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Part 55/55a: Perforated slotted strips

Part 55 was originally a "rubber band", supplied from 1911 to 1913 in outfits 4 to 6. In 1921 the 5½'' slotted strip was introduced as the replacement part 55, joined by the 2'' slotted strip in 1922.


55	Slotted strip, 5½''	1921	-	0	0	0	n/a
55a	Slotted strip, 2''	1922	-	1	2	2	N°9

The 5½'' and 2'' perforated strips

The parts

The slotted strips are a strange Meccano part, one of the very few with long slots allowing placement of bolts in any position. They were presumably designed to be useful in bracing frameworks where it is not possible to find bolt holes at standard spacing. They aren't quite as handy as they might be, as the resulting brace is only as secure as the bolt's ability to grip the edges of the hole.

The 5½'' strip is a fairly rare part, as it was never included in outfits. The 2'' strip is more common, and two were supplied in the largest outfits (7 and L), then in the 9 and above after 1937. It is particularly useful in small gearboxes and orreries, allowing non-standard spacing for unusual gear pairs.

EMP reports the 5½'' strip as being introduced in 1909 as part 7, then renumbered in 1921. I can't find any evidence for this. Help anyone?

Chronological variations

The design of both parts has not changed since its introduction. Not many parts this early in the list that we can say that about!

Variations and oddities

None known

Dealer spare parts boxes

Individual part numbers

Part numbers for the parts on this page are as follows: Unique part numbers
For identification, each variation has been given a suffix to the main Meccano part number. These suffixes consist of a two-character code for the colour, and if there are many variations, a further number and sometimes letter code to identify each variation. See the bottom of the 'Parts' page for further details.

You don't need to worry what the codes are, just click on any one for a photograph.

The button above turns on and off the display of DMS numbers (where they are known). The DMS (Development of the Meccano System, Hauton and Hindemarsh) published in 1972 and added to in 75 and 82, suggested part numbers for every variation of every Meccano part. These numbers aren't perfect, but they are recognised and also referenced in the EMP (Encyclopedia of Meccano Parts, Don Blakeborough).

Neils Gottlob's line drawings (where available) can be viewed by clicking the part number at the top of the table.

Description	from	55	55a
Nickel plated	21	.ni	.ni
Dark green	27	.dg	.dg
Medium green (pre-war)	33	.mg1	.mg1
Gold	34	.go	.go
Medium green	48	.mg	.mg
Light green	58	.lg	.lg
Nickel (Electrikit part 534) †	63-78		.ni1
Silver painted	64	.si	.si
Zinc	66	.zn	.zn
Dark blue	78	.db	.db
		ALL	ALL

Please send us pictures of missing parts! Hints and tips for pictures
Take a picture of the part in very good light, preferably on a plain yellow background, without a flash but with a tripod.
Ideally, trim the picture to about 150 pixels per inch of the Meccano part (unless the part is particularly big or small), save it as a reasonably good quality jpg file with a filename of exactly the part number, for example 19b.ni1.jpg, and email it to us by clicking on 'Contact us' at the top of the page. Thanks!

A greyed-out box shows that no part exists for that colour combination.
Part number codes with a green background have an attached picture of the part, just click once on the code to show a photograph of that part in a separate window.
Parts marked "†" were temporary or economy parts, or existed only within specific themed outfits. The previous part continued throughout or afterwards.

Further information

Total number of messages on this page: 11. This is page 2 of 2.

NP (at 10:29am, Mon 22nd Apr, 13)

ah-ha - problem solved ages ago as this is already in the archive: http://www.nzmeccano.com/image-44754

NP (at 10:24am, Mon 22nd Apr, 13)

I've found I do have a copy of the relevant HSMD manual. Page 43 lists parts 7. Perforated Strip (slotted), 14cm long. and 8. Perforated Strip (flat, double), 32cm long. On Page 42, it shows that one of part 7 was included in Outfits B and C. As it was (apparently) not included in Outfit A, it is strangely not listed as being in the AA set...? Time to update the text above Charles!!

Paul, Woolwich, England (at 3:34pm, Sat 13th Jun, 09)

Meccano Magazine 'Models of the Month' sometimes used part 55. It was used to provide the 'quick return' for the Box Filling Machine, MM, January 1958.

Dick Watson (at 4:14am, Sat 8th Sep, 07)

I will scan the appropriate pages in my not very good photocopy of the HSMD but will wait a week or so in case someone can scan an original one. I will need an E-Mail address.

Dick Watson (at 10:05am, Tue 4th Sep, 07)

The 5 1/2" Slotted strip was designed for use in model no. B 5 in the Hornby System of Mechanical Demonstration Manual - Quick Return Motion. It is still often used for similar mechanisms. It was given the number 7 (probably filling the gap for the 1 1/2" Strip which disappeared for a while)

Reply: Thanks very much, that makes a lot of sense! Now, does anyone have one? A scan of the correct manual page would be a start. Part 7 was the 'missing' one that later became the long angle girder, of course. That explains why the part number was used and then later became available again.

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