Mission Chicago-Operation Eagle/"MILLS 45" AKA baby mills

[sc1101]

So this will be my first time going to the Chicago coin op show and I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of you. It will be great to put a name with a face. Just so you know I will only recognize some of you from what I call stage names or user ID's as they're really called.  Sorry its all I have to go by in some cases. Chicago looks like a great place to go and possibly find the machine of your dreams. So with that said I'm hoping to find mine. The one and only "MILLS 45" AKA baby mills. This machine has alluded me for years and its time to bring this baby home. So if anyone here knows anyone selling or thinking of selling one let them know I will be at the show and looking to purchase.
         
                                                                                                       
                                                                                                 Thanks in advance. Seth /stage name SC1101

PS: Operation Eagle is a joke I have going when I pick up a machine for someone on this site and the machine is safely in my truck I send a text letting them know the eagle has landed. Many of you already experienced this but thought I'd fill the rest of you in for future reference.  So in corny fasion I'd like to land a "COMPLETE" mills 45 on this trip so help me out and spread the word.

[Jeffmon]

I too will be attending the Chicago show for the first time, it happens to be the same weekend of my birthday so hopefully I can finally geta vmc 81 pepsi as my own birthday gift lol... Seth there's actually been 2 or 3 mill 45's on Ebay these past few months, not sure if they were too far for you but surprisingly they were all resonably priced ! Anyhow hope to see many of you there as well and Seth, good luck on landing your elusive eagle lol !

Jeff !

[sc1101]

Jeff,   Hopefully we will both be able to find the machines we want. It should be a great time. I look forward to meeting you and others. I did see the mills 45 that was listed a couple of times but it was missing the vending racks as well as other items. I'm trying to find a complete one because I hear the parts are impossible to find. I know they are out there I just need to find someone willing to part with theirs. No distance is to far for me I'll ship it from anywhere.

[vintage-air]

Guys, just wanted to shed some light on what you might see at the show in Chicago. I attended the show a few years ago and it was an experience for sure. I was up at
4:30am on opening day with my flashlight combing the parking lot for the rare machines and bargain prices. All i got was two cups of coffee, cold fingertips and a run down flashlight. I was mainly there for the swap meet area and was really surprised with what i found. The rare machines and hard to find parts were not there. No RC-81, Pepsi 81 and don't remember even seeing a coke 81. A lot of junk with high prices and was really amazed about what i didn't see. I thought this was THE place to find it all but was wrong with my assumption. I saw coolers, cash registers, antique refrigerators an lots and lots of signs. A few soda machines that were basically parts machines and a lot of stuff you find locally or by searching ebay and Craigslist. Most of the vendors there know what they have if it's anything of value and set their prices accordingly. The trip was a good experience because of all the members i got to meet the night before and because i was picking up a coke 81-D just north of the show anyway. A fun time for sure but just trying to give you a heads up about your expectations. Maybe that year was a fluke and its different these days but who knows.

[Seven181]

I have been going for years and the fall show is always better than the spring show. It has been down the last few years, because I think people know what they have due to all the shows now and are holding on to things longer. That being said...I have seen Pepsi 81's there, Coke, 7UP but never an RC. I have also seen tons of Stoners, Cig machines and others.

Brian

[Eric]

I'll be there.. and it's always different you just never know...one year it'll be the round top U.S. mailboxes you use to see on street corners in every isle...
81s and 44s the next year maybe one 81 and several square tops.... this stuff is getting hard to find.... but I can't miss because sure enough I don't go that cooler
I need will be there... The best reason to go is for Thursday night to meet up with everyone at the restaurant to talk machines, projects and just get caught
up with friends from here... the rest is just bonus.... Can't wait to meet up with you all.

[sc1101]

Thanks for the input guys. I hope I have a good experience and get to see some rare or unique things there. If I don't find the Mills 45 I may be a little disappointed but meeting up with some of the members will be awesome either way. I'm really looking forward to this trip. See you all soon.

[sc1101]

So who else is planning on attending? How many members usually attend?

[Pat Pixley]

You know I've done this  4yr's, and like Eric said the best part is meeting everybody Thursday night for Dinner  and shooting the breeze  with everybody.
 I've don't some deals before the swap meet  and bought stuff during.
 Yeah 4AM is hard but you can always head back to your room around 3 PM and pass out for a while  and hit it again later on .
Friday night there is a small group of us that gets together and head out for dinner  and that is always a great time .
Then  Saturday take a walk into the show and then head out and on the way back hit a few antique malls and call it a great weekend.

 Wont be making it this year  closing on a new home got so much to do..

 But there is always Spring  

[sc1101]

Sorry to hear your not going to make it. I bet I'll have a great time at the show and be back next year. I'm sure I'll get to meet you some day.

[Pixel]

Does the show feature any soda machines from the last 10-15 years, or is it strictly classic machines, and other classic coin-ops, etc.?

[Jim]

For those inquiring about the Fall Show, here are some photos from 2009...

Chicago Show - Fall 2009

[vintage-air]

Great pictures Jim! Im drooling!

[sc1101]

Looks like my kinda place. Thanks for pics.

[SIGNGUY]

You just never know what will show up.... No it's not like walking in and seeing 3-5 Pepsi 81's and 7up 81's and you have the time to select which one is best.. there might be one or two , but if the seller knows what he has, it'll be priced high and you have to work him till you get the price he wants.. if he doesn't know what he has, then it'll be gone right away...

it was just a year or two ago, that a member here bought a Vendo 81 Coke for $200.00 or something like that.. the guy was not into soda machines, selling some other things and just brought it to get rid of it.. so you just never know!

it's definatley worth going.. I should be there this year too if the stars stay aligned..

[MoonDawg]

        That's right, we were supposed to hear the scoop on that awsome 81 purchase.......who bought it and where is the picture?