Category:Manufax
Toy Brands and Manufacturers |
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Manufax |
1931 - |
Manufax Handbook of Instructions [image info]
Manufax Clips [image info]
Manufax - other parts and accessories [image info]
Manufax design Sheets [image info]
Manufax ("Real Model Constructional Engineering") was a girder-based metal construction system that differed from systems like Meccano in that the user was expected to modify the parts themselves.
Manufax was especially good for producing realistic-looking metal models of girder-based structures, as the clips that connected the girders together were reasonably unobtrusive.
Although the clips' friction was sufficient to hold togther models of a resonable size, if one wanted to make a structure permanent or semi-permanent, one could use the Locking Tool. The Locking Tool was smular to a pair of pliers, but with a spike one the lower jaw and a matching circular hole on the other. By clamping hard on the sandwich of thin metal sheets that made up a girder and its sleeving clip, the stack of metal layers would deform, so that each ended up with a dimple on the underside and a bump on top. Not only did this "lock" the joint to prevent accidental slippage, it also produced a nice circular raised bump on the top surface that looked (from a distnce) very much like a rivet-head. If one was prepared to spend the time using the Locking Tool multiple times on each joint, neatly, the appearance of rivetted joints made the resulting models look even more authentic.
Overview
"Manufax" models are built with miniature laminated steel girders of various standad sections which are quickly connected together in a simple manner by the specially designed clips. The clips are then locked in position by means of the hand-riveting tool provided for the purpose, thereby giving the structure great strength and a most realistic appearance.
Nearly every form of steel construction can be faithfully reproduced, designs worked out and many useful articles made with "Manufax". The special tools required are few and easy to use, and each has been designed for its particular purpose in "Manufax" Model Construction.
In the "Manufax" system of model construction there are no nuts, bolts or rivets used, and there are no holes to drill. No special skill is required to build the models, especially if the instructions and the drawings are carefully followed. A great variety of models can be built with the tools supplied with any of the "Manufax" outfits.
Although "Manufax designs are shown lock-riveted, this is, particularly in the case of the simpler models, not essential. If it is intended to dismantle the model later on, it is even preferable to omit this operation.
Girders
- Girders – were made of folded metal sheet, and were supplied in a single length that filled the full width of the box.
- "H" Girder
- "C" Girder (Channel Girder)
- "T" Girder
- "Angle" Girder ("L" Girder)
- Brace Girder (flat bar)
- Brace Girder (rolled edge section)
- Tubular Girder
- Specialised Girders
- Rail Section – rail for Gauge 0 or Gauge 1
- Ridge Capping – top piece for laying along the top spine of an angled roof
Clips
– many different varieties, for clipping different girders together, in different ways.
Tools
Standard tols:
- Pliers – for bending clips, and for flattenning girder ends after cutting.
- Snips – for cutting, shaping and trimming.
- Hammer
- Locking Tool
Additional tools, in larger sets:
- Mandrel – shaped metal bar to aid in tapping clips into position.
- Girder Cutter – special tool designed to cut the mid-section of an H-Girder
1931 promotional text:
An entirely new constructional toy known as Manufax deserves special mention because it far surpasses anything in this line which we have yet seen. Two examples at the foot of this page demonstrate the solidity of models made with one of these sets of parts, which consists of girders of H section, channels, tees and angle-bars, all of which may be fitted together without drilling or soldering by means of the special kit of tools supplied.
They are marketed in a variety of prices, and if you are considering constructional toys we strongly advise Manufax, which may be inspected at most toy stores.
— , "Christmas Presents" article, , Hobbies Weekly, , 12th December 1931
Advertising
So far, all the Manufax advertising that we've found dates from the same year – 1931. This suggests that the product may have launched in 1931, and then failed ot take off in a big way. Coverage includes a couple of 1931 index emtries for Model Railway News, and two adverts (followed by an editrial review) in Hobbies Weekly, in November and December 1931.
External links
patents:
- GB368132A Improvements in or relating to clip devices for use in the making of models or like small structures, 1931-04-29 (worldwide.espacenet.com)
- GB368131A Improvements in or relating to girder or like structures for use in the making of models or like small articles, 1931-04-29 (worldwide.espacenet.com)
- GB368591A Improvements in or relating to clip-like devices or attachments for use in the making of models or like small structures, 1931-05-12 (worldwide.espacenet.com)
- GGB362832A Improvements in or relating to hand-operated shearing tools, 1931-06-02 (worldwide.espacenet.com)
- GB362330A Improvements in or relating to embossing tools, 1931-06-02 (worldwide.espacenet.com)
Media in category ‘Manufax’
The following 14 files are in this category, out of 14 total.
- Manufax Bogie Well Wagon (Manufax AR105).jpg 3,000 × 1,861; 498 KB
- Manufax Clip No1 (ManufaxHoI 1931).jpg 1,200 × 900; 109 KB
- Manufax Clip No2 (ManufaxHoI 1931).jpg 1,200 × 900; 95 KB
- Manufax Clip No3 (ManufaxHoI 1931).jpg 1,200 × 900; 82 KB
- Manufax Clip No4 (ManufaxHoI 1931).jpg 1,200 × 900; 85 KB
- Manufax Clip No5 (ManufaxHoI 1931).jpg 1,200 × 900; 85 KB
- Manufax Clip No6 (ManufaxHoI 1931).jpg 1,200 × 900; 100 KB
- Manufax Clip No7 No8 (ManufaxHoI 1931).jpg 1,200 × 900; 144 KB
- Manufax Clips.jpg 2,061 × 3,000; 993 KB
- Manufax cross logo.jpg 1,654 × 1,620; 585 KB
- Manufax Design Sheets (Manufax AR106).jpg 3,000 × 2,654; 1.15 MB
- Manufax Handbook of Instructions, front cover.jpg 3,000 × 1,950; 1.66 MB
- Manufax logo.jpg 1,800 × 351; 94 KB
- Manufax, other parts.jpg 2,048 × 3,000; 874 KB