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Hello from Virginia.  I just purchased this Jacobs 26 and it appears to be in good shape; I use appears because this is my first purchase of a vintage machine.  The locks and cap catcher are missing, but I have those on order.  I was thinking of trying to restore this myself, but I don't want to end up with it worse than it was when I started.  Anyway, I think I will give it a shot and have really found this forum very useful. I have posted some "as is" pictures below, in case someone sees something that I can't see that may be wrong with or missing from the machine.  Any comments/advice about restoring or how much a machine like this is worth, would greatly be appreciated.  Thank you very much.

Looks like it is in really nice shape.

Was that the machine down in the Stafford/F-Burg area?  I'm up in Falls Church, and saw that one, seemed like a decent deal at the time.  I don't know much about the Jacobs machines, so I'll leave that up to the more educated crowd.

It was the one in the Fredericksburg/Stafford area.  I was able to get it for 300.00 less than the asking price.  I just now, after having it in the garage for 2 1/2 weeks, plugged it in.  It cooled and even the drum turned after I inserted a nickel and turned the handle.  I think I may get by with just rewiring with a new harness/plug and a little elbow grease and maybe some rustproofing and paint.  I have a restoration manual on order so I'll take a look at that when it arrives.

Would you mind me asking how much you ended up paying for the machine?
Thanks in advance
AND WELCOME! (I assure you that will NOT be your last machine lol)

I paid 700.00 for it; so not sure if it was a good deal or not.  I like the machine, so I guess that counts.

I'd say 700 was a good deal on a complete Jacobs 26.. I sold one last year for 1400 in real nice shape... kinda wished I'd kept it.. but can't keep em all..

jackjosh... thanks! Looks like a REALLY good deal!

Jackjosh.  I just bought one not too far from Atlanta for $1,200 complete.  I'd say you did real well!  Congrats.

I am almost done with my amateur restore of the Jacobs 26.  I really used this website to figure out what I was actually doing with the machine.  You guys are a wealth of knowledge.  I thought I would post a few pictures of where I am with the project. I am trying to improve the value of the machine, but don't think I am going to sell.  I am addicted to this stuff now.

Just adding the last photo that didn't upload on my prevoious message.  Thank you.

Looks like you got a great looking original machine there. Nice job bringing it back to life.  :drinking:

 Looks Great !!!!!!!!!!

I think you did really well. Nice original machine. I would have gladly paid a little more for it than you did. So to me you got a good deal.

Congrats.

Looks like a great machine, did you paint the outside, or just buff it? 

Also, what's the small cylinder at the top left of the compressor area, a condesate jar?

Sorry it took so long to respond to the previous question but I had to go to work to save for another machine.  I buffed a bit but ended up having to paint a bit.  The jar is a condesate and over a 3-day period it has collected a bit of water, but not too much.  The manual says to put a salt tablet in it, but I can't seem to find out where to get those.  Not sure if it is even importatnt or not.  Take care.

You can buy a bag of Salt Pellets ($5.00) at most hardware stores. They are commonly used in water softeners. Most bags are 40#'s though - might last you a while.
Now get back to saving machines!

I'm confused as to what the salt table t is needed for.  It's not like you would/could use the water, and it wouldn't cause evaperation...or would it..

FYI... The salt tablet they referred to was used to prevent bacteria & algae such from forming in the jar of condensate water, that's all, really not required for home use..