Gardner “O” and Mery “ explosive” 1/4 scale engines

[Trevorc]

Hello. TheBristol Model Engineers are helping to clear the workshop of a deceased member. Amongst many other things the workshop contained castings sets for:
1/4 scale Gardner model O engine from Anson Museum
1/4 scale Mery “ explosive” engine from original US suppier.
We have not yet found the drawings for either of these engines. When purchased some 10 plus years ago these casting sets cost £500 plus. We are aware that in the intervening years tastes, interests and skill levels  of modellers have changed.
So the purpose of this post is to seek advice on the level of interest there is in these engines. Are they popular and hence in demand or the opposite.
Given the current situation does any one have an idea of how much these will fetch. Any help or advice on best way to dispose of these would be appreciated.
Many thanks

[Jo]

We have castings and drawings for both of those 


If you are wanting top dollar put them on Fleabay: Personally I would not sell anything on Fleabay unless it is cash on collection  The Gardner should sell for at least £400 the Mery twice that (I suspect JasonB will want to bite your hand off for the Mery so he won't be happy with my valuation  )


There are plenty of old model engineers with lots of money to burn who would be happy to have either of those casting sets.

Jo

[Jasonb]

Both are still available as casting sets so you won't gain anything for rarity value and those that would have wanted them will have bought whenever they felt like it. If they really wanted them there is nothing to have stopped them buying, only a substantial saving is likely to see the moths fly. I think machining the trunk guide on the Mery is just a bit beyond the capacity of my workshop.

Jo's price for the Mery is about right if paying full current retail as it would cost over £100 in postage to get one from the suppliers so no real saving there.

https://www.martinmodel.com/collections/model-engine-casting-sets/products/mery-engine-casting-set.

As for Alyn's gardner She has not applied her usual half list price to that, this is the price from last summer, may have gone up a few quid since then

[Jo]

Jo's price for the Mery is about right if paying full current retail as it would cost over £100 in postage to get one from the suppliers so no real saving there.

Postage is £183, plus import taxes. You know we all love paying taxes on anything from USA  , so add another 20% for VAT.

Jo

[Alyn Foundry]

Hi Trevorc.

Just for the record our Gardner size 0 ( zero ) is a true half scale replica of their 1911 gas engine. Not at 1/4 scale.

If you have the timing gear set £500.00 is a very reasonable price to ask. I have to say that the finish wasn’t as fine as our earlier kits but the machinability was good. My sons who now run the business will be happy to furnish the buyer with the drawings via pdf for a nominal fee.

   Graham.

PS. I too have a set of Mery gas engine castings. 😉

[Jo]

PS. I too have a set of Mery gas engine castings. 😉

All the best people have a set 

[crueby]

PS. I too have a set of Mery gas engine castings. 😉

All the best people have a set 

    

[Jo]

There is still time Chris 

Castings are so much cheaper your side of the pond. In the UK the prices of second hand casting sets have been rising due to too many of the suppliers folding/retiring or only casting to paid for orders, which means a couple of months wait to get them 

Jo

[Jasonb]

But it's the cost of all those riser blocks Chris would have to stack up on the Sherline that will be the expensive part

So that set of castings I bought last week at approx 1/3rd the new price must have been the exception to these rising prices.

[Jo]

Clearly someone felt sorry for you youngsters who still have to work for a living   

Jo

[Trevorc]

Many thanks for you helpful comments and advice.
Regards
Trevorc

[Jo]

Looks like the Mery that appeared the other day on Fleabay (from Cwmbran near the Bristol Club) has sold       Jason you will have to bring it along with you on Saturday  so we can have a fondle

Jo

[Jasonb]

As I said I don't think A Mery will fit my machines. I'll  about offering you anything else to fondle

I did get a casting turn up unexpected this week FOC so it looks like I will be able to do the metric Clarkson all with castings. As there is not much left to do I might slip that in my pocket to impress you.

[Jo]

I might have to take ours along then to show Mike what all the fuss is about when we talk about the desirability of the Mery 



Jo

[Jasonb]

It is a nice engine, if only it were 1/5 scale.

Are you going to bring your Clarkson as a work in progress?

Build thread of a Mery  on HMEM at the moment