Donald's Innovations and Repairs

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

This tin plate toy is once again blowing bubbles!

06/04/2026

This little tin man now has a way to breathe properly! I did an experiment with some bubbles, but I don't really recommend it, because he actually breathes prematurely and probably sucks most of the bubble water into his lungs. However, that being said the rubber bellows will not suffer rust as the tin will.

06/03/2026

I am creating a bellows for the little tin man, bubble boy. Exercise bands for physiotherapy, are the best and are thin enough for flexible bellows, and they glue up well too with E-6000 glue.

06/03/2026

The tin bubble blowing boy is getting its air bellows rebuilt. This is not an easy task, because each individual bellows parts has to be glued together and sealed. It is not an easy task to find the right thickness and flexibility of rubber bellows.  Some say,”Why don't you use leather?” But not all bellows are made of leather. Traditional Rubber Cloth: This is the standard in organ and harmonium building. It is typically a 2-ply or 3-ply material made of cotton fabric bonded with a layer of vulcanized rubber. It provides excellent airtightness and flexibility. Modern Coated Fabrics: Modern materials like synthetic rubber or vinyl-backed fabrics (such as Haartz cloth) are often used as reliable alternatives to rubber cloth.Silicone-Coated Canvas: Some restorers coat light cotton canvas with silicone caulk to create flexible, airtight custom bellows material on a budget.

06/01/2026

This Smith Corona typewriter has a letter that has slipped down on its striking lever and is not showing up level in print. The carriage is jumping one or up to three spaces too. This will be a challenge!

06/01/2026

Rat lines with clove hitches, this is the second one I'm doing for the USS Constitution. There's still four more complete.

05/29/2026

I go gaga over mechanisms!
Automatons have intrigued me from a very young age. Now I get to fix them.