Thanks for posting. Looks awesome. (There must be vintage appliance nerds that rival pinball collectors. )

Any links to sources for parts?

We have a black single head version that a buddy went through for me. It's cool but that triple head in green really makes a statement. It's like a piece of functional art on your countertop.

Beautiful job ! Thank you for sharing, especially what you started with.

LTG : )

I agree. Wouldn't have ever expected seeing that here, and if I saw it in that condition you started with probably would be tempted to write it off as kaputz. Fine work!

Just like pinball, another thing I never knew I needed, but now I do.

My father-in-law gave me one of these. Funny, I thought I don’t have any need for this one (already have a single head version) and put it in the basement. This thread made me look it up and dang these things are expensive! Mine will probably be going up for sale. Thank you for opening my eyes!

684AB78D-1E80-46F3-85BB-0CEF2D797D54 (resized).jpeg

Damn, i wish I saw your post yesterday. I just paid a fair amount for one.

It's in great cosmetic condition with no chipping, but the center motor is out. The other two side spindles work.

Thanks Playdium for sharing info about these things, and where to order parts.

$_1 (resized).jpeg

The center motor is not missing, just not working. I plan to take it apart and check for any bad wiring or worn parts. I don't have it yet, but was told the other two spindles work.

It is very clean cosmetically so hopefully that is an indication of the internal mechs too. As long as parts are available, it shouldn't be hard to revamp.

I wanted to avoid one with exterior chipping or rust damage.

The instructions from maltmixerman are great.

I already ordered a new set of brushes for each motor. I might be getting ahead of myself, but I'm planning to remove the condenser, and clean the innards before using it.

Man, I wish you would have seen it sooner as well! This has inspired me to test mine out and it is fully working. Let me know if you want to talk!

@Playdium, what tool did you use to remove the bearings from the armature?

Can you provide a link and/or pics of what you recommend for removing and installing the bearings?

This detail is missing from the references.

I agree. Didn't even know these existed. Great job @playdium!

I'm currently in the middle of cleaning up my mixer.

I replaced the bearings to the center motor as that was the reason it wasn't turning. I also replaced the brushes although only one was completely worn away. The other was almost like new. Odd.

The other two motors work fine but I'm gonna replace the bearings and brushes anyway. It'll be a lot faster now that I know how to do it.

Harbor Freight had a bearing removal kit which did the job.

Here are pics of the bearing tool kit I used. Also a pic of the worn out magnetic brush. This motor is clean and ready to reinstall.

20201113_112154 (resized).jpg

20201114_203411 (resized).jpg

20201114_203450 (resized).jpg

That is a smart move. I'm sure you will never have to do it again in a HUO environment.

Okay, started disassembling and cleaning the 3rd (final) motor.

Not sure how clean they kept the fountain where this machine was used commercially, but I discovered the mummified remains of a cockroach.

I didn't think it was possible to kill these things. Glad I'm going through every inch of this thing before I attempt to use it.

20201116_132126 (resized).jpg

Nice Godard

I've only made a couple of shakes with my machine so far (all three spindles work perfectly now and the machine is amazingly quiet.)

The shakes were good, but did not seem all that different in consistency from using a blender. The real benefit was the ease of prep and clean up. Blenders can't compete.

What's the best way to make consistently thick, creamy milkshakes? I'd like mine to be as good as the burger joints.

The obvious case is too much milk makes it too thin, (and don't use non fat or 2%.)

Too much mixing makes it too thin. (But mixing also provides volume, so which is it? )

I know adding a banana helps keep it thick but I'm looking for banana free options.

I've read adding xanthan gum powder is the trick but it is an artificial ingredient commonly used in food. The benefit is it doesn't add calories or alter flavor. The negative is it can have the same effect as Metamucil for some people with high fiber diets.

I'm also considering substituting milk with half and half (or maybe heavy cream)? Problem here is calories go through the roof.

If the trick involves just the perfect balance and order of milk, ice cream, blend time and speed, I'd love to hear your secret recipe.

I know this is ridiculous overkill because we're just talking about a stupid milkshake. I get that. But I'm curious if anyone has an opinion on making the perfect thick creamy shake.
20201124_141316 (resized).jpg

Thanks. Good advice.

I've always put the ice cream first. I'll try milk first using that lower mark. This should help with consistency.

I think I'll also let the ice cream get a little softer before scooping it in.

No. Not ridiculous at all. Milkshakes are very important!!! I need a mixer now like you cool guys have!

I've done a little experimentation to create the perfect shake. I think I nailed it.

The trick for me was replacing milk with half and half. I used three medium scoops of rich vanilla ice cream, and I measured 3 oz of half and half in a measuring cup.

I added about a tablespoon (maybe a bit over) of chocolate syrup. I also added about 4 frozen strawberries from a bag of fresh frozen. It was exactly what I was trying to achieve. My favorite shake flavor is a chocolate/ strawberry combo.

The consistency was thick, cold, creamy and even throughout. Thick but still able to suck through a straw without gravity draining it back out. No clumpiness at all, which kept happening with just ice cream and milk.

Not positive if it would still have been as perfectly creamy without the strawberries, but I think substituting the milk with Half and Half was the key.

I think it was mentioned before but I finally decided to try it with malt powder.

I've had plenty of malts before, but this stuff really elevates the flavor to the next level.

I've continued working on the perfect thickness, and don't think half and half vs milk is as important.

I believe best results occur with almost all ice cream, and extremely little milk. Also best to soften the ice cream a bit [10 seconds in the microwave) before scooping. Softer ice cream is key. Adding more milk to compensate for blending hard ice cream will wreck it. Really important to use softer ice cream, not more milk.

After adding all ingredients, I hold the filled cup and circularly "hand mix" with the unpowered spindle to pre-blend (thick and mushy consistency) before powering the spindle. My mistake before was the ice cream was too hard and didn't mix evenly.

It's the perfect consistency when you pour it, if you have to shake it a bit before gravity allows it to flow into the glass. And then spoon out the last remainder that's sticks to the bottom of the tin cup.

And using this malt powder really takes it over the top.

20210225_141239 (resized).jpg

Love me some malt powder.