SMC Discussion Areas

Hello Everyone,

I've been checking out the forum for a little while now.  Good stuff here.  I'm about to embark in buying a coca cola cooler to add to my few other collectibles.  I'm hoping you veterans here can help me along the way with advice and direction.

I'm buying a Westinghouse WD-10.  It's the kind of cooler I remember as a kid and thought I would be nice to have one.  I own two Model T's, finishing up a restoration of a visible gas pump, and have a few other things.  The cooler will be a great addition.

It's been hard to locate this kind of stuff in my area, (eastern New Mexico) so I generally have to travel a couple hundred miles to locate nice collectibles.  The WD-10 I've located looks to be in good original condition.  The cooling equipment still works and cools.  The paint is a little worn, but no dents on the machine with the exception of the cap catcher.  It looks as though something hit the top of the catcher at some point in its life and put a good dent on it.

I'll be picking it up this Saturday.  I'm pretty excited about this.  I'll post some pics when I get some taken.

I'd appreciate any help and advice along the way.

Thanks,

Orlando

 

I just joined this morning and this is a very cool place. Coincidently I also just picked up a Westinghouse WD-10 but yours sounds WAY better. Mine was a failed attempt at making a trailer to tow behind a hotrod. I bought it in this condition cheap and will probably make a table out of it or something. The previous owner gutted it completely, welded the 2 lids together and moved the hinges to the rear and removed & lost the bottle cap catchers & bottle openers. It's a mess but the box itself is dent free and it was only 100 bucks.

Welcome to the forum!  I think the WD-10 is a great cooler to start out with, not too complicated, pretty much just have to get the cooling system up and running.  As long as the lids aren't rusty, the rest should be easy to restore.

I appreciate the welcome and comments.  I'm hoping that it works out without too much work.  I've restored a few things in the past and sometimes it's fun and other times it's not so much. 

TNBandit, Good luck with yours.  Please keep us in the know on your progress.  We can both learn about the WD-10. 

I hope to have an update to you all after I pick mine up on Saturday.

Thanks again,

Orlando

Orlando,

Welcome to the forum!  The WD-10 is a good machine...I have one on the back patio that we used for years.  I have to replace the fan motor and wiring on it now...and am hammer toning the tub in the meantime.  Where in eastern NM are you?  I'm in Clovis myself.  What else do you collect?  Let me know if you have any questions!

GreginNM,

I'm your neighbor 18 miles south in Portales.  Good to know your nearby.  How can I contact you?  Should I send you a pm?

Orlando

Pictures are always helpful.

Orlando, PM sent.

Greg

Welcome to the Site!

I know this machine well as I just finished restoring onethis last Summer.

I would caution you that it's not a good machine to restore for investment purposes or re sale.  But if you are doing it for yourself than it's great one to do.  The chest coolers are a lot of work and they have a lot of embossed lettering which can cost you some big money if you use a sign painter. 

Some of the parts are NOT re produced so make sure to keep track of all your parts.  It's easy to lose them, take lots of pictures and have fun!

I agree with Slapshot.  The WD-5 would be a cooler that would be worthy of a complete restoration.  They are small and practical.  I love mine

BC

I appreciate the advice and comments.  I was looking for a dry cooler and one not too large.  I thought this model might be a good fit for me. 

I got the cooler home last evening and carefully unloaded it this morning.  I cleaned it up a bit, pulled the back panel off, vacuumed first, then blew the motor, compressor area.  I washed the cooler but really didn't make much of a difference on looks.  I like the vintage look and may leave it as is.

I'll need some help as to what things are and what they do.  If there is a manual on these that I can purchase, I'm sure it would be of benefit.  I haven't plugged it in as was told to let it sit awhile.

I'll attempt to post a photo now and if it works, I'll post more.

Thanks again,

Orlando 

I have the manual...

Also I have an extra capcatcher for sale.  I looked for 2 years for one..

PM if interested.

Jared

Jared,

You have a nice WD-10. 

I am interested and will pm you.

Orlando

Congrats on your first cooler. It's all downhill from there, before you know it you'll have more than you can count.

Thanks kbareit,

From the list under your post, you're speaking from experience.  I've got a lot to learn on this one.  The previous owner had it for 20 years and said it always worked for them.  They had it unplugged for the past 8 years.  They said when they decided to sell it, they plugged it in and it fired up and cooled.  I've yet to plug it in.  I'm thinking of waiting until I get my garage finished, maybe by middle summer.

Orlando

Photo of the back side.

It's not that bad of a survivor,, I'd be tempted to leave it as is... would look great on the back porch..

It is a nice original but a little large to be practical.  I ended up restoring my 1947 "Double Pepsi Chiller" but it is now used outside by my pool to hold  towels and stuff.

BC

What did it cost to repaint your Pepsi cooler?  That thing has multiple colors and embossing on every side.  Looks like even the lids are embossed.  Niced towel closet I have seen in a while.

Hi Brian,

Your right, it is a very expensive "towel closet".  I did it over 10 years ago and it was my first Restoration.  I spent the money because I love all the embossing.  The problem is that it is huge.  But It cleans up nice by the cabana and it still looks great outside.  it is water "chiller' so it would have been very unpractical to leave 100 gallons of water in it at all times so I am using it as a big starage bin.  The tops are also embossed.  Make sure you have a brother in law as a sign painter because the embossing cost me over $500.  The paint job I did myself (its good not great) and that was the last one I did myself.

Very nice looking Pepsi cooler.

Orlando

   I'm estimating there are 14 embossed Pepsi logos. $35.00 each is a deal.