Did you just polish it up well or did you have it all re-plated?  Top-notch restoration job!

  Tim

[memorylane]

Great Job Dave! The Nationals are fun to do!

[davethebirdman]

Thanks for your kind words chaps...

Tim - Chrome had to be re-done. The machine had been sprayed in some sort of industrial paint. Thick with
a fleck. Nothing was removed when it was done and they just shot it all over the chrome too.. Took two months for
the chrome shop to do it and they ended up losing a bit of tirm (they have since found it) Not happy but trying to get
anyone to do it is hard enough. I know guys over here that have actually shipped stuff to the US to get done because
of the difficulties of finding a good chromer and the price.

Cheers

Dave

[Creighton]

Mighty fine job done there Dave!!!
Creighton