Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 06, 2006, 07:09:28 am
This is a project that myself and Mcarter are working on together. I'm restoring the guts (electrical and mechanical) and he's taking car of all of the body work plus hunting down any hard to find parts.
Here's some photo's of a U-Pop-It popcorn vending machine. These popcorn machine were typically found at gas stations sitting next to Soda Pop machine and vended fresh popcorn for 10 cents.
The neat thing about this machine is that it actually makes the popcorn while you watch! You drop in 10 cents and then the magic begins, First a little red anodized cup motors over to a large hopper that contains kernels of corn. The hopper dumps enough corn into the to just about fill it to the brim.
While this is happening the popping basket temp. is coming up to temperature to pop the corn. The cup then motors back over to the basket, opens a small door in the top and dumps the corn.
This is probably the coolest part: After the door closes the drive motor begins to shake the basket back and forth rapidly to ensure that the corn doesn't burn and that every kernel gets popped. The grand finale is when the basket begins to elevate in the rear to dump the popcorn into a paper bag!
The first two photo's of what they look like when the were fresh off the assembly line:
Here's some photo's of a U-Pop-It popcorn vending machine. These popcorn machine were typically found at gas stations sitting next to Soda Pop machine and vended fresh popcorn for 10 cents.
The neat thing about this machine is that it actually makes the popcorn while you watch! You drop in 10 cents and then the magic begins, First a little red anodized cup motors over to a large hopper that contains kernels of corn. The hopper dumps enough corn into the to just about fill it to the brim.
While this is happening the popping basket temp. is coming up to temperature to pop the corn. The cup then motors back over to the basket, opens a small door in the top and dumps the corn.
This is probably the coolest part: After the door closes the drive motor begins to shake the basket back and forth rapidly to ensure that the corn doesn't burn and that every kernel gets popped. The grand finale is when the basket begins to elevate in the rear to dump the popcorn into a paper bag!
The first two photo's of what they look like when the were fresh off the assembly line:
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 06, 2006, 07:11:46 am
Here's some pic's of the machine that we are restoring:
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 06, 2006, 07:15:44 am
Some more
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 06, 2006, 07:17:47 am
Some more:
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 06, 2006, 07:19:43 am
Even more:
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 06, 2006, 07:22:02 am
The last...for now!
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: Lulu on January 06, 2006, 07:25:46 am
Wow!! That's a neat machine. I'd never seen one before. That's a keeper.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: motor8463 on January 06, 2006, 07:44:53 am
Brian, Cool machine, I'm prpbably too young to remember those. What kind of patches are on the back wall of the garage?
Chuck
Chuck
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on January 06, 2006, 08:24:04 am
Those would be all Fire Patchs.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: www.memorylanerestorations.com on January 06, 2006, 09:34:03 am
Hi Brian, That is one machine I have not restored. way cool! Love to find one someday. Good luck on the restoration. If I come across any info, I'll pass it along.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: jasmine64 on January 06, 2006, 09:49:36 am
Oh great, now I need to add this to my wish list along with a gumball machine,
Wrigleys gum vendor, a Vendo 110, Hershey's mini vendor, a 30x40 steel building and to finish it off a
good divorce lawyer 'cause my hubby is barely tolerating my other machines.
Wrigleys gum vendor, a Vendo 110, Hershey's mini vendor, a 30x40 steel building and to finish it off a
good divorce lawyer 'cause my hubby is barely tolerating my other machines.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: bubba on January 06, 2006, 11:10:08 am
ROFL @ Jasmine.. I know what you mean... I'm surprised my wife hasn't banned me yet from this site...
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: sodaworks on January 06, 2006, 12:07:56 pm
I too have been wanting to a a U-POP-IT to my collection. These are very hard to find. One of my clients bought one already restored for 7500.00 bucks. 
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on January 06, 2006, 12:20:27 pm
Well guys i found this in Salt Lake City. Me and Brian are in the middle of the tear down stage. I have only seen 2 of these ever. I ran an ad in Denver and this Guy had it. So i shipped it to Indianapolis for $86.00 bucks and it's been at my work for about 4 months and i decide the other day to start the restoration of it. Brian was kind enough to do the electrical and i am going to do the body and Lettering. These things are hard to find and find complete. This one is Complete and the counter said 1134 so it has not been used that often. Once we get more done we will post follow ups. If you guys know anything about these thing let me know.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: dr galaga on January 06, 2006, 05:27:40 pm
Cool. How old is it? 
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on January 06, 2006, 08:13:39 pm
I think it was made between 1945 - 1948
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 13, 2006, 06:58:26 am
Welp, In the past few days I've gotten a lot done on this machines wiring and popcorn vending mech. Here's some before and afters:
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 13, 2006, 07:03:30 am
Pic's of the vending mech:
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 13, 2006, 07:05:36 am
Some more:
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 13, 2006, 07:09:43 am
Some more:
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 13, 2006, 07:13:34 am
More!
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 13, 2006, 07:14:44 am
Only one more, I promise!
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: Eric on January 13, 2006, 09:04:47 am
Hey Great job! Keep 'em coming..... what are you useing to clean the aluminum?
Or is it just a lot of elbo grease?
You can tell you're putting a lot of time in it.... This should be in the gallery too.
Great documentation of a rare machine. Hammertone is a great paint too...
Looks like it went on really well. Did you shoot it through a gun?
Great job Brian.
Eric
Or is it just a lot of elbo grease?
You can tell you're putting a lot of time in it.... This should be in the gallery too.
Great documentation of a rare machine. Hammertone is a great paint too...
Looks like it went on really well. Did you shoot it through a gun?
Great job Brian.
Eric
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on January 25, 2006, 03:34:47 pm
Hey Brian,
Thanks for doing the electrical work it looking really sweet. Well i have the outer shell finished and i thought i would let everyone take a peak.
Thanks for doing the electrical work it looking really sweet. Well i have the outer shell finished and i thought i would let everyone take a peak.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on January 25, 2006, 03:36:43 pm
Sorry about that !! That was my 56 project. Here is the other picture.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: BrianB on January 25, 2006, 03:55:23 pm
No problem Matt. This project has been a lot of fun. I love new challenges and the opportunity to aid in the preservation of some fairly rare coin-op machines.
Oh yeah, that paint job looks great! Actually it looks like
....... 
Oh yeah, that paint job looks great! Actually it looks like
....... Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: Eric on January 25, 2006, 04:00:15 pm
Look'n good... And sure... just through the 56 in to show off! Ha
Nice stuff... Thanks for keeping us posted... cool machine.
Nice stuff... Thanks for keeping us posted... cool machine.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: coke_and_stuff on January 25, 2006, 05:14:49 pm
Both are very nice, would be really cool to find a popcorn machine
Joey
Joey
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: sodaworks on January 26, 2006, 12:44:50 am
Look'n good!!
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: bcharlton on January 26, 2006, 12:09:28 pm
Matt;
The 56 paint job looks a little orange "peely" by the coin door, This is what it is supposed to look like my 96. Ha Ha Ha .. Seriously, It looks great.
Brian
The 56 paint job looks a little orange "peely" by the coin door, This is what it is supposed to look like my 96. Ha Ha Ha .. Seriously, It looks great.
Brian
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on January 26, 2006, 12:59:52 pm
Looking Good Bryan.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on February 16, 2006, 08:01:38 pm
Updated Pictures Let me know what you think.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on February 16, 2006, 08:02:47 pm
Last couple of pictures
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: Kilroy on February 16, 2006, 08:10:55 pm
Wow..just...wow
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: Creighton on February 16, 2006, 08:23:45 pm
Double WOW is right. Looks great!!
Creighton
Creighton
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: dr galaga on February 16, 2006, 08:32:19 pm
Triple Wow! Can't wait to see the finished product!
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MoonDawg on February 16, 2006, 09:29:24 pm
Awesome !!!!!
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: sodaworks on February 16, 2006, 10:19:53 pm
Looking good.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: Eric on February 16, 2006, 11:52:00 pm
Great job! Love seeing stuff brought back!
Way to go!
Way to go!
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: bcharlton on February 17, 2006, 01:08:58 am
Matt:
Great Job. Do you know where I could find an unrestored Minut pop???
Brian C
Great Job. Do you know where I could find an unrestored Minut pop???
Brian C
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: bubba on February 17, 2006, 07:18:25 am
That is just incredible.....
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: Lulu on February 17, 2006, 07:34:55 am
Awesome!!!!
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: Yarochrehc on February 17, 2006, 09:13:47 am
| Quote (Eric @ Jan. 13 2006,9:04) |
| ..... what are you useing to clean the aluminum? Or is it just a lot of elbo grease? |
Great job guys!
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: bubba on August 03, 2006, 01:31:25 pm
So, what ever happened to the popcorn machine??
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: davethebirdman on August 03, 2006, 03:47:18 pm
Talking of popcorn machines I would just love one of these and I don't even eat popcorn
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage....iewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage....iewItem
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on August 03, 2006, 05:51:43 pm
What is it Dave? I might help you.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: davethebirdman on August 04, 2006, 02:00:49 am
Hi Matt
I'll try the link again
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage....iewItem
Let's see if this works. I think this would look just great in my room but as its asbout 5,000 miles away I don't suppose it will happen sometime soon.
I'll try the link again
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage....iewItem
Let's see if this works. I think this would look just great in my room but as its asbout 5,000 miles away I don't suppose it will happen sometime soon.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: MCarter on August 04, 2006, 09:26:25 am
I know were there is one of these.....You can ship it in pieces. That would be the easiest.
Title: U-pop-it popcorn machine restoration project
Post by: davethebirdman on August 04, 2006, 10:16:18 am
Matt
I'll PM you. If there is anyone esle interested PLEASE for the sake of my marriage step in.
Dave
I'll PM you. If there is anyone esle interested PLEASE for the sake of my marriage step in.
Dave