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They just don't get any prettier than this!!

A variety of mixer makes and models inhabited the local diners and soda shoppes during their heyday. In fact, a surprising number of these units are still in excellent working condition today... churning out milkshakes and malts just like they did 50-60 years ago.

Often times collectors will acquire the less pristine units and restore them to their former glory. This can be a great project for those interested in preserving the unique soda and diner equipment of the era. Whether you intend to actually "use" the unit as a part of a restored soda fountain, or just as a piece of historical art... the appeal of these old mixers is widespread today.

One should be careful when purchasing old mixers, however. There isn't a great deal of information readily available on their restoration and operation (at least I've not been able to find much). If anyone knows of good on-line or off-line resources for the "how-to" end of restoring these pieces.. please let me know! I've got my eye on a couple of "fixer-uppers" that I would really love to bring back to life.

So far, my knowledge base is limited to a basic understanding of how they work (very basic), and the address of one of the major makers. I am in the process of contacting them to find out how much help they can be in a restoration project. When I find anything out, I'll post it on the Nostalgia Diner site. The Address for Sterling Multi Products is:

Sterling Multi Products
326 West 5th Street
Prophetstown, IL 61277

Such a sad sight!

This is a 3 cup Multimixer, manufactured by the Sterling Multi Products Company. It has definitely fallen on hard times. Units like this can be found and purchased for a reasonable price, but be sure that you know what you are getting into! Some fixes are easy, and some are not. Many units being sold as "fixer-upers" are hardly worthwhile as parts machines.

On the other hand, with some TLC, the unit above might be transformed once again into its former greatness...

What a difference a little love can make!

Ok... so it took alot of hardwork and elbowgrease too :)

Similar results can be had with the Hamilton Beach Brand of "Multi Mixers". The Hamilton Beach Units had a more "Art Deco" look to them, in my opinion. If you are ever in the "A Scoop in Time" soda fountain in Grapevine, Texas, you will see two very nice examples. They aren't the traditional jadite green, though. They are a nice light yellow color.

Heres a side by side look at two different Hamilton Beach 3 cup units. The one on the left is definitely rough around the edges. Notice the missing spindle? On the right, however, is a similar unit in much better condition. From looking at the second unit it didn't appear to have been "restored" at all... just well cared for.

And then there's always the folks whose heart is in the right place.... but....

The person who "restored" this unit had the right idea.. to save a neat piece of americana...they just needed a little help on technique :) The white paint was much too thin (not to mention the wrong color). You could see the old jadite green underneath in several places. And the bright yellow cord is great for weed eaters... but it kind of stands out, don't you think?

In order to bring this one back up to snuff, a good beadblasting and a fresh coat of epoxy appliance paint would go a long way.

And here are three examples of 5 cup multimixers... the Kings of Milkshake production!!! The first unit and the third units are model 9B's.

In operation, the multimixers were very simple. There usually was a two speed switch on the unit. The mixers did not turn until the steel cup was pushed up into position. The lip of the cup caught in a little clip behind the mixerblade arm. In the units that I have seen, the motor for a multimixer turned a large wheel in the top of the unit. This wheel had a rubberized rim. Also inside the top of the unit, each mixer blade arm had a similar, yet much smaller, wheel attached. As the steel mixer cup pushed up on the clip, it caused the small wheel to engage with the large wheel. This caused the arm to spin.

Occasionally I will hear people say that their mixer motor will run fine, but one of the arms won't work... and that it must be an electrical problem. I think its much more likely that the rubber parts of the wheels have worn away over time.

On the other hand, the art deco looking Hamilton Beach Mixers actually used seperate motors for each of the spindles! There are switches on the top for each of the spindles with high, medium, and low speed settings.

And finally (for now!) here are a few examples of single mixer units that I've run across:

On average, the large multimixers in "good" running condition can be found for around $175 to $500 at auctions. The single mixers are generally in the range of $50 to $250, depending upon their condition.

And here are some shots of a rare Hamilton Beach early model single mixer. This unit is brass and nickle, with a marble base! It is one of the earliest models used in the commercial production of milkshakes and malts in soda fountains. The second photo shows another example of this mixer with an advertising card holder mounted on top. This type of mixer was produced in the 1920's and early 1930's.

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