I wish I could do this with my Erector Set

Tinker Toy Plans: Generic

Manufacturer's Document
───────────────────────
Plan Title:         Generic
Product:            Tinker Toy
Manufacturer: Spalding
Set:                     Any Set
Year:                  1955

About: Magnetix

Magnetix toys were one of the more popular toys in 2005

Produced by Mega Brands toys (of Mega Bloks fame), this toy consists of steel ball bearings, approximagely 1/2 inch in diameter and sticks, squares, triangles, etc . . . All with neodymium magnets embedded.

The idea of these toys is to build geometric shapes, easily break them down and build other shapes

In 2006, there was some controversy.  A young child reportedly died from ingesting some of these magnets.  The magnets are non-poisonous, but meodymium magnets have a very strong magnetic field. 

In 2007, the Consumer Protection Safety Commission issued a recall of Magnetix toys using the following statement:
 If a child swallows more than one tiny powerful magnet detached from the plastic building pieces or one such magnet and a metallic object, the objects can attract to each other inside the intestines and cause perforations and/or blockage, which can be fatal, if not treated immediately.

Magnetix toys were repackaged and relabeled for children 6+ years of age.

Mega Brands have since recalled these toys again

There are several "look-alike" toys that are still on the market that perform the same function as Magnetix.

Ephemera: Erector Set Valentine

Erector sets have received popularity in several different types of media

In the early 1960's this beautiful St. Valentines Day card was produced.

My wife found this on eBay and knowing my proclivity for Erector Sets, she purchased it.

This card is about 6 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide.  The little boy's shirt is flocked.

Magnetic toys - Team builder

I was chatting with a friend the other night regarding keeping her young grand daughter stimulated mentally. 

One of the things she keyed upon is that she really loves magents

Interestingly, magnets have been a passion of mine since I can remember.

A few years ago, my employer had a "team building" exercise where a portion of the exercise consisted of building structures with magnetic building toys similar to Magnetix.

They're NOT the Mega Brands toy, Magnetix, but they're very similar

This toy was presented to us in a non-magnetic can and consists of three components (of which there are several pieces)

These are short sticks about 1 inch long with neodymium magnets on each end of the sticks, long sticks that are about 2 inches long, again with neodymium magnets on each end of the sticks and simple ball bearings.

The idea is to build different geometric structures

They left the toys with us to help us "unleash our creativity" and provide us with hours of constructive fun.  :)

Laser Pegs, Lighted Lego compatible Bricks

Enhance your lego configuration with Laser Pegs

These clear plastic bricks are 100 percent Lego compatible and provide light to otherwise plain models.

The sets consist of a "main body" piece which contains the battery compartment

The set that I have uses 3 watch batteries type: 346

This is my configuration.  It's the Mini Racer model number 14913901ZxLx4gZ2

Erector Plans: Walking Beam Engine

Manufacturer's Document
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Plan Title:         Walking Beam Engine
Product:            Erector Set
Manufacturer: Gilbert
Set:                     7 1/2
Year:                  1957