Ideal 35 Slider

[Foos]

This is my first machine and I plan to do most of the restoration myself.  I bought the machine from Slider Bob and it is a real solid base to work with but I have a couple of questions.

1.) I'm having trouble loading bottles into some of the openings in the rack.  The opening is too narrow so the bottles won't fit.  Is the rack adjustable at all or will I have to sand it or something?

2.) I bought an old wooden bottle case to put in the pre-cool area, but I'm seeing a lot of water build up on the pre-cool shelf.  Is this abnormal?  Should there be a drain pan underneath?

TIA

[SIGNGUY]

This is why most people who are "Using" their slider machines take the racks out, as modern size bottles often don't fit in the racks .. they where made to accomodate bottles made in the 50's-60's... it's a matter of trial and error to find bottles that work..

Good luck

[Slider-Bob]

Not sure what kind of bottles you are loading, but the plastic type don't always fit in well, plus some newer bottles are too wide at the top and at the base of the bottle, so they bang into each other. Some people skip a row to account for the larger size bottles at the bottom.  If they won't fit in at the neck (top rail) you have limited options as its not adjustable.  You can try different bottle types, sand it down between the rails, but that's all I can suggest.

As far as the water build up is concerned, it may be due to excessive humidity where the machine is stored, or the fact that the compressor cools the inside without having any bottles in it to displace the coolness. I've never seen water build up in that area, even when I owned it.

Many times there is a drain plug in the bottom pan, that should drain into a mason jar via a plastic drain tube.

Others can chime in with any suggestions...

[johnieG]

 

[Foos]

It isn't just that the bottles are too big because I can move some of the bottles from one slide that fits fine and they don't work in others.  I haven't' been using any plastic bottles just glass.  I usually have a mixture of different sodas and beer.

I'll take a picture of the water build up tonight and post.

[MoonDawg]

       Since you have not powdercoated the rack yet, go ahead and grind the openings slightly and of course evenly. Maybe file the good ones also, to allow for more clearance after powdercoating.