OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Unusual Customisation Projects My Victa 18 Special Coffee Table Project

im new to the forum but i love what you have done with the coffee table

Hi Gavin and a warm welcome to the forum. We all like to learn new things and tinker here
Thanks for your kind comments mate...It has been fun doing this project...just don't know what my next one will be!!

You could always try the bracket set up that I have done.They are small but strong enough to handle the weight.I don't think that they take the focus away from the mower.You would have to watch the base where the handle bars are.I've seen them crack just from normal use let a lone the weight of the glass on it.They could very easily crack there.

Yes Jeffrey, I am keeping a sharp eye on the handle brackets....I am thinking of using your method and will be sourcing the materials shortly mate.

If you need some closer pictures let me know.It is simple to make.Just two straight round pieces of metal.A small section of pipe (cut in half to go under the handles bars) 2 screws welded to the metal rods on the bottom and 2 nuts under the base to hold it down tight.Simple yet very affective.

Thanks for that info Jeffrey....I will post some pics as I go along.
BTW: when will the 'Big Trip" be on? Joe tells me it got postponed last weekend. I'm just waiting for the snorkel and air filter to complete 'Mervyn'

Not sure when we will do the trip.Soon I hope I will have a chat with the boy soon (Ty) and will work it out.

I think i might have to start looking around for an Victa 18 special myself to restore , Dad has given me a set of new wheels for this model which he has had in his in his garage for years , so i'm off to a good start ,

Hi Deejay,
Great idea for an old mower. Design and material make such a wonderful project to restore as a new item. I am a Design and Technology teacher and will be teaching Auto studies next year and your work will inspire others. well done !
Just a idea. Use clear glass with a frosted/sandblasted edge/border to frame your wonderful work.
cheers
Dday

Hi there Dday, welcome to the forum, its great to see a member from my home statem up until 12 years ago I used to live in franklin within the huon valley. Its funny in a way a lot of us tasmanans have ended up here where I am, my ute belonged to a builder/wood work teach/ mechanic from lillydale up near launceston.

Once again welcome to the forum

G'day Darryl , looking forward to the finished pics , soon ?????

Hi Al, mate still waiting for Ty to come with the bits I need to finish it....He hasn't been well lately and we wish him well for a speedy recovery.
I didn't realise is has been 9 months since I put it together. I will post pics as soon as it is complete, mate.
Best wishes Al, keep well mate,

Hi to All,
Thanks to one of our ODK members Dave, (vccomm) I now have the Victa 18 Special snorkel and air filter, soon on its way, to complete the restoration.

I have also sourced a leaf guard (though not original to the Series 1 Model 5)...I think it will add to the overall look as a coffee table, and become a talking point between aficionados...I will post new pics as soon as it has been installed and completed.

About bloody time! Good on ya dave,I thought id never here the end of it lols. Now fit em up Deejay so I can oooh and ahhh! Well done fellas,I love a happy ending:)

should be soon too hahahaha . its on its way as we speak

Hi to All,
After some cleaning, a little TLC and fitting them to the machine, the Victa coffee table is now complete with its leaf guard, snorkel and air filter. Although these parts were not fitted originally to the Model 5 Series 1 machines, they sure look good and are practical for the coffee table, as a long snorkel would be bent and perish at the bend and be a shame because they are getting rarer to find these days.

To all who contributed knowledge, parts and enthusiasm...my many, many thanks....

And now for the moment.......TA DAAAHAAA!!

More pics to follow.

Hi to all ODK Members and Guests,
Here are the extra pics as promised....





A new clear glass top with etched edging is being made for it...which will make it easier to see the machine through it; rather than the smoked glass it has at present.

Ahhhh...Its nice to see the final result! A Spectacular example of history and practical art combined.

Yes,id hesitated to invite myself for coffee...No not because of manners,because my OCD would consume me having to sit at an unfinished coffee table. Baaahaaaahaaa
The best coffee table ive seen thus far....

Now,Since your clearly adept at restoration I think its time your collection got started! And no more my wife will kill me excuses lols.

Time to find you a nice Rotomo to play with as this will be sure to entice you into addiction....lmao

Hi Mal, and many thanks for your kind comments, and yes, I would definitely like a Victa Model 2a rotomo to play with...
If only.....

Me too...I still dont have one:( although I do have an engine....Sighs* Ive had an engine for 10 years...lols

Hi to all ODK Members and Guests,
Now that the project is complete, here's a reminder of what the machine looked like before we started.....

And how it finished up....


Many, many thanks to Joe Carrol, for sourcing the original machine for me...I hope it has done you proud, mate....
Thanks all for looking...

Lmao.....Is that the Scott bonnar Reel behind? No wonder the carpet looks perfectly manicured....

Deejay

There is an old guy at Yarawonga Victoria that sells Victa 18 parts.

He has brand new replica wheels. the tires were made in same factory that made originals.

Did you get wheels from him?

Hi Rexxpro,and a warm welcome to the forum.
No mate, the wheels (which are no longer available) were sourced through the ODK Online Store in 2011....(with many thanks to Bruce) and the hubcaps from eBay....which were NOS, and absolutely look a treat!

I was going to complete the machine in its original 'Avocado' green hammertone as per the original 'working clothes' but my wife stated "I am not having a crappy green mower in my lounge room" so I finished it in 'Midnight Blue' metallic...and now she loves it!

As one very wise man once said...."Don't mess with the nest"....I heeded the advice, and now have an unusual coffee table!

Once again, to OutdoorKing.

WoW! what a magnificent result. Great job. I have one of these or similar gathering dust somewhere, but never even imagined it could look so good.