First Machine USS-8-64, Need some help!

[JDAugie]

I mistakenly posted this request in the Chit chat section first, Sorry for any confusion!! I think this is the right place for it now.

Hey All,
       Just got my first machine, Actually the 2nd, but the first I started to work on, (there's a story).  I'm pulling it apart (just a little) to clean and assess the condition and I ran into a couple questions.  First, I'm cleaning the galvanized steel shelves and wondered if anyone had a good process for that.  There is some discoloration and some whiteish residue.  I think the white is zinc oxidation. Is that right?  Is there a way to get them clean without removing the zinc protection? 
      The second issue is that it is missing it's bulb cover over the fluorescent in the selection door.  I was going to get a new piece cut but don't know if it should be plexi or glass and if it should be clear or white. Also the clips are missing, does anyone have spares or pics of what they look like? If I can see what I need I might be able to come up with a substitute.  I bought a manual from somebody, But the xeroxes were not detailed enough to see what the small parts looked like.  Any Ideas?  I've been learning a lot reading through this site. Thanks for any info.

[collecture]

First, I'm cleaning the galvanized steel shelves and wondered if anyone had a good process for that.  There is some discoloration and some whiteish residue.  I think the white is zinc oxidation. Is that right?  Is there a way to get them clean without removing the zinc protection?

Welcome to the site!
Can't help with the parts as I've never owned or physically seen a 64, but as far as the shelves...

Soak them in a 10-1 mixture of CLR and water, but don't leave them too long as it will take the galvanizing off (10-15 minutes should be sufficient).

So if you got the fingers, we will read the long story about the first machine. I think everyone here has a long story, so maybe we can help!

[JDAugie]

Maybe I exaggerate.  For some reason I've gotten a bug up about buying machines from my youth. We're planning a rec room in the basement and I've sort of jumped the gun.  I bought a GORGAR pinball machine in January and Just as I was finishing up the rehab on it (it really only needed some cleaning, waxing and new rubber) one of the pinball sites got me thinking a Coke machine would be a good addition to the gameroom.  I did little research but at first look I decided I wanted a Coke machine of the 60's era (my youth) square top bottle pull type. Perhaps a V56 or v63.  I found something on Ebay that was local to me. The owner knew nothing about it and from pictures and visiting Soda Machines.com I figures it was a V56.  Since it was close, I went to take a look.  While it was basically what I wanted and it cooled, It was missing a lot of parts (shelves, coin op, lights didn't work) and it needed alot of body work. There was a big dent in the front on the edge of the vend door and a lot of rust inside.  I was too daunted to take it on and continued my search.  I found another one on Ebay that wasn't attracting any attention.  Again the owner wasn't really knowledgable about its make and model.  After a little research I decided it was a v-63 and bid on it.  It wasn't a coke machine exactly, it was Dr Pepper and Coke.  It had a split sign and a very dirty exterior.  I bid half heartedly and did no more research on it.  Suprisingly my bid won.  I picked it up without having seen it before except the one pic on ebay.  While thrilled that I finally had a machine, I was dissapointed, as I discovered it was set up for cans only and I had envisioned a bottle machine. Also none of the lights worked ( infact there was no sign fixture in it).  It also needs a lot of inside cleanup.  a good amount of steel oxidation and some severe rust on the compressor, (or evaporator actually, I think) floor.  So since I really wanted a bottle machine (I thought), and I got the Dr Pepper machine at such a good price, I set it aside and went to look at another machine that I read about on Craigslist. This was the USS-8-64.  Again I was unaware of much info.  I found the model number on the plate when I first went to look at it.  While it was a little newer than I had at first wanted ( it's 1972, still my jr high years), I liked the fact that it could vend bottles or cans and at a variety of sizes. But though it had been stored in an unheated trailer for a number of years, It looked fairly good.  It had been broken into and damaged, The door was bent to get it open and the fluorescent vend door bulb had been damaged but to my untrained eye it looked otherwise good.  After hemming and hawing for a few days and after some expensive tries at buying glass bottled Coke, I decided to buy it. 
     Now as I try to clean it up I find more extensive work that needs to be done.  Though, as a newbie, I'm glad that there is little in the way of rust and the cooling system seems in very good shape.  I found it was missing the door lock bar and the sign light starter socket was broken and unusable.  All the other bulbs were bad and the vend door flo bulb socket was broken.  But all the major systems seem to work and it's cleaning up good.  There are a lot of scratches on the outside, but I don't think I'm going to attempt a repaint.  I like the logo/wording and don't want to cover it up I think that I will repaint the white on the shell but leave the red.  Most of the ugliest scratches are on the white and none are really rusting too much.  I do want to think about replacing the woodgrain with red.  I saw someone else on the site here has done it.  I know the woodgrain is authentic to the 70's but the red will make it look older and more like I originally wanted.  More importantly, my wife really hates the fake woodgrain look.  But that sounds like a big project so I'm putting that off for now. 
     Anyway, I ramble on.  Maybe I'll still look for an all bottle machine. But, I've been very discouraged by the lack of bottle soda at a reasonable price.  I guess I could fill it with beer.  I think once I get the 8-64 up and running and I have more time to look into finding bottled soda, I'll decide.  I've been told I could fairly easily convert the Dr Pepper v63 to bottles.  Maybe if I conquer the rust there I'll look into that.  Thanks all for reading my ramblings.

John

[collecture]

John,
I was expecting the old story of how you took it apart many many years ago and it has just sat disassembled in the corner of the garage. Your story isn't that bad.
If I were you, I'd keep the USS machine. Get the V-63 up and running and sell it - maybe make it a kegerator and sell it to a local frat house! You could sell the can rack separately and maybe make a little money.
The USS machine, while not exactly what you want, is a great machine because (as you know) it will vend both bottles and cans. Most other machines are going to be either bottles or cans. Bottle soda is expensive and canned soda is cheap. If you need your soda in a bottle, maybe another member that lives near you can point you towards a good place to buy some - where you located? Of course, there is nothing like a COLD beer from a soda machine and beer tastes best from a bottle.
My five cents....

[JDAugie]

Well, I haven't given up on the v63. Maybe get it fixed up for the back patio.  I live in the western suburbs outside Philadelphia.  There is a Coke distributor a couple miles away.  Maybe they can point me in the right direction.  I got some 12 oz Mexican Coke in the grocery, but it was $1.35 per bottle and I found 6 packs of 8oz bottles at Wegmans grocery at $4.99 for 6.  So that's something but pretty expensive compared to cans at 12 for $2-2.50. I'm sure some of the rack will be stocked with bottled beer...

[TimHiFi]

I have a USS-8-64 model, date made on the tag says 8/74. My selection light cover is made of glass, it’s a little thinner than 1/8” thick and 19” long by 1 5/16” wide, mine does not have any clips, the glass slides in top end first and then you put the bottom of the glass in next, which drops down about 5/16”, which leaves about 3/16” at the top behind the chrome metal. This holds the glass in place, to remove the glass, slide it up (about 3/8”), pull on the bottom of the glass, and it slides out.

For the interior parts, I used the Electrolysis – rust removal method [http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp], I than painted everything in hammer tone paint. Just got everything together a couple of weeks ago, and it now looks and works like new.

[JDAugie]

That appears to be the way the glass would go into my machine.  But, as you can see by the pic, above, there are holes for clips as called out on the parts list in the manual.  I don't know what they would do, except maybe make it a little harder to vandalize or keep the glass from ratteling

[TimHiFi]

Mine looks exactly the same as your picture, I was wondering why there were holes there, but it looks like there never was any clips on mine. Maybe something could be added (clips), if there was an issue with people removing the glass and bulb?

[collecture]

I am imagining a spring steel clip that held the glass firmly up against the aluminum frame.

John,
In your  last picture, it looks like there is an alignment hole in the center and two spot welds on each side of it. It also looks like there is a stud positioned in the alignment hole - are you sure that your clips are not just broken off?

[JDAugie]

Not really sure.  It looks clean.  As you say the slot with a hole above it and two spot welds on either side of the hole. The same configuration, with a smaller slot on the bottom.  Another Pic.

John

[mznb1u]

JD,

Welcome aboard!  I have a USS 64 as well but I wanted to stock it with the old glass 8 oz. bottles.  I contacted all of the Coke distributors in Southeast Michigan (all corporately owned) and they will not sell to individuals.  I did find one that would but they had a 25 case minimum!!!

I resorted to contacting the Coca Cola Bottlers Association in Atlanta.  http://www.ccbanet.com/

They directed me to the only independently owned Coca Cola Bottler in Michigan which happens to be in the Upper Peninsula.  Luckily, I get up there for business a few times a year and they were willing to sell me cases of the small bottles at wholesale which was about $13.00 a case last time I bought some.  You might try CCBA to see if there is an independent in your area but they seem to be few and far between these days.

Good luck--the V63 and USS 64 are both great machines.

  Tim

[Creighton]

Welcome to SMC!!
My USS-64 is buried in the shop but will go take a look Mon. Think it is a 1973.
Creighton

[JDAugie]

$13 for a case of 24 is the range I was thinking when I started this quest.  The markings on my machine say it had 10oz bottles in it.  As I said, I found 12 and 8oz bottles at the groceries, but no 10oz.  Do they still make those?

[JDAugie]

Well, you can't really see in the small file size on the pic.  Maybe I can get a closer shot tomorrow.  But the labels say 10oz bottle.

John

[mznb1u]

Have not seen 10 oz bottles in quite some time.  The 12oz Cokes from Mexico available at Costco and Sam's Club vend nicely and the cane sugar formula is the best.  I think those run about $18-$19 a case but it is so good!  I have also picked up Mexican Fanta Orange in the past.  The other thing that you can watch for is IBC products.  The supermarkets in my area run that on sale two 6 packs for $5 every now and then.  They have a good rootbeer, creme soda and black cherry soda and those will vend nicely as well.

  Tim

[JDAugie]

Yeah,  I like the IBC.  Thanks.

[Pat Pixley]

also watch you local Walmart sometime they will carry The mexican Pepsi by the case   and Orange Crush.

[tkaz]

Welcome!  Looks like you got a good machine there, I'm a big fan of the USS machines, they are very versatile and always decent prices.  I've had 4 of them so far and have a pretty good stock of parts if you need anything.

There is a metal clip that goes across the center of the light cover, that holds the cover back.  I can take a look and see if I have one sitting around and get it in the mail to you.  I'd just go with plexi on the cover, its cheap and easy to cut and work with.  All of the ones that I have seen are clear, but I think it would look better with a white piece (can be a little harder to find).

There are some good threads around with photos of USS machines, I can try to get the link in a few.

Looks like you are missing the key as well, do you have the locking bar?  I typically replace the lock with one that you can get for file cabinets at Home Depot or Lowes, it takes a little bit of work to get it to fit (small file job on the door, and squaring off the end of the lock).  Its a cheap and easy solution.

Pulling the woodgrain off isn't too bad, take a razor blade and score the edges, then just start peeling.  Usually the paint underneath is a black primer, you can use GooGone to get the sticker residue off when you are done.  I got lucky with one machine, and it was a nice shiny white under the woodgrain.  I left it since it looked good, and was pretty happy.  

[JDAugie]

Yeah,  I was kind of leery at first with the USS-8-64, being newer than I started looking for, But the tag says 5-72 so that was really the start of my teen years and that kind of works memorabilia wise. Plus the versatility can't be beat. I did need the lock and locking bar, but I picked one up and it just arrived today. As far as the clips go, A picture would help me alot to see what they are.  I only see spots top and bottom on my machine, nothing in the center. I know that on the bigger version of the machine (is it a 12-64).  I go back and forth on the woodgrain.  It's authentic but it is damaged.  It's discolored and rippled in the corner. I'd love to see the pic of yours in white.  I think I'll have to take mine into photoshop, play with it and see how it looks in white, or red.  I have the white bottle door so I'm note sure what would look best.  Does anyone have replacement woodgrain?

[JDAugie]

Also, Collecture, is that mixture 10 parts water to 1 part CLR? or vice-versa?

[JDAugie]

Actually, a USS-96 is the one that has the middle clip where 2 pieces of plexi meet.

[tkaz]

Here's a good thread with a bunch of photos of machines: http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,10597.0.html

[collecture]

10 parts water to 1 part CLR is correct!

[JDAugie]

 Thanks for the update Collecture.  And, Thanks Tkaz, for the link. It will help me decide how to finish it.  What black do people use for the sloped aluminum coin area? Also any suggestions on the right Red and White?

[Creighton]

Here are a couple of pics of mine. The plexi is bottle door lense is clear. Too darn cold to dig it out to check the clips. The shelf paper section in Lowes may have a woodgrain pattern that is close. 3M website as well.
Creighton

[JDAugie]

Thanks, maybe when it warms up.