DIY Toys

[Dustydog]

As kids Mum and Dad spent Saturdays making things with us. Mums cake mixture was the best whilst Dad robbed Mum’s needlework box for things like these. Anyone remember any old things?

 

[Jcloughie]

I do remember those bobbin thingy’s, thanks for reminding me. There seemed to be a lot more bobbins around then.

John

 

[toad a caravan]

Torch bulb in old type pop bottle ,when bottle top screw down bulb sank,when top unscrew ed returned to top

 

[GaryB]

As well as the usual "boys toys" (Meccano, Lego etc) I remember and electronics kit which was like a large circuit board that you added various components to to create things like a radio, Morse code generator etc. I always enjoyed making things from scratch and still do it today to a certain extent (restoring classic cars, brick laying, creating oily footprints on the carpet.....)

 

[otherclive]

I do remember those bobbin thingy’s, thanks for reminding me. There seemed to be a lot more bobbins around then.

John

That’s because more sewing and darning was the norm. Nowadays it’s bin and buy.

 

[toad a caravan]

What happened to chemistry sets?

 

[Dustydog]

What happened to chemistry sets?

Banned ! Because low life’s looked to making Ricin and other toxic compounds😢😢

 

[toad a caravan]

I notice your toy was powered by a green power source,did you progress to steam(Mamod) like I did? 🙂

 

[Dustydog]

Yes, We saved hard and dad got us a stationary single cylinder Mamod run on meths and of course water. Never had the traction engine

 

[toad a caravan]

They matched up with mechano sets,I remember the smell of methylated spirits,same as the primus stove,in fact I've still got the larger hippo stove,last used in 60,s if I remember rightly

 

[Mr Plodd]

I have a pal who has a collection of about 10 Mamod's of various types. They fetch serious money on eBay these days, £600 not being at all unusual for a "Never steamed" one.

 

[toad a caravan]

I remember one of there models included a factory chimney,I had a steam roller that was steered by a vertical metal rod ,and was driven by the flywheel to one of the rear wheels by what I can only call a "circular spring ".It also used plenty of methylated spirits in the large burner

 

[GUMPY]

I remember one of there models included a factory chimney,I had a steam roller that was steered by a vertical metal rod ,and was driven by the flywheel to one of the rear wheels by what I can only call a "circular spring ".It also used plenty of methylated spirits in the large burner

A fully working Mamod SR1a steam roller sits in my workshop. Only been out of the box once or twice in my ownership.

 

[Dustydog]

Mamod closed down last year, one of many reasons being the ban of Hexamine fuel tablets. Those models that use solid fuel , can they be converted to meths?
Are there alternatives to the Hexamine?

I was thinking of investing in a stationary model but if you can’t get the fuel not much point.

 

[otherclive]

I used to have a small motor launch that used hexamine tablets, or candles. It would potter up and down the bath for ages on one tablet.

 

[toad a caravan]

Bumpy may confirm this,if I remember rightly on the roller model the burner was a square metal tin filled with what looked like cotton wool that you soaked in meths',No idea about the tablets,never come across them although I had a small tin stove that used meths' or tablets year ago,probably over 50 years ago in fact

 

[RogerL]

Mamod closed down last year, one of many reasons being the ban of Hexamine fuel tablets. Those models that use solid fuel , can they be converted to meths?
Are there alternatives to the Hexamine?

I was thinking of investing in a stationary model but if you can’t get the fuel not much point.

I seem to remember Hexamine also being used as solid fuel for lightweight camping stoves.

 

[GUMPY]

Bumpy may confirm this,if I remember rightly on the roller model the burner was a square metal tin filled with what looked like cotton wool that you soaked in meths',No idea about the tablets,never come across them although I had a small tin stove that used meths' or tablets year ago,probably over 50 years ago in fact

Yes, it's a rectangular methylated spirit burner.
When I get a moment I might have to have a stream up 😎

 

[Beardy]

I seem to remember Hexamine also being used as solid fuel for lightweight camping stoves.

It was the cooking method in military ration packs.

 

[GUMPY]

Would normal fire lighters work instead?

 

[Hutch]

Mamod closed down last year, one of many reasons being the ban of Hexamine fuel tablets. Those models that use solid fuel , can they be converted to meths?
Are there alternatives to the Hexamine?

I was thinking of investing in a stationary model but if you can’t get the fuel not much point.

Try googling, Hexamine tablets, you can get a different solid fuel tablets instead.

Google Search

 

[Beardy]

Mamod closed down last year, one of many reasons being the ban of Hexamine fuel tablets. Those models that use solid fuel , can they be converted to meths?
Are there alternatives to the Hexamine?

I was thinking of investing in a stationary model but if you can’t get the fuel not much point.

This is being used for camping stoves as a replacement for Hexamine. I don't know if it would work with Mamod, but it's a solid fuel block so it might.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Would normal fire lighters work instead?

Nope! Too slow burning so not enough heat, and they are very smelly in use.

 

[Hutch]

Nope! Too slow burning so not enough heat, and they are very smelly in use.

Dusty Dog , is also very smelly, when drinking certain beers at Steam Engine Rallies.