SMC Discussion Areas

Hello Everybody!

My name is Steve, and I'm new here. I'm in North-Central Ohio and just wanted to say hello. I recently purchased a WE-6, and am looking forward to restoring it. I'll post pictures in the pre-60's forum soon.

Steve

Welcome and congrats on the purchase, some very helpful people on here that will be able to help you with any questions you have on your resto....

Welcome to the site!

  Hello, Steve

  Welcome to,the site !!  I'm in the same state .  :tounge:

Welcome to the Site!

I would evaluate the overall condition before resoring!  They are very costly to restore with all the embossed lettering.  Also the restoration costs will be way more money that it will be worth.  So if it's for an investment I would caution you...

That model is NOT the most desirable if you are doing a full restoration wait for a Vendo 81 or other desirable models to get you best investment !

Welcome to the  site. Good luck with your  project. This will be  the first  of  many I'm  sure

Welcome Steve...there is a wealth of information here, so be sure to post up questions during the restoration process.  Is that a Chevelle in your sig pic?

       Welcome Steve!  We would not be a good group of friends if we did not endorse what Slapshot just said.
The WE-6 probably came your way cheap and like the rest of us, you just got hooked.
These old soda machines are fun to tinker with, but like old cars.....you need to start with the right one if you are thinking of restoration. $$$$$
Leonard is near you, I'll bet he can find a much more profitable project.

I do appreciate the candid appraisal of my apparent lunacy... I grew up on a farm outside a small town with about 400 total residents. There were two focal points of said town...the tavern (for those who could get their money on the bar), and the gas station. Being short when I was young, I had to settle for the latter. On hot summer days, I'd walk down, and in the center of the "store" (hunting and fishing licenses, shotgun shells, oil, wiper blades and candy bars) sat a waterfall Coke machine that served the coldest pop in the county. It was a little slice of heaven.

Fast forward 40 plus years and, the station is still there, but the cooler is long gone. I bought a little piece of my childhood, and brought it home. The price of a restoration on this machine means little to me, I'll never sell it. It's my connection to someplace that only lives on in my memories.

Thanks again for all the kind, welcoming words. I'll be on the lookout for other machines, to be sure. But, everyone is entitled to one, nonsensical, incomprehensible act of nostalgia.

I'm looking forward to being a part of this community.

Steve

Nope! 1970 Ford Torino. My first car, wish I still had her.

Steve

Welcome Steve.
I just got back into this after a fifteen year vacation. The addiction is strong.
Great way to jump in with both feet. Restoring a machine that you like is just like restoring a car. After you spend $50,000.00 the car is still worth $10,500.00. The percentages are better for soda machines, and you'll have something that you can keep in the living room if your wife likes it

Well said Steve..

This board is made up of some really great chaps and some great ladies too. Some do this kind of thing for a living others need to balance the accounts at the end of the year and will restore occasionally and flip and some like your good self may only ever want one machine (the urge for more is very strong) that takes them back to their childhood.

The advice about cost and re-sell was very well intended, but in your case not required. "Fill your Boots" and make the old girl live again. We all like to see pictures so please make sure you keep us updated along the way.

Welcome.

Dave

Welcome, have fun with your project and take lots of pictures.