| Vendo 81D Coke Machine Restoration Photo Documentary |
Below is a photo documentary of the Restoration of a Vendo 81D Coke Machine. The Machine is an original Vendo 81 D Coke machine that someone in it's lifetime, for some reason didn't like the Coke logo, so they carefully placed a metal plate over the embossing and then mudded over it to give it a smooth appearance. They then proceeded to put Pepsi colors and logos on the machine for it's remainder life... The machine was stripped down, and all parts taken off the machine, the next part was to remove the plate which was quite simple , the body mud will be removed during the sandblasting process which will be coming up next. The machine is a nice straight machine, not major rust , or dents wich will help with the restoration process as we will document below.
Currently as of 4/20/09: The machine is currently stripped down, parts are sorted and are being sent out for replating, polishing and recoating. The body is at the sandblaster and will be receiving body work soon.
Update 5/6/09: The Cabinet is still at the body shop and should be back next week, meanwhile other parts have been sent out for chrome and polishing. The Tub and some parts are being powder coated and others are being Zinc Coated. I have started to work on the compressor and get that restored and should have the completed soon. The other stuff, since it's out of my hands, we just have to wait for it all to come back so assembly can begin.
UPDATE 5/13/09: Recieved some items back this week, Powder coated tub and Shelves came back today, as well as some of the chrome items, coin entry, bezels etc.. Compressor has been stripped down, cleaned, and is in the process of rebuilding with new motors, wiring, etc... Body work still being done on cabinet and main door...
UPDATE 5/19/09: Talked to the body shop today, cabeinet is being prepped for paint and should have back by the weekend to start assembly on the cabinet. Replaced bottom pan, as original was shot, see photos.. I do this for every machine I redo... just the proper way to redo a machine.
UPDATE 5/27/09: Got the body back from paint this weekend, it it looks great! The door went to get hand lettered today, should be back early next week. Assembly of main cabinet will begin this week/weekend. Still waiting on parts from the platers... and a few peices from the powder coat guy.. should have all parts in within a week and final assembly can begin!
UPDATE 6/12/09: I've been compiling all the peices together over the last week, just finally got time to post the progress. As of today I have the main door back from the sign painter, looks incredible. Got the plating parts back, so have to assemble the coin mech, Got the Chrome back, Got the Compressor done, Got the new insulation and liner in the main cabinet, Just waiting on a peice of stainless trim to come back. Finally assembly has started, and pieces all going together to make the complete machine. See photos of individual parts as I started to get them back...
UPDATE 7/6/09: Finally Got he photos off the camera, and posted. The coin mech is assembled, the bottle stack is partially assembled, refridgeration installed, stainless trim came back and installed on main door so I could put that together, new insutlaion, door liner and gasket all installed. Main door hung and working on putting Coin mech on. Need to put bottle shelves in and stack, and get bottle door assembled and we'll be close to being done...
UPDATE 7/15/09: Bottle Stack has been assembled and put into machine, as well as shelves, Ran into a small glitch and had to order new part for coin mech as it was the wrong backing plate on the mechanism, and coin door did not close, so had to order that part and get it to the painter. should have back this week.. Need to put decals on machine and assembly bottle door. I have put in another door and tested the cooling system and ajusted thermostat. It's working great, nice and cold.. Just finishing touches and further testing before packaging and shipping in the next week or so...
UPDATE 7/28/09: Door Put on and new part back from paint and installed on coin mech, fits like a glove!, Machine is completely assembled and is running cold in the Shop as we speak. Will pick up packing material this weekend set up delivery. See photos of completed machine, it turned out great, Hope you love it! Thanks again!
|
|
