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Title: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: bdenison on February 24, 2010, 03:24:58 pm Hey Folks! I'm new to the site, but just picked myself up a Vendo 44. It's in great shape and only needs some new paint, a good cleaning, and a compressor tune-up. Having no experience with vending machines I'm debating having a proffesional take a look at it. Does anyone know of someone in the Ottawa, Ontario area that does restorations? I may end up doing the restoration myself as the machine really doens't need much work at all, but would at least have to find someone to redo the paint job for me. Also, what bottles should fit and dispense from this machine? I picked up some 8oz bottles at my local grocery store, but they are too narrow and don't proberly stack. Thank you in advance and I'm sure I'll be back to do some reading and with tons of questions once I get the restoration under way. Cheers!
Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: SIGNGUY on February 24, 2010, 03:37:20 pm Welcome to the best SOda Machine discussion board out there.. ok well there are only Two, but this is the best one! :biggrin:
First off, lets see some photos of your machine, we love photos. There are a lot of Vendo 44's that come out of Canada.. is it a Vendo 44 or a VMC 44.. you can tell if it has a coin entry bezel or not. No bezel VMC, bezel + Vendo. Regarding bottle size.. your right, the new bottles don't fit, and outside of that don't know of any that do.. that is the one problem with that particular machine.. cool as heck looking but not very practical... I think there is a way of modifying the rockers, making them bigger with some tubing, to make them "Thicker" so they accomodate the bottles, haven't tried it yet... I just use old originals that are refilled in mine . as far as restoration up near you? not sure.. but if your interested in shipping it to Wisconsin... (I can help with that) , I'd be glad to restore it for you. my website is www.popmachineshop.com and I'll be glad to discuss the restoration with you. phone number is on the site under contact ,or contact me on this board. now lets see some photos! :happydrinkers: Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: Crazzy Canuck on February 24, 2010, 03:45:12 pm Not trying to step on your toes John but I'm in Trenton/Belleville area. 3 1/2 hrs East of you.
Have restored 30 or 40 of these. Have 5 personally. Mark Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: SIGNGUY on February 24, 2010, 07:32:54 pm No problem, just offering.
:biggrin: Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: bdenison on February 24, 2010, 08:21:56 pm Pics....
Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: bdenison on February 24, 2010, 08:23:53 pm ....more pics....
Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: bdenison on February 24, 2010, 08:24:53 pm ane more.
Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: MoonDawg on February 24, 2010, 08:36:56 pm Looks almost too nice to restore from the pictures. If it were mine I would just match and re-paint the coin door and have the letters redone. Nice find! Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: cdc1960 on February 24, 2010, 09:01:33 pm nice looking machine... I'd give it a really good cleaning and a coat or two of a good carnuba car wax and see what it looks like... a "sympathetic restoration", to borrow a term from the auto hobby might be in order... keep the patina, but get the machine serviced and working perfectly.. it's definitely a vendo 44 from the pictures... as Signguy says the 8 oz bottles will work by making the rockers larger in diameter by wrapping tubing around them... FunTronics carries the tubing... you will still occasionally get a "double vend", particularly when there are only two or three bottles left in the side, but it works ok... how much are they going for in Ontario? $3.99 for a six pack is the best you can do in Calgary....
Chris Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: Crazzy Canuck on February 24, 2010, 10:08:48 pm You know what.........been mulling it over and I'm sooo freakin busy with work that I wouldn't even be able to think about touching it until the middle of summer.
That's not fair to you. I'm gonna have to decline. It would be an easy resto tho. Sorry but good luck. Mark Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: VMC 81 on February 24, 2010, 10:28:02 pm too nice to restore
Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: SIGNGUY on February 24, 2010, 11:06:07 pm Yeah, I agree.. it's too nice to restore.. I would clean it up, like suggested, and if your really concerned about looks get the lettering repainted, but I'd do a general refurbishment of the machine.
I have one that for people too, basically still take the machine apart, check for rust and problem areas, but overall jsut clean everything up, polish up some chrome, some stainless, clean the vend rack, reinsulated, clean and service the cooling system if necessary, maybe some new door rubber and a good wax job.. You got a real nice original.. again, availble to help if needed. GOod luck! John Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: bdenison on February 25, 2010, 09:30:10 am Thanks for the advice everyone. I knew it didn't need much work, so I'll take your advice, give it a good cleaning and see where I'm at. I think I'll end up getting the coin door repainted, but other than that, just a couple of minor fixes (seals, clean up some small rust spots on the vending rack, polish the chrome, etc.) I'll keep you posted on how things go. For now jsut waiting on a bit from Funtronics to get those clutch head screws out.
Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: cdc1960 on February 25, 2010, 10:19:18 am John's got a good point about taking the machine apart to check for rust problems, particularly removing the tub and re-insulating... here's what mine looked like...
Chris Title: Re: Vendo 44 Restoration Post by: Crazzy Canuck on February 25, 2010, 02:32:08 pm Yup. Had many peeps asking for just a quick "splash" job and then next thing you know, the belt line/cabinet is blistering and rusting out.
Many many factors in a restoration whether it be a do it yourselfer or "pro" |