SMC Discussion Areas

The thread on the VMC Coke 88 got me thinking (which can be dangerous).    Curious to know how many collectors and hobbyists actually use their soda machines and coolers?   I for one, find it cool and convenient to roll out my WD-5 for parties and family gatherings however I rarely fire up my uprights. 

 

I have a re-pop refrigerated Westinghouse that I paid $100 for and it was in near perfect condition that my wife uses everyday to keep her water and soda in. Other than that most are not running except to show friends how they work.

I (try to) keep my V90 full of beer in the garage, before that I used my USS64 for everyday use in the basement media room.  The wife actually likes them since there's a bunch of extra room in the fridge with all the bottles out!

My wife limits me to 3 working compressors on at a time.  I have a 1947 WD-5, 1957 Bastian Blessing soda fountain and a Hires Root Beer square top.

I have my Vendo 110 filled with an assortment of sodas in my basement.

Hate to admit it, but mine are all show, no go. They just look pretty!  :laugh:

During the winter months when we are inside mainly, I have my Coke 81D running and filled with ICE COLD BEER.. and maybe a soda or two... it generally runs from around October - May.

Then when we open up the outside and the pool area/patio.. I have an original Glasco 50 slider without rack that we use as a reach in pop, beer cooler... occasionally during busy weekends, parties I'll fill up the Restored Westy ice chest with ice and drinks.

so I do use these two quite often and the others are just sitting around , but I do run them for a day or so every year so they don't feel left out..

I've had my CS-80E in use for over 2 years in my garage.  It's filled half with glass bottle pop and half with beer.  I recently turned on the WC-102MD.  I converted the 4 outer slots to use cans and the 2 inner slots will take bottles of water or 16 oz coke.  It's a great way to keep the pop cans out of the refrigerator and the kids love it.  Plus it's a lot more FUN to make your selection with the Dial and put a quarter in than to just open the refrigerator door.
 :happydrinkers:

I use my true single door cooler everyday for reach in pop and beer and for pool weekends everyone loves my pre war master wet for ice cold soda

On continuously.  Outside.  On the patio and under a dry deck (water containment in place). Not as much use as when the youngsters were around.  Stocked with bottled water, beer, and soda. 

12 machines in my shop and only one running, that A model looks great under that porch!

Vendo RT-56 converted to can stack in the kitchen 12+ years. (Soda's)
USS-64 serves the needs in the shop 5+ yrs. (beer etc...)
Various others. Not much point in having something the size of a soda machine, that does not perform the task it was built for. Of course just my thoughts. The other various types of machines get spun up couple times a month. 

Creighton

Restored Vendo 44 with can kit in kitchen. Always running.

Original  Pepsi 81 in garage with BEER  always running and always re-filling  :drinking:  :drinking:

The rest of my machines are all unplugged but once in awhile I plug them in and use them if we have a party or people over.

I have a reproduction JR. cooler at the cottage too, it works great and we keep it in the sunroom.

Mine are also all show no go.  :darn:

All show no go too....
Summer time I plug in my Pepsi 110 when we have a BBQ, but that's about it.

I don't like non machine lovers (ok, my friends kids lol) touching my machines lol

 :happydrinkers:

I know what you mean ed. I have a newly restored 81d and I can't bring myself to use it.

I can take care of that for you Jared :)

We use my restored Ideal 55 on a daily basis.   After I get my newly acquired 44 cleaned up and presentable, will probably load that up and use it as well.
There's a WE-6 out on the back deck that gets filled with ice and used for parties - until I finally get around to having it restored.

Jim

Surprised the amount of machines not in service. What is the point of owning them?
Creighton

I keep the Westinghouse WB126-B6-D full of beer in the garage.

They just line up just like classic cars!  People enjoy them just for display.  It's seems that the common trend is everyone has a few running machines and the rest sit on display!

At some point how much product do you really need to vend!  All mine are fully functional but I prefer only a few running at a time!

I only run my Cavalier 96 which is filled with little glass Coke bottles.   Nothing better than an ice cold Coke in a bottle! All my other Coke machines I run once in  a while, however juke box, pinballs and slot machine played weekly.     Sue

I love it when my young nephew comes over and is amazed that sodas are only 10 cents at uncle's house.

We use a Vendo 81 and keep full of beer and a few Cokes!

I used my C 96 for years and then my V 23 so I did not have a fan running but now that all my children are married and moved out I never use them.