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Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 5:59 pm
by widget2k4
Thanks, I'm going to have a go at making my own gold fleck paint and see what happens. A bit of experimenting to get the black spots is going to be the hard part I think.

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:18 pm
by pennymachines
Yes, I think that's the best approach.

The products Paul suggested would make a nice finish which some would be happy with, but not the purists. Original finish is always favourite of course but if, as on your machine, that's gone, second favourite is to reproduce the original as faithfully as possible.

BF's pictures suggest the fleck was laid over the gold quite crudely by hand. One way of doing this is to dip a stiff brush (toothbrush or something larger) in the paint and riffle the bristles so small blobs fly off in irregular patterns.

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:21 pm
by widget2k4
I will have a bit of a play with it. I managed the Allsport fleck with a small wire brush dipped in paint and a screwdriver to flick it. lol

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:31 pm
by bryans fan
widget2k4 wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2017 5:59 pm Thanks, I'm going to have a go at making my own gold fleck paint and see what happens, a bit of experimenting to get the black spots is going to be the hard part I think
Is the RIGHT ANSWER. I have seen many a Bullion ruined with plastikote stonefleck paint.
I believe the fleck paint finish was hand done. Flicking a toothbrushes bristles loaded with paint is, I understand the method of choice.
Finishes like on the double top cabinet were I think a suspension of coloured flecks in a medium. Used I seem to remember on public toilet walls.
My advice, as always, remains , only re paint a machine if absolutely necessary. They are only original once. I prefer conservation to restoration.
lots of "thinking" and vague remembering there!!!
But I might be wrong I often am!!!

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:00 pm
by widget2k4
Well in my case if they don't look pretty and clean they can't get in the house lol, and I wasn't left much choice as there was no bottom left in it and there wasn't much left of the door.
What was the hole in the front for behind the artwork?

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:14 pm
by bryans fan
I don't know. Nor does another learned gentleman from this forum. But there must be reason for it or Mr Bryan wouldn't have put it there.

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:39 pm
by widget2k4
Fire escape for the ants perhaps?

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:44 pm
by coppinpr
try experimenting with a can of black turned upside down at different distances from the test piece, only an option,im not saying the best option just that it does work with practice

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 8:01 pm
by widget2k4
Will give it a go !THUMBS!

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 11:05 pm
by JC
This is one that was in Coventry ( I think)
Yes, it was. I photographed it in my back garden, on behalf of the vendor. It was all original, and probably the best original ant viewer I've ever seen.

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:41 pm
by badpenny
widget2k4 wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:21 pm I will have a bit of a play with it. I managed the Allsport fleck with a small wire brush dipped in paint and a screwdriver to flick it. lol
For accuracy a pre-decimal screwdriver should be used.
:didact:

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 5:13 pm
by pennymachines
That's right - you won't get the right splatter with a Pozidriv. :D

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 6:39 pm
by treefrog
Do you think this machine was an April fool by Mr Bryans, as one of the odder items from his stable? I am staggered operators paid for this machine as a few were made.....real quirky item.

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:07 am
by widget2k4
ive got an old screwdriver that belonged to my great grandfather so i think i should be fine

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 11:26 am
by coppinpr
Do you think this machine was an April fool by Mr Bryans, as one of the odder items from his stable.......I am staggered operators paid for this machines as a few were made.....real quirky item
It was certainly one of the great cons and jokes of the coin op world, I cant imagine any operator going to all the trouble of keeping the ants alive or even knowing when they were dead,( I can just imagine putting your penny in and getting a view of a few long dead ants with cob webs and dust all round) once the original ploy of pretending it was something else disappeared with the revised description card I cant imagine anyone putting a penny in

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:59 pm
by pennymachines
I think you underestimate people's curiosity (or is it gullibility?) A simple box with a slot would take money. Add some sort of scope which remains dark until a coin is inserted and watch the cash roll in! If you feel cheated by what you see, persuade someone else to have a go and laugh at their expense.

Mr Bryan was very imaginative and maybe overreached himself with this one. I've seen very few Ant Viewers which retain the original metal and glass ant enclosure. I think operators usually resorted to pasting a slightly risqué photo inside.

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 8:31 pm
by widget2k4
would be nice to see an original nest from one , do you have any pictures pm ?

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:04 pm
by pennymachines
Afraid not. From memory it consisted of some sort of flat perforated metal box with glass which slotted into the runners at the focal point of the magnifying lens. I'd be interested to see it too if anyone has one.

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:39 pm
by widget2k4
would be nice to see, and do you not know what the hole in the front was for pm ?

Re: Bryan's ant viewer artwork needed

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:54 pm
by pennymachines
Of course I do! But I'm not telling... \|\/|/