Deluxe Buckley Digger project

[pennymachines]

Optimistic would be an understatement. I guess they figure, "a one in a million chance to sell at this price, but it costs almost nothing to advertise on the web, so why not?"

The "only 5 known examples" estimate probably ignores the UK examples, let alone any in France, Germany and Holland... Regardless, even if it was the sole example, the price is unreal. It's only a novelty digger!

[john t peterson]

"Novelty" might well describe their pricing; so would "insane."

[hottoddy]

I love the Art Deco appearance of the Deluxe Buckley and would love to have one of those too!

Hi Nigel,

I have one if you are interested, but it's in the states......California to be exact.

[clubconsoles]

Great, please post picture and price, thank you!

[hottoddy]

Hi Nigel,

Sorry for the late reply. My Buckley Deluxe Digger is currently in the process of a full restoration. It is disassembled and ready.
Let's communicate further by email and or phone.

Thanks,
Tod Weiss

[clubconsoles]

Tod
Re the Buckley Digger, best option is to contact me thru ebay. My username is "clubconsoles".

[clubconsoles]

Topic merged - Site Admin

I advertised for one on here a few months back.
I managed to get Tod's one from the States in the end. It is a good original with a few trim bits missing. Thing is, it came over disassembled for resto and I have no idea where to start.
I have piles of metal trim lots of screws and pulleys and I am a little daunted by the task of gradual restore and reassembly!

Has anyone on here got a Buckley Digger Deluxe I could visit and take lots of pictures of? I am in the market for a few spares as well!

Please help if you can!

Nigel.

[slotalot]

Hi Nigel , don't know if this helps or if it is like yours but I have just posted a video of a 1930s Buckley Digger in the SEE IT OPERATE section.

[clubconsoles]

Hi Slotalot

Thanks for that. I see you keep up with the one on ebay for $12500 starting bid!
Glad I didn't part with that much

Unfortunately, it is really no help as it doesn't show inside the machine. I need help with how the locator works and how the indicator in the middle of the boom goes together, as well as the one-piece frame that goes around the front glass.
Reckon I'll end up pestering James Roller for info if no one here has one I can see.
Will wait a while and see what comes up!

Cheer for your help!

[clubconsoles]

Someone on here must know someone who can help?
Surely I am not the only person in the UK with one of these machines??
Does anyone know who owns the one that was sold in the Nic Costa sale at Christies a few years back?
Thanks all,

Nigel.

[jingle]

i have a lot of parts for cranes
but i cant remember whats there
i do have some pictures somewhere

if you can post some pictures of the parts
you think you may need
i will check
what area are you in?

bob

[clubconsoles]

Topic merged - Site Admin

OK people.
I seem to have hit the buffers with my quest for help with my crane restoration!
I would like to take some digital pictures to help to put mine back together as mine was bought stripped down ready for resto.
I would consider paying a small fee to anyone who could arrange for me to get some pictures of this Crane, would travel anywhere in the UK!
I have already pm'd a member on here who has mentioned he has one but alas, he did not respond to my request to see it!

Here is a pic of the EXACT model I have!

http://www.arcade-history.com/pages/pop ... =22362.jpg

Regards,

Nigel.

[blikspeelgoed]

Hello Nigel,

Just bought the same model (in very bad condition although mechanism seems original and complete) but I'm missing the metal top and side doors. If you have pics for me from the top and how it's constructed, I can help you out with the mechanism.

Regards.

[clubconsoles]

Topic merged - site admin.

Always wanted to restore one of these and have just started this one.
Well, the plating, anyway.
I acquired it from California.
Cost an arm and a leg already. The bottom casting was so big I had to drive two hours to find a plating tank big enough.
Aren't platers a fussy lot!
You try telling them you have 80 year old cast iron that needs plating and watch them say they have too much other work all of a sudden.
Apparently, cast iron taints the liquid used in the process and it has to be changed afterwards??

[pennymachines]

Hi Nigel,

I've been following your dogged efforts to acquire and restore a Buckley Digger Deluxe since you started this thread in 2010. I admire your determination and look forward to seeing the crane restored to its full Art Deco glory.

[clubconsoles]

Hi Pennymachines,
Yes, it would have been a lot quicker and cheaper if I had bought the one in Nic Costa's auction at Christies a few years back!
Although I did bid on it I just didn't have deep enough pockets to come up with the winning bid.
Now it's the opposite, I have the money, but no time!
I guess it will finally be finished when I retire???

[clubconsoles]

Hello Nigel,

Just bought the same model (in very bad condition although mechanism seems original and complete) but I'm missing the metal top and side doors. If you have pics for me from the top and how it's constructed, I can help you out with the mechanism.

Regards.

I even went for a short break to the Netherlands to meet Timo, the owner of the above digger.
I had a good look at his resto and learned a lot from it and we also had missing parts for each other that we had made and/or acquired.
Now THAT'S what you call dedication to the coin machine hobby!!

[lepingouinmecanique]

Hi Nigel,
It is always good to keep some activity when you retire!
But I suggest maybe you can rush a little to have it ready in 20 years... for the 100 year anniversary of the crane!

[clubconsoles]

Topic merged - Site Admin.

Bit of a long shot this, but I am attempting to restore a Buckley Chicago digger and I bought it in pieces so as well as spending an arm and a leg on plating last year, I have the added bonus of finding there are pieces missing as I go along.

What fun, NOT!
Well, here is the crane in its current state!
The part I am looking for I can only describe as a "miniature railway crossing gate" looking thingy.
It is actually lifted up and down by the lobe nearest the motor on the cam and prevents players from using the locator to adjust the crane whilst it is in motion, so I think it is a good idea to have it in place to stop any undue strain on aging metal parts in the mechanism.
I have attached two pics, one with the "railway gate" pictured and one with it missing, which is mine.

Can anybody help me with this part?

Present state of restoration

My digger, sadly lacking these parts

parts in place on Buckley Jewel Box crane

[jingle]

So the part your looking for
Is the same as the jewel box part you have pictured

Or the one above