I just got the two narrow slots working on my Pepsi machine. I fabricated the cams out of tempered hardboard. I used 3/16" not because I wanted it to be stronger but because I had small scraps if it around and I didn't feel like getting out an entire 4'x8' sheet of 1/8" and cutting off a piece. The cam doesn't actually move any of the machinery, all it does is click the switches at the right time. Because of this I was able to make it out of wood. As it turned...

Ok, so it's a Pepsi machine and not a great pyramid. But it must weigh at least half as much. Did I mention that soda machines are really, really heavy? In the house! Yes, it's in the house now. Yes, I need to start keeping my eye out for sales on soda. Yes, I did it by myself. And no Mom, I didn't hurt myself. This is definitely an exercise in the use of mechanical advantage and simple machines: wheels, ramps, and wedges. Before we get started though, let's take a moment...

Last night when I got home the first thing I did was tinker with the Pepsi machine some more. I got out the flashlight and searched all over looking for the thermostat control (still haven't found it). While searching I found the rod linkage that goes onto the narrow slot. Didn't find any cams, although I'm considering trying to fabricate them. I have a drawing on the inside of the door that shows what it looks like. I'm not sure how old the machine is, but it's largely an...

Picked up a Pepsi machine today. I can't believe how heavy it is. It weighs at least twice as much as an arcade or pinball, well over 500 pounds. This is as far as I could lug it by myself. I will have to wait for someone to come over to get it into the house. The only thing that I know that definitely works is the refrigerator. It gets quite cold. I can't get it to do anything else though. When I load cans they just fall right through. If I put in money, it spits it out, even if I...