Bringing joy back to play – how one toy repair rekindled childhood memories

If you’ve ever uncovered a long-lost childhood toy and felt a sudden wave of nostalgia, you’ll understand the magic that Conrad from For Your Den brings to life every day.

Based in Sussex, and offering his service nationwide, Conrad is a passionate toy restorer and vintage tech enthusiast with a very special mission – to rescue retro toys from landfill and bring them back to life. From 70s sci-fi favourites to 80s action figures and early electronic gadgets, Conrad doesn’t just fix toys, he repairs stories, reconnects families with cherished memories, and preserves a slice of playful history.

Conrad’s workshop is a haven for broken playthings from decades gone by. He lovingly restores them not only to working condition, but with deep respect for their original design and emotional value. For anyone who thinks toy repair is simply about glued parts and new batteries, think again. With Conrad, it’s a labour of love.

A repair with heart: The Eagle Force R.I.O.T. Tank

One of Conrad’s most memorable projects came when a customer reached out with a very special request. Hidden away in his loft, he had discovered a vintage Eagle Force R.I.O.T. tank from 1982 – a childhood treasure once loved by his brother. With his brother’s birthday approaching, he dreamed of gifting it back to him, fully restored, as a heartfelt surprise.

But this was no easy fix. The tank had seen better days. It was tired, rusted, and badly damaged. A far cry from the battling beast that once trundled across living room carpets.

Conrad got to work.

“The tank arrived non-working,” he explained. “The slide switch and internal contacts were rusted. The turret was broken in two, and the bulb no longer worked. It needed a full internal rewire.”

Piece by piece, Conrad began the restoration:

He rewired the entire assembly, replacing the old slide switch.

Rust was cleaned from every contact and motor mechanism.

The broken turret was repaired and fitted with a new LED bulb.

He fine-tuned the mechanical movement so the turret could swivel smoothly as the tank moved forward.

The entire casing was carefully cleaned, and missing decals were recreated by hand to match the original.

Then came the moment of truth: the newly restored tank rolled once more across Conrad’s workbench – lights on, turret turning – just like it had over 40 years ago.

The result? A gift that moved more than just gears.

“When I sent it back, the client said it transported him straight back to his childhood,” said Conrad.

Don’t just take Conrad’s word for it. Here’s what his customer had to say:
“The Tank became the highlight gift of the birthday celebrations, bought by our parents and shared with many of our young friends who came that day. After the cakes, and games, were over, the Tank was always something that brought us together. Now the shared experiences can now go on between generations, as my brother and his son enjoy new adventures with the Tank. Thank you for relighting one of the fires of shared enjoyment between family and friends.”

More than a repair – A memory unlocked

In a world where so many things are thrown away, Conrad’s work is a beautiful reminder that some things are worth saving, especially when they carry the weight of memory and love.

His craft goes far beyond technical skill. It’s about restoration in the truest sense – of toys, of relationships, of joy.

So whether you’ve got a broken R2-D2, a battered Walkman, or a childhood favourite gathering dust, For Your Den is the place to turn.

Because sometimes, the most meaningful gift isn’t something new. It’s something old, made new again.

Find out more about Conrad’s incredible toy restoration work on his profile: