Recently I was looking through a few unassembled kits on hand and came across a Stewart Euclid Scrapper, which I had not assembled for some reason (have several assembled, many years ago).
Curiosity get's you every time, so taking a look at the Wm K. Walthers Catalog (Printed) and on-line, it was noted that this kit is no longer offered.
Does anyone know, if the tooling was worn to the point that it would have cost more to repair?
If it was a white metal kit, the issue probably wasn't tooling wearing out since rubber molds for metal casting have to be replaced fairly often. It would only be a problem if the masters weren't still around to make new molds. I'm guessing there wasn't enough of a demand for someone else to make them. An older thread said that Virnex took over the Stewart line and then they went out of business. So maybe the original masters are just stting around somewhere.
Jim
There were a number of interesting and distinctive items in the old Stewart catalog (not to be confused with the outfit that makes HO diesels), although to be frank, often the level of detail showed its age, somewhat like the once-extensive Selley catalog.
Similarly Virnex had some interesting decals and it was a pity to lose both lines when Virnex closed shop.
There may not be much interest these days in trying to run a cast white metal kit line unless you are already in that business, and only a few outfits are. That is why I am almost surprised Bowser did not purchase the Stewart tooling and then they'd own "both" Stewarts as well as Selley.
The one that surprises me the most is that nobody has picked up the Jordan tooling for its line of cast plastic vehicles, wagons, and the like. That is one example where even older tooling need not take a back seat to anything being done today.
Dave Nelson
The Stewart company actually purchased by Bowser had already worked with them for many years, as Stewart used Bowser weights and other castings in their products. Additionally, that Stewart company was local to Bowser, local enough that Stewart employees were reputedly offered the opportunity to have jobs with Bowser, such that they would not have to seek other employment, though they might have had a half hour commute.
Steve Stewart wanted to retire, and Bowser was able to buy the business and make that possible for him.
At the time that Bowser purchased Stewart, it is also possible that interest in the white metal detail castings offered by various companies was already beginning to wane. Bowser has not purchased many product lines since, and some previous product lines have now been retired due to lack of sales.
John
PRR8259 The Stewart company actually purchased by Bowser.
The Stewart company actually purchased by Bowser.
The OP referred to Stewart Products. Is that a different company that Stewart Hobbies?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Yes, Stewart Products and Stewart Hobbies, now part of Bowser, were unrelated.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy, thanks. It's easy for some to get them mixed up.
ctyclsscs If it was a white metal kit, the issue probably wasn't tooling wearing out since rubber molds for metal casting have to be replaced fairly often. It would only be a problem if the masters weren't still around to make new molds. I'm guessing there wasn't enough of a demand for someone else to make them. An older thread said that Virnex took over the Stewart line and then they went out of business. So maybe the original masters are just stting around somewhere. Jim
Rubber molds are used to cast plaster parts. Die cast models are made from zamac (mistakenly refered to as "pot metal"), a non-ferrous alloy of zinc, aluminum and copper. I'm not sure of the melting point, but it should be over 2000 degress F, not a material that can be cast in a rubber mold. The tooling is similar to molds used in plastic injection molding. Because the molten zamac is injected at very high pressure the tooling must be very exact. A leak at pressure could be fatal to the operator! Because of the temps and pressures involved the tooling wears faster than plastic tooling. You may have noticed most die cast parts have a lot more flash than plastic parts. So tooling wear does have something to do with small manufacturers of die cast models ceasing operations.
Basic white metal castings are made by spin casting and do use rubber molds. There is no similarity at all to injection molding.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_casting
riogrande5761 PRR8259 The Stewart company actually purchased by Bowser. The OP referred to Stewart Products. Is that a different company that Stewart Hobbies?
I was initially responding to a question, apparently now edited out, regarding why Bowser purchased one Stewart but not the other.
Regarding "die cast" metals, Bowser used either a lead alloy, basically pewter, or they used a zinc alloy. I was told that they did not use "zamac". They were well aware of zinc pest, and made zinc replacement wheels for Lionel Trains, to replace the wheels that crumble due to zinc pest. The lead and zinc were kept in separate areas of the factory, and are noticeably different in color and luster.
Bowser used lost wax brass casting, lead spin casting, and zinc casting at approximately 800 degees F. I have a few small scars from throwing bad zinc castings back into the pot too carelessly, and then getting splashed by droplets of molten zinc. They also cast older tooling engine boilers including T-1 and K-4/L-1 in the lead alloy, but I never did those.
The zinc casting machine was not dangerous. Explosions were not a concern to us.