Precision or high detail farm toys are replicas of the original equipment. Doug Hastings scratch-built farm toys have such incredible detail they are considered clones in scale form. Many have even referred to them as perfection personified.

Doug achieves personal satisfaction by creating detail to the nth degree. “I don't always get it right the first time. In fact I built three gas tanks for my 1:8 scale Farmall F-30 tractor before I was satisfied. As I finish a piece of equipment, I'll check it over. If it's good enough for me, I'll know that others will like it,” he commented.

Seemingly unassuming and quiet, Doug is always pondering. He contemplates ways to add that final detail along with incorporating as many moving parts as possible. His craftsmanship is beyond reproach.

Farm Raised – Farming Interests

Doug grew up on a multi-enterprise Davis County farm located in southeastern Iowa. Their 300-acre farm included: hogs, chickens, beef cattle and a few milk cows. Corn and beans were their principle row crops. “I caught the farm equipment bug very early as my favorite job was plowing with the Farmall H and two-bottom plow. The interest in farm equipment never faded even though I did not stay on the farm,” he shared. Doug and Beverly Hastings currently reside in West Branch, Iowa.

While located in a rich Iowa farming community, West Branch is best known as the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States. Throngs of visitors enjoy the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Prairie when traveling though West Branch.

During his adult life, Doug's work experience has been farm or heavy equipment related. He first worked in the Lunds factory for 16 years. Then he logged 3 years employment with John Deere's Ottumwa Works where forage equipment was manufactured. And for the past 10 years, Doug has driven mixers and semis for the Hawkeye Ready-Mix Company.

Craftsmanship Genes

If you checked Doug's DNA, there would likely not be an identifiable gene for craftsmanship. However, his ability to build was obviously inherited from his dad. “Apparently I came by my interests to build and create quite naturally as my dad, Paul Hastings, was very handy. He built full-size wagons, trailers and log splitters along with other things he used on the farm. He would always help neighbors by fixing or building things they needed. When he got older, he started making toys out of wood. His real gift was making things from memory as he did no measuring,” Doug reflected.

Doug started by tinkering with drag cars built with brass. These cars were raced on slot car racetracks. Doug realized that he could actually build miniatures so he launched into more familiar territory. “My race car building experience was good. Through it, I realized I could build scale replicas. But, I really preferred farm tractors and equipment. The farm background came out in a different way as I began building scale versions of farm equipment,” Doug explained.

Doug views his craftsmanship as a farm toy hobby and not a business. He once built for others but time constraints have limited Doug's craft to his personal collection. “I first built 1:16 scale John Deere two-bottom plows. I then moved to 1:8 scale where I've completed five detailed pieces. I keep my interest in scratch building as a hobby, so I work on them when I want to or have time. I would like to make more John Deere or Farmall implements in that scale. My color preference though is Farmall. I plan to get something more started in that favorite brand,” Doug noted.

Scale of Preference – 1:8

The true craftsman will confess that building through trial and error is the most effective teacher. Doug inherited his aptitude and eye for quality detail from his dad, but the School of Hard Knocks proved most effective. “I work countless hours to get a piece the way I want it. As mentioned earlier, I struggled in making the gas tank right for the Farmall F-30,” Doug lamented.

Creating collector toys in 1:8 scale offers different opportunities than scratch building in the smaller scale versions. “I prefer building in 1:8 scale. I now have 35 tractors in this scale, many of which I have customized to some degree. I like the fact that Joe Ertl of Scale Models makes them in the U.S.A. Building in 1:8 scale allows me to work in greater detail. I can also incorporate more moving parts. In addition, there are small bolts available to secure the many parts,” Doug stated.

Scratch-Built Centerpiece – Farmall F-30

All of Doug Hastings scratch-built toys are unique as they have incredible detail. But, the most exquisite is the Farmall F-30. He shared about the Farmall F-30 by saying, “I never drove one, but I just liked the looks. We combined oats for some relation and I remember riding in the wagon pulled by the ole Farmall. I always liked those un-styled Farmall F-20s and F-30s. They just seemed so very special. I carried those fond memories all the time I was building the 1:8 scale tractor,” he related.

The basic component of the tractor is brass. There are 305 bolts utilizing sizes: 090, 080, 072 and 056. There are 11 bearings, 9 gears and 11 springs.

Doug described the working parts, by saying: “All of the steering works, including the steering wheel with a turn knob and the worm in the front steering mechanism. The clutch and both brake pedals work. The engine turns over. The crank is geared up to the distributor and moves when cranking. The throttle and choke lever operate. The power takeoff and belt pulley both turn. There is a functioning spark lever. The gearshift lever is operational. And, the oil fill cap screws off. In all, I have over 400 hours in this project.”

Additional 1:8 scale scratch-built pieces that Doug has built, include; a John Deere sickle mower complete with moving parts, a John Deere 1930s vintage hay rake built with 104 bolts that is fully operational, a 1940s vintage John Deere Model 45 front-end loader that raises and lowers and a John Deere 1930s vintage two-bottom plow with clone-like detail.

Shows and Collecting

Doug maintains a collection of favorite farm toys with an emphasis on 1:8 scale. “My collection is modest in scope. I enjoy scratch-building the most. As long as I keep it a hobby and work on the toys when time allows, I'll continue to enjoy it,” he said.

The Hastings have displayed at local toy shows, including the National Farm Toy Show in Dyersville, Iowa. “Bev has been very supportive of my hobby. She will go with me to the occasional toy show and help out when I have a display. At these shows we get to share my work with a lot of people. We also hear farming stories from those who stop by to visit. Bev is also ready to lend a hand in holding something when I need that third hand in a building project,” he shared.

As with any hobby, farm toy collecting evolves. Doug expressed his views by saying, “Everybody wants more detail in their collection pieces. I don't see that changing in the future. As a builder, I put lots of moving parts in my pieces. I see the future for collecting as good. Most people buy what they want. As for me, I will keep building pieces for my collection and buy a few 1:8 scale tractors.”

Next Generation of Collectors

Farm kids trail along with dad when there is fieldwork. With a few toys in the sand box these kids become very creative in emulating dad's farming or creating their own farm. It is encouraging to see the kids or young adults taking an interest in the collecting hobby. They are the future for this fascinating hobby. Their collecting interests will be the barometers for manufacturers in developing tomorrow's farm toys.

How do you get the next generation interested in scratch building or customizing? Doug had these words of encouragement, “Start with a basic project. As you complete the simple project, begin to take on more difficult pieces. Do not be discouraged if you don't get it right the first time. You will eventually learn through experience. When I pick what I'm going to build, I take pictures and get a lot of measurements. Old literature also helps. I see a lot of people doing some nice custom and scratch-built work.”

Enjoyable Hobby

Attending toy shows and talking with others is a great interaction for the farm toy collector. “I stay informed by attending farm toy shows. I visit with other collectors. And, I keep up with the latest developments through the Toy Farmer magazine. The hobby is a good way to keep cabin fever from setting in during those long winter months. It's also a good way to meet people interested in what my interests are.”

If you would like to learn more about Doug Hastings incredible scratch-built toys that many refer to as farm toy clones, you may contact him at (319) 643-3463.