'Other' Constructional and Allied Systems Info & Downloads
Aluminium Construction Set
Girder Bilt
Engineero(2)
Junior Mechanic
Jiffy Builder
These five systems all use the same, very similar if not identical Aluminium strips in the same sizes. Although the instruction pictures all show square ends to the strips it is thought that most of not all the systems have either semi-radiused ends or cropped corners. These systems were all made in the USA in (probably) the late 1940s to the early 1950s.
The 'Swing' model in both the Aluminium Construction set and Girder Bilt instructions are identical and appear to use the same artwork. Instructions for both these systems also show a similar building (approx twice the height for the Aluminium Construction Set one.
Engineero(2) and Junior Mechanic additionally both contain flanged plates and wheels of the same colour and build many of the same models which appear to share the same artwork. Also some of the Helpful Construction Hints are also virtually identical word for word between the two instruction leaflets.
The manufacturers of both Aluminium Construction Set and Junior Mechanic were in the same town.
Aluminium Construction Set
Manufacturer / Distributor
Roberts Enterprises, 70-60 Broadway, Jackson Heights, New York, USA
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION SET (Ref:ACS)
Meccano principle but sig. differences
USA
circa 1942 to after 1950
Aluminium (Alloy)
--
10
12.7
3.5
2.9 (Screwed Rods or Bolts are used as axles.)
Nuts:
Bolts:
`
Comments
Quite similar to GIRDER BILT & by same maker. Also similarities to JUNIOR MECHANIC, made in same town. All have Strips wrongly shown with square ends.
The MCS document for this system is shown below. It can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the MCS document does not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Below there are manuals/leafets which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.
An Aluminium Construction Set instruction leaflet.
(Added 23/05/2019)
Girder Bilt
Manufacturer / Distributor
Play Items, Inc., Room 518, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York, USA
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for GIRDER BILT (Ref:G-B)
Meccano principle but sig. differences
USA
1950s (some significant doubt)
Aluminium (Alloy)
4-40 (see comment *1)
no boss
----
--
10
12.7
3.5
3.2 (see comment *2)
--- (Screwed Rods or Bolts are used as axles.)
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: various (slotted)
Steel with a Black metallic finish
(see comment *3)
6.4(see comment *4)
(see comment *5)
Comments
Like ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION SET, but Strips have rounded ends. 'Super' before name sometimes. Hyphenated on manual. *1 3-48 in one set. *2 Rubber Wheel. *3 Also brass & aluminium Nuts. *4*5 3-48 are hex nuts and slotted panhead bolts black metallic steel 4.7 4.8.
The MCS document for this system is shown below. It can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
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The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for GIRDER BILT do not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
There are currently no manuals, leaflets or photos etc. of Girder Bilt available for downloading. If you can supply any, please get in contact with me.
Engineero(2)
Manufacturer / Distributor
Namac Corporation, Newark, New Jersey, USA
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for ENGINEERO [2] (Ref:ENG2)
Meccano principle but sig. differences
USA
late 1940s (some significant doubt)
Aluminium (Alloy)
5-40 (see comment *1)
no boss
----
--
10
12.7
4.7
---
3.1 (Screwed Rods or Bolts are used as axles.) (see comment *2)
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: round (slotted)
Steel with a Steel finish
7.8
5.9
Comments
Red lid with name in white panel & models in blue panel above. Models as JUNIOR MECHANIC; parts differ slightly in detail. Sets 1 & 2 known, similar in content to JUNIOR MECHANIC #101, 201. *15-32 on Crank Handle. *2Chromium Handle, no Axles.
The MCS document for this system is shown below. It can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the MCS document does not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for ENGINEERO [2] do not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
There are currently no manuals, leaflets or photos etc. of Engineero(2) available for downloading. If you can supply any, please get in contact with me.
Junior Mechanic
Manufacturer / Distributor
Mechanicraft Inc., Jackson Heights, N.Y., USA
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for JUNIOR MECHANIC (Ref:J M)
Meccano principle but sig. differences
USA
1946 to 1950s (some significant doubt)
Aluminium (Alloy)
5-40
no boss
----
--
13
12.7
3.5
---
3.2 (Screwed Rods or Bolts are used as axles.) (see comment *1)
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: round (slotted)
Steel with a Steel finish
(see comment *2)
7.9(see comment *3)
5.8
Comments
Flgd Plates have holes only in flanges. compare with ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION SET made in same town. Strips, Brackets have 45° cropped corners but may exist with square ends. *1 Crank Handle only. *2*3 Also Nuts plain aluminium, 7.7 Across flats.
The MCS document for this system is shown below. It can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the MCS document does not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for JUNIOR MECHANIC do not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
There are currently no manuals, leaflets or photos etc. of Junior Mechanic available for downloading. If you can supply any, please get in contact with me.
Jiffy Builder
Manufacturer / Distributor
Unknown manufacturer
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for JIFFY BUILDER (Ref:JIF)
Meccano principle but sig. differences
USA
after World War Two
4-48 (see comment *1)
no boss
----
--
9
12.7
3.5
2.9 (see comment *2)
--- (Screwed Rods or Bolts are used as axles.)
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: round (slotted)
Steel with a Dull plated finish
(see comment *3)
4.7(see comment *4)
4.9(see comment *5)
Comments
Very like GIRDER-BILT, & in very similar canister but red/green. *1 Also? 4-?. *2 In hard, red rubber Wheel. *3*4*5 Also Bolt dull plated steel 5.1 diameter, Nut nickel plated brass 5.7 Across flats.
Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for JIFFY BUILDER do not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
There are currently no manuals, leaflets or photos etc. of Jiffy Builder available for downloading. If you can supply any, please get in contact with me.