Just picked up my first Soda machine 7up

[DT400rider]

 I just picked up  a 7Up machine, I believe it is a Vendo.  Model number VF56F-J  The SN 211044706.  It lights up and gets cold air when you open up the glass door.  I am not sure what the inside looks like.  No key.  The lock is a ACE11.  I can't find a key for it.  I called a lock smith and he thinks he can make a key.  $100 or $50 if I bring the machine to him.  Can I find a key or should I go the lock smith route?

The tabs where the bottles goes says Pepsi so somebody puts some replacements parts in it?

I am new to soda machines so any info on this machine would be great.  I thinking it is a late 60 early 70.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[tooth350]

Your machine looks so close to my Coke Cavilear cs80c, check on ebay or craigslist before you pay 100 dollars, i had to drill out my lock (no key)  and bought lock and key on ebay for about 30 dollars with shipping, then opened up inside and found it was empty of everything, but i paid $100 for it and found everything and now it sits proudly in my garage workshop full of soda, beer, and water(for wife lol).  One of these days i'll post some pics of it as soon as the weather gets warm.

[halehouse]

It has a nice front sign and a can stack.

[MoonDawg]

      Nice 56, that surface rust should buff off with a little rubbing compound. Nobody modified that machine, the previous owner just put Pepsi stickers on it, and you can change those different selections to whatever you want.
      The lock is a little time consuming to drill out but sponsors on this site have similar replacements for under $15.

[Eric]

I agree a little elbow grease and she'll be look'n good...
Call Janet at Funtronic for a lock and key...
Congrats on the machine!

[Slider-Bob]

I don't know where you're located, but I'm in Michigan and I took a slider to Bid D Lock and Key in Berkley, Michigan and they picked the lock and gave me a key...all for $15!

I would check around and look for a lower price if you don't feel like drilling it out and puttting in a $15 or $20 lock yourself.

[DT400rider]

Thanks for all the comments.  I was going to drill out the lock.  I read instructions that said to drill to a certain depth. 

Then I found some info on the lock.  It said it has "Center plug contains anti-drill pin for added security"

I didn't know if I should take the chance?

[90grad]

I don't think you have that type of lock on the machine.  Yours should be able to be drilled.  Soda machines of that era have locks with "regular" looking keys.

[DT400rider]

I don't think you have that type of lock on the machine.  Yours should be able to be drilled.  Soda machines of that era have locks with "regular" looking keys.

Well the lock says right on it.  ACE11 with the R with the circle around it.  I thinking someone replaced the original with this one.  It is the round key.  

[Pat Pixley]

Nice looking little 56 I have 6 of these machine they are great   . Like MoonDawg said some rubbing compound will do wonders for the out side then hit it with some good car wax .
as far as the lock  replace it you will get two new key and new lock for $15 -$20 bucks  Call  SodaJerkworks or Funtronics up  either or can help you out.
 it will Drill out I've killed many locks in my time .

[msanborn]

you might be better off buying a tubular lock pick, fairly cheap, and easy to use.  I am sure you will run into this problem again, once you pick the lock, the "pick" is set to match the key, and a locksmith can cut a key to match it.  Southford makes a nice pick, that would probably open this in seconds. 

[d.swanson]

This may be a stupid question, but with external hinges can you remove the hinge pins?

I had a late '60s/early '70s Pepsi machine with one long continuous hinge and I was able to pull the 5 ft long hinge pin out then remove the door - and best of luck there was a spare key in the coin box.

[Ltransam]

 Nice Machine !  I had A line on a Similar 7up In Supper NICE shape But They Decided to Keep IT  But Will Call ME if they do decide again to Sell .

[MoonDawg]

        This is pretty cool but I haven't tried it yet!

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVstL-ENyRE&feature=related

[DT400rider]

      Nice 56, that surface rust should buff off with a little rubbing compound. Nobody modified that machine, the previous owner just put Pepsi stickers on it, and you can change those different selections to whatever you want.
      The lock is a little time consuming to drill out but sponsors on this site have similar replacements for under $15.

I tried some rubbing compound on the side by hand.  Looks like it will work great.  Thanks for the tip!

I did some research on drilling out the lock.  I will give a try this weekend.  I had to drill out the lock on my pinball machine but that one was easy.   

[DT400rider]

Any advice before I start to drill it out this weekend?

Thanks for all the comments.  I was going to drill out the lock.  I read instructions that said to drill to a certain depth. 

Then I found some info on the lock.  It said it has "Center plug contains anti-drill pin for added security"

I didn't know if I should take the chance?

[DT400rider]

Well tried to drill it.  No luck.  I guess they were not lying about  "Center plug contains anti-drill pin for added security"

Maybe I can grind it down so the door will open around it?

[DT400rider]

Final got it open.  Found $1.00 worth of nickels in the bottom tray.  The coin return box is full of nickels.

Put money in, it works!  Change return worked too. 

[DT400rider]

more pics

[tkaz]

So what was the secret to the lock, did you have to grind it off, or did more drilling do the trick?  Machine looks good inside, must be satisfying to finally get to see what's in there.

[DT400rider]

Yes, satisfying. 

I gave up on drilling.  I took a grinder to it.  Once the bezel was grind down to the front panel, I took a wack at it with a punch.  The only bummer was I hit the grinder on the paint.  Not too bad because I did put some tape around it but not enough.

[DT400rider]

.......  Machine looks good inside,..............

Does anyone know if this setup inside is original?

[cola62]

Yes, appears to be all original.

[cola62]

It is funny though that it is a 7up machine and has no 7up tag on any row.

[DT400rider]

Yes, appears to be all original.

Thanks.  I need to track down a Service\Repair manual.  New Lock and key.