We love being a toy hospital. How thrilling it was to repair and restore this family of moveable and vocal mechanical dolls for a fantastic, enthusiastic client.
Materials
Processes
toys that move and make sounds
These dolls were so cute that you can understand their sentimental value. The client wanted the toys spruced up, and if they could move again, that would be a bonus. Happily, they all went home in full motion and sound. Check out the videos below.
Some of these toys, with wind-up music boxes, had broken or worn-out springs.
These mechanical dolls needed new music boxes installed. The music boxes were not the same, and neither was the stuffing in the dolls. These new music boxes had to be well-wrapped in cardboard or plastic because the dolls’ stuffing would have interfered with the mechanical workings.
Jack-in-the-box snowman
Click to play
This jack-in-the-box snowman needed the electrical wiring secured to prevent breakage.
The corroded batteries and their holder required replacing.
The mechanism in the box needed some filing to fix its badly damaged gear teeth.
cackling witch
The witch and her umbrella dress required a repair of its metal spine, glue for the failed plastic parts, and soldering of her electronic parts. This toy witch was a perfect witchy character in sound and looks. You can hear her cackle in the short videos below.
Click to play
Click to play
musical clowns
These two clowns needed their music boxes repaired.
Now, with a turn of their red noses, they were ready to delight their owners and new audiences.
music boxes and Buying locally
Some wind-up music boxes are not repairable, but there was a local supplier to help with this project.
Buying locally is terrific because it supports fellow Vancouver entrepreneurs, and because buying online is not the same thing as being able to go to a local store.
In a local store, you can see and touch the product and talk to people who know it well.
When it's not on a screen, you know what you are buying. Of course, sometimes you have no choice but to order off the Internet, hoping that the parts come on time. Since COVID, that's been a universal issue.
There's nothing like real live contact.
A big thank you to magic box hobbies!
Magic Box Hobbies in Vancouver is a perfect example of a local supplier who is generous and supportive - and who sends us the best clients.