T-Reproductions and their associate firm, Korea Brass, is fielding one heck of a copy of this vintage piece. We had the opportunity to examine a pre-production sample, and let me assure you that this is no lightweight aluminum copy – this baby tips the scales at 25 pounds!
Movement is controlled by an open-frame motor that could simply be described as “stout.” This motor is in the same style of device that taught a generation of American boys how mechanical things worked and surely started many down the engineering path. Way to go, Dorfan.
Movement and lifting are controlled by two levers. One is a start/stop/reverse and the other is a double clutch/worm gear. This is simple enough to master after just a minute or two.
T-Reproductions uses the tag line “We make ’em like they used to,” and they sure do. The crane measures 20 inches high and has 19 inches of boom. The cab and boom rotate 360 degrees. Yes, it can hoist some heavy loads. No, we didn’t test it to the point of breaking the motor or the string, but it was able to lift a variety of O gauge locomotives with ease.
Be noted that what we saw was a sample, not an actual final production piece. A representative of T-Reproductions assured us that the final colors would perfectly match the original Dorfan product, the motor would include a reproduction Dorfan logo, and the porthole design would differ slightly from our sample.
Our only concern was the string – the same kind we all flew kites with as kids. When we asked if fishing line, nylon string, or even wire would be used instead of the string on the production run. We were told “Nope, Dorfan used string, so we’ll use string.”
The new no. 70 crane is a well-crafted reproduction of a fun product designed in another age. If you are really into heavy metal accessories, you’ll want to check this out.
Boughto ne at York. Works great. A fantastic toy.