Be gentle

[Addiction]

Just a few simple questions.  I'm considering purchasing a classic soda machine.  I'd use it in my theater and I'd like something that could vend soda and beer bottles.   I love the look and I thought it would be nice to have friends over shoot a round of pool and then grab yourself a beer or soda from the old machine.   I'd always imagined that I'd get myself one of those numbers with the glass door that you open that has 5-8 bottles in a row and then you pull one out.

So my first question is are there models that are better for my projected use than others?  I recently got a good price on a Vendo 144E and I'm wondering would beer actually work in this machine?  Also what size bottles does it take.  And it needs refinishing.  Assuming I'm only reasonably handy (and even thats a stretch) where do you take something like this to get it finished and/or powder coated?

[loman4ec]

All slant shelf machines vend various size bottles. The only restriction is bottle diameter. So alot of plastic soda bottles cant vend but almost all glass bottles do. The 144 is a huge single selection machine. If you want to vend a variety of selections I would say this machine isn't for you. Do you want a round top or a square top. there are 100's of models of slant shelf vendors made. The square tops are made after 1959 and round tops are pre 1959. You can expect to pay double or more for a round top but you will get the same function from a square top and some models are really nice. As for restoration it all depends on how nice of a machine that you are looking for and how much work you want to put into a machine. A full restoration is can be expensive and hard to do on your own. If you are looking for a properly fully restored machine there are several members that sell already restored machines or will restore one for you. Welcome to the site. never hesitate to ask questions. This is one of the friendliest sites on the web.

[Addiction]

Thanks a ton for the advice!!!!

I may have been unclear, this particular machine is a three selection one.

I'd always dreamed of a big selection but I'm willing to accept a smaller one.  The way I’ve been thinking about the problem is that I’d use the 3 selections and make one Coke, one Diet Coke and make one beer but put a lot of different bottles in the beer choice as kind of a mixed mode.  So one person might get Sam Adams for example but the very next person might get a Petes Wicked.  And I’d simply use a large number of similar types of beer (Like Sams samplers that kind of thing) so that it’s a small kind of “ohh’ surprise rather than a total crap shoot.

As I look at the internals of the machine I still have a concern as to if beer bottles can withstand that kind of fall.

Also in general where does one get 12 oz glass bottles of coke, I have not seen them in big supply since I was a kid.

[loman4ec]

Alot of sams clubs and some grocery stores still sell them. There are also several small bottlers that sell in glass. Just my opinion if I were you I would hold off for a glass door slant shelf vendor. What is your budget? The 144 is a huge machine and is hard to find a place to put a machine that big. If you want a round top there are several slant shelf machines to choose from. Go to the soda machine section of the site and you can see pic of almost all of the machines made. The more popular round top slant shelf vendors are the Vendo 81, 56, 110, cavalier 72, 96. And the most popular square top ss vendors are the vendo 56, 90, 63, and cavalier 64, and 96. Just in case you don't know the model numbers represent how many bottles they vend. If you are looking for a square top you could go for the Cavalier USS-64 which will vend almost anything even cans and is still an 8 selection slant shelf machine.

[Addiction]

I'll look thru the the pictures now and try to figure some stuff out but as long as its a machine that runs, and isn’t a total wreck physically I’d consider it currently.  Most of the reason I’m considering this machine is simply that fits those requirements and its local.  I’ll get this machine for about $500, and I figure to spend $2500 more between paint and mechanical reconditioning (tho that will occur over time).

[loman4ec]

if you are looking to spend $500 as an initial investment you will probably not be able to get a round top slant shelf machine unless you find a V110 or you find a one hell of a deal. But you can get a really nice square top for under $500. Keep an eye on ebay. Something local will pop up. Where are you located? Post what you are looking for and where you live and we will all keep an eye out for you.

[collecture]

Where are you located?
The 144 is a big machine.
I would imagine that you would have a lot of problems with your beer selection column.
The reason I say that is these machines were designed to vend one flavor per selection.
Usually there were column adjustments to be made (depth/width) for each type bottle (Coke, Fanta, DP, etc.).
You start putting different diameter and length bottles in there and it will just log jam on you.
I'd get a slant shelf machine if I were you.
I am sure you can find one local, just look around a bit or put a want ad in the paper.

[loman4ec]

Also a good machine for you might be a Vendo 110 6case vertical. they are the free vend version of the Vendo 110. Since there is no coin op mech you can put anything into it even cans. They also don't usually sell for alot and they are really good looking machines. here is a pic of one from the soda machines section. They made them in both red and white and all red.

[Addiction]

I was just looking at the vendorlator e110 one that would be awesome for my needs and there is one of those not to far away.  That seems like a better fit for my needs tho that machine needs some racks internally.  Thanks a ton for the advice.

In any case I’d love something that had 6 or more shelves (assuming one shelf is one selection), allows you to turn off the coin selection, took long neck bottles (I’d prolly split my selections half soda half beer).  It doesn’t have to be a very big machine something in 60 bottle range would suit me fine I suspect, even 36 (6 a shelf) would doo me OK.  I live in Virginia, right outside of DC.

[loman4ec]

I would go for the 6 case they are nice machines and are rather afordable when compaired to other round tops. The 6 case is a 10 selection machine. If you find one that needs shipped let us know. There are several ways to ship a machine. Noth American van Lines will move a machine from door to door just about anywhere for about $300.

[Addiction]

I’m planning to go for the six case, being able to offer 10 selections of sodas and beer is pretty awesome for my needs.  And a couple of these machines look really ready to use, seeming to need only a compressor rebuild (the machine goes in a theater so quiet operation is a premium) to be completely done.  The also seem to be lighter than the other one I was looking at (which appears to have been massive).

[loman4ec]

The 110 is a large machine but it isn't as huge or as heavy as the 144. The 110 is 63" high, 32.5" wide and 18" deep. It weighs 198 lbs. The 144 weighs 450 lbs, is 77 3/4 high, 32.5 wide and 18 deep. Big difference. just so you know a cooling system rebuild will be costly. You are looking at at least $400 to completely rebuild the cooling system. If you do get a machine that needs one done the best in the business is an active member here. Talk to Eric at global compressors. You can find his contact info in the parts suppliers section of the main page.

[collecture]

If you go with the 6 case vertical machine, Steve Ebner at Fun-Tronics (301) 371-5246 sells repro shelves.
I own a E110 and like it a lot for the convenience (no coin), versatility (multi-selection of cans and bottles)
and 50's round top design.
If you are not opposed to a square top machine,
then a 56 or 63 might fit your needs better depending on the size of your home theatre room.
They are much smaller machines and a lot of them have lighted marquees at the top.
You can easily make it into a theme machine (ie. Paul's Soda, John's Drinks, etc.)

[loman4ec]

You have probably already seen these but here are two E110's on ebay right now.
290109409421  
120113202766  

I feel I should warn you this hobby can be quite addicting. I started out wanting a machine for the same reason as you. That was just a few years ago and I have had about 70 machines since then. There are many like me on this site.  '>

[SIGNGUY]

And of course his user name is Addiction... so he is already Hooked. Welcome to the Hobby!!! You've recieved some great advice from fellow members already and I'd follow that!.. you did mention that over time you thought that you'd be spending 2500 in restoration and $500 just in the machine = $3000... if that where the case you can most likely find a real nice original condition and complete vendo 56,81 or 110?  and have that classic soda machine in the gameroom/theatre. Just my two cents but of course that comes from buying, fixing and selling machines for 10 years...
Good luck! Final advice.. buy what you like!

[bubba]

Welcome home Addiction!

Here is a nice 110 with the coin mechanism on it.... I've seen it in person.. its a nice looking machine... its only a few hour drive for you as well...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Early-m....iewItem

[Addiction]

I’ve got that machine on my radar actually, its just going to depend on how high it goes once the bidding starts.

[halehouse]

Hey Addiction!  Welcome!  There are a few of us in the Northern VA/DC/ MD area.

 '>

[halehouse]

Addiction,

Sams by me has the 8oz glass Coke, but not 12oz.  Let me know where you are in the area.  Depending on where you are there are some places around that you can get glass soda that aren't too $.

[ZMonet]

I think you've mentioned this before Halehouse, but the Wal-Mart by me (Springfield, VA) sell Grape and Orange Crush in bottles for $2.50/6 pack.

[halehouse]

No, but thanks.  If that is the one at Kingstowne I will have to stop in!   '>    The WalMart by me no longer carries it.

[dr galaga]

You can find 12 oz. Coke at a Mexican grocery store.  
If you want to make a journey to the opposite side of the state you can pop over to West Jefferson (NC) Dr Pepper plant.  They have tons of 12 oz. drinks (sorry, no Coke).  My web site may be able to help you find some soda for your machine - GlassBottleSoda.Org.

[sodaworks]

The next machine in line for mr to restore just happens to be a 110 six case. This one will be for my parents patio out by the pool.