Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on May 30, 2005, 07:00:05 pm
I just started looking at the Topper gumball machine my father gave me and there are a ton of parts to this thing. I have never even looked closely at one put together. My question is does anyone know where I can get a manual for this thing? Or does anyone have one that they can take some detailed pics of for me. I mean everything on this thing is apart. It is really nice though. Needs paint but Dad says that it is complete and it is clean and rust free. Also what are these worth?
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: dr galaga on May 30, 2005, 07:45:08 pm
Value depends on the exact model (there were many variations of the Topper). My 15-year-old price guide goes from $40 up to $200 for the musical Topper. I don't have any Victor stuff, but if all else fails I can take some pictures of some mechanisms that I have (Oak, Northwestern, Komet, etc.). Do you have a picture of all of the parts?
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on May 30, 2005, 08:06:17 pm
Here are some pics of the machine. I just set it together to show what it looks like. Does anyone know about how old it is?
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on May 30, 2005, 08:07:05 pm
The parts.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: dr galaga on May 30, 2005, 08:42:27 pm
I'm not sure if these pics will help. Had a hard time taking pictures with the flash. Here is how the bottom looks (under the globe and the hole goes to the chute).
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: dr galaga on May 30, 2005, 08:43:23 pm
Here's one of a Komet coin mechanism.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: dr galaga on May 30, 2005, 08:44:29 pm
Here's a shot of my Beaver (Beaver gumball machine).
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: dr galaga on May 30, 2005, 08:51:01 pm
Not sure if this helps any
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on May 30, 2005, 09:06:50 pm
That's the same Topper I'll be getting in a few weeks. They go between $100-200 on ebay.
Mid to late 40s....
I do know by looking at the parts.There should be 3 rods. the longest goes through the middle
and connects the bottom of the base to the lock in the middle of the lid
the two shorter ones to either side (little holes on the side) of the container (metal pan with product hole to
the side with the hole where the gum drops out) and help holds the globe in place
(there should be a flat metal “lid” that sits on top of the glass
with a cork gasket between that.... that holds the globe in place. the big gear looking thing
is the product wheel that goes under (I beleive) the container and conects to the coin mech, when
the penny is dropped in will turn this piece allowing a gumball to drop through.
the pipe thing I bet is the chute that the gum goes down into the front.. the thank you flap shoud just sit into a grove ove the opening...... Call that guy John or Crow river and see if they can be of more help or paint and polish and wait for me to get mine and I'll take it apart and photo it.....
Hope I helped a little...
Eric
Mid to late 40s....
I do know by looking at the parts.There should be 3 rods. the longest goes through the middle
and connects the bottom of the base to the lock in the middle of the lid
the two shorter ones to either side (little holes on the side) of the container (metal pan with product hole to
the side with the hole where the gum drops out) and help holds the globe in place
(there should be a flat metal “lid” that sits on top of the glass
with a cork gasket between that.... that holds the globe in place. the big gear looking thing
is the product wheel that goes under (I beleive) the container and conects to the coin mech, when
the penny is dropped in will turn this piece allowing a gumball to drop through.
the pipe thing I bet is the chute that the gum goes down into the front.. the thank you flap shoud just sit into a grove ove the opening...... Call that guy John or Crow river and see if they can be of more help or paint and polish and wait for me to get mine and I'll take it apart and photo it.....
Hope I helped a little...
Eric
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on May 30, 2005, 09:28:15 pm
Thank you all so much for your help. Please send me pics if you can when you get your machine. I didn't think they were worth that much. I think I am going to keep it anyway.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on May 30, 2005, 10:47:18 pm
Yeah keep it... They are cool! Amazing that these little machines held up... little work horses.
Man the stories they could tell and the car models they seen drive by...WOW!
When I get it I'll send the images.
Man the stories they could tell and the car models they seen drive by...WOW!
When I get it I'll send the images.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Bob K on June 01, 2005, 07:37:38 am
Hey Josh, this ebay auction has some pretty decent pics of the Victor innards.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....10&rd=1
Hope it helps,
Bob
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....10&rd=1
Hope it helps,
Bob
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on June 01, 2005, 09:59:23 am
That might be exactly what I need. Thank you so much.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 02, 2005, 08:37:38 am
Hey did that work out for you (the ebay images).
Eric
Eric
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on June 02, 2005, 08:48:10 am
No it still wasn't enough. I need a detailed close up or even a break down if how it all works. there are so many pieces. Thank you so much though.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 02, 2005, 11:06:22 am
Ok.... I'm trying to talk the wife into going to get it this weekend if that happens...
I'll images for you by Monday! Are you going to paint it?.......
I'll images for you by Monday! Are you going to paint it?.......
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on June 02, 2005, 12:54:14 pm
Thank you so much. Yes I am going to get it painted but I might hold off and just use it for a while untill I have a Coke machine painted next time to cut down the cost.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on June 28, 2005, 05:32:12 pm
Well I got it put together. At least it is together enough to use. I still have a bunch of parts in a box but it seems to work fine. I need to get some rubber feet for it and the decals but it is painted and I am going to fill it up tonight.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: on June 28, 2005, 05:43:41 pm
Looks good. The wife has ok'd doing our basement in a retro style with the coke machine etc. I am looking for a good deal on a gumball machine to go down there next to the coke machine.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: on June 28, 2005, 08:08:16 pm
Great job Josh!
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Bob K on June 28, 2005, 09:16:53 pm
Looks great!
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 28, 2005, 09:28:42 pm
Wow! You went the extra mile and painted the “THANK YOU” too... Great Job!
Like I said the one I bought is in route.... (Hope it's all there as it is a eBay sale)
Will get pictures as soon as it gets here.
You can get feet, rubber and or cork gaskets for the globe (so the pressure isn't on the glass)...if you don't already have them from crowriver.com and the little lady from gumballkingsdecals.com will have your decal you need!
Great job!
Eric
Like I said the one I bought is in route.... (Hope it's all there as it is a eBay sale)
Will get pictures as soon as it gets here.
You can get feet, rubber and or cork gaskets for the globe (so the pressure isn't on the glass)...if you don't already have them from crowriver.com and the little lady from gumballkingsdecals.com will have your decal you need!
Great job!
Eric
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on June 28, 2005, 11:24:14 pm
Thanks Eric. I am not sure if the Thank You was origionally painted but I thought it would look good.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 29, 2005, 09:19:27 am
Hey Spider...
Watch them on eBay....Oak (sometimes called Acorn), Regal, Topper/Victor, Northwestern machines are all 1940s/50s machines and don't get too crazy...
Once you find the model you like watch for them under “penny machine”, candy machine,
gum machine... as most people don't know what to call these and you may find a
better deal looking under these listings on eBay.
Good Luck (Another vending machine to ad to the collection.... but be warned... these can be just as addicting once you get one!)
Eric
Watch them on eBay....Oak (sometimes called Acorn), Regal, Topper/Victor, Northwestern machines are all 1940s/50s machines and don't get too crazy...
Once you find the model you like watch for them under “penny machine”, candy machine,
gum machine... as most people don't know what to call these and you may find a
better deal looking under these listings on eBay.
Good Luck (Another vending machine to ad to the collection.... but be warned... these can be just as addicting once you get one!)
Eric
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: on June 29, 2005, 10:18:01 am
Thanks for the tips, I'll make sure to search those listings. 
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 29, 2005, 07:43:59 pm
Josh ...
Got my machine today (spray bomb paint job
But it'll do till I get a few others then I'll have them all painted.
Anyway took it apart... some pictures are better than other let me know if these will work.....
Got my machine today (spray bomb paint job
But it'll do till I get a few others then I'll have them all painted.
Anyway took it apart... some pictures are better than other let me know if these will work.....
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 29, 2005, 07:45:18 pm
side... (was your candy shoot plastic?)
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 29, 2005, 07:47:09 pm
top stuff...
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 29, 2005, 07:52:26 pm
globe gasket, rods & lid...
Main rod through the middle he had to grind down a little to get the lock to fit right It does have a older lock with a “Victor” key.... the center rod is held in by a hole drilled through and a little metal pin pushed through could you take a image of how yours is held in.... I think this is a replacement
rod... I think I'll be calling Crow River tomorrow....
Main rod through the middle he had to grind down a little to get the lock to fit right It does have a older lock with a “Victor” key.... the center rod is held in by a hole drilled through and a little metal pin pushed through could you take a image of how yours is held in.... I think this is a replacement
rod... I think I'll be calling Crow River tomorrow....
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 29, 2005, 07:54:24 pm
And finally... how it looks with the new decal and how it compares in size with a Oak and a Ford.....
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Bob K on June 30, 2005, 06:44:30 am
Nice, Eric! 
That green paint on the Acorn... oh yeah baby...
Those Fords are little tiny critters!!
That green paint on the Acorn... oh yeah baby...
Those Fords are little tiny critters!!
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 30, 2005, 07:47:02 am
Hey Josh!
What did it cost you to paint your gumball (Topper) machine?....
My was a spray can special.... And I don't think I'm going to be able to take it.
Thinking about powder coating but that may be a little high just doing one machine?
Thanks
Eric
Also let me know if those pictures worked..... my cameras not the best...
but I can take more if you need them..... let me know.
What did it cost you to paint your gumball (Topper) machine?....
My was a spray can special.... And I don't think I'm going to be able to take it.
Thinking about powder coating but that may be a little high just doing one machine?
Thanks
Eric
Also let me know if those pictures worked..... my cameras not the best...
but I can take more if you need them..... let me know.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on June 30, 2005, 08:38:18 am
I hate to say it but mine is a spray bomb job as well. But it looks great!! you would never know it. Those pics are exactly what I need. Thank you so much!!!! My center rod is too long as well. Isn't that odd. I wonder why.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Eric on June 30, 2005, 08:58:37 am
Mine still smell like paint!Ha... Real thin coat too.... over spray on the coin entry.
I'm gonna sand blast and redo.... eventually.
How is that rod held in?.... I'm gonna call Crow River today and I'll ask about that rod
wonder if somethings missing?..... We'll be Topper masters before this is all done.
glad the images helped out.... Anything else let me know.
Eric
I'm gonna sand blast and redo.... eventually.
How is that rod held in?.... I'm gonna call Crow River today and I'll ask about that rod
wonder if somethings missing?..... We'll be Topper masters before this is all done.
glad the images helped out.... Anything else let me know.
Eric
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: loman4ec on June 30, 2005, 01:03:22 pm
Eric,
Those pics were exactly what I needed. It is now 100% together and works great. I cut about 1/8th inch off of the top rod to make it fit. It is now full of peanut M&M's. Now I am going to attempt to make a stand.
Those pics were exactly what I needed. It is now 100% together and works great. I cut about 1/8th inch off of the top rod to make it fit. It is now full of peanut M&M's. Now I am going to attempt to make a stand.
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: Bob K on June 30, 2005, 03:25:09 pm
Peanut M&M's - great choice!
Title: Gumball machine question
Post by: on June 30, 2005, 11:27:30 pm
Get the dark chocolate ones. Yummm!