SMC Discussion Areas

Gentlemen (and ladies),

What are your thoughts on this machine? What is it? Whats it worth?

Thanks!

-Ryan

Its a Vendo 90. They are good solid working machines. They vend bottles only. If the price is right I would get it. I would say its worth a couple hundred in this economy.

Yeah a couple hundred if it runs. That could be a cool machine kinda like that cavalier a little. Man you really got the bug huh?

Great machine to have. I have two of this Vendo 90, and they work well. Worth $200.00 to $300.00 tops.

I just bought a V 90  back in January I had JohnieG go along for the ride
 it was missing the shelfs Whick I bought from www.vintagesodaparts.com
know it need to be restored and  put to use in my office  :biggrin:.

 I've had 4 of these and they are a good working machine  for the garage or
office  or even on the back deck :smile:.

 So go get this it looks good and remember to do what Signguy said
Make sure they have it pluged in and running so you can see if it gets cold
and make sure it is running well.

  Pat

Well I just emailed my offer on this machine.  Since it's late at night I probably won't hear back until tomorrow.  We'll see how it goes.  If this does actually go through, whats the best way to transport?  I'm going to pick it up myself on a little trailer I have.  Is it ok to lay the machine down?  Suggestions?

-Ryan

It is fine to lay it down for transport - just don't plug it in for 24 hours - let it sit upright so the compressor can get settled.

Also take the shelves out. Add padding to support the compresor while it is on it's back.
Creighton

Also, before you lay it down, make sure the compressor is firmly affixed to the bottom of the machine.  Sometimes, those bolts are broken or missing.  And, as Creighton stated, have some padding.

Sending good luck vibes to you that you can score this one!   It's a powerful bug you've been bitten by!!   :biggrin:  That would be a nice first machine.

good luck on the chase! Let us know

I bet he won't sleep well tonight... Kinda waiting for that First born...

Oh,.... the memories... of your very first time.... oh sweet memories... :tounge: :oh: :biggrin:

Note that Greg said “First Machine” There will be others!
Best of Luck and keep us posted!

Nothing quite yet.  I called the guy to check and see if he had a chance to read the email I sent him with my offer.  He said he has to think about it and talk it over with his wife because its lower than he was hoping to get from the machine.  Personally I think he'll cave and sell it to me.  The only thing against me right now is time.  What I mean by that is someone could call and offer him more than me as more time passes and more people see the machine.  We shall see.

 :hopefull: :hopefull: :hopefull:

In the mean time, keep looking.  There are plenty of machines at reasonable prices out there, the search can be thrilling and frustrating, usually  at the same time. but don't give up  the hunt

Yeah man they come and go. I didn't find any for quite a while once. Talk about addicted, I searched craigslist all over the U.S. I ended up buying a machine in Wisconsin, and I live in GA!!!! :tounge: It's all John's fault. Keep looking they will show up.

I live down in florida.  I noticed on the "map of members" that there are no other members of this site in florida on that map.  As a matter of fact, I think you are the closest person being there in atlanta.  Hopefully I find a machine nearby.  The only problem with that is the rust from all the salt air down here in florida.

Jim, Moderator, Host and all  Supreme Leader   of this site  lives in Florida.

Yes, the Grand Poobah of the site is there.  Where are you located in Florida?  I was near Pensacola previously, and there is a shop in Ft. Walton Beach that has several machines at reasonable prices.

If you ever find one in Atlanta and need me to nab it for you, Id be glad to do that for you. That goes for anyone on here as well.

I am the proud owner of this V-90 now!  Now I need some help....

Im going to pick it up tomorrow (4hr drive to tampa).  What do I need to do?  You guys mentioned to have them plug it in in advance and have it running for at least 8 hrs before I arrive.  What happens when I am picking it up?  Just unplug it and lay it on the trailer even though its cold? 

Anyone who can give advice in this whole transaction process would help greatly.  I know you guys said to try to support the compressor at the bottom of the machine when I lay it on the trailer. 

Also, a couple of silly questions...does this thing run on a standard plug or is some higher voltage of some sort?  With that said, to have this plugged in and running constantly, is my electricity bill going to go up much?

Give me the full run down fellas! All advice welcome!!!

-Ryan

I can answer some of that, Ryan.  Congrats on the new purchase!!  It will be the first of more than one, I'm sure!  The 8 hours of running is to make sure it's working right when you get there to inspect it.  It's no problem unplugging it and taking it with you, cold or otherwise.  It operates from a normal plug, 110 Volts, and shouldn't cost you much more to run (I've heard $10-20 Per month at most).  Supporting the compressor during transport just protects it from damage. 

You will get plenty of good advice from this board, just ask away!  And welcome to the club!   :happydrinkers:

I'm so out of my league here but I'm having a blast.  I have no clue how to do any work on these machines.  I have no idea how to take anything apart in them.  Oh well, I have to figure it out at some point.  I figure I may as well just dive right in.  So I'll go pick it up tomorrow afternoon and assuming it is what the seller claims it is, I'll be very happy.  Someone mentioned to take the racks out of the machine for transport.  Why should I do that?  and how do I do that?

Thanks!

They were talking about the shelves. They just lift out. Other than that if the compressor is supported, you are fine. Bring a few blankets with you. I like to put a small piece of plywood down and then a blanket. That way when the machine is on its back, it just slides in. Congratulations! :drinking:

All of these comments are very helpful.  Im going to take a dolly with me tomorrow to wheel the machine to the trailer.  I'll lay her down gently, strap it to the trailer, and bring her on home.  Keep the comments and advice coming.  I don't wanna overlook something that I should be sure to do.  Thanks!  (as you can probably tell, I'm like a giddy little school boy right now with this whole thing)

-Ryan

Ryan,

Take lots of pictures when you are tearing down the machine.  That way, you can always go back and look at things when you are trying to reassemble.  Also, ziploc baggies are great to store parts.  Label each bag with what's in it and where it goes.  I also make some sketches as I do a tear down, so I can make notes.  Have fun!

Don't worry about taking them apart and putting them back together again....If I can
do it anyone can...and I really do mean that....

Congrats and may this be the first of many..

Dave

I'm not sure how much disassembling will take place.  It is in pretty good shape, and I have no clue what I would do to it if I was going to do any "refurbishment." 

A few questions..

1) where can I buy glass coke bottles?
2) the price reads 25cents, can I change that label somehow and also change the coin mech to charge less for a coke?
3) the logo in front of the light has faded in the center, anyone have a replacement for that? i think its glass.

I'll attach some pictures.

Thanks!
-Ryan

i believe Funtronics  has a repro.  And there a recent post where a new marque was done, and it  looked killer. If you are creative and patient, that's an option. 

And congrats, for the first score you did well!  :drinking:

It looks very clean. I think you're on the right track.

Ryan,

Nice machine and good first score!  The cheapest place to get the 8 0z. Cokes is at Sam's Club although I was able to find an independent Coke bottler in MI that is willing to sell to me at his wholesale price.  The only problem is that they are located in the Western Upper Peninsula.  The company owned distributors in MI will not sell wholesale.

Not sure where you are located but if you contact the Coca Cola Bottlers Association can tell you if there are independent Coke bottlers in your area:

http://www.ccbanet.com/

Funtronics has everything else that you need!

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

I'm not sure what coin mech you have in there, but my V90 had a Coinco S75-9800A.  You can adjust the price by taking off the slug rejector, and pressing the DIP switches behind it.

There's instructions on how to change the price in this thread:
http://soda-machines.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,29/topic,1138.0/

-Tom

Congrats, Ryan!  That's a nice, clean machine!  Doesn't look like you need to do too much to it!

Check out the recent posts for tips on most anything you need to do.  You can always do a search for a certain topic.  You will also see posts about bottling your own soda, it doesn't take much effort and is much cheaper!  Besides, you can pick your flavors!  Most Wal-Mart stores have at least a few glass bottled sodas available, such as Crush, Frostie, etc.  Check that out as well.

Greg

Very nice machine!
If you have a Costco near, they may have 12 oz. cane sugar coke in non returnable glass.
Creighton

Congrats Ryan ,  Great machine I have 1 1/2 know (Thanks JohhnieG)  plan on making one real  nice restored one :biggrin: later this year .
And Like everyone else has told you Funtronics for the  marquee and some of your other parts or there is Sodajerk works  Steve is a great guy to get to know.

  Oh yeah And John over at vintegesodaparts  he has some Vendo parts .

Pat

Well I'm very excited about this.  Like I mentioned before, I dont know what I'll do (if anything at all) as far as restoration goes.  It seems pretty good the way it is.  I changed the selling price today to 5cents.  Seems more fun than 25.  Now I've just gotta give it a good cleaning, buy some bottled coke, and plug her in.

Thanks for all the kind words about my first machine, much appreciated.

Nice machine... but it looks lonely :down:... You need to get another one to keep it company....
then a gas pump, a couple candy machines, a payphone, barber pole,  don't forget a juke,
then...
Congrats! Very clean looking.... good score!

I agree.  My machine is very lonely in the garage and will most likely get a friend at some point.  In the mean time I might just pick up some small coke collectible items to dress up the place around it. 

I have been out of town for almost a week and this is the first time I've been able to do anything with the machine since I got it home.  I am going to just give it a once over cleaning and was wondering if there is anything to be sure to take care of before I plug it in for its first run.  Anything particular I should be sure to do?  Anything to avoid?  Thanks fellas!

-Ryan

You should skip the small collectable coke things...in a year you will have so many machines, you won't have room for anything else. I know that sounds crazy, but I would guess you will be buying machines left and right...also, the machines multiply like they are having babies.
Nice job on your first machine! :drinking:

Yeah youre probably right.  I have to make sure my wife warms up to the idea of machine number 2 at some point.

How about the cleaning and prepping of this machine....any suggestions?