An expert in crafting mini working machines
By Richard Feltham
Photographs: Graeme Brown
If the phrase “small but perfectly formed” can be legitimately applied to a shed, then Bruce Geange’s Palmerston North workshop certainly fits the bill. In a space of about two by five metres he creates Lilliputian machines that mimic their full-sized cousins in everything but size. An exquisitely detailed D8 1940 bulldozer is 40 cm long and completely hand-built. Bruce says it took about 900 hours to complete and is completely functional.
Born in Taumarunui in 1935, the eldest of four boys, Bruce was raised on various farms in the Manawatu area, which may explain his predilection for tractor models. A life-long love of modelling started at the age of 11 when he received a No 1 Meccano set for Christmas. As finances permitted he began collecting Meccano, building up to a No 9 set after he began working. He reminisces about looking at a model mechanical shovel in the June 1947 Meccano Magazine and wondering how he was going to get the parts to build it, as trips into Palmerston North were infrequent and limited to school holidays. His collection has now burgeoned to fill several cabinets. In 1989 he helped found the Manawatu/Wanganui/Taranaki Meccano Club. This is a loose association of people interested in keeping Meccano alive as a hobby and valuable educational tool. He remains very active in the club and the wider national body.
“I like to model things that move, or have moving parts, particularly wheel and crawler tractors,” he says. “What really appeals to me are those models that have lots of small parts, as it can be very challenging to get everything to work in a small space.”
He is adept at modifying parts from the newer Meccano sets, including radio control, to meet his needs. He does not shy away from building more conventional models, such as the iconic block-setting crane that has graced the front of Meccano manuals for more than half a century.
Eye for detail
Bruce’s workshop is a testament to his mechanical ability. A Myford Super 7 lathe sits in one corner alongside a drill mill and a 3-in-1 brake, bender and guillotine. He points to a rare die-cutters’ power file, which he says is “incredibly useful”.
In fact, he has built several of his own machine tools, each one reflecting his attention to detail and modified to perform a particular function. Several of his models are steam-powered, and he has a steam ticket which allows him to drive traction engines. His exquisite 3-inch (76 mm) scale Burrell Traction engine is always well-received when he displays it at events around the country. He is equally at home with the arcane artistry of running his 3½ inch (90 mm) gauge live steam Black Five locomotive as he is with modifying a radio-control model.
“My working life was in the electrical industry and I was fortunate to have had experience in most things, particularly in later years as an electrical inspector,” he says. “I learned patience trying to deal with the tiny BA screws we used.”
This hard-earned patience has served him well, as the abundance of fine workmanship proclaims. An obvious Frank Hornby fan (see page ??), Bruce has an extensive collection of “O” gauge trains, augmented with his own scratch-built models.
“I think with the advent of new digital technologies, Meccano is coming into its own again. I feel there is something magical about taking standard Meccano parts made in the 1920s and using them, unmodified, alongside the modern sets that use computers. This is exactly what Frank Hornby would have wanted.”
He is also adamant that Meccano taught him about engineering principles that helped in his later working life.
Award winner
Bruce married Alison in 1960 and, with the birth of their two daughters and setting up a home, modelling—in particular buying more Meccano—took a backseat for several years. Bruce is a staunch champion of family values and welcomes visitors to his workshop.
“We now have three grandchildren in their 20s. I have given them Meccano sets, which in turn have been passed on to other children to use.”
He still goes tramping with his daughters and is involved in setting up interactive model displays each Christmas in Feilding. As a regional neighbourhood support coordinator, he has a strong sense of community spirit.
Late last year, Bruce received the prestigious Golden Spanner Award from the International Society of Meccanomen, based in the UK, only the second Kiwi to be so honoured in the 14-year history of the award. Fittingly, he was singled out not so much for his technical skills, but for his enthusiasm for education. He is a regular contributor to both the International and New Zealand Meccano Magazines, as well as other publications. He is a man who thrives on teaching others and passing on his knowledge: the archetypal sheddie.
Meccano magic
Frank Hornby was a businessman, politician and inventor. Although he had no formal engineering training, he was responsible for inventing and producing three of the most popular British toy ranges based on engineering principles. Initially, he started making toys for his two sons. His Meccano, Hornby Model Railways and Dinky Toys (die-cast miniature model cars, trucks and buses) were revolutionary for the time. He founded the toy company Meccano in 1908 and started publishing the monthly Meccano Magazine in 1916.
“I think with the advent of new digital technologies, Meccano is coming into its own again.”
