Popcorn machine madness!!

[Stotman]

A few weeks ago, I posted about the early Popmatic machine I purchased. The restoration of this machine has started.

I recently picked up a Popperette from Brian. It is the early 1949 non-coin op model. I will begin restoration of this machine soon. This machine utilized 4 Mercury switches and incorporated a clockwork mechanism.

I now just need a coin op version of the Popperette to complete the madness.

Pics of the early Popperette can be seen here:

http://popperette.blogspot.com

[Slapshot42]

Pics

[cokemachinesandmore]

is that suppose to have the curved plastic piece on the front? do you have that piece?

[jbrumett]

Brian may want to chime in on this but from what he told me is that this is a bartop model and does not have the curved plastic piece on it given that this is a non coin op version.....but he can correct me if I am wrong

Nice score.....love the popperettes

Jeff

[Jim]

Interestingly that the main cam only has one dump cycle!
Most of the versions I have seen have two...  Meaning as the cycle moves into dumping the popped corn into the tray, it would have two dips to ensure all the popped corn is out of the popping chamber.
Cool machine!  I remember looking at this machine...
Congrats ! ! ! and Good Luck on the resto ! ! !

[MCarter]

You might want to reach out to Brian Beason on this machine. He has restored a couple of these and has a great website for parts and manuals.

[SIGNGUY]

Interestingly that the main cam only has one dump cycle!
Most of the versions I have seen have two...  Meaning as the cycle moves into dumping the popped corn into the tray, it would have two dips to ensure all the popped corn is out of the popping chamber.
Cool machine!  I remember looking at this machine...
Congrats ! ! ! and Good Luck on the resto ! ! !

Jim,
I have an early one as well with only one kicker on it as well, I was told that it was modification made in the next year or so to help get any remaining corn out of the chamber.. I have seen both versions in the 15 that I have owned at one time or another.

as far as it being non coin operated, that I could see as correct, however I'm sure it would have still had the plastic bubble on the front. I'm just thinking it was removed for this conversion, when that lower hinged door was created and installed.

still interesting and I'm sure will look great when done.

[Ltransam]

All I can say is I had this. In my possession for a shot time and there was no plastic front on it . Also the basket on the front looked Original to me as it matched the insides . 

I did notice all the mercury switches . Don't break one of those or the Haz mat team will have to show up .LOL  

Also all the metal work is not stainless steel it's mostly Galvanized on the front & inside

[Stotman]

Hi, thanks for all of the comments.

My research shows that this was the first style of Popperette made. They only produced 500 of these non coin op machines. They were only made as countertop models. The coin op Popperette came after this machine. According to the article below, 250 test machines were distributed in the Midwest. This machine came from Wisconsin.

Read the article from the 1949 Billboard here:

https://books.google.com/books?id=Fg4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT83&lpg=PT83&dq=popperette+billboard&source=bl&ots=JIcK8Q8qBg&sig=GQ1fOqb0nPunQZzyT3eqAaa4RDI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GVcbVZyeJtD3oATorIKwCg&ved=0CC0Q6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=popperette%20billboard&f=false

Not sure if they actually made all 500 units because 8 months later they introduced the coin operated version.

https://books.google.com/books?id=4B8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT66&lpg=PT66&dq=popperette+billboard&source=bl&ots=W5ukVTh0-A&sig=B71jv07D5dNEdCPIKEAY-4C73ic&hl=en&sa=X&ei=LF0bVdn6NM-WoQSBzIGICg&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=popperette%20billboard&f=false

[Larry]

What's a Popperette?  That sure looks neat. 

[jholmgren]

What's a Popperette?  That sure looks neat. 

I hear they make awesome popcorn too.

[Ltransam]

That's Funny Larry    Your secret is safe with ME !!!!