Two Very Old Steam Roller Toys

Monday, February 10, 2014
             (#2 post of the day)

Two Very Old Steam Roller Toys

     Earlier today, I added a post about a Structo steam roller that was photographed as a piece of art. While  I had researched that image and wrote to the seller, I came across a few interesting lithographed tin steam rollers from  Randy's Toy Shop in Noblesville, Indiana (USA) and on ebay (USA).  I've communicated with Randy several times, and I'm very fortunate to be allowed to write about him and of course the many exceptional toys that he sell. A even more interesting aspect of Randy's business is repairing and replacing toting toy parts and other toy materials. Randy is diesel mechanic by profession, so for sure knows how to use his skills on the "smaller items. I've included both his ebay store links and his toy store link. At the toy store, you can see a great interview with a reporter and Randy. What', most interesting is the explanation of how the replacement tin parts are made and carefully painted to look "vintage".

Please Click here to go to Randy's website and see the interview

Please click here to visit Randy's ebay store

I like this high camera angle photo with the harsh shadow.

That  key is will certainly wind the springs that are inside this toy. But what I like is that "freshly-picked" appearance with the dust on the bottom of the wheels. I once received an old toy and it a few dried insects in it.

This is a nice front view of the toy.

If I find the time, I'll try and remember to look in my Bing toy catalogue to see if either of these 2 toys were made by Bing.


Thanks for dropping by,
and have a great part of the,
wherever you may be,
Stacey 

Write to me anytime at
toysearcher@gmail.com

An A.C.Williams Cast Iron Truck Restoration

Tuesday April 24, 2012

An A.C.Williams

Cast Iron Truck Restoration

(Part 1)

     I purchased the A.C. Williams Cast Iron truck last week with the intention of restoring it.  Fortunately, the price was very good, so I won't lose any sleep about the restoration. If you've been following this blog, you'll know that I go to Dunkin' Donuts often in the morning. Naturally, you meet people and you chat. I met a person who works at a large company where they recondition and repair train locomotives. His name is Steve, and the conversation naturally came to talking about  toys.  I asked Steve if he had access to a sandblaster at work, and sure enough he did. So I asked if he could sandblast this old toy truck and he said yes.

 Here's a composite photo of the truck before sandblasting.

For those who might not know what sandblasting is, here's a brief explanation. A fine silica sand is sprayed with a pressurized hose at objects needing to have rust removed.This is done inside a metal cabinet, with the hose and special gloves that are attached to the cabinet. An air filter on the machine filters small dust particles so that they don'y jam the compressor, nor escape form the cabinet. The cabinet has a light for you to see inside,  and a shatterproof glass windowpane for viewing what you are going.

 As you can see, Steve did a great job!

I told him to remove the wooden wheels and rubber tires in order to sandblast the tire wheel wells.

If I'm going to repaint the truck, I might as well do a very good job. I'll just have to replace the old axles with new ones, as Steve has to cut the axles.

 I noticed that there is more damage in the right rear area of the truck.

The damage most-likely was there already., but sandblasting might have done  some damage. However, if that's the case, then it's a good lesson learned for next time.

I wondered why the A.C.Williams company didn't decide to make the stake wall thicker, but then the proportions of the truck might not have been accurate had they did so.

 After I took the truck photos, I used the LePage's Steel Epoxy to fill in the missing part above, as well as to fill in the cracks and the open areas.  When the glue dries, I'll carefully use my high-speed Dremel to remove the excess glue. I placed a piece of plastic on the inside of the repair area in order to keep the glue from seeping down. I also placed another piece of plastic on the outside to act like a "sandwich". When everything cries I'll take some photos of the sandwich, and the subsequent machining of the holes. I just hope that the clear plastic holding the glue won't be hard to remove. That "Epoxy Steel" is the strongest glue I've ever found. I'm sure though that the epoxy on the Space Shuttle is even better, but I don't know if that's available to the public!

I hope the weather where you are is better than here in Montreal.  It's another cold day with some rain,sleet, and hail.

Thanks for dropping by, and wherever you may be, have a good morning, afternoon, or evening.