Vmc 33 rot repairs

[joesquid]

I've got a friend I work with who restores coke machines (I do all the electrical work) and he has this old VMC 33 that works beautifully (what can I say, I did the electrical ) but has alot of rot along the bottom of the door louver.  I'm talking, brittle-fall-apart-in-your-hand rot.  The rest of the machine is, strangely enough, very solid mith very minor surface rust.  Is there a way to repair this (it does include a good portion of the louver itself) or is the only option to replace the entire door?  I'm afraid I think I know the answer already but just looking for advice.  I'd like to buy it from him, but not at $675 if I have to replace the door too.  Any thoughts on this?

[Jim]

Eric,

I'd say that your best bet is to replace the door. Lourves, especially on the 27/33 models are nearly impossible to get straight let along repair/replace...

I don't know what a replacement door would cost but that would need to be considered for this purchase which seems to be at a reasonable price...

[MoonDawg]

Hey Eric, hope I can help. This is not a common place for rust to form, but their is a problem with louvers mounted on the lower front door.  Didn't the manufacturer realize that when a kid drops in his coin, and it sticks, he has to kick the machine a few times to get it to work, or reject his money?
      My first machine was a 33, badly kicked in. Sold it that way. Recently while parting out a 33 with nice louvers, I cut the bottom 12 inches off the door, knowing someone could use it. If you have someone to weld it on for you, I'd take $50.00.                                                Glen

[joesquid]

Glen,
  Can you provide some pics of the cut-out?  I'd like to make sure it'll fit where I need to put it.
Thanks!