Category:Manufax

Toy Brands and Manufacturers

Manufax

1931 -

Manufax Handbook of Instructions [image info]

Manufax Clips [image info]

Manufax - other parts and accessories [image info]

Manufax design Sheets [image info]

Manufax ("Real Model Constructional Engineering") was a girder-based metal construction system that differed from systems like Meccano in that the user was expected to modify the parts themselves.

A Manufax railway bogie well wagon

Manufax was especially good for producing realistic-looking metal models of girder-based structures, as the clips that connected the girders together were reasonably unobtrusive.

Although the clips' friction was sufficient to hold together models of a reasonable size, if one wanted to make a structure permanent or semi-permanent, one could use the Locking Tool. The Locking Tool was similar to a pair of pliers, but with a spike one the lower jaw and a matching circular hole on the other. By clamping hard on the sandwich of thin metal sheets that made up a girder and its sleeving clip, the stack of metal layers would deform, so that each ended up with a dimple on the underside and a bump on top. Not only did this "lock" the joint to prevent accidental slippage, it also produced a nice circular raised bump on the top surface that looked (from a distance) very much like a rivet-head. If one was prepared to spend the time using the Locking Tool multiple times on each joint, neatly, the appearance of rivetted joints made the resulting models look even more authentic.

Overview

"Manufax" models are built with miniature laminated steel girders of various standard sections which are quickly connected together in a simple manner by the specially designed clips. The clips are then locked in position by means of the hand-riveting tool provided for the purpose, thereby giving the structure great strength and a most realistic appearance.
Nearly every form of steel construction can be faithfully reproduced, designs worked out and many useful articles made with "Manufax". The special tools required are few and easy to use, and each has been designed for its particular purpose in "Manufax" Model Construction.
In the "Manufax" system of model construction there are no nuts, bolts or rivets used, and there are no holes to drill. No special skill is required to build the models, especially if the instructions and the drawings are carefully followed. A great variety of models can be built with the tools supplied with any of the "Manufax" outfits.
Although "Manufax designs are shown lock-riveted, this is, particularly in the case of the simpler models, not essential. If it is intended to dismantle the model later on, it is even preferable to omit this operation.

Girders

Girders – were made of folded metal sheet, and were supplied in a single length that filled the full width of the box.
- "H" Girder
- "C" Girder (Channel Girder)
- "T" Girder
- "Angle" Girder ("L" Girder)
- Brace Girder (flat bar)
- Brace Girder (rolled edge section)
- Tubular Girder
Specialised Girders
- Rail Section – rail for Gauge 0 or Gauge 1
- Ridge Capping – top piece for laying along the top spine of an angled roof

Clips

– many different varieties, for clipping different girders together, in different ways.

1932 listing:

C 1A – Socket Clip, 3×3
C 1B – Socket Clip, 4×3
C 2 – Cross Clip
C 3 – End Clip
C 4A – Double Staple Clip
C 5 – Web Clip
C 6A – Stair Clip (right-hand)
C 6B – Stair Clip (left-hand)
C 7A – Jointing Channel Clip, 3×3
C 7B – Jointing Channel Clip, 4×3
C 7C – Jointing Channel Clip, 6×3
C 8 – Capping Channel Clip – used by 3×3, 4×3, 6×3 girders
C 9A – Double Tee Clip (Base)
C 9B+C – Double Tee Clips, in pairs
C 10 – Double End Clip
C 11 – Hinge Clip
C 12 – Apex Clip
C 13/C 14 – Tie Bar Heel Clip, with Truss Foot Clip, in pairs
C 15 – Tee Clip, ³⁄₁₆", or ¹⁄₄"
C 16 – Brace Clip, ³⁄₁₆", or ¹⁄₄"
C 17 – Angle Bar Clip, ³⁄₁₆", or ¹⁄₄"
C 18 – Ridge Clip
C 19A – Bracket Clp, Inside (flange to flange)
C 19C – Bracket Clp, Inside (flange to web)
C 20A – Bracket Clp, Outside (flange to flange)
C 20B – Bracket Clp, Outside (flange to web)
C 21 – Finial Clip
C 22 – 45-degree Angle Bar Clip, ³⁄₁₆", or ¹⁄₄"
C 23 – Coupling Hook Clip
C 24 – Adjustable Bearing, ⁵⁄₁₆", or ⁷⁄₁₆"
C 25 – Angle Corner Clip
C 26 – Horizontal Bearing Clip
C 27 – Swivel Bearing Clip
C 28 – Flange Clip

Tools

Standard tools:

Pliers – for bending clips, and for flattening girder ends after cutting.
Snips – for cutting, shaping and trimming.
Hammer
Locking Tool

Additional tools, in larger sets:

Mandrel – shaped metal bar to aid in tapping clips into position.
Girder Cutter – special tool designed to cut the mid-section of an H-Girder

1931 promotional text:

An entirely new constructional toy known as Manufax deserves special mention because it far surpasses anything in this line which we have yet seen. Two examples at the foot of this page demonstrate the solidity of models made with one of these sets of parts, which consists of girders of H section, channels, tees and angle-bars, all of which may be fitted together without drilling or soldering by means of the special kit of tools supplied.
They are marketed in a variety of prices, and if you are considering constructional toys we strongly advise Manufax, which may be inspected at most toy stores.

— , "Christmas Presents" article, , Hobbies Weekly, , 12th December 1931

Advertising

So far, all the Manufax advertising that we've found dates from the same year – 1931. This suggests that the product may have launched in 1931, and then failed to take off in a big way. Coverage includes a couple of 1931 index entries for Model Railway News, and two adverts (followed by an editorial review) in Hobbies Weekly, in November and December 1931.