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Golfer Mike
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« on: January 28, 2006, 07:55:08 pm » |
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Great site guys. My first time visiting.
While stumbling around the local antique stores yesterday I located a Vendo 63 Coke Bottle Machine from the 1960s for $400. Unrestored, but in very nice condition (no serious rust issues) and everything looks to be there. Of course there's no telling how long it's been sitting there, but the seller claims that "all it needs is coolant"...my family has done business with him before, so we trust his opinion. I have some general questions (some really simple)...So I'll apologize before hand (like I said, it's my first time here).
Would I have to take the machine to a repairman for refrigerant, or is this something I could do myself?
How much upkeep are required with these things (aside from the usual refilling of the beverages).
It looks like the shelves are adjustable, I presume that this means that I can use 8, and 12 ounce bottles? But only Coke bottles? What about other shaped bottles such as beer bottles? Any trouble with plastic bottles?
What should I expect to pay for a case of bottle Cokes? I probably would have to do some digging as I don't really see them on the supermarket shelves that much anymore.
Finally, Is it really worth the fuss? My sensible side says to just go with a $125 mini-fridge in my Home Theater room, but my Inner-child has always wanted my own Coke Bottle machine. And with tax-refund time rolling around the corner, my wife feels I might need to be brought back to reality.
Thanks.
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audiobeer
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« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2006, 08:43:31 pm » |
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$400 is a great price if everything is there, paint is nice and all it needs is freon!
Beer bottles do fine, 20 oz water bottles, no.
In a Home theater room with clothes proximity to the listening area is a bad ideal. Maybe in the room next to the HT room. Can you imagine listening to a dialouge in a movie where the actors are whispering and the compressor kicks on? I know it may be a very quiet machine but only you will be able to answer is it worth it. In an Home theater setup it would not go well in my opinion.
Bottom line, if it's a very nice 63 only needing freon it's not a bad deal.
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Missouri
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loman4ec
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« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2006, 09:03:33 pm » |
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I disagree. I have the old small fridge I just painted in my bedroom and it doesn't bother us. I am even a really light sleeper. At one time in daytona I had three machines running in our livingroom and it didn't bother us. Yes some machines are louder than others. As far as price on the 63 it depends on which model it is. If it is a later 63 with the black coin bezel and or woodgrain front I would say it isn't worth $400. If it is an early model which is all red and white and has a gold or chrome coin bezel it is worth the price. Just my two cents.
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bubba
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« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2006, 09:24:53 pm » |
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Welcome to the site!... I've got a 63 running in my basement next to my theater. I agree with Audiobeer regarding the quiet scenes, but if you have any decent sound system, it will over power the machine. My bigger issue is the light up panel during a movie, more than the sound. I am working on another room in the basement that will be the new location of the machine. I currently have a few flavors of Molson and Michelob Ultra in the machine along with some plastic Coke, bottled water, and even some SunnyD for the kids. The only bottle I've had trouble with so far is Stewarts Root Beer doesn't seem to fit through my rack. Very close, but no cigar.
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Ken
V-63 -Bottles
2-Cavalier USS-64
VMC ST56B Royal Crown - being built
Vendo HA56C Coke
2-V63C DP
V63C Coke
U-Select-It 5cent candybar machine
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loman4ec
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« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2006, 09:34:01 pm » |
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It would be really easy to put the sign on a switch.
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dr galaga
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« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2006, 09:52:27 pm » |
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Welcome to the site.
-My 63 isn't that loud. I hear it right when it kicks on, but then the noise just kind of fades away...
-I have a light switch on my Coke sign. I just turn it on when we have guests.
-$400 is the most I would pay for a non-cooling machine - unless it is an early one.
-Most 12 ounce bottles will work. There are a few out there that are kind of squat, but basically anything that is the size of a beer bottle will work.
-I vote for the Coke machine over a fridge.
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sodaworks
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« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2006, 10:22:27 pm » |
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Welcome aboard Golfer Mike!!
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TERRY@SODAWORKS RESTORATIONS
Lots of Round Top machines
Buy-Sell-Trade-Restorations
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sodaworks
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« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2006, 10:24:30 pm » |
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My vote's for the Coke machine over the fridge. If you decide it's not working for you can always run a ad in the locals and sell it. I'm banking that you will keep it!!  '>
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TERRY@SODAWORKS RESTORATIONS
Lots of Round Top machines
Buy-Sell-Trade-Restorations
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vendobaldtops
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« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2006, 10:27:44 pm » |
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<<I have the old small fridge I just painted in my bedroom and it doesn't bother us. I am even a really light sleeper. At one time in daytona I had three machines running in our livingroom and it didn't bother us.>>
Josh, props to you...you know how to find the good machines and the good women....I bring a bottle rack in the house to clean and I get yelled at....three machines running in the house, I am toast!  '>
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bubba
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« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2006, 11:17:16 pm » |
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| Quote (loman4ec @ Jan. 28 2006,9:34) | | It would be really easy to put the sign on a switch. |
Thats cool. I didn't even give that a thought... I'll have to look into it.. Do you get a connector and make a harness? I don't want to cut wires.. |
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Ken
V-63 -Bottles
2-Cavalier USS-64
VMC ST56B Royal Crown - being built
Vendo HA56C Coke
2-V63C DP
V63C Coke
U-Select-It 5cent candybar machine
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