[ Robert Barnett wrote in 240229 MMDigest: ]

> The sticks I've tried are too thin and lightweight
> and gum up the mechanism (pun intended).

I had a similar problem with my Zeno gum machine. Modern chewing gum
is no longer wrapped in both foil and paper. This new gum is also
thinner and with just the thin paper it gets to be too pliable.

I solved this problem by making up paper wrappers from images of
vintage labels of stick gum downloaded from the Internet. Attached
is a Microsoft Word file of the label images I downloaded and sized
for gum sticks. Hope it will be of help. Good luck!

Jamie Brewer

 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/24/03/12/mime.240312_141612_jamie.brewer@gmail.com.zeno%20gum%20labels.docx 

 [ A well-written history of the Zeno gum machine is told at
 [ https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/zeno-gum/ 
 [ -- Robbie