Farm Toy Restoration Expert

2014 - Volume #38, Issue #2, Page #07

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Roger Inman, a retired farmer from Vinton, Iowa has long been recognized as the farm toy restoration “go to” guy. “I’ve been doing this for 35 years,” Inman says. “I even got to go to the first National Farm Toy Show.”
  Inman lives just an hour from Dyersville, Iowa, home to the National Farm Toy Show. He says he got started taking apart his own toys, then restoring them. The hobby took off and today Inman says, “I have customers in 27 states, and I’ve never advertised.”
  He likes to work on all brands of toys. It’s usually at shows that his customers bring him their toys and pick up the completed models. While he works on all makes and models, he said he gets more requests for Deere and International Harvester toys than Allis Chalmers, Oliver and Case.”
  When Inman receives a project, he has a set process he goes through. “First, I make a list of the needed parts to fix the tractor, and then the list stays with the toy in the box until it’s done. I add to the list if needed.
  “Next, I take everything off, even the rims off the tires. I boil them in water to soften them up,” he added. Once the toy is disassembled, he takes it to his farm to be sandblasted using silica sand.
  Taking the time to fill in scratches, Inman works with the surface until it’s smooth and then he paints. He has a designated paint room with an exhaust.”
  The paint comes from local dealerships and he works on any size model farm tractor including pedal tractors. One of the neatest perks that Inman says he has received was when he received a call from Deere and a photographer came out and took a picture of him with a restored toy for a calendar. “They only went to four people for this” he added.
  Inman’s children are proud of their dad’s accomplishments and when the opportunity arises to work with him at a show like the Half Century of Progress, they come and enjoy the family time. Denise is right at home in the farm atmosphere. “I am married to a farmer. We grow sugar cane, sweet corn, celery and green beans for fresh market.”
  To contact Inman about farm toy restoration, call 319 472-4128.

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Farm Toy Restoration Expert FARM HOME Toys/Games Roger Inman a retired farmer from Vinton Iowa has long been recognized as the farm toy restoration “go to” guy “I’ve been doing this for 35 years ” Inman says “I even got to go to the first National Farm Toy Show ” Inman lives just an hour from Dyersville Iowa home to the National Farm Toy Show He says he got started taking apart his own toys then restoring them The hobby took off and today Inman says “I have customers in 27 states and I’ve never advertised ” He likes to work on all brands of toys It’s usually at shows that his customers bring him their toys and pick up the completed models While he works on all makes and models he said he gets more requests for Deere and International Harvester toys than Allis Chalmers Oliver and Case ” When Inman receives a project he has a set process he goes through “First I make a list of the needed parts to fix the tractor and then the list stays with the toy in the box until it’s done I add to the list if needed “Next I take everything off even the rims off the tires I boil them in water to soften them up ” he added Once the toy is disassembled he takes it to his farm to be sandblasted using silica sand Taking the time to fill in scratches Inman works with the surface until it’s smooth and then he paints He has a designated paint room with an exhaust ” The paint comes from local dealerships and he works on any size model farm tractor including pedal tractors One of the neatest perks that Inman says he has received was when he received a call from Deere and a photographer came out and took a picture of him with a restored toy for a calendar “They only went to four people for this” he added Inman’s children are proud of their dad’s accomplishments and when the opportunity arises to work with him at a show like the Half Century of Progress they come and enjoy the family time Denise is right at home in the farm atmosphere “I am married to a farmer We grow sugar cane sweet corn celery and green beans for fresh market ” To contact Inman about farm toy restoration call 319 472-4128

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