What's your current project?

[ATC]

I suspect lots of Joe heads are working on projects. What's yours?

I'm currently working on:
- M5 kangaroo (Stuart that I can easily convert into a kangaroo recon vehicle, and back again),
- Joe Rocketship (4 decks, retro 50s sci fi type) 22" in diameter and 6' tall. Planning is done, now I need to execute. Been waiting for warm enough weather to work on it in my pole barn. I was stymied for years, looking for a nose cone. Finally found the solution! If I get the shell done this summer, I can work on the interior next winter. No rush. It's a hobby!

What are YOU working on?

[Myles_Falworth]

I worked on the talker unit a bit yesterday. I managed to get a string attached, with a lot of fiddling. And I got it rewound. However now the string won't pull all the way out. Not unless you move the "flywheel" or whatever the whitish wheel visible in the photo above is called. I'm thinking it may be necessary to give it a good cleaning, and oiling, or silicon - which is what some guides say. I'll find some silicone and then try that. I also sent a Facebook message to Toy Tinker Tim yesterday asking where to get the felt pads which go around the fly wheel ( the green housing with the grayish metal pieces inside). He said to call Cotswold and they may have them or know where to get them. If that doesn't work he suggested going to Hobby Lobby and bringing an old talking until to use as a comparison.

[Myles_Falworth]

Here are the figures I got on 3/4/24. Cap now has his cap and boots, plus a belt which doesn't fit. The PH blonde has been restrung, and had a hand and foot replaced after a bad mauling in the 60's. The Land Adventurer has nothing wrong except some rubs under his chin. I'll let it go until I can reflock the missing patch. I'll learn this in the next year or two I'm sure. I found a talking mechanism for the talker today in one of my parts boxes. It's missing the felt pads, and I'll have to manufacture them myself I think. It also needs a string. I have some strings from Cotswold which should do the job. This is a big project for me, and then hopefully I'll know what kind of Joe the talk unit came from. Hopefully not an AT Commander!

[Myles_Falworth]

An old project is nearing completion.

[Myles_Falworth]

I found the right parts amazingly. So he now has a new hand and a new foot, and is restrung so he can stand on his own. This is a patent pending Joe. Here he is.

[Myles_Falworth]

I decided my next project will be one of the Joes I bought March 4 of last year (post 182 in the Latest Finds thread). He's the blonde PH soldier. This figure is very floppy and has a chewed up right hand, and also a badly chewed left foot. I'm pretty sure I've got a left foot for him. I'll look tonight, and also restring him. Then I'll be on the lookout for a PH right hand. I'm all out of hands in vintage. I may have to settle for a Cots Elite Brigade hand instead.

[Myles_Falworth]

The reflocked heads arrived today. I put one on my talking Man of Action and a minty uniform. Here he is ready for duty. What adventures lie ahead for Joe?

[Myles_Falworth]

I'd love to have the Timeless version too. I have the sled from it.

[GeekDragon]

I believe I have the Timeless version of this set somewhere. It is a great set and would love to have a vintage version.

[Myles_Falworth]

Here he is in Fight for Survival gear. I have the sled and dogs, harnesses etc, in another box. These will display nicely. I also have the AT version of the uniform. Looking forward to building a winter scene with a lot of Joes in winter gear.

[Myles_Falworth]

Today I've been working on decluttering my study. I still haven't found the older slotted shoulder Joe, however I did find the Joe I posted about on 1/21/23 . I could not remove to marks from his face. So today I replaced his head with a redhead and I restrung his arms. He's in better shape now, and ready for a uniform. Here he is as of today.

[Myles_Falworth]

The next project I will tackle is going to be a broken Joe I bought back in 2021. I posted these photos (from the Ebay ad) back then. I just secured the parts I need (I think) and can restore the upper arms. Wish me luck!

[Myles_Falworth]

He's now ready to rejoin the Adventure Team.

He hit the showers and washed his face and got a fresh shave. His boots are on his feet, and his left elbow was fixed at the surgeon's office. He now has Geyperman Action Hands (type 2) which are my favorite hands. Ready for action once again.

[Myles_Falworth]

Yesterday I fixed his floppy left arm by putting it on the "anvil" and hammering the rivet in a little tighter. It worked! I put a set of boots from the same owner on him last night, and today he'll get new Geyperman Action hands to replace the old KFG hands. I also washed his face yesterday. It's much nicer now. Pics to follow later today/tonight.

[Myles_Falworth]

Cotswold and a couple other sites have kept me in business for sure. So have the generous collectors on the Trenches. So much has been given to me, and so much advice has come from Trenchers. I am truly grateful for them and this wonderful hobby I enjoy so much.