SMC Discussion Areas

Well, not really, but my first Coke machine did arrive from Athens, GA yesterday.  :biggrin:
It works (and was being used up until I bought it), it has some nice character, and other than a short period of a high-pitched whine when something first kicked on (similar to a worn fan belt on a car), it hasn't given me much to worry about yet.  There was some water inside (after a week making the trip over in trucks and through a warehouse!) that spilled out when I put it on the hand truck.  The drain tube looks intact, so I'm wondering if that indicates it's blocked somewhere...

However, there are definitely some things that I would like to address, either soon or over time, as well as getting some expert opinions.  Pics to illustrate!

First up:  the side door.  Apparently the S screw (or whatever it's officially called) to open it was attached to the power cord and came off during shipping.  I need a replacement, and judging from the rust inside, probably a new lock mechanism.  Does anyone make a handle you can use instead?  I've got no reason to leave this locked.
Note that the door itself is dented at the bottom, with rust showing.  Should I try to find a replacement?
(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/7Coke.jpg)

The cord looks good, but there's a bit of copper showing in the corner.  The picture came out a little blurry, so it's only the small shiny strip.  Electrical tape, or new cord?
(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/1Coke.jpg)

Here we have the rack.  Something is flaking off, and there's obviously rust.  Use as is or find someone to re-coat?
(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/4Coke.jpg)

Not much use for the coin mechanism either, but here it is.  No key.  Might be nice to have one.
(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/5Coke.jpg)

Here's the underneath.  Anything stand out as needin' fixin'?  Bonus points for identifying the species of spider I've apparently introduced to my home.
(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/2Coke.jpg)

(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/3Coke.jpg)

Here's the plate in case it helps with parts.
(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/8Coke.jpg)

Finally, out of curiosity, what was this logo?
(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/6Coke.jpg)


Thanks in advance for any info and advice!

I believe the Logo is for "Lazy B" soda pop.

-Jim

Congrats on your new machine! 

Funtronics should have the missing parts you are looking for; the lock, allen key and cap catcher.  I bet Slider Bob or one of the other members will have a replacement door if you choose to replace it.

I would replace the electrical cord, no need to have an accident from a faulty cord.

It is nice that it has the coin mech & rack.  Up to you if you want to restore them.  I always planned on having my rack soda blasted & powder coated, but I have yet to do it. Why no need for the coin mech; is the flapper missing from the rack?  I know these are available from the usual suspects out here.

I love the sliders, such a cool little machine.  Enjoy it.

Looks like they have a latch handle as well...I should've thought of them immediately.  Thanks for the reminder.

I also have this half-octogonal black piece loose...almost like a small container.  Not sure where it goes. 

As for the coin mech, I had just automatically assumed the thing was set to free vend.  I suppose a more thorough person would've tested it.   :upside: Will have to get a glass bottle this weekend and give it a whirl.

       Side door can be opened using a 3/8" Allen wrench.

Yeah, I don't think a 3/8" is gonna do it.  This thing is really reamed out, and there's some "stuff" back up in the hole that makes me wonder if something else is missing.  Maybe the "stuff" is insulation?  It's kind of a dark red/rust color.  I wouldn't think I should be able to see it if everything was where it should be, but I could be wrong.   
 
I pulled out my folding multi-option Allen tool, and the wrenches aren't long enough to reach.  Gotta get something longer, and probably bigger.  Can anyone tell me how deep the proper S-wrench can go?

Jumped the gun...found an 8mm, and it's a bit too small, which it should be.  Tripping to Lowe's tomorrow to pick up a 3/8" (and a 10mm just in case).
Still wondering if I should be seeing material back up in there.

It's probably missing the wooden filler piece that surrounds the lock housing & reinforces the door panel so it doesn't collapse when the lock housing is screwed between outer door-skin & the inner door liner.  it's common for them to crack in half & fall into the side-door itself.

       Good answer Johnie, it would have taken me a while to figure that one out without a picture.
       The spacer may also be missing or part of it could be the octagon you found.
You might be best off to find a replacement door. Not only has this got visible rust on the bottom, but your first picture shows what looks to be a large crack, usually resulting from an oversided chunk of bondo separating from the metal.
       To order an exact replacement door, go to SliderBob.com.  :biggrin:

Upon closer inspection, the "crack" appears to be some sort of slightly-reflective liquid that got on the door and dried.  I'll eventually see if I can remove it.  Replacing the door is still definitely on the possibles list, though.   :biggrin:

Oh, and the half-octagon is this thing:
(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/halfoctagon1.jpg)

(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/halfoctagon2.jpg)

That is the coin box. It slides into the bottom of the coin door.  The coins drop into it after you activate the flapper.

Perfecto.  Looking now at how this was shipped, I should be grateful that piece made it over here. 

Well, opening the door was indeed a chore.  A 3/8" wouldn't cut it, so I went with the 10mm.  I got some movement, then the rust gave way and it was semi-stripped.  I ended up using some electrical tape to thicken things up and some particular application of angles to move it the rest of the way.  Finally I got it where I could pull the door off the final thread.....won't be closing it again with that lock on there.
The bottom gasket on the door is coming off, and there is some more rust visible inside.  It's in decent shape for being 50 years old and used that whole time, but it does look like I'm in the market for a door.

At the moment, I have three questions:
1.  Is the lower compartment where you pre-cool bottles or something?  Just curious about that.
2.  Having left the top lid open for a while, I realized some water had dripped out from inside the lid and under the gasket.  Sign of anything I should be concerned about?  As far as I know, this wasn't exposed to the elements on the way over, so it almost has to be leftover condensation, and I'm guessing having that in the lid isn't necessarily desirable.
3.  In the very bottom of the interior, the drain hole is pretty clogged (see pic).  Anything special I should know before I try to detach the drain hose and poke it through?
(http://www.savemstateathletics.com/images/glascoinside1.jpg)

The parts from fun-tronics arrived yesterday.  I'm installing their latch, and if anyone wants to share recommendations on screw size, material, whether to use self-tapping, and/or the need to put any sort of gasket material on the door first, I'm all ears.  If things go well, I'll get to do this again on a better door before long.