multiple items wanted (combined threads)

[BFE127]

I'm in search of the most sought after item of the 50's and 60's. A Buckeye Roto-Ray light for my 1956 ALF 700 open-cab ladder truck. Any parts to build one will also help. I have many things to trade for that era light as well. Please PM me with what you have or where it may be, Thanks. Brian

[BFE127]

Anybody out there have any bits and pieces or whole parts to this wonderful three bulb/housing rotating light???

Restoring my ALF ladder truck and it's one major item I need.

Lot's of stuff to trade. Some pictures on my Photobucket page: http://s1176.photobucket.com/home/BFE127/index

Thanks for looking out, Brian

[fyrboy]

What parts do you need?

[BFE127]

Thanks for the hits, keep em coming, will post more pics of additional stuff this weekend.

[dale cohen]

It looks like this :

new old stock but not in original box

Dale

[BFE127]

I did find a nice original ALF Roto-ray pipe mount stand for my rig. Thanks fyrboy for looking out. Now to find something affordable to place on that stand.

[BFE127]

Just checking again, made some contacts but any other info is greatly appreciated?

I did find a nice original ALF Roto-ray pipe mount stand for my rig. Thanks fyrboy for looking out. Now to find something affordable to place on that stand.

[BFE127]

Any old style parts out there?

[Sarge619]

Any old style parts out there?

The owner of the company is my uncle. He's owned the patents and been producing the lights since the late 70's. I know he has done restorations of older units for FD's in the past, so he may just have the parts you need. If not, he'd be the one to steer you in the right direction. Certainly wouldn't hurt to call him:

Roto-Rays
722 Park Ave.,
Herndon, VA 20170-3232
Ph: (703) 437-3353

Tell him his nephew Mike suggested you call.

Good luck!

[apu]

Your Uncle Rocks! Wish he was my Uncle.

The owner of the company is my uncle. He's owned the patents and been producing the lights since the late 70's. I know he has done restorations of older units for FD's in the past, so he may just have the parts you need. If not, he'd be the one to steer you in the right direction. Certainly wouldn't hurt to call him:

Roto-Rays
722 Park Ave.,
Herndon, VA 20170-3232
Ph: (703) 437-3353

Tell him his nephew Mike suggested you call.

Good luck!

[Sarge619]

Your Uncle Rocks! Wish he was my Uncle.

Thanks! I won't disagree with you!

He, another uncle and my grandfather were all volunteers for the Herndon, VA VFD (Fairfax County Company 4) before the county assumed operations in '77. Both he and the other uncle became career FF's for the County. He retired as a Lieutenant. His son is currently a career Lieutenant for the county fire/rescue department. He bought the patents to Roto-Rays to keep the tradition and product alive and as a retirement business (and quite a successful one at that!). He builds those units by hand himself (sometimes with some help from his son and brother when a large order comes in). He's also an antique apparatus enthusiast and owner of a 1955 GMC/American pumper from Great Falls, VA (his favorite truck in the county) that he located after retirement in Tennessee. He bought her, brought her back to VA and restored her to like-new condition. Here's pics (photographer unknown, all credit to them) showing how she looked before and after he restored her:

Great Falls Before Bestoration.jpg
Great Falls After Restoration 2011.jpg

[dmathieu]

Now THAT is a fire truck!!

Dan

[apu]

Stellar job! Looks great!

[dakarm34]

So ANY way we can get your uncle to build us some display versions? They don't have to be built to the same specs as if they're used on the trucks everyday. What would a large order be? Do we get the family discount? I mean besides a MARS, I've always wanted a Roto-Ray! And another thing, why the HECK isn't he part of this forum! I mean if we can have the guy who builds Roto-Rays as part of our group...holy _rap....

I'd trade him my mini Mars bar...

[BFE127]

Thanks for the post, brother. I've talked to him at great lengths and even stirred him in the right direction for a rear step windshield for that American of his. The man is a Saint and a Gentleman. He has given me a good deal of info and willing to assist me with a remake of the one I need if I cannot find all the pieces of a true brass gear driven one.

For those who ask why he is not a member of the forum,,,,,,,,he doesn't do email either! That's OLD SCHOOL!!!! Period. Call him and he will help.

Thanks for the post fellas, good looking out! Brian

[Sarge619]

So ANY way we can get your uncle to build us some display versions? They don't have to be built to the same specs as if they're used on the trucks everyday. What would a large order be? Do we get the family discount? I mean besides a MARS, I've always wanted a Roto-Ray! And another thing, why the HECK isn't he part of this forum! I mean if we can have the guy who builds Roto-Rays as part of our group...holy _rap....

I'd trade him my mini Mars bar...

Heck... I don't know if even I get a family discount!! I did tell him I wanted to get one for my office though.... He only builds them to one specification... no cutting corners... uses the same components whether it's going on a rig or a desk. What would constitute a large order? Well, I know he's gotten multiple orders (10 or more at one time) from manufacturers like Pierce and Seagrave and various apparatus distributors.....

[Sirenman]

I have known and dealt with Richard since he first began producing the new Roto-Rays. A nicer guy you'll never find.
That was back in the days when you could buy one for $400+.
John Dorgan

[Sarge619]

I have known and dealt with Richard since he first began producing the new Roto-Rays. A nicer guy you'll never find.
That was back in the days when you could buy one for $400+.
John Dorgan

John, many thanks for the kind words about Uncle Richard.... he speaks HIGHLY of you too... hear that potential customers? Of course, I speak highly of John too.... he sold me my first CJ184 and was a genuine pleasure to do business with.... hope to do so again in the future!

[BFE127]

Almost a year since I posted this thread. Anyone found any other parts or such?

Email me; bgcollins@atlanticbb.net

Thanks

[AshSkip]

Theres a whole unit on ebay rite now but its kind of pricy. what does the new ones sell for?

[Sarge619]

Theres a whole unit on ebay rite now but its kind of pricy. what does the new ones sell for?

BIG bucks Skip. While expensive, it's not the priciest I've seen on the 'bay (or elsewhere)

[BFE127]

Thanks Skip, I was out of town and missed the link to it. B

Theres a whole unit on ebay rite now but its kind of pricy. what does the new ones sell for?

[Wigwam700]

The owner of the company is my uncle. He's owned the patents and been producing the lights since the late 70's. I know he has done restorations of older units for FD's in the past, so he may just have the parts you need. If not, he'd be the one to steer you in the right direction. Certainly wouldn't hurt to call him:

Roto-Rays
722 Park Ave.,
Herndon, VA 20170-3232
Ph: (703) 437-3353

Tell him his nephew Mike suggested you call.

Good luck!

Mike,
do you know when Roto-rays were first introduced on fire aparatus? I recently came across a guy restoring a 1927 American LaFrance and the Roto-ray was in the back of the truck in the bed along with other assorted parts not attached. I just wanted to let him know if this was original or possibly a retrofit.
Thanks
Todd

[Wigwam700]

Thanks! I won't disagree with you!

He, another uncle and my grandfather were all volunteers for the Herndon, VA VFD (Fairfax County Company 4) before the county assumed operations in '77. Both he and the other uncle became career FF's for the County. He retired as a Lieutenant. His son is currently a career Lieutenant for the county fire/rescue department. He bought the patents to Roto-Rays to keep the tradition and product alive and as a retirement business (and quite a successful one at that!). He builds those units by hand himself (sometimes with some help from his son and brother when a large order comes in). He's also an antique apparatus enthusiast and owner of a 1955 GMC/American pumper from Great Falls, VA (his favorite truck in the county) that he located after retirement in Tennessee. He bought her, brought her back to VA and restored her to like-new condition. Here's pics (photographer unknown, all credit to them) showing how she looked before and after he restored her:

Great Falls Before Bestoration.jpg
Great Falls After Restoration 2011.jpg

Mike,
these are great photos of this rig. Can you send me a frontal view of it if you have one? Thanks too for the great info on these lihts and your uncle.
Todd

[Sarge619]

Mike,
these are great photos of this rig. Can you send me a frontal view of it if you have one? Thanks too for the great info on these lihts and your uncle.
Todd

Todd, I just happen to have some large-format pics I took (including a full-frontal) the last time I visited Richard. I'll send them out to you!

Mike

[Sarge619]

Here's some of the pics (slightly smaller format) of Richards truck that I took on my last visit.... GOTTA love that chrome nose!!

Enjoy!! (both photos taken by me)

Great Falls - front (a).jpg

Great Falls GMC - 2.jpg

[Sarge619]

Mike,
do you know when Roto-rays were first introduced on fire aparatus? I recently came across a guy restoring a 1927 American LaFrance and the Roto-ray was in the back of the truck in the bed along with other assorted parts not attached. I just wanted to let him know if this was original or possibly a retrofit.
Thanks
Todd

Todd, here's what I know:

The original patent for the Roto-Ray was applied for on September 23, 1927 (patent #1772499) and was granted August 12, 1930.

It is conceivable that the original manufacturer, Buckeye Iron and Brass Works began producing them prior to their patent being granted. While I've found data online regarding the actual patent itself, I haven't been able to locate any info as to when production initially started. IF they started producing them the same year they applied for patent protection, that might have been "original equipment" on your friend's LaFrance. I'll keep digging to see if I can find a more definative date. I do have early product advertisements, one of them from 1930, but nothing older.

1930 advertisement from Buckeye Iron and Brass Works:

Roto-Ray ad 1930.jpg

[dmathieu]

Now THAT is a fire truck!!!

[50theman]

AD buckeye 1941.jpg