Understanding the Toy Scare

Why would anyone make a toy out of PVC in the first place? All concerns about lead aside, PVC leaches chlorine whenever the surface is cut. Whenever I machine PVC I have to clean the rust of of the tool holders, spindle, and HSS cutters that develops dut to the chlorine fumes comming of of the plastic.

I am often apalled at the ingnorance about plastics by a public that seems to lump all plastics into the same box as though they were all the same.

Why use PVC - the answer is quite simple - It is the cheapest to use and work with.

Until such time as industry is forced to work to the best interests of the end user in mind - that will never happen, bottom line is the bottom dollar, all else is marketing - we will have to regulate them into producing safe products (remember that at one time lead based dyes were used for candies for their brighter colours, low cost and sales appeal)

I love your signature! It's amazing how many people don't get it.

But if one has never been in the computer industry, I suppose they deserve a break. Still, in this day and age?

Well said Guest! I'm one of those folks that survived (so far) 6 decades and counting (and still healthy).

In my 20's I worked as an auto mechanic doing brake jobs (asbestos galore). MY compatriots, and I, prided ourselves on how fast we could do a 4 wheel brake job: hone brake cylinders, replace shoes, and get the vehicle back on the ground; ready to drive. My best time was 9 minutes. Blew asbestos around like no tomorrow. Did a lot of brake shoes back then. We even riveted our own asbestos onto the shoes (riveted shoes was considered better than bonded).

"I was good Ma, really good".

Not to take anything away from "needed" safety precautions, but I agree, things have gone way over the deep end in my humble opinion.

Kids NEED to have more rough and tumble!

< A re-posted reply from cr3 >

There is no need for any significant amount of lead in any children's toy's.

I am however, shocked by the ever decreasing quality of children's toys. It is also shocking to see big names such as Spiderman, Matchbox and countless others which are licensing their name to anything that sells. Some of which literally disgusts me in it's sub-par or nonexistent workmanship.

All in all, there is no quality to speak of. All toys are highly disposable, intermittently functional and consistently inconsistent.

The Tonka name is an exception to the rule. As is John Deere who makes a good number of fun replica toys. I also do well with Nerf and some of the Euro toys. And the kids and I really enjoy the well made German Playmobile toys. (It helps to have a close cousin who manages an independent toy store - Terra Toys)

I have many children in my life. It is sad that I am at a disadvantage in trying to share the joy of having a toy I was given when I was 4 which is now sitting on a shelf, well worn but still functional some 34 years later. In fact my 4 and 2 year old boys have toys from when I was their ages - and those toys aren't about to quit even now.

There is little name recognition any longer. There is less nostalgia. There are more batteries and beeps. All in all there seems to be much less American pride in the near extinct American Toy.

If it is true that one can not judge a book by it's cover, then I suggest it doubly so of toys. "One should not judge a toy by it's box"

cr3

___________

toys no-a-days seems are no longer heirlooms, but are considered disposable

I agree cr3.

It is sad but it's a sign of the times.

Two years ago I built my nieces and nephews a minature set of kitchen furnature, all out of MDF. Washer & dryer had a tub (metal basket) that spun on a Lazy-Susan bearing. Really came out nice. Afterward, I saw some similar kid's furnature at Pottery Barn.

What I built, I'm sure, cost a good bit more than the commercial version but that stuff didn't have the love, detail, and attention as mine.

The kids loved it and I loved making it.

All the agreeing everyone is giving is nice; but what of the 'good answer' competition.

Pleas see the inert gas and metal response...never-mind. Tail tucked, I return to my coffee.