I have a Dinky Toys Coles 972 crane from my youth which I want to pass on in a completely working state. The only thing missing is the string.
Can anyone point me to a source of something close to the original? I've emailed half a dozen so called repairers/renovators but they don't seem to want to respond.
The only things that come to mind are:
1) Meccano string, if modern Meccano uses it.2) Waxed cord. I have such cord, and it's used for hanging my monocle round my neck. Thin, strong and would run well. Ask a specialist optician? There are probably other applications where you might find it.
Did you see this?
Lee
On 25/03/2017 12:27, Lee wrote: Ok that's out of stock, but it tells you it's green and 1mm. As Mr Eager suggests, plenty of similar Green Meccano cord on Ebay though...
I hadn't thought of Meccano! And I've now got some on its way from Ebay: thank you.
In message , F writes
Try Ralph Laughton. Ralph is/was (?) editor of Practical Woodworker, or something like that, and has masses of Meccano for sale, including hanks of Meccano cord suitable for Dinky Toys. He will almost certainly have a hook, if you need that too. 2.5 meters of cord for a pound, or 40p per metre.
Failing Ralph, try Steve Flowers of Model Supplies
Enjoy attaching the ends of the cord to the spindles within the body :-)
Thanks for the heads up but, yes, out of stock. That was one of the sites I found the other day and got no response to my emailed enquiry...
And there's a length (of black to match what I believe was the original) on its way.
In message , F writes
Nooooooo! Got to be green.
Perhaps model boat rigging cord would be close to it, various suppliers of different types and sizes.
a link to get you started.
loads of others out there.
G.Harman
Fishing line perhaps? Or is that too springy and hard to affix.
Brian
You used to be able to get dial cord. a kind of lint free non stretch string for dials on old radios, though where you would get some these days is a bit more of a problem. Brian
Don't fret. Kids these days aren't interested in anything non-electronic. If they get hold of it, they will destroy it in a matter of hours.
Sell it to a collector. Spend the money on yourself.
Some sorts of fishing lines are truly excellent. IIRC I bought some kevlar thread...
Collectors aren't interested in toys that have been *played with*.
Years ago, circa. late 1950s or so, our neighbour owned an electrical shop on the Essex Road in East London, although he had the same manager running it that had been there for years and years. They started to clear out some of the stuff that had been sitting around for years gathering dust, to make room for the new domestic appliances that were coming on the market. Amongst much other detritus, they threw out an old unopened jar of cats' whiskers, as all new radios were now valve or even transistor driven. Not long after, there was a craze for the old crystal wireless sets, and several people came in asking if they had any cats' whiskers for sale. If only they had come in earlier, the shop could have made a small fortune.
I thought you were making it as new?
The OP said, "completely working state" - not the same thing at all. Collectors' toy (sorry, "model") trains mustn't have been run on any rails as that shows visible wear on the wheels.
I should think that only rich collectors can afford as new toys. The poorer ones will have the ratty stuff.
Interesting comment. The tinplate 0 gauge world is split - there are those who search for the very best examples which must have the original box, tested ticket, guarantee, instructions etc., and wheels never touch rails. Shelf queens, as the Americans say.
Then there are those like me who view them as toys to be run, or played with. I cannot see the point of having this stuff and then not playing with it, but perhaps I'll grow up one day.
Interestingly (honest!), I stage public shows of trains with Dinky and similar accessories, and the Great British Public always enjoys the played with stuff more than any pristine items. Perhaps the played with items remind them of their own childhood. There is something slightly sad about an old toy that has never been played with and enjoyed.
That's not quite true. Many model clubs have a section for Dinky toys etc which have been modified. As well as restored.
Of course not for those who merely collect perfect ones as some form of 'investment'.
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