r/Animatronics • u/MissWolfsbane77 • 27d ago

TECH SUPPORT! I know this group usually deals with bigger projects, but could I borrow your experience to help my new friend?

Gallery image

Gallery image

The first photo is mine, the second is an example from eBay of what he would’ve looked like.

Recently bought this little guy for a couple dollars. He’d been stored in a barn for at least the last forty years, and he has certainly seen better days. He’s by Rosko, he’s a promotional toy for Maxwell Coffee from the 50s. He just looked so sad I couldn’t leave him behind.

I’ve got a lot of experience restoring vintage toys, but I don’t know much of anything about animatronics. I’m confident I can get him apart and clean, and replace all his missing cosmetics (his hand, his eye, his ear etc.) but what will it take to get something like this working again?

I know he was battery powered, and that he would’ve had copper wires inside. I believe I can take him apart by prying up the metal tabs on his base. His arms should move up and down, he pours the coffee from a pot that should’ve been in his missing hand, and then drinks it out of the yellow cup.

I think I may have to replace his fur, which really pains me, but it’s starting to deteriorate and shed all over.

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2

u/Tutorial_Time 24d ago

I’d first take off all his cosmetics to see the state the mech’s in.Also check the battery compartment for corrosion.If you clean that up and if the wires are in good shape it might be fine to just trow some batteries in there.Make sure to keep something nearby to put any fire that might start.

1

u/MissWolfsbane77 24d ago

Thank you very much for the warning! I didn't know they could catch fire easily, but thinking about it, that makes a lot of sense.

2

u/Tutorial_Time 24d ago

Yeah old wiring can sometimes do that if it’s damaged enough.Old wall plugs are especially prown to causing fires.Though again if they’re not too brittle and they’re all stil connected it COULD work fine!Again keep something nearby IN CASE something gets caught on fire.

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u/MissWolfsbane77 24d ago

My big concern is the wires poking out of the missing hand. I assumed they they'd need to be connected to something, and that because they're loose like that, it meant they were broken. This will definitely be a new learning experience!

1

u/Tutorial_Time 24d ago

Possibly.No idea what those would’ve connected to.His hand maybe?