SMC Discussion Areas

I'm trying to better understand the various coin mechanism models that were available in the 1950s for the Vendo 81s or VCM 81s. Can you tell me if what I found when researching is correct?

For the Vendo 81A & B:
#1.) small door coin mechanism (accepts nickels or dime; not able to give change)

For the Vendo 81D & VMC 81:
#1.) "transitional" coin mechanism which is really a small door coin mech in a frame (accepts nickels or dime; not able to give change)
#2.) 5 or 10 cent mech (accepts nickels or dime; not able to give change)
#3.) 5 or 10 or 25 cent mech (accepts nickels, dime, quarter; gives change in nickels)


Were there just the 4 options available? Am I missing any others? Thanks.

Hey Matt,

One more, model A's and B's could have came with a nickel changer.
Five cent mech that accepts nickels or dimes and gives a nickel back when a dime is deposited.

Thanks. If you could take a look at this auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/140574248974.

I have seen pictures of some 81Ds and VMC81s with a similar looking mechanism. Is this the "big", coin changer model?

Also, how come there are big door 81s that have this mech, but the coin bezel sticker reads "DEPOSIT DIME OR 2 NICKELS" while other 81s have the coin bezel sticker that reads "DEPOSIT 2 NICKELS, DIME OR QUARTER"? Is there something else that determines which coins the mech accepts and whether or not it gives change? I originally thought all the big door 81s took quarters and gave change, but I am finding out this may not be the case.

That is a change giving mech that should accept nickels, dimes or quarters...
Unfortunately, something is wrong if it does not accept nickels or quarters...
Looking closer, it appears a part or two is missing from the slug rejector which is most likely a starting point to the problem...

Generally, any mech having a change tube was designed to deliver change based on the coin mech vending price...

There is also this mech which is usually in canadian machines but it is my understanding that if you switch the rejector it will work with US coins. http://cgi.ebay.com/coke-machine-coin-mechanism-Vendo-81-44-VMC-81-/150605384442?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D140574248974%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D1393580532683935366

I think what you asked above is why does a machine with a change giving mech say it will only take dimes or nickles? The only thing I can think of is if it was missing a coin mech and someone bought a mech on ebay and stuck it in or if a machine was in the field a long time ago and they replaced the mech and did not replace the sticker. Or maybe the mech was broken and would not give change so they put a new sticker on it. But I know in the time I have played with these machines I have probably sold at least 12 to 15 coin mechs on ebay so there is some mech switching going on.

Matt,
There are several mechs for every model machine. Jim is right that there was a change-giver for the small door mech machines. The small door mechs can vend on 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 15 & 20 cent models. It is my belief that every machine, like cars of the era, could be ordered with options. And like Josh said, some mech replacement has been going on.
A machine could be ordered as a 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 & some a 12 cent vend. In the 60's, mechanical machines could be converted to 15 or ever 20 cent machines.
It all depends on what rejector and mech combination you had. In order to charge an odd-cent price (i.e. 6, 7, 11 or 12 cent), you had to have a penny capable rejector.
The mech in your auction looks complete, but the rejector may be out of adjustment. Also, unless there are nickels in the tube, then the mech should reject quarters since there is no change to give the customer.