tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23446055085030535892024-03-06T20:00:14.368+00:00Ralph and Sue's Meccano NewsWhere we have been, where we are going and what we have been up to lately... Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-79482908932100484192017-03-20T10:38:00.001+00:002017-03-20T10:38:25.339+00:00The Last Post<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-FNH1_KyfvAjasq6bWC3NcdTQxtQ0AfwhV32FlNMEmg6gfBBG1aeN41rnVOMqCKL9F3Rpp42C5dZtlJPlMftUNeHzrpPkT6yIVRaIHKKfNfx-IMoiwp8xV8DgVtrc3iN8oLnNr4lak85/s1600/me_sue_and_smokie_the_cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-FNH1_KyfvAjasq6bWC3NcdTQxtQ0AfwhV32FlNMEmg6gfBBG1aeN41rnVOMqCKL9F3Rpp42C5dZtlJPlMftUNeHzrpPkT6yIVRaIHKKfNfx-IMoiwp8xV8DgVtrc3iN8oLnNr4lak85/s400/me_sue_and_smokie_the_cat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye bye!</td></tr>
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After more than fifty-five years of Meccano building (in my case), Sue and I are hanging up our spanners. We have been reducing our commitment to clubs and societies over the past year as we are moving house for the first time in nearly forty years. We have found of late that our interest has waned and, for no reason I can put my finger on, the enthusiasm has left both of us.<br />
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I will leave this blog live but this will be the last post I will be adding to it.<br />
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Our vast collection of parts will be sold off through our internet shop over the coming months - <a href="http://ralphsshop.com/">RalphsShop.com</a> If you would like to keep up with what we are listing, please subscribe to our mailing list. You can opt in or out as often as you wish so you are not committing to anything and you do not have to register with the site until you actually want to buy anything. The shop is a secure site and you can pay by whatever means you prefer. We do not charge any extra for PayPal of credit card payments and if your goods are shipped to a UK address you will only pay a maximum of £3.00 shipping however much you buy!<br />
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Subscribe to the mailing list <a href="https://ralphsshop.com/subscribe">HERE</a> to be the first to see new items as they are listed. <br />
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Once the stock has gone, that will be it. We are not setting ourselves up as dealers and we are no longer in the market to buy any more Meccano. We will still be around and happy to answer any Meccano related questions you might have.<br />
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Ralph Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-31726959318606157442017-01-25T16:51:00.000+00:002017-01-25T17:25:37.624+00:00Toy fair 2017 <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk8p5TkEaZGwotYLtodPHwivrVVB6rg_HVwVmz8I8DAFd5npFyoGSE_Q5R_7KHCvhtzCugpiMjKQUuqA-WVaNRjGI-XlOt-L_5udEHUwPcue4hug2IBYOZPHQVPZB2eurqglP-zbkiUJ1/s1600/tf_2017_max.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk8p5TkEaZGwotYLtodPHwivrVVB6rg_HVwVmz8I8DAFd5npFyoGSE_Q5R_7KHCvhtzCugpiMjKQUuqA-WVaNRjGI-XlOt-L_5udEHUwPcue4hug2IBYOZPHQVPZB2eurqglP-zbkiUJ1/s400/tf_2017_max.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet M.A.X. He is asleep at the moment...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">For the past few years, Meccano products have been moving away from the hobby buyers and moving towards the toy market. I have made no secret of the fact that I believe this is the only way forward in today’s market. Meccano are not making Meccano for us aging enthusiasts, they are making toys for today’s kids and are competing in an ever more competitive and diverse market that is built around box-shifting. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Today’s retailers are a far cry from the independent toy shops of the past. They are global brands, such that have outlets in countries all around the world. They are not geared up for selling parts; neither do they stock a full range of sets. Buyers will often cherry-pick the range and that results in differing selections of sets from one seller to another. You will also find that most of these sellers show much larger selection of sets on their websites. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The other, perhaps more important, shift has been in the way parents and kids buy toys today. In the past, we would buy brand. When asked what we wanted for Christmas or birthday, we would ask for ‘Meccano’, that is not the case today. Most kids are not as brand-aware as we were. Even Lego becomes a suffix as in “Can I have some Star-wars Lego?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s youngster is more likely to ask for a ‘thing’, a motorbike, a car etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Walking onto Spin Master’s stand yesterday was a bit of a surprise, even for us. We had not heard of any new exciting products in the way of sets, as is usually the case. Nothing had leaked out prior to press day and we had not been working on any new products ourselves. We were confronted with many of the models we had already seen. A fair number of which were on display last year and still on the inventory. This is due to a deliberate slowdown in what the trade refer to as ‘refreshing’. For the first few years of Spin Mater’s ownership, Meccano were releasing product twice a year, once in the spring and again in the autumn, to coincide with the release of the Argos catalogue, as most of the mass-market UK toy trade manufacturers and importers tend to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Last year saw some of the products refreshed twice with some sets being sold through in half the time we would have expected. Sets like the Safari Animals and Dinosaur sets were replaced by new sets before the year was out.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New style packaging for the robots</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">What’s New?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Well, as this is a blog about Meccano as a hobby, for the enthusiast the honest answer is probably not a lot this year. The Meccano branding has changed yet again as the marketing guys tailor it to more reflect the direction in which they see themselves going. The ‘Maker System’ branding has been replaced with ‘Engineering & Robotics’. The ‘engineering’ part seems a bit strange. It was explained to us some time ago, that Meccano would be exploring the materials and engineering used today. This seems to have manifested itself in the form of automotive engineering and the greater use of modern materials such as plastics, if this year’s offerings are anything to go by. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MeccaSpider is coming</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The robotics side of it has gone down the toy route offering ‘Closed system’ toys, with the introduction of M.A.X. and MeccaSpider, a totally new toy that has nothing to do with the combination creature built using a Helicopter set and a Meccanoid 2.0. - See <a href="http://cdn.meccano.com/notice/mecca-spider.pdf">HERE</a>.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The Meccanoids were nowhere to be seen on the stand and when we asked about them it appears that they are to be used more on the educational side of things. I get the impression that the ‘Tech’ series will become central to the future of educational development between Meccano and the schools. I have not pushed for details on this as the guys, responsible for Meccanoid and its technical development, were not here in London this week. I will contact them after the madness of Toy Fair season is over in a month or so, and see what I can discover. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIErW_tkKNRVMNgh40fqi3HBU_n7V2xAaHs6qFc4cDzqq6Vni0VSbAG8efx-cy9Tj4n5jfijMPkBki9oiceOlbSa_Fo-OiAqxLwKRUY6CQxsYZQNWFV_uJYIEIUcwHUUBrbjdrzaonMHn9/s1600/tf_2017_f12tdf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIErW_tkKNRVMNgh40fqi3HBU_n7V2xAaHs6qFc4cDzqq6Vni0VSbAG8efx-cy9Tj4n5jfijMPkBki9oiceOlbSa_Fo-OiAqxLwKRUY6CQxsYZQNWFV_uJYIEIUcwHUUBrbjdrzaonMHn9/s400/tf_2017_f12tdf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I suppose you could say this is a modern day car constructor set...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3UvpLfF3GG-Tk2VumCMEodP6zCvTRaBdLxuBfcUfENQKufXLankh1XR9moV4LRELmT2L4otT3rlPOkR1QF0zHjdCd3tkr1tF12KcFQSfQAfi3bFYEfsJc8bRaZ1YUR46vxH3hZ2OwI8x/s1600/tf_2017_pagani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3UvpLfF3GG-Tk2VumCMEodP6zCvTRaBdLxuBfcUfENQKufXLankh1XR9moV4LRELmT2L4otT3rlPOkR1QF0zHjdCd3tkr1tF12KcFQSfQAfi3bFYEfsJc8bRaZ1YUR46vxH3hZ2OwI8x/s400/tf_2017_pagani.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...A long way from what we think of as Meccano </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">Apart from M.A.X. and MeccaSpider, the only new items we had not seen before are a couple of new static model cars and another remote control model. The two new cars are yet another step away from traditional Meccano with lots of formed body parts and fewer holes. The remote control car appears to have the new proportional control, as first seen on the Lamborghini Huracan that appeared in late 2016.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8isOUr-Ne0hG4msXLaRRGqNhsMvdJP27EIf1kbC9S6pBwGZ7bDlk6OYlbzzMM3QkCbeoU6kDlxia9nRwY__atQmoGMFK6Ij-IuzDW9uYteSLzqI5TyM7Sm6HT7gCD1do2t1wlRoFD02o/s1600/tf_2017_remot_sports_car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8isOUr-Ne0hG4msXLaRRGqNhsMvdJP27EIf1kbC9S6pBwGZ7bDlk6OYlbzzMM3QkCbeoU6kDlxia9nRwY__atQmoGMFK6Ij-IuzDW9uYteSLzqI5TyM7Sm6HT7gCD1do2t1wlRoFD02o/s400/tf_2017_remot_sports_car.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplistic remote control car</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">So, not a lot to excite the enthusiast, but I was half expecting that. Meccano have moved on. The product has changed more in the past few years than it did in the previous few decades. For the company that is a good thing. Meccano sales are very strong are outstripping predictions. Building a global brand (or rebuilding in this case) is not an easy thing to do but Meccano, under Spin Master’s direction, have moved on to be an exciting and innovative TOY company. Selling product that today’s kids want. For Sue and I, that is exactly where it should be. As far as we are concerned, we have plenty of dealers selling the more traditional parts we need, and if there are parts in the new sets that will expand our options, that is a bonus. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Ralph<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. <br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-75716693733518673102017-01-01T08:51:00.000+00:002017-01-30T18:16:34.926+00:00Automatic Slag Dumper<b><i>Want to see it in more detail? <br />
Click on any of the photographs to enlarge!</i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-EVtP0ws3ODtfkGtV7qumb8bsua9alvE56dzJ_sJVa_JPX6oGOpRmNWkvpAqICOihvGkbGXchV_3PhxXXzVaGfRP-BjFo1OK_txzaJEaXrbY6c2wzkIsy8gsFvDQuhb3dzAt2k6fgayQ/s1600/05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-EVtP0ws3ODtfkGtV7qumb8bsua9alvE56dzJ_sJVa_JPX6oGOpRmNWkvpAqICOihvGkbGXchV_3PhxXXzVaGfRP-BjFo1OK_txzaJEaXrbY6c2wzkIsy8gsFvDQuhb3dzAt2k6fgayQ/s400/05.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The truck starts to tip as it reaches the top of the slope</td></tr>
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In 1948 when this model first appeared as model 4.20, it was a far more innocent time. The title of this model would not have raised an eyebrow, as it may do today. To confirm what we are referring to here the Cambridge Dictionary gives the meaning of 'slag' as:<i> "Waste material produced when coal is dug from the ground or a substance produced by mixing chemicals with metal that has been heated until it is liquid in order to remove unwanted substances from it."</i><span class="def"> If you are not familiar with the contemporary slang use of the word, I am not going into it here - look it up! </span><i><br />
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</i><span class="def">Now we have cleared that up, the reason I am mentioning it here is that I have just built a version of the model for the 2016 Christmas Challenge that has just finished on the Spanner II list. The challenge is run each year with a different set of rules. This year the requirement was to produce an improved version of a manual model without detracting to far from the look of the original. The full rules can be found <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/p/spanner-christmas.html">HERE</a>, and all the entries are collected together in one gallery <a href="http://www.nzmeccano.com/image-106532">HERE</a> on the NZ Meccano website.</span><i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GW6iE94XFZMxe3nTbX6fBF39_1-_TMzp95EXPNaS4UM054UDrDK1XdX1hq5CZ-wmiYmp72a43BWng0pcGYhz5ahNqm99-AhybxLy8erm_-5FDP71qYy_cRL-Lj1ysjVJt6IO_JxhqsBy/s1600/1950_4-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GW6iE94XFZMxe3nTbX6fBF39_1-_TMzp95EXPNaS4UM054UDrDK1XdX1hq5CZ-wmiYmp72a43BWng0pcGYhz5ahNqm99-AhybxLy8erm_-5FDP71qYy_cRL-Lj1ysjVJt6IO_JxhqsBy/s400/1950_4-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Model as illustrated in the 1948 set no.4 manual</td></tr>
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</i>This simple model's main feature is the action of the tipper wagon that automatically tips its load as it reaches the top of the ramp. Most of the 'improvements' to the model have been made by redesigning the truck. The chassis and tipping mechanism are all new. and the four 1 inch pulleys have been replaced with small flanged wheels. The shape and dimensions of the tipping body have been retained.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEknheSKckQYeaBpm4-_4tKE79Tv3ijTFI3fXJZeX6MepY4MNe6X5OtjglGMSSxXpNkzfDNuJYmnd8gi2ItM3LQc6Dpg4mNnU-5pphve6Vv-aU2S5YCUc-U_BeA390E19cIo7_fEn6c8f/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEknheSKckQYeaBpm4-_4tKE79Tv3ijTFI3fXJZeX6MepY4MNe6X5OtjglGMSSxXpNkzfDNuJYmnd8gi2ItM3LQc6Dpg4mNnU-5pphve6Vv-aU2S5YCUc-U_BeA390E19cIo7_fEn6c8f/s400/02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The modified tipper truck</td></tr>
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The automatic tipping is achieved by the tightening of a short length of cord (arrowed in the picture below) that is attached to the front edge of the tipper at one end and to the cross-tie of the track at the other. The cord used is Ralph's String, fine. It is available in cut lengths <a href="https://ralphsshop.com/shop/sections/ralphs-string/products/new-cut-length-of-fine-black-cord">HERE</a>.<i> </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYcKaYzbLUtd8PriRTZ4_s-g_kXhk27UTlycxKesUv-k-ZzRx-uy4RpndboghISQqCdggBXx2Nd7UsLRN2S4pCUIwYeqL-7K3rG3lWFPGV20TwKuQMS-Hk4c38x4mg8aqw5UgizP0NPop/s1600/03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYcKaYzbLUtd8PriRTZ4_s-g_kXhk27UTlycxKesUv-k-ZzRx-uy4RpndboghISQqCdggBXx2Nd7UsLRN2S4pCUIwYeqL-7K3rG3lWFPGV20TwKuQMS-Hk4c38x4mg8aqw5UgizP0NPop/s400/03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The body starts to tip as the truck approaches the top of the slope</td></tr>
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</i>At the top of the slope, the cord that propels the truck up and down the slope, runs around a ½ inch Pulley that is held in place using rod connectors slid onto a 3 inch rod. These also retain the rod within the rails negating the need to use spring clips or collars to prevent the rod from sliding out of position, as arrowed on the right-hand side of the picture above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBQ1tQl93tXdpr6eOJpATknFVeQVvfWwMXCeLN6QP-g0xLiudwgZcbJ8n2RdtNTDiQQrWWHOUtC8Lkhw9V2fLe0KmmSTow5E_J11Meq_c2p4tpYrL2-ttyLwHuRvyoRhlgvV4Z3kXyOai/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBQ1tQl93tXdpr6eOJpATknFVeQVvfWwMXCeLN6QP-g0xLiudwgZcbJ8n2RdtNTDiQQrWWHOUtC8Lkhw9V2fLe0KmmSTow5E_J11Meq_c2p4tpYrL2-ttyLwHuRvyoRhlgvV4Z3kXyOai/s400/01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tipper body is fully raised as the truck reaches the top of the slope</td></tr>
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Although keeping its original dimensions the winding house is modified by using angle girders at the corners and some bracing is added under the redesigned roof which is attached to the tops of the girders using hinges. the shallow pitch of the roof is achieved by using the relatively new narrow obtuse bracket that is set at only 22½º as opposed to the usual 45º of its standard width cousin. Two flanged base plates, joined with 5½ inch Perforated Strips were used to make the floor, onto which the winding gear, built pretty much as the original model, is attached. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSP6jLbo3nzGcNOaOPy-AyBdleL6oXR0chh837isNBysxJyYAQOiD82LIcqq8Wj7Rh53RDC3nkKTp4fXzW1M3SrfQYCOI8Szzfm4z8qXt2u9XYszobnWnb0OPpcRe-_7rYiwFr0kl1R5y/s1600/04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSP6jLbo3nzGcNOaOPy-AyBdleL6oXR0chh837isNBysxJyYAQOiD82LIcqq8Wj7Rh53RDC3nkKTp4fXzW1M3SrfQYCOI8Szzfm4z8qXt2u9XYszobnWnb0OPpcRe-_7rYiwFr0kl1R5y/s400/04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The modified winding house</td></tr>
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The original instructions made good use of cord to make driving bands. I was never a fan of this as a kid, but in recent years I have made good use of it. In this model the crank has a 1 inch pulley attached to the far end that is used to drive the 3 inch Pulley via a loop of cord. it works very well, even negotiating the knot with ease. The cord that propels the truck up and down the track is wound around the other 3 inch Pulley a full turn before being attached to a spring under the modified truck.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9kqDSmxMrRwhc7X6Z4ht8tf3GFLHvIgEZNSFFJ_1QJA8vMLxVEvH_T4aHZEuiKQhfIroW2wdoxPpfNxukpxBxQy39La2IgMDqI-wlJuRgj8suG7ZGLdF7z2RZWrvbyf_fL3Cz-e7TRLl/s1600/06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9kqDSmxMrRwhc7X6Z4ht8tf3GFLHvIgEZNSFFJ_1QJA8vMLxVEvH_T4aHZEuiKQhfIroW2wdoxPpfNxukpxBxQy39La2IgMDqI-wlJuRgj8suG7ZGLdF7z2RZWrvbyf_fL3Cz-e7TRLl/s400/06.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The truck returns to the bottom of the ramp to collect another load</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The modifications made to this model have been mainly cosmetic, apart from redesigning the tipper mechanism to be more prototypical. The finished model is rather pleasing and it has only taken me about fifty-five years to get around to building it. If it was not for the Christmas Challenge, it would probably still be waiting to get built.<br />
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Ralph.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-2892379613780616402016-12-22T16:33:00.000+00:002017-01-30T18:11:12.455+00:00A VirtualMEC reality <i>Click on any of the photographs to enlarge!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTutos5906gKgVQsS07B_15tAG7tt6gzDLLUcUHPyq_wLNM2XOJEYs77sYEx_rZqdBoyWn3cC4Otptwjh_e5WIQUBAA-rxDqjDDCXzFhGnNaV15RPXnJbF1Op7WeuIFOxuBGpsQ_u6eRG/s1600/Small_hammerhead_crane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTutos5906gKgVQsS07B_15tAG7tt6gzDLLUcUHPyq_wLNM2XOJEYs77sYEx_rZqdBoyWn3cC4Otptwjh_e5WIQUBAA-rxDqjDDCXzFhGnNaV15RPXnJbF1Op7WeuIFOxuBGpsQ_u6eRG/s640/Small_hammerhead_crane.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
It is the last few days before Christmas and the last of the preparations are being hurriedly thought about, by me, and carried out by Sue. Cakes are being cooked and the Christmas tree is making the place feel like Christmas. At this time of the year Meccano thoughts are on the Christmas Challenge that has become a regular feature in the Spanner II list. It usually causes a lot of debate and can take weeks for the rules to be clarified. It seems to be a bit of a tradition. This year, I took the bull by the horns and jumped in to proposed a Christmas Challenge much earlier than is the norm, expecting nothing more than for it to take an age to get under way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5127/5265505285_e80881f6ef_b.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5127/5265505285_e80881f6ef_b.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sue's Christmas fireplace</td></tr>
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To my surprise it all fell into place and we were off. The simple rules of the competition can be found <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/p/spanner-christmas.html">HERE</a>, if you would like to take a look. Models are exported into the <a href="http://www.nzmeccano.com/image-106532&page=1">NZ Meccano Gallery</a> where Bob T. does a splendid job of sorting out all the pictures and displaying them next to the manual model they are based on. There is also a voting system to establish viewer's favourite model. No prizes are given but the top place is where everyone aspires to be, come the 31st December. I usually end up in the middle of the list, if I actually get around to entering. We will not talk about the year Sue came third with her Santa's Fireplace complete with Christmas stockings hanging up. My Derrick came fifty-third. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglAjrp9NoSfa_-2Lcf19Aiunb1qoS4BlGV4CGQoJ9D-6QdYDRJsQhkjEVQHCocbKHXKuoAKrDTiozzD7V1zTG3DjLqMegrwwFhEoXlKI5V6Hse-Jd-HY7qLPbLnpr_fAoTIJ6BstBpIdT/s1600/original_drawing_Hammerhead.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglAjrp9NoSfa_-2Lcf19Aiunb1qoS4BlGV4CGQoJ9D-6QdYDRJsQhkjEVQHCocbKHXKuoAKrDTiozzD7V1zTG3DjLqMegrwwFhEoXlKI5V6Hse-Jd-HY7qLPbLnpr_fAoTIJ6BstBpIdT/s320/original_drawing_Hammerhead.jpeg" width="247" /></a>One of the first people to enter the competition this year was Douglas Laing from Johannesburg. Douglas had submitted a VirtualMEC drawing of a Hammer Head crane. Unfortunately I found myself in the unenviable position of having to disqualify it for not complying with the rules. Christmas challenge aside, the model was very appealing and I decided to have a go at building it. Luckily my disqualification of his entry was taken with good grace and we started corresponding regarding the build. Douglas sent me his VirtualMEC model file and it was then that the wheels started to come off of this plan. The original 'still' from the drawing is shown on the right. VirtualMEC has its limitations and one of them is that nobody taught it how part no. 40 works. For those without an encyclopaedic knowledge of meccano parts numbers, that is a Hank of Cord - String to you and me!<br />
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It is very easy to draw parts in impossible positions without realising it. The trading of e-mails between London and Johannesburg began and progress was made slowly. The other thing to come out of this was the realisation that the VirtualMEC program had no 'gravity' and what would stand up in the virtual world would not necessarily do so in reality.<br />
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<h3>
The Build </h3>
I started with the tower as that looked simple enough. And it is if you have all the parts. Closer inspection reveals the bracing is actually 5½ inch narrow strips. Who has twenty-four of those laying about? Even we don't have that sort of quantity to hand. These parts were not included in the sets and were only available as spare parts, which were hard to come by even when Meccano were selling spares. In fact they are so thin on the ground around here I know exactly how many we have and exactly where they all are. There are thirty-four of them built up in Sue's replica Ferris wheel dealer display model and just two more sitting in the drawer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOoxr0aRhxZZNXCOfHsyRE2PY89f6cqRB7jYvrcb4LXOB15j5zKRjw1FuGMcE2sYxDTfNGfI8n0Ld1qA39CTUV16zZQNLYxy56-bP4aOiGHnuV0oIiZcuSeCegIbulBu7GeNgoVUL0nFc/s1600/top_of_tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 15px; margin-right: 15px;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOoxr0aRhxZZNXCOfHsyRE2PY89f6cqRB7jYvrcb4LXOB15j5zKRjw1FuGMcE2sYxDTfNGfI8n0Ld1qA39CTUV16zZQNLYxy56-bP4aOiGHnuV0oIiZcuSeCegIbulBu7GeNgoVUL0nFc/s200/top_of_tower.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top of the tower showing the<br />
overlapping 3 inch narrow strips<br />
joined behind the washer</td></tr>
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Can you believe it, we are overrun with most parts in this house (so much so we are selling off our surplus at <a href="https://ralphsshop.com/">RalphsShop.com</a>) and the first thing I look at is one of the very few parts we are short of. Luckily there is an easy work-around. The point at which the bracing crosses is detailed with a large washer. This means the 5½ inch strips can be replaced with two 3 inch strips overlapped by one hole and secured with the bolt that is used to fit the large washer. It was at this stage when it dawned on me that the top and bottom of the tower is finished off with 4½ inch girders. Another part that is not that common and Sue had just used at least eight of them in her latest model. A rummage around in our 'back-stock' turned up a further eight to allow me to complete the tower. So far, so good but next it was time to build the boom. Looked like a piece of cake - yeah right!<br />
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Building the outer framework was fiddly, with all those double girders, but once it was sorted out that was the easy bit. Now the fun began. Try as I might I could not get several of the narrow strips used to brace the side frames to fit anywhere near where the drawing indicated they should be. It was at this point that Douglas sent me the drawing file. Inspection of this revealed that several of the strips were indeed not aligned with the holes at all and just hidden behind the frame. In all cases the ends of the strips can be trapped between the sections of the frame. Surprisingly, this worked well and the resultant construction is perfectly rigid enough.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4j49NVYDOz_zFO9f78veijcTAcHqIP71MwUtQCky8sL2def1c_1Sa2Jm3RxfVHd4bcLNHo21bizRtwPMpxw85Ca5Nj9SMChbFomc4slhyphenhyphen-PKncrUeaVELJLItmdm2qofIvQxDfpf1kW_/s1600/Small_hammerhead_above.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4j49NVYDOz_zFO9f78veijcTAcHqIP71MwUtQCky8sL2def1c_1Sa2Jm3RxfVHd4bcLNHo21bizRtwPMpxw85Ca5Nj9SMChbFomc4slhyphenhyphen-PKncrUeaVELJLItmdm2qofIvQxDfpf1kW_/s400/Small_hammerhead_above.jpg" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from above better sows the construction</td></tr>
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It was at this point the 'Gravity' issue became obvious. This thing was very front heavy and was going to require a good deal of weight in the back end to keep it standing upright. Not wanting to add a huge block to the back of the boom I adopted a 'thick-floor' policy and added the best part of half a kilogram of 4½ inch strips to form a floor. In case you are wondering, that is 65 strips in 5 stacks of 13! Even that was not enough and a few 3½ inch strips were added to the inside of the back of the winding house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMQc3cxtu1ZkioHRYUC9Aix0hoAG1ENxB8q63sjKcuPuS3FwViCimHpkew2sBZcfqL-JDVyAw-EKa80W6X0ZKDRs7iOxui9e3P6Y9duid6XTYJx9py_PbTKoJ3QORl2O5IVI1lddsrVqr/s1600/inside_winding_house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMQc3cxtu1ZkioHRYUC9Aix0hoAG1ENxB8q63sjKcuPuS3FwViCimHpkew2sBZcfqL-JDVyAw-EKa80W6X0ZKDRs7iOxui9e3P6Y9duid6XTYJx9py_PbTKoJ3QORl2O5IVI1lddsrVqr/s400/inside_winding_house.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the winding house with the roof removed</td></tr>
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It is nice to keep a model simple, in this case the simplicity was maintained by keeping the hand operation and not getting carried away with a bucket load of gears and brassware. However, a few improvements can make the operation easier. Guide pulleys will stop the cord chafing and aid smooth operation. The most obvious addition is the winding drum for the hoist. This is made by forcing a couple of Chimney Adaptors into either end of a Sleeve Piece and trapping it between a couple if the small diameter bush wheels. The cord used is Ralph's String, fine. It is available in cut lengths <a href="https://ralphsshop.com/shop/sections/ralphs-string/products/new-cut-length-of-fine-black-cord">HERE</a>. It is anchored by passing it through one of the holes and out via the expansion slot in the sleeve piece. A double knot tied in the end of the cord will stop it passing through the slot. making a neat means of securing it. A spring forces a ½ conch diameter Bossed Pulley fitted wit an 'Aircraft Tyre' against the inside of the Flat Plate to form a brake for the hoisting cable. Pushing the winding wheel in, against the spring, allows the drum to be wound easily and releasing the wheel will brake the drum, holding the load in place.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrX7uHzYLGLDKI6y8elNUFYJDqfgA95md0zIgOaMWn_UgZdvMB1uVjHvfO1ZTZOXpB6dfwYRW9UxHKBrGIMkkeDZsVVcehTnk0S64De_H42vnWdzBrioXzQso9T7oGk3pYEoA77MQVbWA/s1600/brake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrX7uHzYLGLDKI6y8elNUFYJDqfgA95md0zIgOaMWn_UgZdvMB1uVjHvfO1ZTZOXpB6dfwYRW9UxHKBrGIMkkeDZsVVcehTnk0S64De_H42vnWdzBrioXzQso9T7oGk3pYEoA77MQVbWA/s400/brake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tyre is acting as a brake, held against the plate by the spring seen in the picture above</td></tr>
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Getting the tension right in the crab travel lines is crucial and is helped with the addition of a tension spring incorporated in the crab. The cord is tied to one end of the spring and then it is fed through the front bracket, around a pulley at the front of the boom and back through the crab to the winding house and under the guide pulley. There it is wound around a rod before being passed over the pulley guide this time and tied to the other end spring, under tension. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zwNha7LUEA_ST171fZ2L7_9qonjwWreh5mArsRfa8IkdAmLkJTWUXqiKPGNBYN33YK6r3SJH859eMun7BQRmMBNz_YUMsMC8Qa1rZhQlDTDgcmxL0XR3bxky1kufb6M0ZTiAoYvTqNko/s1600/Crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zwNha7LUEA_ST171fZ2L7_9qonjwWreh5mArsRfa8IkdAmLkJTWUXqiKPGNBYN33YK6r3SJH859eMun7BQRmMBNz_YUMsMC8Qa1rZhQlDTDgcmxL0XR3bxky1kufb6M0ZTiAoYvTqNko/s400/Crab.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crab incorporated a tension spring</td></tr>
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The hoisting cord passes under the lower guide pulley an out of the winding house to the crab. it then passed over the first 1 inch free-running pulley down to the block and back up again before being secured to the front of the boom ensuring the load will stay level no matter what the position of the crab along the boom. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90T7AVx4FvTurYretMdMuw35VjG0o83jsK08Kse_LZP_DyR0yeP-ZZQ4C7kffNjXZtpJo5kGHrh_T5NLBiby0mBvC7HPG-Udr7rxkpyScp3NLfzdlx9m4u3vpWnW7OO0wKFu20SrPvr6t/s1600/block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90T7AVx4FvTurYretMdMuw35VjG0o83jsK08Kse_LZP_DyR0yeP-ZZQ4C7kffNjXZtpJo5kGHrh_T5NLBiby0mBvC7HPG-Udr7rxkpyScp3NLfzdlx9m4u3vpWnW7OO0wKFu20SrPvr6t/s320/block.jpg" width="228" /></a>The hook block in the original plan uses flat trunnions in the usual configuration to make the block. However in this scale I felt it looked a little too bib so I made a slightly lighter one using a pair of brass ½ inch Pulleys without boss held between a pair of 1 inch corner brackets. A vintage red part no. 57c Hook is held between a pair of red 1 inch narrow strips. Short pivot bolts and thin brass M4 washers were used to hold the corner brackets together and space the pulleys away from the bracket to prevent them binding. Hexagonal nuts were locked together to hold everything in place, but still leaving the pulleys free to rotate. The small size of these nuts is not a great deal different from the size of the socket head bolts an therefore look better than any other solution available, such as Meccano locking nuts. A shorter 3/8 inch Long Bolt is used to suspend the hook.After assembly it was obvious that the paint in the holes of the painted parts were causing it all to bind in use. A bit on manual working in by working the pivot points by hand soon loosened it up and a few drops of oil on the pivot bolts and hook suspension gear worked wonders. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9OnZVyV_R1DSv_5txgAdju6RqSJbJSZryWVsm_ENY8RkTWfhJB_8yvwEtOedsAInS4dRD6y0RnYW8dOkl7Izdk7jzwlswIdTBxGdls0QdUrcXxJ6atplGBJUxss_Nd0sbp2DwDXG2O9r/s1600/winding_house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9OnZVyV_R1DSv_5txgAdju6RqSJbJSZryWVsm_ENY8RkTWfhJB_8yvwEtOedsAInS4dRD6y0RnYW8dOkl7Izdk7jzwlswIdTBxGdls0QdUrcXxJ6atplGBJUxss_Nd0sbp2DwDXG2O9r/s400/winding_house.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished winding hose with roof</td></tr>
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Collars were added to the ends of the guide pulley rods and a couple of 4½ x 2½ inch Flexible Plates were pre-formed on the bending machine before being secured in place to complete the winding house.<br />
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I am please with the way it turned out and it just goes to show how Meccano manual models can models can be inspirational and lead to something completely different as the idea is passed on and evolved. Douglas said he made his drawing in an attempt to improve an old manual. Model 4.1 HAMMERHEAD CRANE from the 1951 no. 4 set. <br />
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Although Model 4.13 firm the 1962 Manual looks to be more like an ancestor of the model in his original drawing. <br />
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Either way, as he says in his original post on the Spanner II list, it can't have wheels and be called a Hammerhead crane.<br />
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Okay, that has got the crane building bug satisfied for another little while I am off to look at making an entry of my own to the Christmas Challenge over on the Spanner II list. If you are not familiar with Spanner II and want to know more, click <a href="http://mail.austprem.org.au/mailman/listinfo/spanner">HERE</a> or follow the link in the light-blue Spanner II information box in the left hand column of this page.<br />
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RalphUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-92216366626318443762016-12-16T15:32:00.000+00:002016-12-23T16:32:29.431+00:00Clockwork Truck<i>Click on any of the photographs to enlarge!</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";">At the Hainault Hangout, the premier Meccano show in east London, my other half spends his entire day extracting money out of people for raffle tickets and competition entries. One of the competitions is to guess the weight and number of parts in a small model. It usually falls upon me to build the model and this year was no exception. </span></span>I was looking through some old manuals for inspiration and found a rather awful looking van that looks as if it could be replicated and improved using strips instead of plates in our usual fashion. The Delivery Van was published as Plan 4.11 from a 1973, 2/3/4 manual. My initial intention was soon dismissed as I started to build the chassis. It has been said that the models contained in manuals of this period left a lot to be desired. They were not wrong. The chassis is the only part of the original model to be retained as I needed something to build on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I set about building the rear body from 5½ inch strips and angle girders wrapped around 4½ inch squares built from 4½ inch angle girders. For some reason we seem to be very low on supply of these. We have angle girders in very respectable quantities of most other lengths. I must keep my eye open for any at the shows… Yes, I know his nibs is saying we have enough Meccano but there are exceptions. Besides I noticed the postman arrive with a box of Meccano that Ralph had won on eBay. What’s good for the gander… The rear of the body was fitted with a single opening door and a handle made from one end of a de-constructed shock absorber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">As I was building the body I was aware the weight was starting to add up and it occurred to me that the little magic motor might struggle to cope. I was not too bothered as this was more about building a model for the competition, besides I have a very nice No.2 clockwork motor I bought a few years ago at SkegEx that I could shoehorn Under the ‘bonnet’ so to speak. Mind you that might be like dropping a big block V8 under the bonnet of my sedate Volvo estate – fun though!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I was looking at the cab details in the original instructions and decided that I would have a go at making my own. Then it came to me that we have a pile of those Multi-Set cabs. Ralph said I probably should not tell you I woke up in the middle of the night when the idea came to me. I can’t understand why. The cab is just about right and saved me messing about building one for myself. It fitted with a prototypical gap between it and the body that was an ideal location for the spare wheel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The model was finished off with a magnetic ‘Meccano’ badge on the front of the box-back and a hazard sticker on the back accompanied by a set of rear lights from modern Evolution Parts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Sue </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06701893321619741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-82280570039335574042016-12-13T21:07:00.001+00:002016-12-13T21:07:57.029+00:00To all our Meccano friends...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8v89j2qsAsMnVYAoW669ohF12lMxLCnzWkjtItj8fxt6OhE3KF774RHUXtm9TxMqXZs-K5qf9VYWbUzEhboY3ffN364OhuTde1tS-snvtmymC79A-6ZW2xshu9ma2dF2nGf7NOXX3u59/s1600/Happy+Christmas+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8v89j2qsAsMnVYAoW669ohF12lMxLCnzWkjtItj8fxt6OhE3KF774RHUXtm9TxMqXZs-K5qf9VYWbUzEhboY3ffN364OhuTde1tS-snvtmymC79A-6ZW2xshu9ma2dF2nGf7NOXX3u59/s400/Happy+Christmas+16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-8633549316905895322016-11-28T21:53:00.004+00:002016-11-28T21:53:55.476+00:00Old Boiler!No, not me, this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGP5cGy5u6RcM56__R3nr87h86NC0Eme5Tk1F2-Kaj6nF9yK2C5i6X-EnDEo6BiGYYuej2b5oSjTOQK0kQYLHU4Xj0yS79yN7xr3UrgKA-Zu4mpeecfTiDxR2ZlvkBepsLjc_JYtv1gfhA/s1600/scratched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGP5cGy5u6RcM56__R3nr87h86NC0Eme5Tk1F2-Kaj6nF9yK2C5i6X-EnDEo6BiGYYuej2b5oSjTOQK0kQYLHU4Xj0yS79yN7xr3UrgKA-Zu4mpeecfTiDxR2ZlvkBepsLjc_JYtv1gfhA/s400/scratched.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scruffy boilers are commonplace, especially the blue ones</td></tr>
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We seem to have collected a good few boilers over the years and the blue ones seem to be the worst for wear of the lot. A few years ago, I bought a couple of clock kits from a chap that had been looked after very well indeed. All the parts were almost like new, even though they had been built, that is with the exception of the boilers. The paint is just not keyed on very well. I will get around to painting them at some point, but for now I have found a quick fix. While rooting around in the heaps of stuff we have been sorting out recently (see <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/movin-it-on.html">HERE</a>), I found a motley selection of boiler sleeves in various colours that had been used as circular plates in rockets and submarine sets. However the ones that caught my eye were the ones used in the locomotive set of the early 2000s. These are black, a far more useful colour than lurid yellow of the submarine and far more practical than the white ones used in the rocket sets. The only problem with them is that they are not bent as tightly as they need to be to fit inside the boiler ends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOGh4f61sEUS3wT9GkF6qj6xTzI4JpBp5ov1U-6E3wNFHgNbbHlAXeOX6A42qV4xsDsfXggfJJRQxwJ2ZjB11DFtQyRBVAVCl0xScaxduEvhBXK0rOvAN2B0Rurf7wE_NQ-k5GPc-vbd1/s1600/The_pair_of_sleeves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOGh4f61sEUS3wT9GkF6qj6xTzI4JpBp5ov1U-6E3wNFHgNbbHlAXeOX6A42qV4xsDsfXggfJJRQxwJ2ZjB11DFtQyRBVAVCl0xScaxduEvhBXK0rOvAN2B0Rurf7wE_NQ-k5GPc-vbd1/s400/The_pair_of_sleeves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The locomotive parts need the rolled profile tightened</td></tr>
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Just forming them with your hand will result in them bending out of shape as they will form a crease along the lines of holes. They need to be rolled but I was not sure if the process would damage the paint, which has been rather heavily applied and appears to be a powder coating.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdPj-4DM7hTHp4P3F-6MdPiG2IPz0NPBtw_k4j1Mm98vK85hlxUOHctoaRqioiYpohUKK5aILi3SY9ikT5rjRIKQSl0UgAn0Au_LM93_Yl70kixBuQZ8USzZAt_3LRnDe9Pz0GFQpBeuo/s1600/rolling_sleeve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdPj-4DM7hTHp4P3F-6MdPiG2IPz0NPBtw_k4j1Mm98vK85hlxUOHctoaRqioiYpohUKK5aILi3SY9ikT5rjRIKQSl0UgAn0Au_LM93_Yl70kixBuQZ8USzZAt_3LRnDe9Pz0GFQpBeuo/s400/rolling_sleeve.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom made rolling bars</td></tr>
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A couple of years ago, I needed to form some plates lengthwise and built a new wider bending machine. You can see how it was built <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/new-plate-bender.html">HERE</a>. This machine is just the right width for this job. The rollers were wiped over with a spirit-dampened rag to remove any dust and grit from the rollers and the machine set up so the plate was just held in the rollers. the sleeve was rolled through under light pressure several times, each time increasing the roller pressure by a couple of turns of the adjusting wheel. It took several passes to get the sleeve to the required shape but, by going gradually, no paint was lost. I bent the sleeve so the ends were almost touching. This will mean the last half an inch of compression can be made by hand to fit the end into the boiler ends and hold them in place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDZxXy88-D0hgfYSwLTQSOU1H6U7Cxm0KLQPd5oy0Q2E99RDOJzSLz6iI6rx-rKV0zHQ5ZWWqxFAYJAD-NhiAhyrQJWHbLC_ldvkcjDHZH2BCKr19TTReH0IT2V1pBaVghOhduOVLwTYr/s1600/fitted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDZxXy88-D0hgfYSwLTQSOU1H6U7Cxm0KLQPd5oy0Q2E99RDOJzSLz6iI6rx-rKV0zHQ5ZWWqxFAYJAD-NhiAhyrQJWHbLC_ldvkcjDHZH2BCKr19TTReH0IT2V1pBaVghOhduOVLwTYr/s400/fitted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished boiler sleeve reassembled into the original boiler ends</td></tr>
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I like the look of the black and zinc boiler. The original sleeve will be flattened out, using the rolling bars, and stripped of paint. Now all I have to decide is whether to paint it or, and here's an idea, zinc plate them. Ever since Meccano <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/more-good-news-for-builders.html">zinc plated</a> the 5½ x 2½ inch base plates in the Tower Bridge set, I have been thinking about what other traditionally painted parts might look good plated, but that is yet another story.<br />
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Ralph.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-56887580648079140262016-11-20T22:16:00.000+00:002016-11-30T16:59:30.479+00:00Movin' it on...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So where do you want this lot!</td></tr>
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For the past few months, we have been collecting Meccano together from all corners of our house and workshop, in readiness for a house move in the new year. We had no idea just how much Meccano we have collected over the past four decades. As of today we are in the process of selling-on the masses of stock we are never going to use, through our internet shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://ralphsshop.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjGSWx3Ms0k2Ujn2dIs3jPBIUHTAETi6lN-J2CTmtdgLKf0VR19D7y_cxJbw0g_MrBVygEti2q7KUtVWyD9HpGvqA_NpSWySaANb2PWdTfsMD4Dy_FEPq4GhbhFgws5zssE6XHEUCVxKC/s320/ralphsshop_logo_x.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://ralphsshop.com/" target="_blank">You will find the shop HERE!</a></span></td></tr>
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The most interesting place to look will be the lots list that can be found <a href="https://ralphsshop.com/shop/sections/ralphs-lots" target="_blank">HERE</a>. We will be adding to the list, slowly to start with but over the following days and weeks we will be adding more and more. Just keep popping in to see what's new. If you really don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for notifications of product listings and/or our News pages simply by entering your e-mail address into box in the left hand column on any page of the website. You can opt in and out of the list at any time by checking or un-checking the options boxes that will appear when you click on the subscribe button. <br />
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At the time of writing, we are working on a couple of new sections. One is Motor City where you will find all sorts of genuine motors and gearboxes from across the whole Meccano range going way back to some of the early clockwork and electric motors of the pre second world war era, through to the current offerings of the past decade or so. <br />
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We are also putting together a fixings section that will be called 'Fixing It'. This will initially feature a good selection of hex-socket head bolts and nuts. We have a good selection of bolts and lots of standard size black bolts.<br />
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In case you are wondering where it has all come from, fear not, you are not the only one to wonder. We sat down and thought about this and came to the conclusion that most of the 'modern' stuff (by 'modern' I mean parts from the 1980 to around 2013 when Meccano was bought by Spin Master) came from eBay. We have been eBayers for fourteen years. We joined in 2002 primarily to buy Meccano and buy we did. For more than a decade it was possible to buy up lots of sets in unused condition. Most of these sets were bought and either never built and a lot were never opened. The ones that had been started were in the main, never finished. Stored away until they were ripe for disposing of. In those early days, eBay provided a place where all that Meccano could be sold easily. It also gave us a source of modern parts which we pounced on. The trouble was we were buying whole sets to acquire a couple of parts and in order to build a good supply of those parts we also accumulated vast amounts of modern parts and huge quantities of nuts and bolts.<br />
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We do not only buy from eBay. We have bought several collections over the years, large and small. This is where a lot of our own collection has come from. This has amassed huge amounts of tatty old Meccano. Some of which we refurbish for our own use, the rest we sell at meetings and shows in boxes for a few pounds, the rest we will be putting on eBay as lots that weight to a maximum of 2kg (including packing) to keep postage charges reasonable.<br />
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Talking of shipping charges, we have simplified that on <a href="https://ralphsshop.com/shipping">RalphsShop.com</a> for UK buyers. No matter what you buy from the shop you will never pay more than £3.00 shipping for each order, so the more items you add to the shopping basket at each visit the better, as you know you will not be charged a fortune for delivery no matter how heavy the order is! <br />
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That's enough of that, back to the building!<br />
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Ralph.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-62519503662700265602016-10-23T14:57:00.001+01:002016-10-24T00:37:13.698+01:00Big Wheel in action at HTMC meetingYesterday we were at the Holy Trinity Meccano Club (HTMC) meeting at Hildenborough in Kent. While we were there, we had a go at videoing the Big Wheel running using Sue's compact camera. I am not versed in the art of video so this rather poor 56 seconds is the result. At least it does show the model running reasonably slowly, and the official fireman/cameraman in action.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qQOFLk_x1ew" width="480"></iframe></div>
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There was a lot of interest in the smell! As soon as the engine was fired up it drew a small crowd of People, most of whom were revelling in nostalgia for a bygone age of meths fired steam toys, Sue said it reminded her of Tilly lamps (!? - She obviously didn't have a steam engine as a kid) and shockingly there was a bloke in his forties who asked what the smell was! Blimey, I must be getting old!<br />
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The model was fired up several times during the meeting and once I had straightened out the chain, that had become twisted during transportation, it ran perfectly smoothly without incident.<br />
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Ralph. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-80443055693930598702016-10-21T23:31:00.000+01:002016-10-21T23:31:13.787+01:00The finished Big WheelFollowing on from our last two posts, we made it! The big wheel is finished and has been fired up. The chains have been adjusted and the gearing modified so it runs at a more realistic speed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9Z_q79yQtvRLo42RMQSN69yXUx6rOea4M1MyfP0j18EZGrWmJImmmXeAPDGJ3NARqn5kMb8-iY5TYnLA_NBuKcnl4sVXp3kgB0UelRoesiIm7MspM7qqs5bLUui3aq5pk6vmaxggQlEi/s1600/finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9Z_q79yQtvRLo42RMQSN69yXUx6rOea4M1MyfP0j18EZGrWmJImmmXeAPDGJ3NARqn5kMb8-iY5TYnLA_NBuKcnl4sVXp3kgB0UelRoesiIm7MspM7qqs5bLUui3aq5pk6vmaxggQlEi/s640/finished.jpg" width="498" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished - The engine looks tiny against it!</td></tr>
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Finished just in time for its first outing to the Holy Trinity Meccano club meeting, tomorrow. I am really please with this model. Sue's extra gondolas have improved the look even if we did have to revert to type and use our trademark red/zinc colour scheme I will have a go at getting hold of some more contemporary dark green strips to replace the zinc, but for now they will do the job.<br />
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Ralph. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-69166801844418394952016-10-20T01:08:00.002+01:002016-10-26T22:11:53.473+01:00Steam power for the Big Wheel<br />
The Big Wheel built from the 1927 instruction manual shown in <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/pre-war-big-wheel.html" target="_blank">the previous post</a>, has been built following the printed instructions as closely as possible. Looking at it, bearing in mind its vintage, it was screaming out to be steam powered by a 1929 vertical boiler engine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYzhf6LR79ddi9eT3LwWJxY9fVfql3Nr9TVMM6sAXYJv4bHowiMH8ci0izUKfL1R-IxJVINlFxU895HveY3uE4vHiUwhP9XIw36wNGYaJcjXbEgeuEiosI4zpY4aPlDPtY74RJar7rDxq/s1600/back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYzhf6LR79ddi9eT3LwWJxY9fVfql3Nr9TVMM6sAXYJv4bHowiMH8ci0izUKfL1R-IxJVINlFxU895HveY3uE4vHiUwhP9XIw36wNGYaJcjXbEgeuEiosI4zpY4aPlDPtY74RJar7rDxq/s400/back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatty, yes, but it goes well and has that well used look about it</td></tr>
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Rather than build the engine directly onto the model I decided to make it as a sub-assembly that can be easily fitted to the wheel using rods and collars. The also means the engine can be packed on its own, a much safer way to transport it. It may be tatty but it would be hard to replace, not to mention expensive, these days. We do have another engine in nicer condition but that is of the earlier type and still as the Meccano branding transfer on the boiler's outer jacket, something that would have been burnt off with constant use. This later, tatty version has the branding embossed and will survive for the life of the engine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwr1sf2ApeqCgrKY3FcV_OpQYH6Wql2ptLLPoK5tz7UWiP9YrbAJEbkc2EsciW8b3x_GwMZkSSsnFgBa1Vj-PrUHElrRG6thaj65yoJfbEIgqOpvviNA7Tm2PSr1I3NiOjq4VO90JeVW5/s1600/fixings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwr1sf2ApeqCgrKY3FcV_OpQYH6Wql2ptLLPoK5tz7UWiP9YrbAJEbkc2EsciW8b3x_GwMZkSSsnFgBa1Vj-PrUHElrRG6thaj65yoJfbEIgqOpvviNA7Tm2PSr1I3NiOjq4VO90JeVW5/s400/fixings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An overhead view shows the joining rods and gearing</td></tr>
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A strip built base (you know how we like a bit of strip-construction!) was built using 9½ inch angle girders bolted to 5½ inch angle girders to make a frame. This was in-filled with 5½ inch perforated strips to form a base. The girders are configured to have the slotted hole sides making the outer walls of the base. A third 9½ inch angle girder is bolted through the centre to add support. Orientating this girder with the slotted holes making the fixing will ensure it will not protrude lower than the outer girders that form the frame of the base, thereby negating any risk of the finished base rocking on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbufPUagqOENhVcJ5z0qoAayzUo6UHZVESesUcW2p_tHbCsNklubjc3WgH_SZoXTQPWhYHrsHvROQXZgtOcRxcBw01Jo1_PffuWHsy1tZptmsxh2-5vu2FenHDhnSB3s-oOCR-4vgM72W/s1600/underside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbufPUagqOENhVcJ5z0qoAayzUo6UHZVESesUcW2p_tHbCsNklubjc3WgH_SZoXTQPWhYHrsHvROQXZgtOcRxcBw01Jo1_PffuWHsy1tZptmsxh2-5vu2FenHDhnSB3s-oOCR-4vgM72W/s400/underside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside showing the third girder</td></tr>
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A selection of gears were added, it is only a guess at this stage. I have also included a clutch that is held engaged by a spring. This can be held disengaged by holding the leaver back. The reason for this is with such a large wheel to get turning, a progressive take up of the power can be controlled by letting the clutch engage gently, like when pulling a way from a standing start in a vehicle with manual transmission. The wheel should start moving without the help of a push. Well, that's the theory. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc2kOwBcwAWdJ4bqTkcfc51zbB98qsFYTChxaWhLmWfZ7ZRnyUHsIj0x7BPzEfm-fQXANCFcYgRNTNv3zFvOzTwdddUctwCXNqVPfsE3kj776WHvYLR7QOC2R4xZJIaSeoQutN35ddoTm/s1600/_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc2kOwBcwAWdJ4bqTkcfc51zbB98qsFYTChxaWhLmWfZ7ZRnyUHsIj0x7BPzEfm-fQXANCFcYgRNTNv3zFvOzTwdddUctwCXNqVPfsE3kj776WHvYLR7QOC2R4xZJIaSeoQutN35ddoTm/s400/_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clutch assembly and final drive shaft </td></tr>
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I did build a little 'Big Wheel' a few years ago and that could be started from a standing start without the use of a clutch. It was slightly smaller than this one. Below is a short video of it running on compressed air. There is a page about running steam engines on compressed air, for those times when it is not practical or permitted to fire them up, <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/p/running-on.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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I digress (again). The clutch is a simple affair. a gear wheel, as it stands now is a 50t gear, is secured into one end of a socket coupling. A 1 inch pulley, fitted with a 'rubber' ring is secured in the other end of the coupling. This runs freely on the output shaft. A bush wheel is secured to the output shaft. A three-hole coupling is fitted with two, 1 inch rods and is tightened against a couple of nuts that have been locked together on a ½ inch bolt so it is free to rotate in the centre hole of a 3½ inch perforated strip. This strip pivots on a small triangular plate, again via a bolt, lock nutted through the end hole of the 3½ inch perforated strip. The bush wheel is locked to the output shaft in such a position that the gear wheel is still in mesh with the pinion when the pulley and rubber ring are hard against it. The lever is biased against the bush wheel with the aid of a tension spring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmF21YXYFSPmeLLSMue9fEYEYE767MFTLTTDbe7Xs_3F7kw2PF3HOa1vU3sV3XTKnnJoyDJAFZv3Nn9yiQETxopAzpfhGeGmmBnS45FJUiLuLmXPjcCJHWY5250o3gvD-eWKxk6tK7jxH/s1600/spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmF21YXYFSPmeLLSMue9fEYEYE767MFTLTTDbe7Xs_3F7kw2PF3HOa1vU3sV3XTKnnJoyDJAFZv3Nn9yiQETxopAzpfhGeGmmBnS45FJUiLuLmXPjcCJHWY5250o3gvD-eWKxk6tK7jxH/s400/spring.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clutch assembly and lever</td></tr>
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The idea is the clutch is disengaged, when the engine has a full head of steam, and the flywheel is spun to set the engine running. once the engine is up to speed, the clutch can be gently let out and the wheel should slowly pick up speed - We will see tomorrow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAnnoJnPvlYNIN-UGHBfSNK9D31_Onb9-J0DuDjK9ZUfVP6JD2VI7SAZRlNTSlxY8Hm4QnVdJAUozpi7KfvgBszm96BgzXjQp7yYrFoNNSHxd9XhvHROFVs19NnOQrLRAyrGFFJmUdui-/s1600/gearing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAnnoJnPvlYNIN-UGHBfSNK9D31_Onb9-J0DuDjK9ZUfVP6JD2VI7SAZRlNTSlxY8Hm4QnVdJAUozpi7KfvgBszm96BgzXjQp7yYrFoNNSHxd9XhvHROFVs19NnOQrLRAyrGFFJmUdui-/s400/gearing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the clutch assembly</td></tr>
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I have yet to design the final drive and chain tensioners, but it is almost there. I should have it finished tomorrow. In the meantime Sue has been building some extra gondolas to make it up to eight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQKeZB_UseaaDIXR5IhhtOHSybBUzZzwxK-Z5dIzwnt7HAKwe2OZuohrge_C_Iyziuu8xf6JqeX8bt04hRRlOsI0UwqiE1yt1uInKy5UiDIz4l00fOrsTBwgG41DORp0exkVcxfQagZf4/s1600/sue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQKeZB_UseaaDIXR5IhhtOHSybBUzZzwxK-Z5dIzwnt7HAKwe2OZuohrge_C_Iyziuu8xf6JqeX8bt04hRRlOsI0UwqiE1yt1uInKy5UiDIz4l00fOrsTBwgG41DORp0exkVcxfQagZf4/s400/sue.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sue is busy making and fitting more gondolas </td></tr>
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Can you believe with all the blooming Meccano we have in this house we can't find another thirty two 2½ inch perforated strips in pre-war green? Well, we can't. So rather than use a lighter green, which would look horrible, we have opted for zinc strips for now. We should have it finished tomorrow and it will be ready for steaming. We will let you know how it goes.<br />
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Ralph.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-32369694941972854432016-10-17T22:32:00.000+01:002016-10-18T00:11:55.927+01:00Pre-war BIg WheelA while ago we acquired a 1930 pre-war No.6 set housed in an original 'enamelled' (painted) wooden box. I have already built the steam lorry, from parts in this set, that appeared in the 1929 steam engine instruction manual. That worked out fine and complimented the the vertical boiler steam engine of the same period perfectly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9Xz-pGBwA6Q_7TZMTVZCv3mfkl0XhrPEBl0PdyJrLa9q8TtFcu7KPu1XzyZAYSqgVIDNK4tfBumlOpkTVrSuZxS5yhtt2TP3Cu5EjNgrgXVtHUVPOu_kzvyLWcB8hji_aP6gaSswDSmZ/s1600/finished_right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9Xz-pGBwA6Q_7TZMTVZCv3mfkl0XhrPEBl0PdyJrLa9q8TtFcu7KPu1XzyZAYSqgVIDNK4tfBumlOpkTVrSuZxS5yhtt2TP3Cu5EjNgrgXVtHUVPOu_kzvyLWcB8hji_aP6gaSswDSmZ/s640/finished_right.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Wheel - finished as the instructions - As far as possible </td></tr>
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Looking through the old contemporary manuals I found lots of models that I fancied having a go at there is a mass of interesting subjects to chose from. They all would have been things familiar to children of the period. I had often thought about building something from the manual even before we had acquired the set, now I had the perfect excuse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGt-awsMrPyoIrQZ2cGyags_dHnUm-w_aWfVzuS4QoUS8bzUFs6JiaNGsVlnD4yfeoPM4ngLkpF-Uw0kF5o9SQpqiOMA1eY6YOzGQTCcxoqsYHLTpz9wjJsFGqgTDc_8hJzi3vv_uOu1Of/s1600/big_wheel_6-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGt-awsMrPyoIrQZ2cGyags_dHnUm-w_aWfVzuS4QoUS8bzUFs6JiaNGsVlnD4yfeoPM4ngLkpF-Uw0kF5o9SQpqiOMA1eY6YOzGQTCcxoqsYHLTpz9wjJsFGqgTDc_8hJzi3vv_uOu1Of/s640/big_wheel_6-5.JPG" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As can be seen the illustration in the manual is not very clear in places</td></tr>
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Recently I have been building the Big Wheel from the 1927 instruction manual for sets No.4 -7, only to discover that the 1927 set has a lot more parts than the 1930 set. Comparing the contents two sets is interesting and somewhat baffling. I can see the point in reducing the number of strips and other parts that are included in good quantity in the earlier set, but why reduce the number of 3½ x 2½ flanged plates (Part No.53) from eight to seven? I am sure the Meccano accountants of the day made the decisions purely on cost. Even though our set is the later (smaller) set, I decided to build the big wheel from the earlier instructions as I could make up the extra parts from our building stock. I have been collecting odd bits of dark green/dark red, as they turned up in lots we have bought, for years. Where I have not been able to do this I have used some mid red and mid green parts. Amazingly they do not stick out like a sore thumb and in fact are hard to spot even when you know they are there. Interestingly they show up more in the photographs than they do in reality..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKycNdjlWFwCOF8Vs8Qa_VM0hkrAw29urWDiJBO145nSMGD8BFigr_j884a-8uyGL1847ffxLhkjoCem3vF4zOBozjl8sYSdOg_QJoBDiJZCRci2EpYr86xsx7EUFMOqmSjwquAp7z4fet/s1600/Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKycNdjlWFwCOF8Vs8Qa_VM0hkrAw29urWDiJBO145nSMGD8BFigr_j884a-8uyGL1847ffxLhkjoCem3vF4zOBozjl8sYSdOg_QJoBDiJZCRci2EpYr86xsx7EUFMOqmSjwquAp7z4fet/s640/Front.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks very flimsy in this view - it is not!</td></tr>
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I started to build the main frame. This is reasonably straight forward except where the gearings are for the wheel itself. The illustration is impossible to decipher and I abandoned the final stages until I had completed the wheel. This way I could use the wheel to determine at what height the bearing needed to be fitted and then finish off the top of the towers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBG7lX1N_fz59WkxsPj9RLOipF6N2Shfo3nQqlhP-uJsrC5sQ16m-KMfjgsZems0alRPoCR5d9kBExiTKVENInM3E9YYxKd2qa67M-hd5qxs99EvphBf2k_-iwGF8CBCa_UQ7C305WYT_B/s1600/structure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBG7lX1N_fz59WkxsPj9RLOipF6N2Shfo3nQqlhP-uJsrC5sQ16m-KMfjgsZems0alRPoCR5d9kBExiTKVENInM3E9YYxKd2qa67M-hd5qxs99EvphBf2k_-iwGF8CBCa_UQ7C305WYT_B/s640/structure.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a lot of struts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have no idea how a kid in the thirties would have been able to build this model without some kind of strip rolling machine. Trying to bend the outer strips for the rim of the wheel to a smooth curve would have been nigh on impossible. No indication as to how this is achieved is even hinted at in the instructions. For me here, getting on for ninety years later, the gentle curve required in the 12½ inch perforated strips is easily formed by running them through a set of our rolling bars.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW-6x4c5sIum5gvi9vHpsPPs-3ZQEly98R7Zhw08xfpPdQfCbRU9ys36wpB1oSYukE0IY0OQub9_nHyaNkYxetK4nv8LfxoFSXYQfPrOhT7qzLHzM9DBQIHw86l7dlLyuf6hR5ISGBUgi/s1600/chain_drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW-6x4c5sIum5gvi9vHpsPPs-3ZQEly98R7Zhw08xfpPdQfCbRU9ys36wpB1oSYukE0IY0OQub9_nHyaNkYxetK4nv8LfxoFSXYQfPrOhT7qzLHzM9DBQIHw86l7dlLyuf6hR5ISGBUgi/s400/chain_drive.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chain drive works really well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once the model was fully assembled and all the nuts and bolts tightened it was an easy job to rig the chain. The wheel turns effortlessly as the gearing down is imminence. A small amount of lubricant made everything run smoothly. If you are wondering how the hub goes together here is a close up picture just to prove that sixteen struts will fit around a standard face plate. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D8vd11FvpnBC0iO3j1QjKmlyVxQwAfRKI_pcsTNh1eDFzCKjU1FVpwW3PysBDFEm6NFbZWW7qpp9uqIBRF73FfgxXcTascEg5TGqlVBlm_Mud3oUbVzu3kh2gLruD09CROa2t3Bm6O-s/s1600/16_spokes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D8vd11FvpnBC0iO3j1QjKmlyVxQwAfRKI_pcsTNh1eDFzCKjU1FVpwW3PysBDFEm6NFbZWW7qpp9uqIBRF73FfgxXcTascEg5TGqlVBlm_Mud3oUbVzu3kh2gLruD09CROa2t3Bm6O-s/s400/16_spokes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the hub arrangement.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That is the model built as close to the original instruction as possible. It is screaming out for a power source to drive it and I think the 1929 vertical boiler steam engine is just the ticket. Four extra gondolas would improve the look too. Watch this space...<br />
<br />
Ralph.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-66183412275354914642016-10-14T11:47:00.001+01:002016-10-14T11:49:13.648+01:00Well, I did not think it would be this long...I have no idea where the past nine months have gone. Sue and I have been preoccupied with a pending house move. After the best part of 40 years in the same house, it is a real challenge just clearing the clutter. Although I have seen a lot worse, we do seem to have collected a lot of 'stuff', Meccano making up a good percentage of the afore mentioned stuff!<br />
<br />
In the late 1970s and early 1980s Meccano parts we not easy to get hold of and if they were available, they were not cheap. For years Sue and I would buy any odd box of meccano we found at boot fairs, auctions etc. When eBay came along we managed to increase our building stock considerably. Over the course of a decade or so, we amassed a huge collection of traditional and new parts. Those parts were diligently sorted and 'filed' away into our storage system providing a readily available building stock and a substantial back-stock.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjiQxgL0eDhZ_510RDhboZQlR1952GwhM06cMzjZSt5tGN7eryNAExOmXAz6BBwDRT7UkXyu747XCcqEFsgBK2bub4jTK06KMgkzcunO2DrMw8nuIWw8rBATn_mXDDUwIOXnrdGdFWCPz/s1600/Meccano+junk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjiQxgL0eDhZ_510RDhboZQlR1952GwhM06cMzjZSt5tGN7eryNAExOmXAz6BBwDRT7UkXyu747XCcqEFsgBK2bub4jTK06KMgkzcunO2DrMw8nuIWw8rBATn_mXDDUwIOXnrdGdFWCPz/s400/Meccano+junk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few of the boxes and boxes of traditional parts collected over several decades</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have said before that our early collecting of stock parts was all about traditional Meccano. By this I mean mainly the Binns Road production. By the early 1980s Meccano had all but disappeared as we know it. Under the ownership of Airfix, Frank Hornby's Binns Road factory had been reduced to rubble, manufacturing had been moved to France and the toy that we had turned into a hobby had all but disappeared. When Airfix went to the wall, in January 1981, a management buyout was rejected by the receiver and the company was eventually sold to General Mills to be operated here in the UK by its toy division based in Coalville, Leicestershire trading as part of the Palitoy Company.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7WpY95ab8UpaHuo-xRR-RXipVYe8ttqhoUDK3joTBc3xUm7bw5myGNWxRtKWac6ngWOYffQC9VpOiXcE7aGmPcq326X3m3QT4ttxS9TagsRPwFPWBA2UTJ2R6djyRT0VWBIr9yS0oYGA/s1600/yellow+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7WpY95ab8UpaHuo-xRR-RXipVYe8ttqhoUDK3joTBc3xUm7bw5myGNWxRtKWac6ngWOYffQC9VpOiXcE7aGmPcq326X3m3QT4ttxS9TagsRPwFPWBA2UTJ2R6djyRT0VWBIr9yS0oYGA/s400/yellow+boxes.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early 1980s sets contained these yellow boxes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was the point at which I had decided that modern Meccano (of its day) was not for me. The horrible sets of that time were full of stickers and very little else. From that day on I barley gave the current Meccano a second glance, even though it was changing for the better. It is ironic now to think that the only things of use to come out of that period were the yellow storage boxes with their metal lids that are now so sought after. Indeed, we have several stacks of them, being used for storage, ourselves. Our personal life was going through a period where Meccano was not a priority. We had been a victim of the Airfix collapse as I was owed several thousands of pounds for freelance work I had done for the company that, as it turned out, I was not going to see one penny of. All our efforts were concentrated on keeping our heads above water.<br />
<br />
As time went on we were able to drag ourselves out of the mire and in time became available to indulge in our hobbies once again. It was at this time I managed to fulfil that childhood dream of owning a No10 Meccano set. This was a rather used 1950's red/green set in the iconic wooden chest. For a few years, Meccano was back in the forefront of our thinking. In the mid 1980s Meccano was not so easy to come by and it took a lot of finding but I was still not interested in anything other than traditional Meccano. By the end of the decade we were involved in our business to the exclusion of most other things and again the Meccano was mothballed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8ycnmG_YI_at31oDUHdVEGcHPXF4HFdT5Q2NA99wf8Fhyphenhypheni81ccp7nb0A5quL9jNtdzbdkwY2u00Yb5aImQwK3XX9NR-4JJDUIKcqP5lEQCztmemosq0EyikS10h4FEP8Dt60EuiCvQm3/s1600/Ralph_and_sue_windmills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8ycnmG_YI_at31oDUHdVEGcHPXF4HFdT5Q2NA99wf8Fhyphenhypheni81ccp7nb0A5quL9jNtdzbdkwY2u00Yb5aImQwK3XX9NR-4JJDUIKcqP5lEQCztmemosq0EyikS10h4FEP8Dt60EuiCvQm3/s400/Ralph_and_sue_windmills.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our return to Meccano - still using traditional parts but that was all to change</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Over all this time, although we were not actively building, we still managed to buy Meccano whenever we had the opportunity. This was all traditional Meccano having decided the all new Meccano was rubbish. This period of buying greatly enlarged our stock, especially of the more common parts. We eventually got back to Meccano building nearly twenty years later after we had sold our business and again found we were able to indulge our interest. By this time Sue's casual interest had grown and she was a full on builder in her own right. It was not until Sue decided to buy some current Meccano that it started to dawn on me just how much we were missing. It was at that point that we looked at the new Meccano in a new light.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBW9Lc1oVPSjncGmRwbsLO6hbzQiV-tz1FQUyLGsb0F2mmIiu64r5NwkcoLj3P-9U0fll_Cwl3QL0i9d4qaWSD-2ja-FFeEYyqqLU7hfzalhEgwAGCBVc1sOTQXJIm2knOVXJQ53h51Bfb/s1600/Modern+Parts+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBW9Lc1oVPSjncGmRwbsLO6hbzQiV-tz1FQUyLGsb0F2mmIiu64r5NwkcoLj3P-9U0fll_Cwl3QL0i9d4qaWSD-2ja-FFeEYyqqLU7hfzalhEgwAGCBVc1sOTQXJIm2knOVXJQ53h51Bfb/s400/Modern+Parts+header.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern parts from pre Spin Master ownership have many uses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since then we have amassed a huge collection of the post Binns Road parts made during the 1990s through to the current day. Most of this has been sourced via on line auction sites, boot fairs and auctions as well as private sales where people have contacted us through our on line presence. It has now become evident, due to our monumental clear out of our house that we will never be able to use the vast amounts of Meccano we have amassed. For this reason, over the coming weeks and months we will be reviving our on line lots list at <a href="http://ralphsshop.com/">RalphsShop.com</a> and selling off our surplus Meccano.<br />
<br />
Our absence from the building scene over the past couple of years has sparked a few rumours that we have lost our interest in the hobby. Nothing could be further from the truth. For the recent past we have been very closely involved with Spin Master, the current owners of Meccano. This has meant we have been building and designing models behind the scenes. Most of which we have not been able to talk about at the time, for obvious commercial reasons. As time has gone on, the design team based in Los Angeles that we have been working with, have developed the system into a toy for the current market. Unfortunately this has moved today's products a long was from where they were three years ago. We were involved in the traditional period, working on contemporary models using existing parts across the ranges. The move back towards the toy market has been a huge commercial success for the Meccano company. So much so that I am having to wait for supplies of the current models as demand is outstripping supply on the worldwide stage that the modern global companies of today have to perform on. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoibN1VQQX_ei9pvgBq2zBkOC1v3SnKf0u8j21RVdijFKq0YC8N3X5Hou7WQ6bVwJfyVRI26WfSZVeerc9ez8VJnlIXXXJ6W8PigFb3ObmXdYJV_aoPVZQIp2PzkkzjN-BZuZSPt34Ley/s1600/81Sc5kid0KL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoibN1VQQX_ei9pvgBq2zBkOC1v3SnKf0u8j21RVdijFKq0YC8N3X5Hou7WQ6bVwJfyVRI26WfSZVeerc9ez8VJnlIXXXJ6W8PigFb3ObmXdYJV_aoPVZQIp2PzkkzjN-BZuZSPt34Ley/s640/81Sc5kid0KL._SL1500_.jpg" width="640" /></a>The current sets are full of new plastic parts, that although generic in design are more like sub-assemblies than components. This reflects modern engineering and manufacture of today as well as making use of contemporary materials. Our hobby is based on a world that does not exist today in the same way that it did when Frank Hornby conceived the system. He looked around and saw constructions made from steel parts with holes in and joined together with rivets or bolts. Today it is all <span data-dobid="hdw">high-tech</span> materials and sub assemblies - just like Meccano is being presented today.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqC0rJ4uHEWWsPrcvfiLdVTS9B9mUAj-V5d8UDUkNxNLomFBfEz0Hb4ha-1LgbhcI5oaAuG4kFg0fYBIBQgzftU5TmuyT-DNSrFs59EKFLouOh9fogswngCBmkVrKPR62lJl2m-Ir-Po0y/s1600/81Doy9HF3xL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqC0rJ4uHEWWsPrcvfiLdVTS9B9mUAj-V5d8UDUkNxNLomFBfEz0Hb4ha-1LgbhcI5oaAuG4kFg0fYBIBQgzftU5TmuyT-DNSrFs59EKFLouOh9fogswngCBmkVrKPR62lJl2m-Ir-Po0y/s640/81Doy9HF3xL._SL1500_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Meccano has once again moved out of our comfort zone. Some will embrace it, others will reject it with gusto. At the moment I am wavering on the centre ground. Because of our relationship with Meccano, over the past few years, we have had a lot longer with these parts than most of you reading this today. I can report that I am no more in love with them now than I was over a year ago when I first saw them. Sue is of a similar mind albeit a bit more open then me. Meccano are moving on, out of our world and into the cut-throat world of the global toy market. Our involvement with the new stuff is becoming less and less as we get left behind, stuck in our world of how we want Meccano to be. That is fine by us as it should be by most of our fellow enthusiasts. Our world is getting smaller as the days tick by. More and more Meccano is filtering back onto the second-hand market and the dealers and reproduction part makers can supply most if not all the parts we require making the need for Meccano to make stuff we like far less significant. I should think today the worldwide community of Meccano enthusiasts is down to hundreds and how many of them buy any amount of Meccano, very few I suspect.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lxO8Yd0qKwUvMaI7kgsCkr6GHOp9yPnPUVaSZvySdRWCHjIF1XLpJd1NMUGA1Md5WeWb083G1fJtFhRyxNMThcaNPqRug9vt8gQkmijlBvvJO4otZzBet0gr4dALEmBfYtaavFNhKotx/s1600/12t+bevel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lxO8Yd0qKwUvMaI7kgsCkr6GHOp9yPnPUVaSZvySdRWCHjIF1XLpJd1NMUGA1Md5WeWb083G1fJtFhRyxNMThcaNPqRug9vt8gQkmijlBvvJO4otZzBet0gr4dALEmBfYtaavFNhKotx/s400/12t+bevel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12t bevel gear from the new helicopter set. This is 3D printed prototype,<br />
the production version is black in colour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is not all bad news, those of us who still enjoy the noble art of bolting bits of metal (and plastic!) together to build models and mechanisms that, at best, are caricatures of the reel thing, have a vast inventory of parts to choose from and a never ending supply. Even some of the current sets have something to offer such as the new ultra-small bevel gears found in the latest (Autumn 2016) 20-model helicopter set.<br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->So now you know where we have been, you can all stop worrying about us and get on with some serious building now the nights are drawing in and the days are getting distinctly cooler. As I have said, we are awaiting a delivery of
current models and as soon as we get them we will be building them,
exploring the potential for other modes and the use of their new parts, where
applicable.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also have a few new projects under way. I still have
to tell you about the pre-war Big wheel build and my intentions to steam power
it. All this mixed in with some vintage builds from decades ago when Meccano
was red and green... </div>
<br />
<br />
Ralph. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-1291942394176552332016-05-11T23:41:00.000+01:002016-10-12T15:19:08.542+01:00It has been a few months...You may have wondered what happened to Part 2 of the toy fair report. Well, It contains details of models being produced under licence and we were asked not to disclose the details without checking with the guys at Meccano. So far I cannot get an answer. So for now I will just let that one lie and get on with other matters...<br />
<br />
As some of you are aware, we have been working closely with Spin Master to help promote the Meccano brand and to pass on any juicy information. In the beginning there was a lot of activity and it was all looking good. Enthusiasm was there and I think they over-estimated the commercial worth of the enthusiast market. Now we are closing in on the end of the third year of Spin Master ownership and I think some of that enthusiasm has waned somewhat.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5jRdreelXe6voBR_yQrtDvfs6mzZXtEgZEoJwXnskdap7YmGsqm8xmnxuRHeHsgrd5M-BIb1ISWb7dBx23egWXBJz23drnV_1zK9wl1gZaBUACLGKe5HN-_LETwokqROnJY5pFXw1n4b/s1600/dino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5jRdreelXe6voBR_yQrtDvfs6mzZXtEgZEoJwXnskdap7YmGsqm8xmnxuRHeHsgrd5M-BIb1ISWb7dBx23egWXBJz23drnV_1zK9wl1gZaBUACLGKe5HN-_LETwokqROnJY5pFXw1n4b/s400/dino.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids love this set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
There is no doubt that Spin Master have injected new life into the brand. They have now produced a complete new range of construction toys. The younger user of Meccano is not using it in the same way as we did. Most
models are built (if at all) to the instructions and stood on a shelf.
The next purchase may be another Meccano model, but it is just as likely
to be from another manufacturer, and I don't mean just Lego. <br />
<br />
Meccano is a totally different product today and that is the only way it
will be successful. Spin Master have made it a success in the toy trade,
modern Meccano sells for what it is - a toy - and all the time it does
that the brand will stay alive. For us, there may be some parts that we can make use of such as those new brown ball and socket parts that make up the T-Rex dinosaur's spine. Some of the
sets are appealing but we are so far
away from modern thinking that what Meccano sell today has very little
interest to the established enthusiast. <br />
<br />
The Meccano we turned into a hobby was a different product, as far away from today's Meccano
it is possible to get without abandoning the BSW thread, imperial hole
spacing and square nut - the DNA of Meccano, if you like. We still talk to Meccano and get the odd snippets of information on what is happening but so much of it is outside the scope of our hobby it starts to become irrelevant.<br />
<br />
It is not unusual for us to go a bit quiet from time to time, it does not mean we have gone away or that we have left the hobby. We have been Meccano enthusiasts most of our life and the way we keep it fresh is not to live and die it. To prove the fact I have been plying with our pre-war No.6 set and have built my version of the Big Wheel, model number 6.5 from the 1929 4-7 manual. It did not take long to work out that the 1929 set was a fair bit bigger than the 1931 set that we have. Here is a picture of the finished thing.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KZGVK3empMY878liNLEw0wJZroXl06l_tcW7Z9gnz1AZCqEiHg-HI79WOxwQzYhkLvIV2ifjwsw-DkrGOOIQvS3xESZ9TB8qWobto3HMRhWDrfvjCVvbQpZFkarLBItUcHaFXnv6bl42/s1600/finished_model_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KZGVK3empMY878liNLEw0wJZroXl06l_tcW7Z9gnz1AZCqEiHg-HI79WOxwQzYhkLvIV2ifjwsw-DkrGOOIQvS3xESZ9TB8qWobto3HMRhWDrfvjCVvbQpZFkarLBItUcHaFXnv6bl42/s640/finished_model_1.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big wheel from the 1929 instruction book model No. 6.5</td></tr>
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It makes a pleasant change to be building with familiar parts. As much as we embrace the new plastic parts there is something very satisfying about building a traditional model that will never be replaced. Now, where is that new dinosaur set?<br />
<br />
Ralph.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-22427146322850098712016-01-29T15:29:00.000+00:002016-10-13T16:42:43.958+01:00London Toy Fair 2016 and...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFYiJf4_Vced1DG5B2cZEblMUrXCRlTwWhusO39yL54bQ9KeBSkNuNSYsztzqmjU6P9-cvdEqFZslTG5Jtnp_EFffJqhLo0on2Sych-0dQbxPsYjwwIw8r-jLUo23B09T4ymv66z8p9FU/s1600/london-toy-fair-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFYiJf4_Vced1DG5B2cZEblMUrXCRlTwWhusO39yL54bQ9KeBSkNuNSYsztzqmjU6P9-cvdEqFZslTG5Jtnp_EFffJqhLo0on2Sych-0dQbxPsYjwwIw8r-jLUo23B09T4ymv66z8p9FU/s400/london-toy-fair-2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olympia calls - The London Toy Fair</td></tr>
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Yes, it is that time of year again when the toy industry launches its range of products for 2016. As usual, Sue and I attended the press day earlier on this week to see what is new and what Meccano are offering us for the future. But that is not the whole story, there are other places where Meccano show new product and do not necessarily release it at the London Toy fair. Last year we were all sworn to secrecy regarding the smaller G15 Meccanoid until after its début at the New York Toy Fair. Again there are Items that I cannot talk about just yet but something I can show you, as it is in the public domain even if it was not on show in London, is The Meccasaur T-Rex.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk_S0udDFRJ37KbHrFgMXuV-0NpevaPuY0bLKSLo0iJqoRGQa_3Y07UPYIigLsj-V7VzznLbjv2oXTT8KsOH9KqVguVleZibtQ32JL_utBBgbOOR2JHmLNIjf7GVsbqa5lJdY0Sm8l7p1/s1600/MeccasaurSpinMasterweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk_S0udDFRJ37KbHrFgMXuV-0NpevaPuY0bLKSLo0iJqoRGQa_3Y07UPYIigLsj-V7VzznLbjv2oXTT8KsOH9KqVguVleZibtQ32JL_utBBgbOOR2JHmLNIjf7GVsbqa5lJdY0Sm8l7p1/s400/MeccasaurSpinMasterweb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New for 2016 Meccasaur T-Rex</td></tr>
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This interactive, programmable robotic dinosaur is set to be a kid's best friend. It is fully-programmable and comes with a security mode function, to guard and protect a user’s things! I am sure parents and kids will love this one! RSP is $109.00 in the US and the UK price is likely to be around the £100 mark meaning it is priced somewhere between the G16 and G16-KS. Yes I did mean '16'. New updated versions of the Meccanoid are to be released later in the year. These are essentially similar to the G15s but with "faster voice recognition, twice as much memory and improved programming capabilities". We have not actually had hands on any of the new Meccanoids yet, but as soon as we do we will give you the low-down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj_HPqFw9nZWK8oGjLN0PKYwEd8EFL2mbYXuv1ef7-gFqLkvqO7oE0Q1cERqYbibfRmkoyxW8NdgpFyHL-3ub1r0gURna9DxThilynYiIkoCFKAFFdaHrE1-KQ7-3Of51MbHi5Vul4Fn4/s1600/G16-KS_+G16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj_HPqFw9nZWK8oGjLN0PKYwEd8EFL2mbYXuv1ef7-gFqLkvqO7oE0Q1cERqYbibfRmkoyxW8NdgpFyHL-3ub1r0gURna9DxThilynYiIkoCFKAFFdaHrE1-KQ7-3Of51MbHi5Vul4Fn4/s640/G16-KS_+G16.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G16 and his big brother G16-KS. You can play spot the difference by clicking <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/meet-meccanoid-g15-short-one.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> <br />
to see the previous models </td></tr>
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Also new and fighting among themselves on a table at the London Toy Fair were the new Micronoids. These are the much smaller interactive, reconfigurable and programmable robots based on a common processor they can be built and rebuilt using the parts supplied or adding any parts from other sets as you choose. Priced at under £40.00 they are bound to be popular and a great introduction for any child into the world of programming. Again, we will bring you more on these little fellows once we can get hold of some production models. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZo_fayuTVCwwwKbJBI59M5KmARna7LB-wHHKtt_wxkyouqHfSFbMwKMiEUtfKrVRjD3oCLb_mQJ5G3r2DdKdSJ08vggPPDeNPcvGpBYcEKS12HXTO86M37_Oqg6oibGuSJxwmxacb2dO/s1600/micronoids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZo_fayuTVCwwwKbJBI59M5KmARna7LB-wHHKtt_wxkyouqHfSFbMwKMiEUtfKrVRjD3oCLb_mQJ5G3r2DdKdSJ08vggPPDeNPcvGpBYcEKS12HXTO86M37_Oqg6oibGuSJxwmxacb2dO/s400/micronoids.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micronoids interact with each other</td></tr>
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Another new set is the Boeing Dreamliner 787 This is a new type of set featuring some bespoke parts. My first thought of this were negative as I am against the use of these sort of parts but then it dawned on me. This is not new, it is just a modern version of the pre-war aeroplane sets that featured bespoke parts and were assembled with nuts and bolts. The parts were compatible with classic Meccano and the models could be modified by adding standard parts. This new model is a halfway-house featuring bespoke cockpit and fuselage sections as well as standard parts. I am not sure about this myself but time will tell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5g8ILONAZnSjnubdWGWFIUXLe7doEZocSHICHwLvq4Cq8COYGQghwx3kiWP_WTmU-w0ugv0_PwcbSenLMRKcOWBQuuECDf2aBWjwjNbBLExNbsA02eGn_qFdekE5srKngOQTETwsSY_fW/s1600/787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5g8ILONAZnSjnubdWGWFIUXLe7doEZocSHICHwLvq4Cq8COYGQghwx3kiWP_WTmU-w0ugv0_PwcbSenLMRKcOWBQuuECDf2aBWjwjNbBLExNbsA02eGn_qFdekE5srKngOQTETwsSY_fW/s400/787.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">747 - Today's aviation, yesterday's idea </td></tr>
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As usual a whole new range of sets to replace the current sets have been unveiled. Starting with the Starter sets (where else!) and running through the themed sets. This year the emphasis on vehicles and aircraft has been complemented with animals, dinosaurs and insects, in fact all the things that kids love. There is a move towards more plastic parts and in doing so opens up the option so make evermore complicated parts, actually 'components' might be a better description of many.<br />
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Love it or hate it, Meccano is moving into the twenty-first century - See <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/meccano-in-2016.html" target="_blank">Meccano in 2016</a>.<br />
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There are far too many new parts to list here, but a couple that need pointing out are the 'new' rubber rings that fit ¼ inch pulleys and the new caterpillar track. Before you all start shouting at the screen and raising your blood pressure, I do know that Meccano had a small rubber ring in the system before the war. However the guys in the design office probably think they invented it so I am not going to be the one to burst their bubble. The rubber ring has been around for a while in one of this year's starter sets, but as they have not exactly been readily available, and it only contained one, I am choosing to ignore that too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zrzxxz3KIEH0JAj1PpILsK1StO1R3ijZBrFi7eBbcSHnKov4euSWvPD_BWbZQwabmgu9_hKrqxu8IM8x6Y0vk2PSuGguX-4HZnL6o7Al5cmfZnzqPLaYffKbA9Csk5z3KL803JK1xfvT/s1600/91ObO3AdsIL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zrzxxz3KIEH0JAj1PpILsK1StO1R3ijZBrFi7eBbcSHnKov4euSWvPD_BWbZQwabmgu9_hKrqxu8IM8x6Y0vk2PSuGguX-4HZnL6o7Al5cmfZnzqPLaYffKbA9Csk5z3KL803JK1xfvT/s400/91ObO3AdsIL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digger - I like diggers!</td></tr>
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The new excavator set, however, not only comes with tracks, it appears to have eight of those small rubber rings too. This is a very nice little set that offers the choice of being made up as the digger or a bulldozer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY3FiQK9ZDZkS75Wx470nLVIrZK1yhyphenhyphenvBvzC3gcRnP2rEUt-0NOwNS53l7xtm2Dt1pfuhxQOUbd8-66Us_XrUzMr_rnKUQUl99AOEPCWvEeDW-Yei00xo9eAUIoLuND2k_nJFAToX3LwS/s1600/81iGJueVQWL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY3FiQK9ZDZkS75Wx470nLVIrZK1yhyphenhyphenvBvzC3gcRnP2rEUt-0NOwNS53l7xtm2Dt1pfuhxQOUbd8-66Us_XrUzMr_rnKUQUl99AOEPCWvEeDW-Yei00xo9eAUIoLuND2k_nJFAToX3LwS/s400/81iGJueVQWL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The alternative model</td></tr>
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This should be a popular set with the kids as well as the enthusiast, providing the plastic parts are accepted as they should be. After all, we all loved the original plastic tracks and these should be even more useful with the ability to bolt parts to them. We will be exploring a few possibilities over the next few weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJazFwUWAvjvH2Vyye4CJvgImVSQNSEfPUr5jeKdLGdy0WW-iWVNd4wyLweBmzKFvSws72fG7eVj-eLu-RIsVLZklkG5mZYeunMJt_uJl6VR4SEJ44Ym9arz6IiBOUoVXUw6KiOm2eKvn/s1600/DSCN7344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJazFwUWAvjvH2Vyye4CJvgImVSQNSEfPUr5jeKdLGdy0WW-iWVNd4wyLweBmzKFvSws72fG7eVj-eLu-RIsVLZklkG5mZYeunMJt_uJl6VR4SEJ44Ym9arz6IiBOUoVXUw6KiOm2eKvn/s400/DSCN7344.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracks have ½ spaced standard holes </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs0lYtmjjnIZlBW3Vkt8KPSS-BraiC5BHqIaEq7ipX-8YUfbJDsQTLoZzTpR3KeD9qGui5BhqYMY4-C8qTdzv0zUPC9aQnGI3_Q5OYmxLKV-PqY8E33Sq_lxp6UwBcQzbhgJJNUphCLbt/s1600/DSCN7342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs0lYtmjjnIZlBW3Vkt8KPSS-BraiC5BHqIaEq7ipX-8YUfbJDsQTLoZzTpR3KeD9qGui5BhqYMY4-C8qTdzv0zUPC9aQnGI3_Q5OYmxLKV-PqY8E33Sq_lxp6UwBcQzbhgJJNUphCLbt/s400/DSCN7342.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the model the tracks run on the ½ inch rubber rings</td></tr>
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Now for the news everybody was asking about last year...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbLAHLAVBSiMf0dzkVeIBHK_bzGjeIWf63OEL5pWVAr0KwcvsCHNYFY_0wOJAJaLxiSZdx-sTnS4Vw1Bmh7MuiKjNrtnGyZGtxfB5fg0gRahb_q5pTiUYIoNLldt1vwVMLgtKE5ABjVMI/s1600/thunderbird_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbLAHLAVBSiMf0dzkVeIBHK_bzGjeIWf63OEL5pWVAr0KwcvsCHNYFY_0wOJAJaLxiSZdx-sTnS4Vw1Bmh7MuiKjNrtnGyZGtxfB5fg0gRahb_q5pTiUYIoNLldt1vwVMLgtKE5ABjVMI/s400/thunderbird_3.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next Thunderbird</td></tr>
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<br />
"What is the next after Thunderbird 2?" - Thunderbird 3! No other details yet, not even a mock-up box. We will let you know more details as soon as we get them.<br />
<br />
Ralph and Sue.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-37176660462103863252016-01-26T12:12:00.000+00:002016-02-07T15:58:16.886+00:00Meccano in 2016<h3>
Meccano, but not as we knew it!</h3>
Meccano have moved on a leap, again this year, with the introduction of lots of new parts and a complete new range of sets. Aimed squarely at the toy market (where it should be) the new range may have less appeal to a lot of the traditionalists. The use of more plastic parts may also put a lot off too, but don't be too hasty to condemn this move.<br />
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If you are a traditionalist and want progressive sets and standard parts, as made by Meccano until the demise of the Binns Road factory in Liverpool, then you can have it. It is all available in abundance. There is plenty of good quality second hand stock around and it is still being manufactured by third-party suppliers, with Meccano's blessing. Meccano, on the other hand, have turned the clocks back, in marketing terms, and set about making the brand a market leader once more. This transition is not going to happen in a day, a week or even a year, but it will happen. <br />
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Over a hundred years ago, when Frank Hornby sat on that train looking out of the window at all the new and interesting things happening around him, the seed of a system that would enable his children to replicate the cranes, vehicles, trains and any other new and interesting subject of the day, was born. It used the materials and construction methods of the day, namely steel and nuts and bolts.<br />
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Meccano are now doing exactly that, but in the 21st century. As far as the youth of today are concerned, steel has largely given way to plastics and mechanical engineering has given way to electronics and computer control. The steel and the mechanical engineering are still there, they are just not the focus of attention and are certainly not as appealing, in isolation, as they were when we were first excited by the Meccano of the mid 20th century.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9LccEkqwEqCDzb46ZGCISF2wGv4bpgE1MHckrjZECqYCyDVN96Ne7gkRcQ_cjv-pzkvmsmznNwdycJsId8ejHGU42_TbUeZsBsBW9_7LyS12w5cHCWAydzbQ0PyHhidj7WHsFFBY8Qgw/s1600/5-set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9LccEkqwEqCDzb46ZGCISF2wGv4bpgE1MHckrjZECqYCyDVN96Ne7gkRcQ_cjv-pzkvmsmznNwdycJsId8ejHGU42_TbUeZsBsBW9_7LyS12w5cHCWAydzbQ0PyHhidj7WHsFFBY8Qgw/s400/5-set.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New for 2016</td></tr>
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Today's Meccano and especially the 2016 range has developed into the toy of the future. It has happened slowly, over the past two or three years, but now it it is here, providing a construction toy that will appeal to today's playing and buying generations. One hundred years ago this year, the first edition of the Meccano Magazine was issued, eighteen years after Frank Hornby's original concept was born . The children who had played with his invention created a burgeoning new pastime that was to continue into adulthood and became the adult hobby we know today.<br />
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The original system became so ingrained, into the minds of those who grew up with it, change was always going to be a delicate subject. The harsh fact today is that the adult hobbyists that perpetuated the hobby (and the sales of Meccano) in the latter parts of the 20th century are no longer the buying force they once were. What's more, we have not been able to propagate the hobby to the younger generations over the years. I am sure the hobby as we know it is time-limited and that clock is running out rapidly.<br />
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The new Meccano of today bears very little resemblance to the red and green progressive sets we all know and love and that is how it should be if Meccano are going to encourage a new generation of enthusiasts who will take the hobby forward into adulthood. This new hobby will be all about development into the future, not so much about replicating the past. The Meccano clubs and societies will eventually disappear and be replaced with 'Maker' groups, while the Shows and exhibitions will evolve into 'Maker' conventions. <br />
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Meccano have embraced this change and are slowly reinventing the product so It will fit into this new tide of creativity while still retaining the DNA that is Meccano enabling all new parts to be totally back-compatible with what has gone before. Over the past year or so Sue and I have had the chance to see and work with these new parts that are just starting to appear in some of the 2015/16 sets. The new sets shown at the London Toy Fair this week introduce a lot more new parts to the system. The fact that they are all totally back-compatible means that they can be incorporated into our 'traditional' model making.<br />
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Just remember Meccano always was a toy first and it was that toy that appealed to us as youngsters that <i>we </i>developed into a hobby. The toys of our youth have no appeal to today's kids and that is why we have very few younger members of our hobby today. The new 2016 range is designed to appeal to kids and I am sure it will.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/london-toy-fair-2016-part-1-and.html" target="_blank"><i><b>See our London Toy Fair 2016 report starting HERE>>> </b></i></a> <i> </i> </div>
Ralph.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-50193596002212408202015-12-17T21:43:00.000+00:002015-12-18T11:16:36.552+00:00New Race Car!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNaHFKSp1_jaCWYHh4BUA7I6fSeI_3xA97aUTpw4CpdeO9XNCZ4NOf8x2V8YunW1QvlG47iaijFnHYdhKXbSL4TGnMdK7btJSNqpH815O2NNnv6pARdd9l2RroKhQApkNN0Cw1dqP-URF/s1600/box_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNaHFKSp1_jaCWYHh4BUA7I6fSeI_3xA97aUTpw4CpdeO9XNCZ4NOf8x2V8YunW1QvlG47iaijFnHYdhKXbSL4TGnMdK7btJSNqpH815O2NNnv6pARdd9l2RroKhQApkNN0Cw1dqP-URF/s400/box_front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About time too!</td></tr>
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If like me you have been eagerly awaiting this one, your patience is about to be rewarded. It is now in UK distribution and should start appearing for sale any time now. I don't think you will be disappointed, it is a really good portrayal of a generic Formula 1 car. Not aligning itself with any one team, there are even extra parts that can be used to change the look of the finished model by swapping some of the more obvious silver/zinc parts for black ones.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjpfG4MhO9RKd5w-fMMUcr7DQtz4tnbldH8EYGxMGNJsLQ7s6PD_Faaf2TUQQjtSMh_klLa67zyb6sUCeH5ygabheN7Dte2iT0B95wDZ7qSXB4vZa4GxjTYRTTJEOui5zLayUeDWLpJfa/s1600/cam_on_shaft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjpfG4MhO9RKd5w-fMMUcr7DQtz4tnbldH8EYGxMGNJsLQ7s6PD_Faaf2TUQQjtSMh_klLa67zyb6sUCeH5ygabheN7Dte2iT0B95wDZ7qSXB4vZa4GxjTYRTTJEOui5zLayUeDWLpJfa/s320/cam_on_shaft.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New cam fits onto the axle nicely</td></tr>
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The first thing I always do is hunt for new parts and this set has it's fair share. New cams are supplied to lift the 'pistons'. these are driven from the back axle and are reasonably effective, if not at all prototypical. I guess the kids will like them - it is doing something and it does not need batteries...<br />
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The new cams slide onto the tri-axle rods with ease. I am really pleased that Meccano have resolved the problem of 'fat ends' to the axle rods. They have also made sure the rods are the correct length, or even slightly longer. This is one of the main reasons the small gripper washers, used to hold parts on the rods, got so much bad press. I agree that they are not the best solution, but they do work better now that have some length to grip and are not right on the end of an over-thick rod. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4K_Q8o47E4mX1ANxFMByNEnm01v0kCF4v7LW99Gi_upiGO35DzioGyALwh6UF-PXYIDPUHCAIwi4AxSK7DnXCn9aT1Ez-3kjK8Z6fMQl7qNYgWsdot4LuArQct9kPMNYg5zmy1ysfkdy/s1600/pins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4K_Q8o47E4mX1ANxFMByNEnm01v0kCF4v7LW99Gi_upiGO35DzioGyALwh6UF-PXYIDPUHCAIwi4AxSK7DnXCn9aT1Ez-3kjK8Z6fMQl7qNYgWsdot4LuArQct9kPMNYg5zmy1ysfkdy/s200/pins.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New large pin</td></tr>
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The other new part that nearly sneaked in under the radar is a new larger securing pin. The original pins were first seen securing the nose cone to the Rocket in the <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/space-quest-15-model-set.html" target="_blank">Space Quest set</a>. They have since been used in the Mountain Rally set, where as here they have been used to secure the new fabric body 'panels' in place.<br />
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I know there was a lot of talk about these little bits of stretchy fabric when they first made an appearance when the new models were shown at the 2015 toy fairs around the world. I am undecided myself. I hated those red triangles and squares introduced in those horrible 'space' sets that came in the yellow plastic boxes, back in the early 1980s. It only took me about thirty years to accept they could be useful... It was only about twenty years to get to appreciate the yellow boxes.<br />
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Love 'em or hate 'em they look as if they are here to stay. I am sure we will find some useful purpose for them in time. It has already been muted that they might be of some use in a Marble bouncer, not so much as the bouncer pad but as part of the catcher mechanism. As far as the Race Car is concerned, they are used to make an indication of bodywork. Does it work, I suppose it does but I must confess I struggling with this concept myself. This is irrelevant, of course, as it is the target market that have to approve and for the most part are not shackled with my preconceptions of what Meccano should be.<br />
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<h3>
The Build</h3>
This is a simple build, a reasonable amount of it but clearly laid out and if there were any mistakes I did not see any. I say that because it is very easy to get ahead of yourself as the instructions are very comprehensive building left and right constructions one after the other bolt-by-bolt. I found I was building the other side before the instructions got around to telling me to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IoKrrvwzkQLKMd1VpG5SxyDmzFnFJlAAL0qFDS5EoIpYfOJSdyMST0YCJ1H5RGZlmvaqbpZXFLGeneuwCdKOL9AZLd_reFTJ4MV-k3Z15f8SM6dmSumnPQn6o4qASYFC66elIA465sxq/s1600/cans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IoKrrvwzkQLKMd1VpG5SxyDmzFnFJlAAL0qFDS5EoIpYfOJSdyMST0YCJ1H5RGZlmvaqbpZXFLGeneuwCdKOL9AZLd_reFTJ4MV-k3Z15f8SM6dmSumnPQn6o4qASYFC66elIA465sxq/s400/cans.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The building begins - note the new cams</td></tr>
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The build starts with the interesting part, building the fake engine and moving 'pistons'. That all goes together well and actually works as it should. This is built into two of the new (this year) plastic flanged plates that make up the chassis. The shape of the car is then 'outlined' using mainly the straight and curved narrow, ¼ inch hole spacing, strips and lots of brackets of all shapes and sizes. There are an awful lot of small parts used in these modern sets. The set also includes two pair of bevel gears and three cams.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikzpch-zfL9KwT1QAWCk3NA5ABLEK20VWitV3w0QtSRiUorA1RrCCnKDnECt-n-u_RWgUzoULhyphenhypheneCq07zjI9w8yEDBBrE7XlLAlGlx87TDSIOVkjleHUoWQoos_n2-uUGiVH1cIyBHR3H/s1600/shape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikzpch-zfL9KwT1QAWCk3NA5ABLEK20VWitV3w0QtSRiUorA1RrCCnKDnECt-n-u_RWgUzoULhyphenhypheneCq07zjI9w8yEDBBrE7XlLAlGlx87TDSIOVkjleHUoWQoos_n2-uUGiVH1cIyBHR3H/s400/shape.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking shape</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RSGpsGYFvjPfESEgwhzIbCbaPKCzIc9LpJZrC2TFGXlZIL4BxlGJ7v0zZpp_r9n4l1YIEiJk1tIMQ3pzhGGZiORQwWKDP1iNoofa9mucwZ-PTatCQC-HplrLy2iLnWPBzkKw_p7xWTxA/s1600/chassis_finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RSGpsGYFvjPfESEgwhzIbCbaPKCzIc9LpJZrC2TFGXlZIL4BxlGJ7v0zZpp_r9n4l1YIEiJk1tIMQ3pzhGGZiORQwWKDP1iNoofa9mucwZ-PTatCQC-HplrLy2iLnWPBzkKw_p7xWTxA/s400/chassis_finished.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there</td></tr>
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The construction continues by bolting on a few more strips, straight and curved. The spoilers are fabricated as sub-assemblies and bolted in place. all of a sudden the the models has become instantly recognisable as a slick streamlined racing machine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J9MHGG035JKonUhS958PF3vy5GBgZcEZJwXpoy7DRbDWMcRIcP7Wsh2ZqWYtdV59wXH5K0hh5-PmGs4XRCrWrFtjUmHf9S081Tb8zIOlbfaZdhGgxtB0teG1yWRMpLdexwpIm5s-pjqa/s1600/nose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J9MHGG035JKonUhS958PF3vy5GBgZcEZJwXpoy7DRbDWMcRIcP7Wsh2ZqWYtdV59wXH5K0hh5-PmGs4XRCrWrFtjUmHf9S081Tb8zIOlbfaZdhGgxtB0teG1yWRMpLdexwpIm5s-pjqa/s400/nose.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elaborate front spoiler detail</td></tr>
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Now for the wheels. Probably the most fiddly bit of the job is getting the tyres to sit nicely on the rims. There is a bit of a knack to this. I managed to get is worked out after I had fitted the forth one! The new wheels look really good with the red rims. <br />
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Now all that is left is to fit the bodywork and its is off to the track. The wait was worth it. One of my personal favourites of all the 2015 models I am sure this will be popular with the buying public and enthusiasts alike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq3QBTUNBjwg33jhjF6tmG4CvRYrFvIx9_UcGC7FbaV0DP4vyGfSOXAzPPtuyZiuqL16RyLhsKRDPLL_FDIL-Q1BSR3XrqE3x50wHAlartnwrXGZy6Iiiw0-N6xAYDOn4Vdox83fRUMTY/s1600/finished-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq3QBTUNBjwg33jhjF6tmG4CvRYrFvIx9_UcGC7FbaV0DP4vyGfSOXAzPPtuyZiuqL16RyLhsKRDPLL_FDIL-Q1BSR3XrqE3x50wHAlartnwrXGZy6Iiiw0-N6xAYDOn4Vdox83fRUMTY/s400/finished-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished - Click to enlarge!</td></tr>
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The new models really have evolved from the nondescript fantasies of a few years ago. The system has evolved and some will like the new direction, others will not but Meccano have simply gone back to its origins - building the world we see around us today! The parts may look different, to our eyes, but the fact the DNA is still there means that every new part is generic, based on imperial hole spacing and 5/32 BSW threads are used throughout. That means it is all compatible with every Meccano part ever produced.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0M_YRNlFVn23WBvUoMVWt5ccbxbbBDreaQ5Q9irnbbdg6TgStvbsI8vcxTQkYjJq_SITCUcQGH3lU_K9rE88e_Py0N_VjMK8ELmh7Imlx2AKYrZi1emUhJTkY8utXikhHRc-Ildgg4fG/s1600/finished-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0M_YRNlFVn23WBvUoMVWt5ccbxbbBDreaQ5Q9irnbbdg6TgStvbsI8vcxTQkYjJq_SITCUcQGH3lU_K9rE88e_Py0N_VjMK8ELmh7Imlx2AKYrZi1emUhJTkY8utXikhHRc-Ildgg4fG/s400/finished-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished - Click to enlarge!</td></tr>
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If you look closely at the finished pictures you will see that the new larger clip referred to above, used to secure the rear of the 'body' panel, has a hex socket moulded into it. Not only does this look better, but it will enable it to be positioned, using a hex driver, into usually inaccessible places.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGLdbtldogW758ojQvxok9yb6n5OQnM39lOL3hOWIWWL_q8xV7RT9wXzP3IUcUp2pHYXhyphenhyphenAv7TT-3ysIVWzFwcDQIuPUbbNxtF6oTFe9oRjEGjXvjHhpOZE1Jcf9hceORiu5y0mzadiEH/s1600/finished-2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGLdbtldogW758ojQvxok9yb6n5OQnM39lOL3hOWIWWL_q8xV7RT9wXzP3IUcUp2pHYXhyphenhyphenAv7TT-3ysIVWzFwcDQIuPUbbNxtF6oTFe9oRjEGjXvjHhpOZE1Jcf9hceORiu5y0mzadiEH/s400/finished-2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it a bolt - No!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHgQQw-rvamdavdclQkvAdk5fiAMfyHLWBscE6SGHwGaKBjgR2W__R53cPECNQL-s_adrOYqg78eqKTBoJuNI-knopgTZCf48x5vPpA0k9_-zrfeQ2dhKoTetv6anclHPhLRLaCji8Y75/s1600/finished-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHgQQw-rvamdavdclQkvAdk5fiAMfyHLWBscE6SGHwGaKBjgR2W__R53cPECNQL-s_adrOYqg78eqKTBoJuNI-knopgTZCf48x5vPpA0k9_-zrfeQ2dhKoTetv6anclHPhLRLaCji8Y75/s400/finished-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished - Click to enlarge</td></tr>
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There is a even more to come next year so look out for our Toy Fair coverage in January and, if we can, we will let you know a bit sooner. The future is looking good for the brand and it looks like will end up with a lot of new and interesting parts to experiment with in the coming months.<br />
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Ralph.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-17980936936645673772015-12-15T15:19:00.000+00:002016-11-29T14:05:57.582+00:00Did you miss us?Like most of us, Sue and I have other interests and commitments outside the our passion for Meccano. Sometimes this takes us away from the mainstream and we can appear to have dispersed. Well, we have not! This year, yes we have been active in some of our other interests, but we have also been working hard, behind the scenes, on various Meccano projects like this one...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNwR80KVUxkYsbmhejihB8oRmi2hdMcbFflx4gMpRWHIwVvztblhzT8SDTf3GsOaLFlqirTK6uWAQUUbPVqh84P5W6t9MCU5siClpftd7hzVTkv3tY7r8oFnrkMuwb7NM2qxRfUi-MzRE/s1600/CM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNwR80KVUxkYsbmhejihB8oRmi2hdMcbFflx4gMpRWHIwVvztblhzT8SDTf3GsOaLFlqirTK6uWAQUUbPVqh84P5W6t9MCU5siClpftd7hzVTkv3tY7r8oFnrkMuwb7NM2qxRfUi-MzRE/s1600/CM.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
The Meccano Community website was launched back in the Spring of 2014. Although we were involved with it from day one, we were not in the driving seat and were following the initial concept. The site was plagued with problems and it was getting to the stage that nothing was getting done. Eventually, by this time last year, we had given up and resigned from the project. The site lay all but dormant until the late summer of this year when after some negotiation with Meccano we agreed to be involved in a relaunch. The main difference being that we are now running it and it is hosted in-house by Meccano's IT team giving us a direct link with the people responsible for the platform. In a nutshell, we should be able to get things done. We have already given the place a lick of paint to bring in visually in line with existing the Meccano presence and are slowly working on getting it running as it should.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Summer 2016 - Please note, the community site is no longer active. </b></div>
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Enough of that, I have just received the latest Meccano set, the long awaited Race Car. Several pictures of the prototype were seen at the beginning of the year but due to production problems the launch had to be delayed and has now reached the UK distribution centre. It should start appearing in the shops and on the internet for sale any day now - if it is not out there already!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASg86-yOhqe3btT8tANAe68EcYZlFWsKwTm7vbnyII574x9YcQHUeBZQzuVhuSE-m5yMEOBkkARR6LSbnCXRozqliFpdk3Y9fEA-EYku-t0DBWgMrQIakj5IHyjiFRne2cnbhk4DYksQR/s1600/box_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASg86-yOhqe3btT8tANAe68EcYZlFWsKwTm7vbnyII574x9YcQHUeBZQzuVhuSE-m5yMEOBkkARR6LSbnCXRozqliFpdk3Y9fEA-EYku-t0DBWgMrQIakj5IHyjiFRne2cnbhk4DYksQR/s400/box_front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here at last, the eagerly awaited Race Car</td></tr>
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That's enough waffling, I've got a Race Car to build - I will show you how I get on and let you know what I think tomorrow - hopefully...<br />
<br />
Ralph.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-45566007986378177052015-10-15T16:20:00.000+01:002015-10-27T16:03:27.801+00:00A tall story...A couple of years ago, Sue and I had a meeting with a couple of guys from the new owners of Meccano just a few weeks after they acquired the brand. At that meeting, among other things, we discussed the introduction of what was referred to at the time as a 'connoisseurs' set. This was to be a set aimed at the enthusiast to show that the new owners were absolutely going to support the hobby. They also said they they were going to introduce a now product they had been working on before the acquisition. That 'product' was Meccanoid.<br />
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They explained that although they wanted to support the enthusiast, they were not going to take Meccano back to what it was. The market and the retail environment has changed and Meccano had to change with it. Lots of things were discussed at that, and subsequent meetings.<br />
<br />
The 'connoisseurs' set was discussed at length and a questionnaire was circulated via the clubs and societies. Of course, there was the call to re-issue the No.10 set but, if you think about it rationally, the cost would be phenomenal and, let's be honest, even if they did how many would they sell? Very few I suspect. It is perfectly possible to buy good, even unused 10 sets today at far less than it would cost to make one, let alone what the retail price would have to be. After much discussion it was decided to go back to the original Frank Hornby principal and to supply parts to make a model of a current icon of our age. Looking out of the office window in any great city and you will see a tower crane. Indeed, looking out of my window here I can see one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72iXL1hKpRkv5eWFtZA6zKsgFhbCtUvNg4uBsT5z_VsZUyXChKTomS8qycBM5MQxqK1BZsT6sCvC8wznTOyt_riMp6J9HgYOwKO4MfgRNVgvilTt4EGuR8bShS8sJMMycgpUgQTrF8j0Z/s1600/tower_crane_box_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72iXL1hKpRkv5eWFtZA6zKsgFhbCtUvNg4uBsT5z_VsZUyXChKTomS8qycBM5MQxqK1BZsT6sCvC8wznTOyt_riMp6J9HgYOwKO4MfgRNVgvilTt4EGuR8bShS8sJMMycgpUgQTrF8j0Z/s400/tower_crane_box_front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The production set box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tower crane was conceived and developed with the enthusiast in mind. Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that in our posts regarding the <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/london-toy-fair-2015.html">London Toy Fair15</a>, There is a box showing the crane with a tower made from narrow strips. This was deemed to be impractical for several reasons but as far as I was concerned, building it with standard strips and angle girders would put lots of standard building parts back into the set making it far more versatile.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmaM5VMGAWgBYBjDiSAYKXixOorYdwXwZUVTNv5S8CyC6bwTHkX1-KtoTbkZK23ho2POUCQ76rbe5rI9m7mYE64e4yd8WpoDIEZVosxbUCF8YkDyFfGaOB9UWOWB4Ax53TcsYQlh9zZ00/s1600/tower_crane_built.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmaM5VMGAWgBYBjDiSAYKXixOorYdwXwZUVTNv5S8CyC6bwTHkX1-KtoTbkZK23ho2POUCQ76rbe5rI9m7mYE64e4yd8WpoDIEZVosxbUCF8YkDyFfGaOB9UWOWB4Ax53TcsYQlh9zZ00/s400/tower_crane_built.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tower from the test/display model</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once the initial design was done using all sorts of parts in all sorts of colours (just like we do in our hobby due to lack of parts to hand) a comprehensive parts list would have been produced, any injection mouldings would have been commissioned and test shots (usually in white) supplied to build test and display models - so don't you believe that the models are not tested - they are, over and over again. The Tower Crane set Sue and I have been displaying at recent shows is one of those test builds, some of which were used at the toy fairs to show prospective buyers.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The problem </h3>
It is very easy to look at a problem in hindsight and say that it should never happen, but it does. The crane had been designed and built using real Meccano. I know from first hand experience that the models are not designed using CAD as many others have stated in recent weeks. As I have explained, the crane was prototyped and built using actual Meccano parts. Any parts that do not exist in the range are drawn and then 3D printed so they can be used to provide the part in a real model. Don't forget, you can click on any of the pictures in our posts to enlarge them. most of them will have been made to a larger size than the Bloger software will display them within the post.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxGwFet2My6wWSDwGDewAhZYm80synR6QclDVVNhQ36kPAlGA_7ENuMHYvFRxHKjmDFBQ1WdSVopkjTeSL6q6XvPoo0fAbFBC7dRzZPqFYFaI2_0EsG3_ffWoiW4wwxXUOl-rbYLaJ9Ep/s1600/tower_crane_the_problem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxGwFet2My6wWSDwGDewAhZYm80synR6QclDVVNhQ36kPAlGA_7ENuMHYvFRxHKjmDFBQ1WdSVopkjTeSL6q6XvPoo0fAbFBC7dRzZPqFYFaI2_0EsG3_ffWoiW4wwxXUOl-rbYLaJ9Ep/s400/tower_crane_the_problem.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The problem - miss-alignment of round holes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The problem that has come to light here is one of manufacturing tolerances that have always been present in the range. The prototype models went together correctly. The girders fitted together and there was not a problem. I have removed some of the bracing so you can see inside one of the pre-production model towers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQH2-Lk2gmhkqvnlNc_cFhqUjZ9waRnd2XBMgwS5PGqHrXwsg-lIqJhxxKjvbEeKO9E84gYP79BKRtHT8snBhehoO6aEO2GAQ5HF6Ds1kIQE-YWEJQCtQH_zdfbL7izRKYobtz_c2P3Gm/s1600/tower_crane_proto_tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQH2-Lk2gmhkqvnlNc_cFhqUjZ9waRnd2XBMgwS5PGqHrXwsg-lIqJhxxKjvbEeKO9E84gYP79BKRtHT8snBhehoO6aEO2GAQ5HF6Ds1kIQE-YWEJQCtQH_zdfbL7izRKYobtz_c2P3Gm/s400/tower_crane_proto_tower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as you can see it fits perfectly on this test model</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The production sets contain standard girders that have obviously been manufactured to the opposite extreme of the tolerance than would have been helpful. You will find if you test the narrow girder against your existing stock
of girders that it will fit some perfectly and others it will not. I have
tried it with girders from all eras and found in all cases it will fit
some and not others. The original test/display models were built with
girders that had been produced to favourable tolerance. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1Ju9qJmW75nRuZooy0i675IJxC7CwwJ3bQPbb6jfeGcO0ncJXULNR15h1YSycT9XPk1tT3uHZpULYioV3SRx4v1oPxpQqZ7p1EM2BlQEvocvZlSVfbgmm1vcPHxaH1mvQCtLIVGvdKzK/s1600/tower_crane_bins-fr_girders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1Ju9qJmW75nRuZooy0i675IJxC7CwwJ3bQPbb6jfeGcO0ncJXULNR15h1YSycT9XPk1tT3uHZpULYioV3SRx4v1oPxpQqZ7p1EM2BlQEvocvZlSVfbgmm1vcPHxaH1mvQCtLIVGvdKzK/s400/tower_crane_bins-fr_girders.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The narrow girder bolted to two angle girders from our own collection.<br />
the one on the left is French production from the 1980s/90s and the one<br />
on the right is Binns Road production of the late 1960s/70s</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The narrow girder, supplied in the set, is an existing part that first appeared in the Evolution Tow Truck first announced at the 2013 London Toy Fair. This part was designed by the previous owners and took no account of the manufacturing tolerances so long associated with traditional Meccano. If it had it would have been manufactured with slotted holes on one face as it's larger cousin the standard girder. If it had been manufactured with the slotted holes, this problem would not have arisen. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here for the future.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5ZYe_sFfQdcl8tY9qMiHLK8AWQQgHhKagPdWtqvoCZh8E76cukUK-zxfnhge4VhzedHKxeCdWcTMnjvaYAs5ypuoSl_Qwj5OSf-7e9dSFZKqyCK-tXDJSUzGDbfBKKFPHGIGF1God1t7/s1600/tower_crane_overlap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5ZYe_sFfQdcl8tY9qMiHLK8AWQQgHhKagPdWtqvoCZh8E76cukUK-zxfnhge4VhzedHKxeCdWcTMnjvaYAs5ypuoSl_Qwj5OSf-7e9dSFZKqyCK-tXDJSUzGDbfBKKFPHGIGF1God1t7/s400/tower_crane_overlap.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standard girders are connected through the round holes - it should not be possible</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The variation of tolerances in the manufacture of these girders is well documented and even used to its advantage. The Steam Wagons I have built in the past couple of years exploit this anomaly of tolerance to the full by suggesting in the instructions for the chassis that two 12½ inch girders are bolted together through their round holes to extend their length. The only way it is possible to achieve this is to exploit the fact that these girders did and still do vary from one to another. Click on the picture above to enlarge it and you will see the joint, circled.<br />
<br />
Okay so now we know what has happened Meccano have told <i>Ralph and Sue's Meccano News </i>that:<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"We are aware of the problem, working on it now </i></span></span></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>and will offer the solution by early next week."</i></span></span></span></h4>
<br />
So we know it will be sorted out for existing customers and future sets. Let's look at a few alternatives that can be implemented right now for those who want to build it without waiting for the solution to be rolled out.<br />
<br />
The first suggestion to be made was published on the <b><a href="http://www.nzmeccano.com/forum/member.php?action=register&referrer=789">Rust Bucket forum</a></b> by our good friend John Hornsby. This is the one I will use on our production model we have here in the office awaiting to be built. It entails using a few standard and narrow strips (that most of us serious Meccano nuts have in abundance) bolted to the inside of the girder. To be honest, even if there was not a fitting problem I would probably have adopted this route to free-up those girders for use in other models.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxvAgz3ad9pHSeo_TNiAzKhDKj3cbPDA8a1EJ8UdEobzTWL8-wQWRZHGWTpxFTpXa2oGNG_fYRLa478hylbNDub6CSU4aw3aGa50OFKTBLj2PQSp9S0qyl5_OVPQ1SqIfIMmLlFeAZeXr/s1600/tower_crane_strips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxvAgz3ad9pHSeo_TNiAzKhDKj3cbPDA8a1EJ8UdEobzTWL8-wQWRZHGWTpxFTpXa2oGNG_fYRLa478hylbNDub6CSU4aw3aGa50OFKTBLj2PQSp9S0qyl5_OVPQ1SqIfIMmLlFeAZeXr/s400/tower_crane_strips.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple solution for now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another way to get around the problem is to go outside the the official range of meccano parts and use some of the extended range of narrow girders that are available from third party suppliers. These will bolt directly to the girders supplied in the sets.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfM8jp0j9GbqIchhrH17Wwe96ZqW-JrHomlayPg58-JVN_4TBVPrw1Ggdm-121cO0PfwSUjjWEB_ldc9h9BANQV8tOCPwdQwDH3vU559MLtcEcsmW6lX0rsh8_txWytXY6jwQ-KLRr_Bv/s1600/tower_crane_aftermarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfM8jp0j9GbqIchhrH17Wwe96ZqW-JrHomlayPg58-JVN_4TBVPrw1Ggdm-121cO0PfwSUjjWEB_ldc9h9BANQV8tOCPwdQwDH3vU559MLtcEcsmW6lX0rsh8_txWytXY6jwQ-KLRr_Bv/s400/tower_crane_aftermarket.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extended range parts fit nicely and are another work-around </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I realise that there will be those of you out there saying that it shouldn't happen and that this is down to 'this' or down to 'that', but I assure you, nobody is more upset when things don't go to plan than the guys who actually design the sets and models and I know they are doing whatever they can to put it right. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, but I am totally confident that this problem will be resolved soon and everybody will be happy... Well almost everybody!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>_______________________________________________ </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good News!</span></span></h3>
If you have bought a Tower Crane set and need replacement girders please contact customer service via the <a href="http://meccano.com/support" target="_blank">Meccano.com</a> website (link below)<br />
<br />
Follow this link: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://meccano.com/support" target="_blank">http://meccano.com/support</a> <br />
<br />
Claim your parts by calling or send an e-mail to the Meccano support team and your replacement parts will be sent to you.<br />
<br />
Please pass this information on to any other people you know who have
purchased the crane set in recent weeks. This problem has now been
rectified on the production sets and all new sets will contain the
correct parts. <br />
<br />
Ralph.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-31180179067067955792015-10-08T18:32:00.003+01:002015-10-12T13:48:41.867+01:00The new face of Meccano... As you may know, Sue and I can be seen at all the big shows with the latest Meccano boxed sets and usually the models too. We usually have prototypes of future releases. This year we had the pre-production model of the Tower Crane and a disobedient G15 KS at Skegness. We even had the box for the new Thunderbird 2, that we announced <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/fivefourthreetwoone.html"><b>HERE</b></a> back in June, this year. I should have one of the production models next week to show you.<br />
<br />
The big news story this year has been the Meccanoids. Love 'em or hate 'em they are poised to be a big seller this Christmas. The robots themselves are entertaining enough but what is making me think is the potential of this new venture for Meccano. We have spent a lot of time over the past few months with these guys.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_I8GSMqS6-Ku7RWPSsX1ho70ECsr0xRmKTbUp6PMdReTBN_XSf6ad-TRIbraunk2k3T_ZqB0v4Va9DrjmdLeB3L_D0QZaLb5qHyhRbwqFIJl_HimJ6EGZKjhqOaAUPm0xLpNxh6e3G_EW/s1600/Meccano_MainLogo_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_I8GSMqS6-Ku7RWPSsX1ho70ECsr0xRmKTbUp6PMdReTBN_XSf6ad-TRIbraunk2k3T_ZqB0v4Va9DrjmdLeB3L_D0QZaLb5qHyhRbwqFIJl_HimJ6EGZKjhqOaAUPm0xLpNxh6e3G_EW/s320/Meccano_MainLogo_03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The new logo has the words MAKER SYSTEM incorporated and is instructed to be used only as a whole. This logo will become very recognisable over the next few months as Meccano roll-out the publicity machine on the lead up to Christmas. The two robots are now being seen in all the big shops and as the name suggests (the 'G' stands for Genesis - <i>the origin of something</i>) This is only the beginning. Extension packs are already starting to appear in the American stores and will be available to all via the internet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifx5UfCn_HhIdfUwKGWc47EeMAsz_kB3uChPqdwZCl1VZr8IPLuWfcPc1L4Gi4bwx_iNBCmZ3LVE_TI9GaXzaMEaEaAmppbFElrjndFc4feWTDPiR7ywh7hwszbteb9cTmTJIA9ryNFDWI/s1600/expantion+pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifx5UfCn_HhIdfUwKGWc47EeMAsz_kB3uChPqdwZCl1VZr8IPLuWfcPc1L4Gi4bwx_iNBCmZ3LVE_TI9GaXzaMEaEaAmppbFElrjndFc4feWTDPiR7ywh7hwszbteb9cTmTJIA9ryNFDWI/s400/expantion+pack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The first of these packs is the smart servo assembly shortly to be followed by the battery packs. This is only the beginning, we are looking forward to getting stuck into this new development in our hobby and seeing how we can combine this high-tech new kid on the block with the classic Meccano we all know and love. Even though Meccanoid and the new Meccano Tech is state of the art 21st century toy, it is still 100% compatible with all the meccano that has gone before. The DNA of Meccano is still there, ½ inch hole spacing, 5/32 BSW threads and square nuts.<br />
<br />
As the new developments happen we will bring you the news first. In the mean time we will be experimenting with what we have already and building some new and exciting programmable gadgets and models.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI0l0WbCZDNnTuiyuFsVvkPxJ3XFjy1wX_7XJx0qrNcuEYOfsl7yMLjvub6bf48fyWqzDb2UHqYsop0VVQWyb3IQeaKj0IgHlqFNS46TwWRzuP6-B5cB45E9-1fhIMH6SPXwniJCTZp9n/s1600/tower_crane_box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI0l0WbCZDNnTuiyuFsVvkPxJ3XFjy1wX_7XJx0qrNcuEYOfsl7yMLjvub6bf48fyWqzDb2UHqYsop0VVQWyb3IQeaKj0IgHlqFNS46TwWRzuP6-B5cB45E9-1fhIMH6SPXwniJCTZp9n/s400/tower_crane_box.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Don't fear, there is plenty of new classic Meccano to keep us busy too, now the Tower Crane set is becoming available, through the internet, we have got our hands on one and will be playing around with that to see what else we can build with it and discuss a few of the problems that have been reported regarding the fitting of the narrow girders inside the standard ones...<br />
<br />
Ralph.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-17189341160589623742015-08-13T00:26:00.000+01:002015-08-15T06:32:53.561+01:00G15 - The little build!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhijqYUUogW0cNDb5QxBcMSyBMarv6uNvlb8lE_yejeUyLOcw8tOC0R2TUQxYtGFN2rHegpuP27Fzygsi2q9seMbJkMzUhsS4_KfVAT5sKVFalhAvc5ipTakVDuDT0b1andSmrFPd3eW_e/s1600/91RBeLeSINL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhijqYUUogW0cNDb5QxBcMSyBMarv6uNvlb8lE_yejeUyLOcw8tOC0R2TUQxYtGFN2rHegpuP27Fzygsi2q9seMbJkMzUhsS4_KfVAT5sKVFalhAvc5ipTakVDuDT0b1andSmrFPd3eW_e/s320/91RBeLeSINL._SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After a slow July recovering from Skegness and collecting together new models we are back with a whole host of new sets to talk about. The first of which is the G15 Meccanoid. Little brother of the larger 'Kids-Size' version this is the first of the new generation Meccano Maker System 'Tech' sets to become available here in the UK. Released in very limited numbers through Argos stores, initially to coincide with their autumn/winter catalogue, and should become more readily available over the next few weeks, and of course leading up to Christmas. Already tipped to be among the top ten must have toys this Christmas, it is already outstripping demand.<br />
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There are shades of the clever marketing that made Meccano a household name for decades in the middle of the last century. Frank Hornby (the inventor of Meccano) teased his prospective users (the kids) with pictures of huge models on small boxes. That 'impossible dream' was instilled into the boys of the time. In those days the toys were unashamedly marketed to gender. Toy domestic appliances and dolls to the girls and construction sets, trains and cars to the boys.<br />
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Today's marketing has to comply with all sorts of rules and regulations that Hornby was not restricted by. To get the toy world excited by launching all the publicity around a larger version that won all sorts of awards as I have mentioned here in the past, to get the attention of kids and parents alike really worked. The master stroke, and brilliant bit of marketing, was to announce a smaller set, a few weeks later, to blow the parents defence of "Its a fantastic toy but it is a lot of money" Straight out of the water with an almost half price version. Brilliant!<br />
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At an initial price if £169.99 it is now 'affordable' and is a real contender as a Christmas gift. Initial supply was very short but I have just checked the Argos website this morning and it is in stock and available for collection at all my local Argos stores after 4:00PM today. That probably means it is 'in stock' at central distribution and can be delivered to the local store for collection this afternoon. However it works, it does mean that it is available. Okay, I know It is all right for me, I live in London and I have heard of some fellow enthusiasts having to travel miles to obtain one, but if you will live in far flung places with stunning scenery and a more relaxed way of life, like Scotland, you can't have it all!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRVAKLOS78m-cMy8LhJu2RejdI7vaQr2gkZwLlheb6e6OeYI5sLMFzFpwoicZyILVVlx9RiZOyIBV0x8-QKyHzr9sYaxfXjkJD0_EKkdXXwsjgaOvMpOrOkhBk7UqCVuYa2_W-dYxRgvU/s1600/MEC+G15+ISB+P1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRVAKLOS78m-cMy8LhJu2RejdI7vaQr2gkZwLlheb6e6OeYI5sLMFzFpwoicZyILVVlx9RiZOyIBV0x8-QKyHzr9sYaxfXjkJD0_EKkdXXwsjgaOvMpOrOkhBk7UqCVuYa2_W-dYxRgvU/s400/MEC+G15+ISB+P1x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed with parts... So keen was Sue to get on that we forgot to photograph the<br />
open box This is a picture of our good friend's G15 box (<i>Photo: Chris Instone</i>)</td></tr>
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Meccanoid G15 is supplied in a suitcase-style box that has a cardboard,segmented liner and is pretty much stuffed full. All the parts are packed in plastic bags and are well protected. A plastic bag contains the instruction manual and various other pieces of paper warning you not to eat him or strangle any children under three years of age with the cables. I know this is all there to comply with the toy trade legislation, but some of it is a bit over the top to say the least and is more about the manufactures (I am referring to all toy manufactures here) having to cover themselves against litigation claims. Don't get me wrong, I agree there should be some warnings but pages of it are surely non-productive. Again I am not having a go at the manufactures here, they are just complying with the latest mad-cap theory imposed upon them by the legislators.<br />
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The build</h3>
I am not going to go through the build stage by stage as I am sure that will be all over the internet soon and there is no point in repeating it here just to fill space. What I will do is point out any problems, or to quote a good friend of ours and prolific Vlogger on the YouTube, 'issues' we had with the build. Sue decided to build G15 on the kitchen table using only the tools provided and a pair of scissors to make opening the plastic bags easier.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen table build... What's for supper dear?</td></tr>
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The first thing we encountered was that the four short pivot bolts that are used to hold each servo shroud around the servo do not have the threads fully formed making them stiff to tighten. This is a shame as it becomes apparent in the early stages of construction and could put some builders off. It is easy to rectify by just running the bolt through a nut held in the centre hole of the spanner. It is not much but just enough to be a problem. Meccano are aware of this problem and it will be rectified in future production.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoUGgeqln09uS5Fgj3jpifQm5g7CMxNzrSibiiroZT5_s8zoZHNy2vTS809FQ_-xaZVSUPfXMzYrP9kJvbe8Zb3g-fVlapkajZHBoyQGBV-abeLNmIFHYQ1Uo7LHSOzF1flu6VwUBtl1P/s1600/IMG_1306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoUGgeqln09uS5Fgj3jpifQm5g7CMxNzrSibiiroZT5_s8zoZHNy2vTS809FQ_-xaZVSUPfXMzYrP9kJvbe8Zb3g-fVlapkajZHBoyQGBV-abeLNmIFHYQ1Uo7LHSOzF1flu6VwUBtl1P/s320/IMG_1306.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the servos all wrapped up in a nice Meccano-friendly parts </td></tr>
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The build is fairly quick and it does not take long to have a good 'lump' of him built. The larger parts and single bolt and locator construction makes it much simpler to assemble. This is the first time that Meccano have designed a speedy construction method that, not only works but, is completely back-compatible with all that has gone before. As high-tech as this set is it still retains the DNA of all that has gone before; 5/32 BSW threads and half inch hole spacing albeit on a ¼ matrix making it compatible with the newer parts as well as the X-Series parts of the 1930s. The servos are wrapped up in Meccano-friendly mountings making them easily interfaced with the other parts of the G15 as well as as being totally compatible with classic Meccano if and when required in the future. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YWoX6q8F1jR9kw_UOiPxE2ic8eRFsAfej_rAyrNqz2lxU7aKyYZJbTkdhALxPRKNzebPn4dbXTxG-RKjYbMZR9OqZIr1hjleJPtNVwYTuoViHsLmPOpKxw_0OuzXHGyu0OQ71yXVUBA5/s1600/IMG_1314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YWoX6q8F1jR9kw_UOiPxE2ic8eRFsAfej_rAyrNqz2lxU7aKyYZJbTkdhALxPRKNzebPn4dbXTxG-RKjYbMZR9OqZIr1hjleJPtNVwYTuoViHsLmPOpKxw_0OuzXHGyu0OQ71yXVUBA5/s400/IMG_1314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop it... That tickles!</td></tr>
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The instructions can be a little confusing in places but that may be more to do with acclimatising to the new parts and methods. The hand orientation caught us out. I am not sure how the hands were intended to be but we have fitted them so they look right to us. Other than that he goes together very easily.<br />
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Now he is built we will spend a day or so working out how he works and we will be taking him and his big brother to Blists Hill at the weekend. We will report back next week and show you the finished model, complete with feet!<br />
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Ralph. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-15690547805785018072015-07-08T15:38:00.000+01:002015-07-08T20:32:57.092+01:00Back to reality... From the time we left here last Wednesday, to go to SkegEx 15, to the time we arrived back on Monday evening we just did not stop. It is one big merry-go-round from packing the van, setting up, manning the stand and being parts of the social life in the evenings, sleeping and back on the stand. The interest in the new product range and packaging was manic. The really nice thing about the weekend, and what made it so rewarding, was that without exception, everybody was being complimentary about the packing and the new models.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VWzytbtmWpcxsG-ade-e6FeMyGTchTQ5Lr_l9svZOIS5IQYQbi5_xSRX6C_Xg49ykPF7lGK35q3h3BblJF_200tSe7F5j3rTQwJGLU5tJaTvpgnx5fTLw652-MctkT2bNiyuyyfaz1Mf/s1600/DSCN6943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VWzytbtmWpcxsG-ade-e6FeMyGTchTQ5Lr_l9svZOIS5IQYQbi5_xSRX6C_Xg49ykPF7lGK35q3h3BblJF_200tSe7F5j3rTQwJGLU5tJaTvpgnx5fTLw652-MctkT2bNiyuyyfaz1Mf/s320/DSCN6943.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G15 KS was a hit with the selfie brigade!</td></tr>
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Meccanoid stole the show but the new Thunderbird 2 was also a big hit. It makes such a change to stand there and agree with the comments, something that has not happened before. We usually find ourselves trying to justify what is in front of us. I have been emphasising that Meccano in the real word is a toy. It is only going to be successful if it can become a must-have brand with the kids and the parents alike. Again, for the first time in decade the kids were excited, not only with Meccanoid (which everybody loves - even my 88 year old Mum is taken with him!) but with the classic sets. I am sure this is because they can relate to the models. What's more, it is not just the boys. The girls like a lots of the classic sets too.<br />
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On the Friday evening Sue and I were asked to talk about flowers, Meccano and the new product range, after the official SkegEx 15 dinner, held in The Vine Hotel, Skegness. Tim managed to make a reasonable recording under far from perfect conditions and here are the highlights for those who are interested. Sue started it off with a short talk about Meccano, flowers and a gold medal. Sue's video is only five minutes.<br />
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I then took up the baton and did my bit. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am not shy about getting up there and saying my piece, but I can tell you I have not felt so nervous about addressing a crowd for years - you can tell by the Umms and Errs and the fact that most of the talking is done with my arms! I was not aware I did that! Anyway I hope this short video is informative and not too long - at just a shade over 10 minutes.<br />
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Before we set off for Skegness, we had started to talk about the new sets. We had got as far as the Space Quest set see <b><a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/space-quest-15-model-set.html">HERE</a></b>. The next two to be put under the spotlight will be the Desert Adventure 20 model set and the Mountain Rally 25 model set. Both these sets make up well and include some new parts - we particularly like the new tyres! Below are a couple of publicity shots of the two box-art models. Keep coming back and checking, lots more to add over the rest of this week and next.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Adventure - The tyres look good!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Rally - Nice profile and new parts!</td></tr>
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Ralph.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-73043765457953780382015-06-30T09:57:00.001+01:002015-07-08T00:59:14.201+01:00Sun, Sand and Meccano!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;">Final update and videos!<a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/p/we-will-be-reporting-on-events-as-they.html"><br />CLICK HERE</a> </span></h2>
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It's that time of year again! Time to get out the knotted handkerchief, pick up the bucket and spade and head for the Seaside! Yes, this weekend, anyone passionate about Meccano will want to be in Skegness for the premier international Meccano event of the year - SkegEx 15! <br />
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To see the alternative side to this huge event, click on the image above. We will be blogging live from the show before, during and after the doors open. There will be plenty of images of the goings on, the people and the drama. We will show you all sorts of things related to the show that the usual internet coverage ignores. Yes we will show you the odd model that catches our eye, but there will be dozens of people posting model pictures on line and we will link to any of those as and when we discover them.<br />
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So stay tuned and come back to the live page throughout the event to keep up with what is happening. You can also join in with your ideas and requests by making a comment below.<br />
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Oh, I nearly forgot, I suspect our tame (at least I hope so) Meccanoid,<i> Frank</i>, the G15 KS is bound to make an appearance at some point in the proceedings....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Can I drive?</i></td></tr>
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...NO! You can't drive - Get out of there and tuck your battery pack in! <br />
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Ralph. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-4587292916231527482015-06-29T21:41:00.001+01:002015-06-29T23:37:23.774+01:00Space Quest 15 model setI was tempted to start this post with a countdown, but I have used that recently...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice solid looking model</td></tr>
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The first of the new autumn releases to get the once over is the new Space Quest15 model set. This set introduces three new parts to the system including the latest in a long line of nut-less fixings. Don't throw your hands up in horror, this one actually works and it is not used exclusively, rather as an additional part when it can prove to be useful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTcuCft795j3UcF0FE2Ixbm2yswSkSYS6uzXwyjU5_RsOPluZ3WnQh3REPrRl3taO6-tvQCUfy6ye2Eq_yQlEDoeOchZ3DbbcGSETkff_oVw1lXE_SiLHbwbX9CAifSuTjJojtJa_yehQ/s1600/A1soVodiYSL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTcuCft795j3UcF0FE2Ixbm2yswSkSYS6uzXwyjU5_RsOPluZ3WnQh3REPrRl3taO6-tvQCUfy6ye2Eq_yQlEDoeOchZ3DbbcGSETkff_oVw1lXE_SiLHbwbX9CAifSuTjJojtJa_yehQ/s400/A1soVodiYSL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New set, new box!</td></tr>
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The most obvious new part is the new plastic moulded nose-cone. This has plenty of fixing holes and in addition it has 'nut retainers' moulded into the interior. This means parts can be fixed to it without having to get a spanner inside to hold the nuts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPCo3JSgaHQa7FVIyV7_jlJdfnaH3NjBi6im1D8QgA_C7wPG8lphgiux7r7-6ds2aG4n-9WQnouhzbfV9q9HKclOz_OZGxbZXKnWrL4v6ZT1Sgro1RAydf-La5MF3FqSnksM6JlCn8tuA/s1600/cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPCo3JSgaHQa7FVIyV7_jlJdfnaH3NjBi6im1D8QgA_C7wPG8lphgiux7r7-6ds2aG4n-9WQnouhzbfV9q9HKclOz_OZGxbZXKnWrL4v6ZT1Sgro1RAydf-La5MF3FqSnksM6JlCn8tuA/s400/cone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nose cone - I think we might see more of this piece...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The second new part is the plastic, flanged plate. This is a versatile new part that I think will be a mainstay of the future system. I know there will be people who will always dismiss plastic parts but hopefully parts like this will change your mind. The parts are designed to fit together neatly or be used individually. in this model they make the back of the launch tower.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrxaNQwD0-HuZGS7yA38Ei9uymcCQCnbmzRRS8_uh22F6rQSvZMhhwomDqOzUYcgfs5DtBYbXZgUlRZFF9N5fRWmZ_QZHFYbaPWg3cZ_ZuCx83Ls4hJXBdK0HwHb_v40079tNtwvi4fhi/s1600/plastic_plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrxaNQwD0-HuZGS7yA38Ei9uymcCQCnbmzRRS8_uh22F6rQSvZMhhwomDqOzUYcgfs5DtBYbXZgUlRZFF9N5fRWmZ_QZHFYbaPWg3cZ_ZuCx83Ls4hJXBdK0HwHb_v40079tNtwvi4fhi/s400/plastic_plate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was not too keen on these bits but they are growing on me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The third new part is probably the most contentious, mainly because of the attempts to produce such a part in the past. This push in fixing is small simple and very effective it has taken a lot of work to get this just right. It will hold with just enough force to stop it falling out but is easy to remove. It is ideal for blind fixings as used here to secure the nose-cone to the body of the rocket. They also have another use, as you will see when we get around to talking about the Mountain Rally set.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosR1LhGCGDqCrflASR7-kNZDxvPu8kzhiItzmmpVCL9UUdRwEad4kRNVb_SLz9IoKe27hyphenhyphenA09DGhb-BFjBTTyFcD9W1MUWGbcmYgQYb3g6f3cWmky-nDZefNQfLDFrg0WIBU9MEOW9o6o/s1600/pins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosR1LhGCGDqCrflASR7-kNZDxvPu8kzhiItzmmpVCL9UUdRwEad4kRNVb_SLz9IoKe27hyphenhyphenA09DGhb-BFjBTTyFcD9W1MUWGbcmYgQYb3g6f3cWmky-nDZefNQfLDFrg0WIBU9MEOW9o6o/s400/pins.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new plastic pins work surprisingly well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These are some of the first of the truly new parts to be designed and introduced by the Spin Master's design team and it is obvious that a lot of thought has gone into them. For years Meccano have been trying to make the system 'simpler' by doing away with nuts and bolts, or just the nuts, as they tried with the <i>Xtreme</i> sets of a few years ago. The new push-in pins have been introduced for a purpose and are intended to complement the existing fixings, not replace them.<br />
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This, and the other new models to follow, are so new we have not had time to build anything other than the box-art model. But I am sure we will be finding some alternative models to build with the parts in the near future! That aside, the model builds very easily and quickly from the instructions and, as far as I could see, there were no mistakes or anomalies in the assembly sequence of this model.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr02bGsw_qXsnRlFQlpLUjcqP618zOhkFCiNgLAnwse_7Dp_WuBv9DWSImA6LttiwY8grNprpXNOUrph04mYuumAEQ5Fmxc9lzG76KOzGOuUMeuGAqZktEsQQhADfpeGzZfJaOM_iBVtz/s1600/rocket_open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr02bGsw_qXsnRlFQlpLUjcqP618zOhkFCiNgLAnwse_7Dp_WuBv9DWSImA6LttiwY8grNprpXNOUrph04mYuumAEQ5Fmxc9lzG76KOzGOuUMeuGAqZktEsQQhADfpeGzZfJaOM_iBVtz/s640/rocket_open.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for blast off!</td></tr>
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The model is good and solid when finished. Plenty of play-value is included, the tower retracts by way of a hinge and the nose cone is easily separated from the rocket, by removing the aforementioned pins. This is a nice set with a good selection of classic and new parts. If you like white Meccano, there are a few bits here to stock up your collection and if, like us, it is the zinc you crave, you will not be disappointed. <br />
<br />
Ralph.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344605508503053589.post-35258420814232504502015-06-28T22:44:00.000+01:002015-06-29T20:55:26.127+01:00The last Evolution...Ralph has already looked at the orange 4 x 4 Off-roader <a href="http://my-meccano.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/evolution-off-roader.html"><b>HERE</b></a>. That set has now been re-boxed so the only thing add here is a picture of the up-to-date packaging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2uw0CS5qqFH_VgTL8ToXdi3en7ZNj2uoRJO2jQ0bA2-d8X5mGelWav8h65bWvGjDzmFZttyNQDxAPi45bJa80Wn-9MQL7OA-Ct5QIEgqdirIeguvz5Siwkf5s7hiCZhzDoTAiGimHk6C/s1600/A1Fy78Wk4oL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2uw0CS5qqFH_VgTL8ToXdi3en7ZNj2uoRJO2jQ0bA2-d8X5mGelWav8h65bWvGjDzmFZttyNQDxAPi45bJa80Wn-9MQL7OA-Ct5QIEgqdirIeguvz5Siwkf5s7hiCZhzDoTAiGimHk6C/s400/A1Fy78Wk4oL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new box for the Canyon Crawler </td></tr>
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In
a quirk of branding, a remote control car was also released under the
Evolution banner. This has also been re boxed and will be reissued in
the new style packaging. Again the two sets are identical. All the radio
control sets that have gone before, with maybe the exception of the
Rabbids Police Car, have been fairly complicated to build. In the past
the body has been formed by bending and forcing flexible plates into all
sorts of extreme positions. None of that with this set.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fDMm04BDhc1gQwurvIk0jBqCiXzo3v6-G_U5kQaT2-vNp26gcPJpaCY1-NVvid8givqrzImJgavShmhqQquuBOIux4SWn_z0WH7DXe347q43FW8TL6HBPcaO55Ki8o3Y8uIbWdSFPxJf/s1600/boxes_old_new.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fDMm04BDhc1gQwurvIk0jBqCiXzo3v6-G_U5kQaT2-vNp26gcPJpaCY1-NVvid8givqrzImJgavShmhqQquuBOIux4SWn_z0WH7DXe347q43FW8TL6HBPcaO55Ki8o3Y8uIbWdSFPxJf/s400/boxes_old_new.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New and old boxes for the same model</td></tr>
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The buggy style car is simple and minimalist making
it fairly easy to assemble once it is realised that the art is to
lightly tighten all the bolts until it is time to assemble the 'body'
with the chassis. Once the two are fixed together all the other joints
in the body can be tightened.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPbDxtBytEqS4a0JnN1ocw-WZ3PA1JqDgTY1B-O7JgXElb1XFNsKODJTJb7YvrL8a5Uwx5LFWEzFCw6IWIXnfqusaLX6zbhMNc8aJF2dHVgqys9PQDMffaI6nAYJxghGrX4Nv5seylNa6/s1600/car_controller.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPbDxtBytEqS4a0JnN1ocw-WZ3PA1JqDgTY1B-O7JgXElb1XFNsKODJTJb7YvrL8a5Uwx5LFWEzFCw6IWIXnfqusaLX6zbhMNc8aJF2dHVgqys9PQDMffaI6nAYJxghGrX4Nv5seylNa6/s400/car_controller.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy and quick to build - Tick!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were no problems with the instructions other
than the rear spoiler in the kit is supplied and listed in the parts
list finished in zinc. The box art shows the spoiler in red. This means
the sticker supplied to decorate it allows zinc finish to show through
where it should be red. The other niggle is the sticker itself is not
cut correctly meaning that the bolt holes used to secure it to the car
are partially obscured. The result of this is that the spoiler has to be
removed before the sticker can be applied and the holes cleared to
allow the bolts to be refitted.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJNS-Rko29Yu9W8vKre0qNGT1SbQ18ggBRbp_FdK4vcpKhetJfwXuqJg9wFimwNkRirCC1WTbTvPdPz1U9fbL6_FzD5AQYeE2S2QsAXd5fJBBp7ioGoR8QCHGST8VEV-i8Z8DFKs8W5xm/s1600/bad+sticker.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJNS-Rko29Yu9W8vKre0qNGT1SbQ18ggBRbp_FdK4vcpKhetJfwXuqJg9wFimwNkRirCC1WTbTvPdPz1U9fbL6_FzD5AQYeE2S2QsAXd5fJBBp7ioGoR8QCHGST8VEV-i8Z8DFKs8W5xm/s320/bad+sticker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spoiler blade should have been red!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That aside this is a super little toy, intended for
the kids, that can be built with a minimum of fuss. I am sure a lot of
the older cars just never got built. I feel sure that most of these
will. This is not a set that has any appeal to us builders. There are
few parts of any great use that cannot be acquired from other sets more
cheaply. Personally, although not of great parts value, this is perfect
for the toy market. Any reasonably competent youngster would be able to
build this car and there is nothing critical about the build, nothing to
foul the wheels if the build is not just right and nothing that looks
wrong if it is not perfectly aligned. <br />
<br />
Sue.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06701893321619741940noreply@blogger.com0