Wednesday, August 1, 2012
A Reader to the Rescue
Mr. Tom Sanders
I don't believe in Karma, although I'd like to. But wouldn't you know, that when I wrote yesterday that I wasn't writing, and I asked for someone to help me out , I received help from Tom Sanders. I've communicated with Tom in the past, and he said that he'd help me out. And true to his word, I receive d a surprise just now as I was going checking my E-Mail.
So here's Tom's narrative to go with his fine work and photos.
Stacey,
Long time
between communications.. I haven't forgotten about the Marx DC-4 request but the
technology for overhauling is getting better so no sense in sharing obsolete
techniques.
With
regular work (marketing) is taking up more of my time due to the lousy
economy. My overhauling and restorations have been getting squeezed for
attention. The plan is to get geared up for holiday sales after October 1 and I
have been working on "photo props" so that set pieces may be
displayed as backround when I am selling an airplane. Most will never be
close-up but I did my best to give them a nice appearance.
As you
know the 1930's were swept up in the futuristic designs of Lowey and Bel Geddes
and Barclay Toys took it upon themselves to feature their styles in many of
their toy vehicles. I noted on your website your green Barclay tanker that
had some of the look of the Texaco "Doodlebug" tanker truck. Their
bus also has similar design work. Over the past 6 mos, I have kept my eye
opened to see if any come up on Ebay. They did but, in all cases, they had
major damage. In fact everyone had been shot with a BB gun or .22!! Needless to
say, it would be difficult to restore and resell these. I made the
decision to Overhaul them which means that they would get a
treatment to make them better or at least further enhance the original intent.
Add to that, some had various wall thicknesses where many were so
thin walled that pinholes were throughout.
Repair of
major damage took the form of using a mixture of 50% aluminum powder and 50%
pre-mixed JB Weld to form a heavy consistentcy "putty". The other
trick is to wrap model clay with wax paper and fill the vehicle cavity so
that the solidified JB Weld matches the original inside contours. The next
steps include various Dremel fittings and paint work.
My final
and favorite touch is to use 1/2" diam "Perfect
Tailwheels" to replace the old white rubber versions. Again, I am
shooting for Art Deco style (and function) and not a restoration.
I also
added pics of two tractor trailer combos that use the cab from the Barclay Auto
Transport. Since these cabs are plentiful, it was an easy choice to go beyond
haling cars around. Both are unfinished waiting for period artwork,
lettering, etc.
Finally, I
have no problems setting up photo displays that feature items from
different toy manufacturers. I most cases I like to do displays that have some
relative scale to each other. This means have two Tootsie Toy or
Parker-Erie airplanes staged with a Wyandotte Super Mainliner does not cause me
any angst. Same is true with the "AirStairs" from Tootsietoy ready to
load passengers onto the Mainliner.
This means
that the Tootsie Toy P-38 shows up well with the Barclay Sedan "USAAF
Staff Car" and tanker. Looks like Hap Arnold has stopped by to
inspect that new Lockheed YP-38 at Patterson AAF Base.
Overtime
these will all be disbursed to the far corners so to have them together
for a few pictures seemed worthwhile.
Best
Regards,
Tom
Sanders
Sandman Overhaul
As you can see, Tom is quite knowledgeable both about toy history and toy repairs.
his website can be found at:
https://sites.google.com/site/sandmanoverhaul/home
Here are some of his fine restorations:
What's interesting about Tom's photos is that they're photographed very well for exposure, colour-balance, focus, framing, and detail. What's more interesting though, from my point-of-view, is that he's taken the time to compose and arrange his items in the photo. Also, his point-of-view (camera height and angle) varies at different times.
You can tell that Tom takes pride in working to make the repairs, but in presenting them to the reader and viewer.
So Tom, thank's coming to my rescue.
In case you missed his website address, here it is again:
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Tom Sanders (Copyright 2012)
Please do Not Copy without the Permission of the Owner
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Tom Sanders (Copyright 2012)
Please do Not Copy without the Permission of the Owner
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Tom Sander s(Copyright 2012)
Please do Not Copy without the Permission of the Owner
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Tom Sander (Copyright 2012)
Please do Not Copy without the Permission of the Owner
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Tom Sanders (Copyright 2012)
Please do Not Copy without the Permission of the Owner
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Tom Sanders (Copyright 2012)
Please do Not Copy without the Permission of the Owner
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Tom Sanders (Copyright 2012)
Please do Not Copy without the Permission of the Owner
What's interesting about Tom's photos is that they're photographed very well for exposure, colour-balance, focus, framing, and detail. What's more interesting though, from my point-of-view, is that he's taken the time to compose and arrange his items in the photo. Also, his point-of-view (camera height and angle) varies at different times.
You can tell that Tom takes pride in working to make the repairs, but in presenting them to the reader and viewer.
So Tom, thank's coming to my rescue.
In case you missed his website address, here it is again:
https://sites.google.com/site/sandmanoverhaul/home
As always, thanks to everyone for dropping by,
and have a great morning, afternoon, or evening,
wherever you may be.
