[CW] Vibroplex Key Project. Is it a J-36 or a Lightning Bug?

[Joe V31JP]

Hello, Mike.

The J-36 was made as David said, by three companies. The Lionel 
typically had the celluloid
name tag that disintegrated over time. Some manufacturers use a rubber 
stamp that said
among other things, "J-38" and it was a reddish orange in colour. This 
could be on the top,
bottom or both top and bottom in a few cases. Even my '55 Vibroplex Blue 
Racer Deluxe
had those words stamped on the base in the reddish orange paint.

Over the years, many operators affixed their 'bugs' to the operating 
position by various means.
Old rail road operators often drilled a hole through the base and put a 
screw through it to the
table in the situation of a single operator station. As in your key's 
case, maybe an operator
used straps to hold it down as a ship board operator or even in a Korean 
conflict GRC-26
hutch in the back of a 6-by.

Too bad they cut the rivets off as they are usually easy to pull out, 
some requiring a twist.

I do not believe you will destroy a 'one of' type of key, Mike.  Good 
luck on the restoration.
I am doing a 1912 Original now. The base is Japanned and working on the 
top pieces.
I, also, just started a 1928 #6 restoration with a nickel plated base. I 
took that base and the
base of the '55 to a plating company in Bossier, LA. The Blue Racer base 
is nice again,
but the #6 base blistered. The owner suspects that there may have still 
been some oil on
the steel yet even after cleaning. They are re-ding it and my daughter 
will mail it down
with my monthly VA medications.


On 4/29/2012 12:26 PM, Mike Baker wrote:
> My newly acquired key is offering up a mystery or two.
> Black crinkly finish base (1940 to mid-50's Lightning Bug or J-36) all parts
> appear to be chromed save for a few screws.
> NO Label.
> It wasn't until I made a more detailed observation that I noticed that the
> bottom showed where there were holes for the nameplate rivets to go BUT the
> top showed no rivet holes.  The rivets had been cut off and I presume the
> key over sprayed enough to cover them up. Rivet locations are the same as
> the lightning bug so I am now assuming that's what it is.
> BUT, then I discover clamping marks in the finish along both sides near the
> paddle end as if it had been in a vise.
> Further observation indicates two lines that cross the key almost directly
> over the rivet locations but not squarely. On a diagonal. They intersect
> outside the key maybe 5 inches away from the key base on the side by the
> terminals. Odd. As if it were clamped to a desk maybe?
>
> Here is the real mystery.
> Orange lettering that is barely readable at all (due to the overspray and ?)
> on the top nearest the side of the dit post almost directly across from the
> most forward terminal post!  NOT something I have seen in any paddle. The
> J-36 marks were on the bottom and resembled a square. This appears to be
> some form of lettering. I cannot make out what it says.
>
> Anyone got a clue as to what I am seeing?
>
> Before I attempt to restore this key I want to make sure I am not trashing
> some "one of" type of heirloom!
>
> Ideas?
>
> Mike Baker  K7DD
>
>
>
>
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-- 
161, Joe, Ronnie(Rowena), Marty&  Sidney Pontek
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
011-501-503-7346 Belize
011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
903-424-4267 (My cellular when in Texas)
Also, K8JP, member FOC1743,CWops876,QCWA-LM21894,OOTC4607,A1OP,SKCC3171T,NAQCC5798,FISTS7625CC951,FP-2819
LotW  Skype: v31joepalooka
http://www.justanswer.com/lp-1eh8-tool-repair
I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever, Zephyr, Champion, Lionel J-36 and prefer basket cases to restore.