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I've been getting into vintage building toys lately, specifically the wooden and metal sets. It's fascinating to see the differences in how they've held up over time,and also how they approach construction differently. The metal sets, like some old Erector sets I've seen, definitely win out on durability. The metal pieces can bend, but they're far less likely to break than some of the wooden blocks, especially if the wood wasn't properly treated.
Aesthetically though, it's a tougher call. The wooden sets often have a warmth and hand-crafted feel that the metal ones can't quite match. Painted wooden blocks,especially those with older,possibly lead-based paints (obviously,keep these away from kids!) frequently enough have a beautiful patina. Metal sets, on the other hand, can look very industrial and cool, but can also show rust and scratches much more readily. Does anyone else have experience comparing the long-term condition and visual appeal of these different types of vintage building toys? I'm curious to hear what others have found. What are your restoration experiences with either material?