Posted by Jim Gillespie on | Comments Off on How to Make a Toy Car that Won’t Break
When I was a little boy, I would often go to see my grandparents, who lived on the west side of Chicago. This was always exciting to me. It was very different from our home, two miles away but it might have been a million miles away for all it seemed.
They had a neighbor there that was just fascinating to me, that I would have loved to visit in those day. And almost 60 years later, I guess I’d still love to.
Now the grandparents are long gone, and the house was torn down years ago, but their neighbor – the building where the Tootsietoy factory was – is still there.
For years untold millions of simple little die-cast cars were pumped out of the factory at 600 N. Pulaski in Chicago, and little boys everywhere would play with them.
They were cheap, I believe that you could buy a sleeve of ten cars for a dollar back then.
They were basically failproof gifts when it came to boys.
They weren’t the fancier Matchbox or later Hot Wheels cars that would come along later. But there was less to break. They were virtually indestructible to a kid. Nor were they battery powered, but they had plenty of engine sounds and brake squeals, courtesy of your average 1st grader.
Back then, I’d play with them. I would have loved to go into the factory to see them made, but at that time I had no idea how they were made. But now I know.
Manufacturing Simplified
Tootsietoys were simple metal toy cars, typically made of one diecast body two axles, and four plastic wheels. The bodies would be spray painted, then the wheels would be pushed on to the axles, and the axles would snap onto arms protruding from the underside of the body.
They were very durable, unless you wanted to hit them with a hammer the bodies were hard to destroy. Of course, you could damage the wheels but otherwise they were almost indestructible.
They were the early versions of Lego’s, meaning if you walked around in bare feet and stepped on one of them that was sitting upside down, you would not forget the experience. I know, I proved this many times.
It’s pretty simple. You have a mold, or a set of molds, that you put a pattern into. Metal is heated till it is in a liquid state, then it is injected into the mold, then cooled till it is solidified.
The finished product would then go off to the paint line, then the wheels and axles were added, and the cars would be packaged and sent out to stores, and then go to kids everywhere.
Still Economical
Many years have gone by, but for some items, die-casting is still the best, most economical way to go to produce durable goods, be they shelf brackets, utensils or even toys. And Fast-Rite can make them for you
Do you have a product you need diecast?
Give our engineers a call at 888.327.8077 or email us at Sales@fast-rite.com
Posted by Jim Gillespie on | Comments Off on Fast-Rite – Authorized representative for Siam Malleable Iron Pipe Fittings
At Fast-Rite, we’re pleased to announce we are now an authorized distributor for Siam Fittings Company Limited, A leading international manufacturer of malleable iron and bronze pipe fittings.
Siam pipe fittings are well known worldwide under the brand name SA.
Founded over 50 years ago in 1968, Siam products are manufactured under exacting international standards and trusted by customers worldwide.
They were the first company in Thailand to produce pipe fittings from malleable iron.
Main products are malleable iron pipe fittings and bronze pipe fittings. The high standard and quality of these products keeps them in demand in many countries around the world, including the US, Japan and other countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The main factory is located in Khartoum, Thailand and encompasses over 360,000 Sq Ft and, and produces on average of 900 tons of products per month.
Quality and safety of our products are of utmost importance. Quality is THE top priority in order to ensure all products are lead-free.
They have been awarded international certifications such as UL, FM and of course, They have been ISO-9000 accredited since 1999. Both Fast-Rite and Siam are ISO-9001:2015 Certified.
These widely recognized certificates have enabled us to guarantee customer confidence both domestic and overseas.
The vision of Siam is to ensure customer satisfaction by continually improving their products and delivering these products at a reasonable price.
For 50 years Siam Fittings Company Limited has been a leading manufacturer exporter and distributor of pipe fittings under the brand SA. Fast-Rite is pleased to partner with Siam and together we are strongly committed to being the leader of malleable iron pipe fittings now, and well into the future
Posted by Jim Gillespie on | Comments Off on How to reduce “Cam-Out”
Cam-Out – we’ve probably all experienced it.
Perhaps we’re putting a faceplate on an outlet, or driving into metal.
So we pull out our trusty slotted screwdriver, and start to turn the screw.
But the slot depth is shallow, perhaps it’s a struck slot instead of a saw slot, or maybe, this screwdriver has seen a lot of days and it’s worn, so the screwdriver slips out of the slot, perhaps across the application surface, and mars the surface.
BTDT: Been there, done that.. And hated it!
It is said the two most common complaints for screwdriver users are slipping or “Cam-Out”, and stripping/damaging a screw head). I’d rank Cam-Out as number 1.
Too much torque on the screwdriver, and the blade breaks out of the slot and slides wherever the torque pushes it. The more torque, the more likely it is to damage a work surface. This likewise can be true removing screws, and even more so if you’re using a power tool.
In 30 years in industry, I have often found myself despising the slotted screw.
But all things have a purpose, right? Until recently, I had never, ever thought that perhaps this slippage was by design. But it’s said the intent was to avoid damaging work through excess torque.
A BETTER SOLUTION
A better solution might be a six-lobe, ACR or Philips drive, which have much better BER – Bit Engagement Ratios. More importantly, not only do they engage better, they also tend to stay within the drive if it does Cam-Out. That means less damage potential.
Head types (round, pan, flat, etc.) certainly can play a factor also.
There are many types of drives available. Finding the right combination of Bit Engagement really isn’t rocket science.
A combo drive often performs much better. A Philips / Square / Slotted / Hex drive for example, will allow you to do most anything. But that does require s hefty head height.
Typically deck screws often have either Phil / Square flat heads or ACR II bits. Either one has superior bit engagement.
STEPS TO BETTER ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE
Want better assembly performance?
-Review your tools.
-Set your torque properly.
-Make sure your bits are in good shape.
-Replace any worn tooling regularly.
Get help! Call a Fast-Rite pro at 888.327.8077 and explain your use case.
The right drive can make your life much easier, speeding assembly, maximizing torque, and minimizing cam-out, saving time, preventing damage and resulting in a better joint.
For help in finding a drive or bit selection, Call a pro at 888.327.8077, or email us at sales@fast-rite.com.
Posted by Ryan Woods on | Comments Off on COVID-19 Update
Freight Shipping
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all freight is now subject to GRI (Gross Rate Increase) at the time of shipment. Please understand we are doing everything possible to mitigate any potential freight increases and we appreciate your continued support. We will continue to proactively monitor the situation and will release updates on a continuing basis regarding expected changes.
Updated 6/19/2020
Contact us
For more information regarding international freight, please contact customerservice@fast-rite.com or dial (630) 858 0988.
Posted by Ryan Woods on | Comments Off on High Quality Metal Stamping
Learn About Metal Stamping at Fast-Rite!
Engineering & Design Expertise
Since 1992, Fast-Rite has partnered with OEMs to make them successful manufacturers. Through concise manufacturing capabilities, engineering expertise, and design recommendations, Fast-Rite is a leader in providing OEMs with the absolute best materials. One of the most popular products that we offer is our state-of-the-art industrial stamping.
Industrial Capabilities
Fast-Rite’s signature metal stamping is the highest quality in manufacturing today! Our capabilities include heat-resistant metal alloys, prototype/short-run capabilities, 4-Slide/ Multi-Slide, progressive die, straight slide, springs, and wire form parts.
We can manufacture precision stamping from virtually any material, including steel, bronze, copper, brass, aluminum, steel, and stainless steel — four slide and multi-slide, precision laser cutting, progressive die products and more. Fast-Rite also offer secondary operations such as deburring, tapping, heat treating and plating.
Plus, you can customize with a wide variety of finishes, including zinc in all colors, nickel in all colors, phosphate, mechanical zinc, galvanized zinc, chrome, gold, brass, copper, and more!
From Taipei to Toronto, Mexico City to Manhattan, Fast-Rite’s stamping across the globe!
Consultation
Fast-Rite sells more than just high-quality fasteners, stampings, castings, and assemblies. Our lines include electronic components, MRO and PPE items, abrasives, anchors, tools, and tool accessories, just to name a few. Check out how you can save more than 20% on Customized Component Management!
Call us today and learn how we leverage our SAP backed technology to implement spend management. Our industrial product experts are ready to assist!
When I was a little boy, I would often go to see my grandparents, who lived on the west side of Chicago. This was always exciting to me. It was very different from our home, two miles away but it might have been a million miles away for all it seemed.
At Fast-Rite, we’re pleased to announce we are now an authorized distributor for Siam Fittings Company Limited, A leading international manufacturer of malleable iron and bronze pipe fittings.
