Westinghouse wc-44sk

[BrianB]

Howdy ya'll! I recently accquired a WC-44SK (don't physically have it yet... '> ) and was just curious if anybody else out there in SMC Land has one.

I would love to hear what you guys/gals think about them and if there are any quirks or peculiarities with this particular model that I should be aware of. Another question I had concerning the 44SK is the Coin Mech. Is it a standard old NRI/Coinco or does it have a unique mech?

The way it sounds, (I'm guessing) the mech is unique. Luckily it has it but I was just curious. If anybody else has any other info about these wonderful machines, give me a shout!! I'd love to hear about it or see some pic's of yours!

Thanks in advance!!!! '>

SMC Hoosier Chapter (Git r' done!)

[MoonDawg]

Coin mech is industry standard.
       I am shipping a 44 bottle stack to Brian soon. Anyone else want one?  Or the whole box?

[loman4ec]

How much for the whole machine? They are expensive but I didn't relize that home arcade repops the coin mechs.

[joesquid]

Brian,
I've got a WC-44SK sitting in my garage.  Got it free from a good friend...actually got it for rewiring his Mills 47B (now there's an odd machine for you) but the machine was in pieces so he wasn't sure if everything was there.  It was readily apparent that the compressor was gone but knowing nothing about this particular model I had no idea what else would be missing.  Of course, I soon discovered that the coin mech was missing.....that ought to be fun to find.  '>
I can't wait to get it functional but will have to put it on the back burner for now.  Still trying to put together the Vendo 39s and currently restoring a Vendo 63.
But it's all good!  Just another wonderful day in paradise!

[BrianB]

Eric,

Sounds like your WC-44 sufffers a common soda pop machine malady....Something I like to call RDOP (Rapid Disassembly Of Parts). I wish you luck getting her back together.

Oh yeah, before I forget, MoonDawg mentioned in this same post that the coin mech is industry standard. I would figure that would mean that a regular old Coinco 9800 series would work fine.

One more thing, Eric, Have a FINE Navy day!...LOL
 

[loman4ec]

No it is a Vendo 81D coin mech. If it is missing good luck finding one. Home arcade does repop it but it isn't 100% origional and it sells for $350.

[BrianB]

Josh,

Thanks a bunch for clearing that up. I guess Glen meant that they weren't some kind of wierd hybrid mech, just an industry standard 81 mech.

[joesquid]

At $350, just buying the coin mech will pretty much negate any profit of restoring the machine.  They're just not "loved" like the Vendo 44....kinda like comparing DiVito to Schwarzeneggar in the movie "TWINS".
I'd still like to bring this one back from the dead (just can't see tossing a perfectly good shell) but it's going to have to be one of my future "labor of love" projects.

Eric,
Couldn't you put it back together and then just rig it so that it does free-play instead of coin? Then sure it's not "complete" or "restored", but it still would work beautifully and would be a lot of fun to have and use.

Sure beats it jsut sitting around as a pile of parts.

[BryanH]

Quote (joesquid @ May 06 2005,7:14)

At $350, just buying the coin mech will pretty much negate any profit of restoring the machine.  They're just not "loved" like the Vendo 44....kinda like comparing DiVito to Schwarzeneggar in the movie "TWINS". I'd still like to bring this one back from the dead (just can't see tossing a perfectly good shell) but it's going to have to be one of my future "labor of love" projects.

Eric - could it be converted into one of those custom pony kegerators?

[joesquid]

Bryan,
Not sure.  I've heard of coke machines being turned into these but never have seen one.  If I went this route it'd be solely to sell the machine.  A six pack will usually last me a week so I figure a pony keg would probably last me a few years!!
Have you ever performed this modification?