1940s Toy Tank Restoration [It Actually Fires!]

[@AcmeRestorations]

Please feel free to post questions and comments. I'll try to answer all the questions. If you enjoy these videos please subscribe and click the little bell icon so you'll get notified when I post new videos. I have a ton of restorations in the queue! Thanks for watching. I try to post progress photos as often as possible here on instagram if you're interested in following restorations in process. My instagram: instagram.com/acmerestorations/

[@polishmachine8303]

I really enjoy the restoration video of the tank toy, very detailed and thorough, the equipment is complete, greetings are always healthy from Indonesia 🙏

[@alexrestoration7013]

Thanks for the demonstration of the cannon!

[@Yleski]

What kind of metal putty did you use to “spackle” the pitted metal surface?

[@NoName-vq3zo]

Do you sell these things after you restore them? If so, how can we buy them?

[@olstar18]

I've never heard of doing something like that with carbide. Interesting some of the things they used to do with toys before people got this idea that everything had to be made of bubble wrap.

[@Patrick.Weightman]

I like to imagine when he ordered the breech block, an alarm went off at their office and woke up some dude that's been sleeping in a chair for years all covered in cobwebs and dust

[@paddington1670]

"MARTHA! we got an order! it's been 18 years, but gosh dangit i told you business is far from over!" Martha - eye roll

[@CalPil0t]

I bought two cannons at an estate sale a few days ago, and went by their office yesterday to purchase a missing breech block on one of them. Very nice lady helped me. They ship daily and have many parts available, particularly expendables such as their calcium carbide. Amazing displays of their current and older models of cannons, tanks snd airplanes.

[@azynkron]

"Hey.. Bob.. I hear tanks are pretty popular with the kids right now.. Do we have a tank toy?" "Nah, Jeff, we make toy race cars, remember?" "Just stick two turrets on top of one, Bob."

[@kibukun]

I don't know, looks more like it was made by a company that designed boats. I mean, what's with the keel-thing on the front?

[@MongooseTacticool]

"As long as we make it out of heavy metals, lead paint and shoot fire right?"

[@hubertvale5132]

The best holiday gift for your little warrior from Mainway Toys!

[@dr.skipkazarian5556]

This is a very fine restoration; but, your fabrication skills are (for me) the real energy and talent....great job!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you so much 😊

[@LordKane773]

I just found out the company still exists and makes these, beautiful restoration too!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you.

[@LordKane773]

@@AcmeRestorations You are welcome sir.

[@gregwright392]

What's the name of the company?

[@LordKane773]

@@gregwright392 Conestoga Toy Co. www.bigbangcannons.com/

[@sotkajarvi]

It's not often I say this about toys...but holy crap that tank is gorgeous!!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Wow, thank you!

[@TheUniquePlumberman]

I had one of these as a kid, only mine was a cannon. I loved playing with it. I tried finding another one but they are very rare. Nicely done with the resto. 👍

[@AcmeRestorations]

Here is my restoration last year of one of their cannons: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ3ckGeCmK6Kfbs They are still in business and still make them. Canastoga Toy Co.

[@alexanderj.mendez3815]

I had two different size cannons! Had a lot of fun with them. Would only bring them out on the 4th and New Years

[@darthmuadib7237]

Mad respect for the new brass inserts for the wheels. Those look great.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks!

[@stevenbest6408]

Okay, I gotta admit THIS is genuinely cool! Great job, and not to mention, getting the thing to fire using the original process -- awesome! Nice work.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Glad you liked it!

[@xMrsmileyfacex]

Love the flames coming out of the main turret gun. Major cool toy! Wish I had one as a kid. All I had was a cannon that popped toy gun caps. It was loud but no flame.

[@ominous-omnipresent-they]

Nothing brings out a child's imagination quite like a toy box filled with potential fire hazards.

[@anzaca1]

Because toys like this are too dangerous.

[@madmanmechanic8847]

I have been deathly ill since the labor day weekend and your video put a huge smile on my face thank you

[@AcmeRestorations]

Hope you get well!

[@madmanmechanic8847]

@@AcmeRestorations Thank you I just got my meds starting to slowing pull out of it knock on wood thank you again !

[@aegismule13]

great job and thanks for going the extra and actually firing it :)

[@josue1996jc]

Yeah i would have been so mad if he didn't fire it XD

[@AGalahcalledSammi]

A dude like this was always going to fire it. 👍

[@dianestephenson7639]

That looks like it would be a fun toy to have,,,very nice job on the restoration 😊

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Absolutely fantastic Restoration !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@WeerdWulf]

Ah, the good old days of dangerous flame assisted fun 😂

[@garymucher9590]

I actually own a Big Bang Cannon. But I have never seen a model like that one. Nice refurbishing. Thumbs Up. Oh, and they are extremely loud as well.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Yes, these were only made for a a while back in the late 40s and the 50s. Although they do make an anniversary edition now that is made from bronze. VERY loud. The video doesn't really do it justice. Thanks for watching.

[@zurgboy07]

Back then they actually make FUN TOYS

[@anzaca1]

Too dangerous. Honestly, who thought giving kids flammable stuff was a good idea?

[@andrewvitale7128]

Great job on the restoration and fireing of this toy! Shows you the toys lasted so much longer..please keep them coming.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks! Will do!

[@joshuacampbell9990]

I’m most certainly going to say I appreciate the whole fact you actually painted it over powder coating. These toys were never powder coated and it drives me bananas when I see others doing it. Personally I’m not a fan of how this genre has more or less went to powder coating everything. Beautiful restoration!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you. I agree as well. I don't want to powder coat things that don't call for it. Also I never powder coat ductile metals.

[@anzaca1]

Powder coating gives perfect, uniform layers of paint.

[@matui6983]

Nice to see a Logan lathe being used. Ive got two and they have been faultless for the last 30 years.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks. I restored mine, but that was before I was doing videos. I'm the second owner of this one. Very light use by the previous owner. I think it was in storage for about the last 40 years. Got it for $300. One of my prized possessions. Thanks for watching!

[@thenoseknows9391]

@@AcmeRestorations love resto channels, Awesome Restorations,Odd Tinkering,Chip Channel, subbed to yours after 2 minutes 💯💯😀🤣✌🏼👍🏼💙💙 great job buddy 💙💙💙👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼✌🏼✌🏼✌🏼💯💯💯 keep em comin💯💯✌🏼✌🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@kelvincolemanAnimal]

Awesome job you did fantastic 👍👍👍

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you 🤗

[@Cradley684]

Some camouflage would have been good, but you have still done a great job friend, Stay Safe !!!.

[@xxlaugherteexx]

I was thinking OD green, but i also respect that he tried to match original color. Makes it more of a restoration and less of a customization.

[@RepairRenewRestore]

Loved every minute of that. Well done

[@shellbullet37]

i love the thumbnail loop for this vid where its just endlessly pouring stuff into this thing xD

[@AcmeRestorations]

I wish KZbin let me control that. Those are created by the KZbin servers. Sometimes they are cool (usually they aren't). Thanks for watching.

[@nosaltiesandrooshere7488]

👍 Danke fürs Hochladen! 👍 Thanks for uploading! 👍 Very good and beautiful, thank you! 👍 Sehr gut und schön, danke!

[@scottyd8900]

You never cease to amaze .... Your attention to detail and abilities are incredible 🤘😀

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you very much!

[@fernandoesparza1543]

OMG, impresionant! Beautiful toy. Congratulations. Regards from México.

[@thiggy1249]

I had a two wheel cannon of this type, which used Bangsite carbide granules. I believe that your breach block (sparking mechanism) is identical to the one on my cannon. Great restoration. I'll have to look about in my mothers attic next cool day I am at her house. I think it is still there.

[@AcmeRestorations]

I did a restoration of a Big Bang cannon last summer. Made the breech block from scratch, before I knew they still sold them. Thanks for watching.

[@kevinwilliams8662]

Enjoyed the show

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks!

[@Maples01]

That is amazing, man the toys from the time of my parents, I played with my mom and uncles Michigan crane, dad still has it.

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Restoration looks great 👍

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks 👍

[@cavinrauch]

What a cool toy !

[@briansdiecastthailandstoth6747]

Great work mate

[@tron3entertainment]

Back when toys were not only dangerous, but could light dad's cigar.

[@silvergryphon21]

Wow, a toy with real fire and chemicals, i want one

[@Gunny1971]

That is cool. Well done man.

[@thenoseknows9391]

Beautiful job 💯💯💯👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@victorchileno1356]

A canales como estos hay que apoyar suscribiendose, buen trabajo

[@kanati]

Love it. Only thing I'd have done differently is tap the body and turret and use grub screws instead of rivets to make taking it off and cleaning inside easier. But rivets obviously are more authentic. :)

[@AcmeRestorations]

Doesn't need to be taken apart. When used properly, you just rinse it with vinegar once in a while after use. Keeps it nice and clean.

[@kevingander]

Well done, brilliant stuff! 👏👏👏

[@lonewolfwildernesssurvival9443]

Your videos are amazing , true craftsmanship

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you very much!

[@anands6127]

Nice restoration

[@StarScapesOG]

Very fitting for your channel name! Very nicely done!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you very much!

[@rajiv4972]

Awesome!

[@dannyhenson3141]

Very nice restoration 😊

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you very much!

[@MillwalltheCat]

Excellent restoration, looks like it's just come out of the box on Xmas Day.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks. I was really pleased with how well it turned out.

[@reubenrodriguez6219]

Wow great job guy. Amazing test.👍👍

[@timothydelaval1089]

Wow and you got that smooth of a finish using ground high speed steel lathe cutters? Thats impressive with a armstong tool holder, ill have to practice more on my 1974 sears lathe to get a finish that good.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Sharp tool, slow feed, right speed. Thanks for watching.

[@lindastowars7346]

VERY NICE !

[@rananemri9863]

I really have been enjoying watching your videos! Honestly quite calming but most of all I am just so amazed at how good you are at what you do!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you so much!

[@spqrtejano8026]

12:28 that paintbrush was awesome!!

[@andrzejporeda7281]

Świetna jest ta zrobiona robota pozdrawiam twórcę tego filmiku mile i serdecznie 👍👍👍👍

[@duaneho555]

Heck of a nice job 👍🏻.

[@oscarjonathanmanriquez9712]

Excellent!!!I love your videos!!!

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you very much!

[@Bill-tz3wg]

Nice restoration. Cool toy. Liked and subscribed.

[@-Deena.]

Great work as always! What a terrifying 'toy'. 🧡

[@AcmeRestorations]

LOL. These are actually very safe. You can't set the ammo on fire. If you hit the ammo with a rock or hammer, nothing happens. If you add too much calcium carbide, it doesn't work as well. So kids had to really learn to dial in the right amount. Unlike caps and cap guns. Thanks for watching.

[@-Deena.]

@@AcmeRestorations I still wouldn't want to have it facing the wrong way round! ❤

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

I guess you were never a small boy. If you were you'd understand that this is *exciting* and teaches kids to think about what they're doing. (Maybe after taking their eyebrows off a couple of times !) 😁

[@-Deena.]

@@Kevin-mx1vi No i was never a small boy! Haha...but I can just imagine my brother pointing it me or a dog walking past! Not now... i mean when he was about 8 and i was 5 :) Yep, he'd have maximised its terror capabilities . That's small boys for you! Don't trust then with fire breathing tanks is my advice! ❤

[@AcmeRestorations]

@@-Deena. The flame video is kind of click-bait-ish ( I did that for effect). If you actually do it right, you get no flame but a larger bang. The trick is to get the mix of acetylene and oxygen right. These are actually pretty safe for kids. The calcium carbide is not flammable. It won't explode by itself. And, if you add a LOT more, it works worse than if you add just a little. Safer than caps guns for sure.

[@Meeckle]

That is super cool

[@valmonta3647]

Great to see it back in the game :)

[@Tim-57]

Very cool "toy" and great outcome.🙂

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you 🤗

[@Tim-57]

@@AcmeRestorations Welcome🙂

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

I miss the days of dangerous toys.

[@nyscersul42]

I suppose the simple fact the drill press can go through those rubber wheels shows how old the tank is... try that with fresh rubber and there would have been smoke and an unhapy drill press hehehehe (great vid)

[@deettekearns9092]

So cool!!!

[@Chessie-Steam-Special]

These where the toys we wish we have today, back than you get toy tank that actually shoots, now it CocAMellOn

[@matthewrinehart2367]

Really enjoyed your machinist skills but slightly disappointed that you didn't use a cast steel blank for the rear turret. That being said, a beautiful job. I love seeing broken things made usable!

[@AcmeRestorations]

I did some research and I am pretty sure the original rear turrets on these were made from the same material as the large turret: some sort of white metal/zamac/aluminum alloy. So that's what I went with. Thanks for watching.

[@pochosousa4653]

Hermoso juguete y muy buena restauración ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

[@oneshotme]

Looks great and I really like it!! Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@telescopereplicator]

This restoration is 'bang-on' !! ;-)

[@paulscottpadgett1996]

Very much Respect

[@rabk5702]

Lovely restoration :-)

[@AcmeRestorations]

Many thanks!

[@repairrestore3293]

So I started doing this recently… have any tips on restoring things to make my channel better and my restorations better

[@RestorationAustralia]

Very cool toy well done.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thank you 🤗

[@trentyoung1135]

Cool toy

[@manoman0]

Me: Watching the video and checking if I'm subscribed ACME Restorations: YES Me: hardly audible *sigh of relief*

[@carlosescobar6973]

AWESOME!!

[@everett7812]

That’s a bad ass toy

[@jaxhayes4372]

1940’s were a hell of a time where anything went apparently

[@geoh1896]

In the 50's some company put out a Nuclear Laboratory Set with real Radio Active material in it.

[@DaleDix]

@@geoh1896 you could get a toy ring that glowed in your cereal if you were lucky

[@geoh1896]

@@DaleDix Yeah I remember we had an old watch in the junk drawer for years that glowed in the dark.

[@markberry3496]

@@geoh1896 That was Gilbert. Gawd, I wish I'd had one!

[@tremaynechetty8900]

Haha.... we used to find actual coin money in our lays potato chips at one point

[@marcelozabala1086]

Muy buen trabajo,....!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇦🇷🙋🏻‍♂️

[@TheGorillafoot]

Now that's a toy I want

[@tonywright8294]

Excellent

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks

[@NewbFixer]

Amazing Stuff!

[@edtoomuchfun957]

AWESOME JOB! One question for you - if you were going to improve on the design, what would you change?

[@AcmeRestorations]

I'd make it look like a tank! :)

[@nathanbinns6345]

This reminds me of a restoration video I saw once of a child's toy oven from about the same period that a) was covered in lead paint and b) actually worked! you could plug it in and cook things in it. They were definitely less health and safety conscious back in the day.

[@johnsiders7819]

I saw that one on rescue and restore because parents watched and taught their kids how to be safe playing with heat I had the creepy crawlers set at like 5 and learned not to touch it when hot. Same with my sister she had a easy bake oven that used 100 watt light bulbs and metal pans now we have just dumbed down so much even a toaster has to have cool to the touch cabinets!

[@Bill-tz3wg]

Now this hearkens back to a time when toys were toys. American made. Real steel. Able to shoot white hot flames out the gun barrel. Kids today are missing out. 😢

[@madcapmagician6018]

nice job😁👍, wondering why u used xylene instead of acetone to thin your paint, any difference between the two?

[@AcmeRestorations]

Xylene doesn't dry as fast as acetone so you get a nicer finish when painting with enamel.

[@madcapmagician6018]

@@AcmeRestorations ok THANX for the info 😁👍

[@erinmaclean5064]

2 questions; do you ever lead test the paint before sandblasting, and will you ever be investing in a powder coating set up?

[@AcmeRestorations]

I do lead test quite often, but honestly lead on products made after about 1900 is super rare. Older than that and I do. I also do have a powder coating setup. I try to keep it to what was originally used though. I know powder coating is fun to watch and a few of the channels powder coat everything, but that seems really goofy to me. This would have been a terrible project to powder coat. Ductile metal doesn't take powder coat well at all. Thanks for the thoughtful question.

[@DD-DD-DD]

Back when toys were REAL toys that could take yer eye out, none of this Tonka drek

[@1973Washu]

Even Tonka too extreme for today's society.

[@AcmeRestorations]

They still make the cannons. They are actually very safe. Safer than a cap gun.

[@DD-DD-DD]

If you don't think that some bright spark thought to stick a marble down that barrel and triple the charge

[@dixonqwerty]

hahaha true. I remember playing with all kinds of stuff that are banned now lol. I'm still here though! Wonderful times.

[@nathanbinns6345]

When I was a kid (80s & early 90s) my Tonka trucks were made out of metal. My friends kids today have Tonka trucks except they are all cheap plastic. I wonder if this is just a cost-saiving thing or if even having metal toys was 'too dangerous' for children. I am guessing probably a mixture of both.

[@tremaynechetty8900]

That was great 👍, would it be possible to insert a projectile into the barrel ? Just curious 🤔

[@AcmeRestorations]

Yes, but it has to be very light for it to shoot out. There is a lot of noise, but not much thrust.

[@MrGeroth]

That’s neat.

[@AcmeRestorations]

???

[@wlogan0204]

if only toys like this were still a thing

[@AcmeRestorations]

They still sell several models of the cannons. Google Conestoga Toys.

[@jojoanajehad8469]

الله يسعدك اخي الفاضل

[@ohgary]

I think the “rear turret” was actually a compartment to hold a supply of Bangsite, powdered calcium carbide ammo and should have a wooden plug for a closure.

[@ohgary]

Actually I looked it up. It was a Bangsite compartment but the cap made by the restorer was correct. My bad.

[@The1stKelvin]

Ultimate lawnmower

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

👍👌👏 Very well done (video and work). Please kindly allow me to ask something: Why did you cut off the ends of the axles? Why not simply grinding away the material that is wider than the original shaft. So you could save nearly the complete length of the axles. Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing this restoration. Best regards luck and health.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Ah, because the axles were very long. I knew I could cut the very ends off and still use the axle. Plenty of length left.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear @@AcmeRestorations Thanks for replying and the explanation. But is that really all? You focused only on my question (or my kind of constructive criticism if you will see it that way). Didn't you realise that most of the comment is very positive? Greetings.

[@lolcec81]

Комментарий в поддержку канала и ролика, в также труда мастера.

[@jerryking7502]

Can you imagine them making something like that for kids today?

[@theezeelife292]

Where did you get that breach block and calcium carbide? I have an idea for a similar device I'd like to make.

[@AcmeRestorations]

Conestoga Toy Co. still sells parts for their older models. It was about $15. You can get the Bangsite calcium carbide on Amazon or from them. If you watch my Big Bang Cannon video you can see me fabricate a breech block from brass. Thanks for watching.

[@carrestore]

good job bro 😍❤❤🔥😍👍

[@AcmeRestorations]

Thanks 🔥

[@RRabbit-pb1cm]

Can you post a link to the rivet assortment? Been looking for some with the spiral to hold a nameplate

[@AcmeRestorations]

Amazon. Search for "knurled shank rivets". Thanks for watching.

[@dixonqwerty]

Hahaha very cool!

[@Restorology]

Excellent work! What camera and lens do you use for close-up shots? Cheers!

[@AcmeRestorations]

This entire video was shot with my Android phone. Thanks for watching.

[@Restorology]

Thanks! I have one as well. Will try it with my next project.