Farmer Builds Detailed Farm Toys From Scratch

1995 - Volume #19, Issue #5, Page #21

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John Hass started making detailed models of his parents' farm equipment when he was 12 years old because purchased toys were expensive and models of some of the equipment his family used didn't exist..
The retired farmer's first detailed builtfrom-scratch toy was a Deere D that even today compares favorably with other mini models built by adult toy enthusiasts. He followed up with a mini Allis Chalmers. Most parts on both tractors were carved out of wood.
As a boy, one of his jobs was tending the grain wagon along side the family's Case threshing machine. So, naturally, a mini thresher was his next project. He made the body out of wood covered with tin, and cut pulleys out of wood. Transport wheels are rollers taken from the chain carrier of a junked manure spreader.
When his family bought its first combine in 1946, Hass had to construct a mini copy of it - a Case pull-type. Several years later when they bought a Deere 45 self-propelled combine, Hass built one of his most de-tailed and authentic looking models. He put 365 hrs. into building the Deere 45, which is authentic in every detail.
Hass notes that some items on his mini models that don't look very difficult to do, actually often provide the biggest challenge. For example, fitting spring teeth to the Deere 45 combine's reel was not easy. When he would solder one of the small tines to the metal reel, the others would fall off. He finally discovered that if he clamped a vice grips to the reel next to the tine he was soldering, it would deflect enough heat so the others would stay cool.
In addition to farm toys, Hass has also made revolvers using a metal lathe. And he creates sculptures out of junk metal that dot the landscape around his Rock Rapids home. His latest project is a full-size ostrich family sitting along the road in the Hass front yard. He was able to observe real ostriches closely because his son-in-law raises them. The tall male ostrich has a full size standard mailbox hidden inside its breast. One of the feathers on the birds back is pivoted to swing up as the postman's flag.
One toy Hass built that kids enjoy is his push-pull 3-wheel cart. With their feet resting on the front wheel supports, and their hands on the "T" handle which connects to the rear axle, they can push or pull on the T -bar to propel the cart. One rear wheel is fastened solid to the crank handle, which rides around the wheel as the T handle is pumped. Hass has plans available for the push-pull cart.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John W. Hass, 104 Crestview Dr., Rock Rapids, Iowa 51246 (ph 712 472-2928).

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Farmer Builds Detailed Farm Toys From Scratch AG WORLD Ag World 19-5-21 John Hass started making detailed models of his parents' farm equipment when he was 12 years old because purchased toys were expensive and models of some of the equipment his family used didn't exist.. The retired farmer's first detailed builtfrom-scratch toy was a Deere D that even today compares favorably with other mini models built by adult toy enthusiasts. He followed up with a mini Allis Chalmers. Most parts on both tractors were carved out of wood. As a boy, one of his jobs was tending the grain wagon along side the family's Case threshing machine. So, naturally, a mini thresher was his next project. He made the body out of wood covered with tin, and cut pulleys out of wood. Transport wheels are rollers taken from the chain carrier of a junked manure spreader. When his family bought its first combine in 1946, Hass had to construct a mini copy of it - a Case pull-type. Several years later when they bought a Deere 45 self-propelled combine, Hass built one of his most de-tailed and authentic looking models. He put 365 hrs. into building the Deere 45, which is authentic in every detail. Hass notes that some items on his mini models that don't look very difficult to do, actually often provide the biggest challenge. For example, fitting spring teeth to the Deere 45 combine's reel was not easy. When he would solder one of the small tines to the metal reel, the others would fall off. He finally discovered that if he clamped a vice grips to the reel next to the tine he was soldering, it would deflect enough heat so the others would stay cool. In addition to farm toys, Hass has also made revolvers using a metal lathe. And he creates sculptures out of junk metal that dot the landscape around his Rock Rapids home. His latest project is a full-size ostrich family sitting along the road in the Hass front yard. He was able to observe real ostriches closely because his son-in-law raises them. The tall male ostrich has a full size standard mailbox hidden inside its breast. One of the feathers on the birds back is pivoted to swing up as the postman's flag. One toy Hass built that kids enjoy is his push-pull 3-wheel cart. With their feet resting on the front wheel supports, and their hands on the "T" handle which connects to the rear axle, they can push or pull on the T -bar to propel the cart. One rear wheel is fastened solid to the crank handle, which rides around the wheel as the T handle is pumped. Hass has plans available for the push-pull cart. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John W. Hass, 104 Crestview Dr., Rock Rapids, Iowa 51246 (ph 712 472-2928).

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