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Here is a machine I just got done restoring not to long ago... I thought I would share a few pics of it.. Hope the pics look okay.. I had to down size them alot to get them to upload.. But on to the good stuff... This is a Popcorn Shop popcorn machine. The same as what most know as the Minit Pop and U Pop It.. It is the hot plate version. Not the oil vat type. While alot seem to favor the oil vat I seem to like the hot plate type..But either type still work flawless.. The Popcorn Shop took over the U Pop It in the early fifties and ran this type of machine to the early sixties.. It was made by States Distributing Inc. in Minnesota. I have restored a few of these now and am currently restoring a Minit Pop oil vat.. Please feel free to comment or ask any questions.. Thanks! And keep Popin!  :biggrin:
At the time of the pics I didnt have the garbage can on and one relay cover...lol.. Thanks Again.
..Brian...

Very nice

Looks great! :smile:

Great job on the popcorn machine

Awesome work Brian ! ! !

Thanks Jim, Swachtelncc, Wojcik,and bcharlton for checking it out and for the comments... Im already restoring another :laugh:  thanks again....Brian....

 S W E E T  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great looking restoration job! Make sure to keep us updated on the current machine you are restoring!

  Hey Brian.. I will post pictures up as I go through my restoration.. Kind of a step by step type deal.. I was also thinking of posting some pictures up of some of the things I have fabricated... example like the garbage cans that hang on the front... They look just like the originals...lol... Thanks for the post  :biggrin:

Great job makes me want popcorn

Brian,

Great, thanks for taking the time to document your process. I am a big fan of these machines as well as all other coin operated popcorn poppers/dispensers.

It's good to hear that there are more people reproducing items for these machines. Is the garbage can you have fabricated modeled after the original or exactly the same?

  Hey Brian.. Thanks for your post... I totaly enjoy these machines and machines similar.. Not to mention all coin op stuff !!  :biggrin:  But the garbage cans I reproduced are taken from an original and are in my opinion a excellent copy... really side by side you cant tell the difference... One thing I do find myself doing when I reproduce something is I pay close attention to detail...maybe a bit too much ha ha But I will post pics of the garbage cans I have reproduced..  Give you an idea of my work...  I was going to ask you if you had a machine?  thanks my friend...Brian...

Looks awesome Brian. Great job! Someday I'll get one to restore.
  Tom

Brian,

As a matter of fact, no, I don't currently own a Minit-Pop/U-Pop-It. I have restored, repaired and reproduced parts for them though. Next to the Popperette, they are my favorite non-soda pop coin-op machine. Finding/buying one is on my short list though! :biggrin:

As far as paying attention to detail, that is definitely a good thing!

  Hey Brian... I was going to ask you if you were the one that created VCO reproductions?  I have been always watching that site for the parts list for the u pop it and minit pop parts.. Very curious to see what type of parts are going to be listed..  :smile: cheers my friend...Brian...

Yes, I did.

Unfortunately I have been on about a year long break from VCO Reproductions and pretty much all things coin-op except for moving the blasted things from my previous home! We just got moved into our house 2 weeks ago and are still unpacking and trying to get situated. Hopefully when things begin to settle down I will be able to focus on the website as well as some more parts!

 Hey Brian....Well good luck on your new home  :smile:  When ever you get a chance send me a PM on some of the stuff you have planed to have for parts.. Would like to hear what you have in mind....Brian....

 Hey TomFromJersey... thanks for the comment... I hope someday you do get a machine like this to restore... They are a marvel ... Thanks again....Brian...

 Here are a few pics of the garbage can that hangs on the front of the machine that I have made... All in all they are a good copy... I did use an original to copy from... Let me know what you think...thanks....Brian...

Brian....very nice job.... the original has seen better days!

 Thanks rayg for the nice feedback.... I just got done painting one tonight for the machine im giving to my brother as a gift when he comes back from Afghanistan.. I cant wait to see his face when he see's his machine he doesnt even know about  :biggrin: I think his mouth might hit the floor like this>>>  :jawdrop:

HI Brian,

You're welcome ! I believe that good work sure be acknowledged !

This is a very cool gift to for your brother because you put your time and effort into it, it's not something brought from the store......I'm sure he would love it .... I would.

Also, If he's in Afghanistan, then  I'm guessing he's in the military  so then please give him our "Thanks" for serving his country and if he's ever in southeast Michigan I would  honored to buy him a (few) drinks!   

I have two nephews serving in the military and don't think the people serving get enough "Thank you's" from the people they are serving to protect!  (my humble opinion)

Ray

 Hi Ray.. Thanks for the kind words... My brother has always wanted a machine like this so I fig I would restore one for him... Its all done and ready to go for him.. Yes he is in the military and just the other day he called with good news that he just got promoted to Captain.. Man was he happy... I agree we should make sure we give our thanks to the troops that serve.. Even if a person doesnt agree with the war we need to support our troops .. It can be easily forgotten while we are here and they are there serving there country in harms way.... So my hat goes off to all the troops serving our country...cheers to them  :smile:  I will let him know of your kind words..and im sure we just might take you up on those drinks!! Thanks again....Brian....

Here are a few pics of the garbage can I made for this machine... I added a chrome trim to the edge of the can to give it a bit more pop! Plus it protects the lip of the can from getting chipped...It can be easily removed with out harming the paint... Let me know what you think!...thanks...Brian....

Brian,
The restoration work looks fantastic ! ! !
Your brother will be VERY happy with the gift ! ! !

Brian, Great job! . post some pics of you brother being totally surprised when you present it to him !

  Hey Jim,  Thanks for the nice comment.. I think the machine turned out real nice... It looks even better in person...  :biggrin:

Don't you like the satisfaction you feel when you turn an old run down machine into a fantastic looking machine that can be used again?  Great job, looks terrific!!!

Brian,

Great job with the machine, it look awesome!

Brian

sodaman... thanks for the nice comment...  I greatly appreciate it... I do like the satisfaction one gets when a person can save and bring back a machine to its glory again... I also get a kick out of watching others watch it pop popcorn... There face lights right up!  :biggrin:

very, very nice!

Hey Roadman...Thanks for the comment!!

You did a really nice job on that. Looks very cool.

Are these machines hard to find?

  Thanks bergy...  These machines are rare... So there not all that easy to find... But I think there are def. machines out there..One just has to dig a bit more..lol...The key really is finding one fairly complete...Ive been buying machines and parts for years..I really enjoy restoring them..The style of these type of machines is very appealing as well... I would have to say for a coin-op popcorn machine they are one of the most coolest to watch..  You in the hunt for a machine?

I am not in the hunt for one right now but think I will be one day.

I think I would probably look at buying one already restored as they look pretty complicated. Definitely coolest popcorn machine I have seen.

 Hey bergy..  I would def. recommend this type of machine forsure... I just think the over all of this type of popcorn machine was done very well.. Most people seem to like to buy them restored.. I on the other hand dont mind at all finding them in the rough... But the key is finding them with most of the parts...So if your not familiar at all with these machines you want to be careful buying one to restore yourself because if you are missing a key part that is hard to get that might just be a show stopper for yah...(One example would be the Hot Plate!) As far as being complicated they seem like that at first but once you dig into them they are not bad at all...  Just take lots of pics before you pull it apart.. cheers!...Brian....