'Other' Constructional and Allied Systems Info & Downloads
Mercator Construction Sets
Mercator was a Meccano-like construction system. It was made in Belgium by Mercator in the 1940s and early 1950s.
There are two distinct types of Mercator sets:-
Mercator[1] - Hole spacing of 13mm and with some unusual plates. From the mid to late 1940s.
Mercator[2] - Hole spacing of 12.7mm with different parts and axle size. From the late 1940s to the early 1950s
Note that in the Mercator[1] manual below, the 'Miniator' system is also mentioned. These are almost certainly made by the same manufacturer. Especially as Miniator is essentially a scaled down version of Mercator.
Mercator[1]
Manufacturer / Distributor
Mercator. Factory: 97B rue de Fierlant. Office: 73 rue Pierre Decoster. Both of Forest-Bruxelles, Belgium
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for MERCATOR [1] (Ref:MTR1)
Mercator
Hole pitch >12.7mm
Belgium
1940s to known in 1949
Steel
M4
single-tapped
M4 (see comment *1)
25 (see comment *2)
95
13.0 (see comment *3)
5.0 (mean)
5.1 (mean)
5.0 (mean)
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: tapered cheese (slotted)
(see comment *4)
Steel with a Brass finish
(see comment *5)
8.0(see comment *6)
6.7(see comment *7)
Comments
Parts include some unusual Plates, 4" Pulley, 3 Boilers. *1 M3 (?) in one part. 3.8x26tpi earlier (Type 1e). *2 Mod 1. *3 12.7 in MCS. *4*5*6*7 Also hex nut and slotted cheesehead bolt plain brass 8.0 7.0.
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 MERCATOR [1] 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
Below there are manuals/leafets which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.
A Mercator(1) manual.
The rear cover is unfortunately missing from the copy scanned..
Note that the system 'Miniator' is also mentioned
(added 28/06/2019)
Photos of a Mercator(1) set.
(added 07/03/2021)
Photos of another Mercator(1) set.
(added 13/09/2023)
A Mercator(1) leaflet found in the previous set.
(added 13/09/2023)
Mercator[2]
Manufacturer / Distributor
Mercator. Factory: 97B rue de Fierlant. Office: 73 rue Pierre Decoster. Both of Forest-Bruxelles, Belgium
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for MERCATOR [2] (Ref:MTR2)
Meccano principle but sig. differences
Belgium
late 1940s (some significant doubt) to early 1950s (some significant doubt)
Steel
5/32W (some significant doubt)
double-tapped
3x40tpi
30 (see comment *1)
12.7 (see comment *2)
5.0 (mean)
4.5
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: round (slotted)
Steel with a Steel finish
`
8.0
Comments
Unlike MERCATOR [1] with different parts, hole pitch, Axle diameter, etc. *1 In set 6, the largest known. *2 Also known with 12.4mm. NB Thread & boss data for 12.4mm pitch parts.
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 MERCATOR [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 Mercator[2] available for downloading. If you can supply any, please get in contact with me.