First machine, seeking advice on Westinghouse WC-60

[skreien]

Hey everyone,

I've been searching for about a month now for a Coke vending machine for my basement rec room.  I wanted one that was smaller in size, had at least two selections, and could vend bottles or cans, so I've been looking for a Westinghouse WC-60 or WC-78 in unrestored-but-good condition.  I like the 60's looking Select-O-Matic knob on them and I think my kids will think it's neat to drop in a dime and get a drink.  I found a WC-60 about 40 minutes south of me so I'm going to look at it on Thursday.  It seems to be in good shape from what I can see in the fairly low res pictures that were posted, but I'm going to take a trip and inspect it before I make an offer.  The only thing he disclosed over the phone is that it has a little bit of surface rust on one side, and although the compressor runs and gets cold it doesn't get as cold as it used to so he's thinking it might need a freon boost.  He also said that it's the original compressor so he thinks it's a bit loud.  Besides the obvious checks of making sure it vends/gets cold/coin mech works/no obvious missing parts, what should I look for?  And should I be worried about the cooling system in it?

Also, from what I've read, the going rate is $300-$400, but if it needs a shot of freon and has some surface rust probaby $300 or less.  Is that about right for the cost?

Thanks for sharing your experiences with me!

[darrelcraig]

Welcome to the board.  Make sure you read up on the Westinghouse vend motors on this site.  You can't find replacement vend motors if yours doesn't work.  I have a wc-60-md and a wc-102-md.  They're pretty awesome machines and are fun to tinker with.

[jholmgren]

Welcome!

I like the select-o-matic myself and will probably pick one up some day.  The last decent one I saw was a MONSTER...over 7 feet tall, too big to lug into the house.

A word of warning - unless you are (or know) someone with the ability to troubleshoot/fix a refrigeration system, I would pass on any machine that "needs a shot of Freon".  They are hermetically sealed systems, if they are low on Freon, they have a leak somewhere.  Freon doesn't "wear out".

Jim

[Tomahawk27]

Like others have said, a lot of the Westinghouse machines have had their vend motors go on them and as a result, won't vend. Does it have a coin mechanism? That's another common problem.

Kind of hard to say what the value would be without seeing any pictures. I paid $150 for a 102-MD but it did need some work done (currently in the process). If the vend motor doesn't work, I have come up with a way to manually vend the cans/bottles so there are ways around that problem.

Overall, the best thing to do is take a look at it and maybe post some pictures. Do you have a link to the listing?

[skreien]

The seller said that everything works on it, it just seemed slow to cool.  Or maybe that's just his impression.  I'm not sure how to judge whether it's cooling properly or not except by temperature.

Here's the link to the post:http://toledo.craigslist.org/atq/3328913444.html

[Tomahawk27]

I wouldn't consider myself an expert by any means compared to most of the guys on here but this is what I saw:

The marquee, selection area, and chrome all seem to be in pretty good condition.

It looks like there is some rust near the upper hinge but that was the only spot I could see any. Not to say there isn't more elsewhere but 1 area isn't bad for 3 photos. The front door/access panel has either been replaced on painted over, it doesn't match the rest of the machine. The rest of the body seems faded.

Basically, I think it comes down to, would you be happy with the machine as is? If not, can you restore it or willing to spend more to have someone else do it? It hard to tell with the photos being a bit further away but it didn't look like there were too many gouges, scratches, dings, etc. so a restoration might be a little easier

[skreien]

As long as the machine is in good working order, no parts missing, and looks good (barring the obvious normal wear for its age) then I'd be happy with it.  I'm not looking for a restoration project.  Some day when the kids are on their own and the machine is 20 years older I might restore it.  Right now I can't afford to.   

I'm not sure what would be a fair price for the machine in it's current state.  I was hoping for some advice there too.

[Kilroy]

in it's current state, offer  $225,

[skreien]

He said he's turned down $250 multiple times in the past before he wanted to sell it, so I'll probably start at $250 then.  Otherwise I think I'd just tick him off.  Thanks!

BTW, meant to ask this before, but anyone have any idea how rare the WC-60 model is?  This is the first one I've seen, and I've been watching ebay and craigslist for about 5 weeks now.

[Kilroy]

They are rare in "yes, they do not pop up to often, not rare as in I can retire when I resell this machine"

[mznb1u]

I can't tell from the picture but it looks like there is something not right with the coin door lock.  Unless that is the key just sticking out of the lock?

I would make absolutely sure that the vend motor is working and all else is in order before offering him too much.  He has identified that the machine has a cooling issue and this could be as simple as finding the leak and recharging the system to a complete replacement of the compressor.  Either way, that is going to cost you money to get it repaired and if it requires a complete cooling system rebuild--you may end up with more money into the machine than it is worth.

I have seen more than a few of the Westinghouse Select-O-Matic machines.  I don't know that they are particularly rare but the vend motor issue has probably sent a lot of them to the scrap heap well before their time.  Great looking machine and nice sized but make sure you are going into the deal with your eyes wide open!

Those of us who have collected a while have all bought machines that turned out to be mistakes.  Just trying to make sure it doesn't happen to you.  And as far as the price, that machine has been listed for more than a week and has not sold.  He might be dealing with a lot of tire kickers who are calling him and not bothering to come and see the machine.  Go in with $200 in hand and you might be surprised.  You can always increase your offer.  

[Slider-Bob]

I offered him 200 about 2 weeks ago. At that time, he said he had 1 other offer of 200. 

I called him again last Saturday at noon on the number he provided in his CL to see where he was at on it, and he gave me a hard time for calling him while he's at work...Really? It's a Saturday dude...don't put your number in the CL ad if you don't want phone calls, especially on a weekend when many people are off.

Never told me it wasn't cooling well either. I'm out.

[krovel]

looks like everyone has hit the highlights on this machine so far.

About the only thing I could add is on the door where the lock is it looks like it might not be the original door. if you look at the white paint on the sides where it ends beside the small door, its supposed to go across the top of that door. About and inch down. At least it does on mine, and a couple of others i have seen. There are many different types of course but it just looks odd to me. 

And no matter what if the vend motor doesn't work do not walk away....please run, it is no joke when everyone on here says the vend motor is hard to find and almost impossible to find a replacement. it is a cool machine, but it is not worth that much trouble.

Kevin

[Kilroy]

Kevin

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/atq/3280841301.html

If you're looking at Toledo's Cl, i am guessing you're fairly close to fashionable Ferndale.
i have no connection to this machine or it's seller, nor have I seen it in person.

[MoonDawg]

  "My sister is in need of money so she's willing to negotiate - no low ballers"

[skreien]

I figured out after looking at the selling values that these are probably like old cars. They're lots of fun to own, they take some money now and then to keep them going, and when you finally do sell it you almost never get back your full investment.  If I can break even or come out a little ahead after enjoying it for several years I'll be happy. I like the idea of it being a bit more rare than the rest though, it might make it easier to sell someday.

[skreien]

Well, I guess I'm out on the WC-60 from Craigslist also.  I've left several messages for the guy, talked to him twice.  Every time I say I want to take a look at the machine and make him an offer he blows me off.  I don't think he's actually looking to sell it.  Or not seriously anyway.  I think he's just trying to get an idea what it's worth.

[johnieG]

He said he's turned down $250 multiple times in the past before he wanted to sell it, so I'll probably start at $250 then.  Otherwise I think I'd just tick him off.  Thanks!

BTW, meant to ask this before, but anyone have any idea how rare the WC-60 model is?  This is the first one I've seen, and I've been watching ebay and craigslist for about 5 weeks now.

They are not as hard to find as one might thing, not as common as the 78 model or the 102, but just ask Pat Pixley, how many of these have I personally parted out & dragged the rusted carcasses to the scrap-metal yard, ( Pat got a bunch of the spare parts) & before you ask, sorry no vending motors to part with...

So I'd tell your buddy to go ahead & sit on it for a while, a long while, another one will pop up shortly, fall is the time when languishing summer projects make room for the miss's  car in the garage for the winter.

[Tomahawk27]

Well, I guess I'm out on the WC-60 from Craigslist also.  I've left several messages for the guy, talked to him twice.  Every time I say I want to take a look at the machine and make him an offer he blows me off.  I don't think he's actually looking to sell it.  Or not seriously anyway.  I think he's just trying to get an idea what it's worth.

Had the same thing happen to me. Guy was listing a Cavalier model for about $150 or so, needed some work but I was interested. Called him, talked for a good 5 -10 minutes, set up the pickup date and everything. Day of, he texts me and just says "can't do it today." I ask when is the next best day, call him 2 or 3 more times and he never responds. I tell my buddy to call, the guy picks up first try and says the machine is still available just not for a while? Whatever, his loss

[skreien]

Any other models anyone thinks I should look at?  I'd like one that could vend bottles and cans so I can get rid of the fridge in the basement. I'm not stuck on the Westinghouse, that's just the only one I know of that would do both. Frankly not being able to replace the vend motors have me a bit nervous anyway.

[halehouse]

Maybe a Cavalier 64 with the can/bottle stack?

http://soda-machines.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=292&Itemid=14

[mznb1u]

You want to look for a machine from the Cavalier USS line.  I have a USS 64 and it can vend just about anything.  Many of them out there so parts should not be an issue.  They made a 8-64 (8 selections 8 bottles on a shelf--cans only fit 7), 12-96, a 12-144 and 15-180.  The last two are pretty big machines--read HEAVY!--and you said it was for the basement.  Here is a nice USS-96 for sale in Brighton, MI.  The brown is a little drab but nothing a coat of paint could not fix.  I have no connection to this machine but it appears to be priced right if all is there and working.  Based on the tag hanging from the marquis sign, I suspect that this did not sell in the last garage sale so you might even be able to get it cheaper.

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/clt/3339419324.html

  Tim

[MoonDawg]

       Am I the only one wondering..........who painted that machine?  And why?

[johnieG]

       Am I the only one wondering..........who painted that machine?  And why?

A Guy I knew who's father owned a vending machine business with machines in the local General Motors auto factories, and they had to comply with GM's vendors "paint code" & so all of his machines were a gun metal gray, be they Pepsi,Coke, Candy & Cigarette machines or whatever.  supposedly this kept any one vendor from having an unfair advantage by making their machines stand out from the other guys in the vending lineup...or in this case, they really liked brown. 

[mznb1u]

Johnie's explanation makes sense.  I have seen other Coke macines of this vintage painted in that same brown. Maybe UPS had the same requirement?

Tim

[skreien]

Any other machines come to mind that can do both cans and bottles?  My wife doesn't like the look of the cavalier uss machines.  Finally found a nice one with lots of pictures on eBay only to have my wife say "that's ugly". So it goes I guess.

[johnieG]

You can look at a Westinghouse MC series models 60/78/102-MD all will handle bottle or can at the same time, beware of nonfunctional vending motors on these as they are hard to come by.

Or any dual-chute/ column vending machine from the earlier 1960's could be setup to handle either bottle or cans, ( these are multi-button machines) Cavalier made some really nice looking machines with attractive chrome trim ( as did Vendo) be aware that if the machine has a serpentine vending rack, it will only vend cans as many of the earlier bottle machines of this era were converted from bottle delivery to cans by removing the bottle column & sticking in a dedicated can rack.

the Westy' WC60MD pictured was mine originally, browse the soda-machines section & take a look around.

[skreien]

Well, the guy from craigslist about the 60 started responding to me.  he says it cools, but only down to about 55 degrees.  He doesn't really know anything else about it.  I'm wondering if it's just one of the fan motors is tied up.  I'm going to arrange a time to go take a look.  If one of the fans isn't running I can put a multimeter on it and see if it's just the motor.  If so, how much is a new fan motor?  Any other ideas?

[johnieG]

Bad thermostat, ($35-45) bad evaporator or condenser fan motor (approx. $25-30) be warned, the evap fan is lot's of fun to get replace, if you've lucky the upper evaporator fan may only be jammed by a broken bottle or some trash, or the worst case scenario would be a slow leak in the cooling system (low freon)   Also beware of brittle & exposed wiring in these machines before you go sticking your hands inside with it running and/or plugged in to voltage. there are no easily exposed cooling fan motor terminals to get to without removing cover plates & boxes. so feel for the breeze on the rear wall inside above the evap' housing, look for frost on the small capillary line & evap' coils on the right side of the housing. & go from there.