| Project by toyguy | posted 431 days ago | 1010 views | 1 time favorited | 20 comments | ![]() |
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The Project:
Inspired by fellow LumberJock, Romansfivefive’s project “Delta Tool Truck” I thought I would try my hand at an early thirties era, AA Stake Truck. This one is built from the Toys and Joys” plan number 82 and is constructed of walnut, oak and cherry with a little bit of western red cedar.(seat and grill) The wheels and head lights (birch I think) were purchased locally and then altered to suit my needs. The door badges are water transfer decals produced on my inkjet printer. The cargo is doll house furniture cabinets I found at Michaels, and stained with some Min Wax that was hanging around the shop. The scale of this project is approximately 1/12 which makes it 18 inches long by 7 inches wide and 6 inches tall. Finished with a few coats of high gloss, rattle can lacquer. Estimated time to complete the project is probably in the 30- 40 hour range, over about the last 6 weeks.
The Story:
Over the past few months it has been a bit of a challenge for me to find some shop time. My 87 year old mother was taken ill this past winter. As a result of this illness, along with the fact that she has not been in the best of shape anyway, she has come to the realization that she is no longer going to be able to stay in her home of almost 60 years. For her this has been devastating.
To fully understand my intentions here, some history must be mentioned. My older brother passed away late in 2002 of heart disease, at the young age of 52. As you may well understand, this was a very dramatic time in the Graham family. For my Dad, who was starting to fail himself, it was just too much. By early 2005, Mom lost her husband of 58 years.
Now you must understand that my Dad was a woodworker. I would venture to say that almost every thing that both my brother and I know about wood work was learned from my Dad. Our home was almost entirely furnished from pieces he had constructed. In fact, the whole house was built by my Dad. After he returned from the war, he purchased a piece of property under the GI bill; got married and built the home my mother has been in ever since.
With this understanding, you can see why it is so devastating for my Mom to leave. However she is a real trooper. In fact I think she is getting very excited about the move. We have found her a nice little assisted living retirement apartment not to far from her home. Here she will get all her meals, care and the companionship she is missing and needs. The draw back is trying to fit 60 years of collecting into a 500 square foot residence. Giving up the house is hard enough, but giving up some of her possessions, especially the ones that Dad and my bother made is even tougher. Some hard decisions had to be made.
At this point in time, the house has been sold. New homes for most of her processions have been found and Mom will be moving into her new place on May 1st. That brings me to the reason for my project. First let me tell you that there never was a “Graham and Sons” woodwork shop. Not on the commercial side anyway. But I thought that was a nice touch for my project. This truck load of Graham built cabinets is being delivered in a Graham built truck: to my Mom just in time for Mother’s Day.
-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/

































20 comments so far
toymaker
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26 posts in 548 days
posted 431 days ago
i have three of those on the go been working on them for about three years now. i have no time because of a young familly. great work keep it up.
jeanmarc
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1750 posts in 467 days
posted 431 days ago
splendid truck. congratulations for work
-- jeanmarc manosque france
BrianM
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114 posts in 504 days
posted 430 days ago
Awesome family heirloom!
-- There is no such thing as scrap wood!, http://www.saltrivergallery.com
thetimberkid
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1945 posts in 454 days
posted 430 days ago
Great work!
Thanks for the post
Callum
-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/
brunob
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1422 posts in 921 days
posted 430 days ago
Your mother’s going to love it.
-- Bruce from Central New York
CharlieM1958
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6680 posts in 970 days
posted 430 days ago
Fantastic truck and a great story, Brian. Best of luck with your mom and the move.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Scott Bryan
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16268 posts in 573 days
posted 430 days ago
Brian,
This is a gorgeous truck and you did a wonderful job on it.
Thanks for the post and thanks for the story behind it. It is difficult for everyone involved when we have to assume the role of caregiver for aging parents. I wish you and your family nothing but the best.
Thanks for sharing.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
wiswood2
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70 posts in 447 days
posted 430 days ago
A very nice job Brian. I have made a few of them. I like the cargo Idea,makes it look like a real truck. Keep up the good work.
Chuck
-- Chuck, wiswood2 www.wisconsinwoodchuck.com
ND2ELK
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5053 posts in 525 days
posted 430 days ago
Exquisite detail and design. Thank you posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
teenagewoodworker
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2374 posts in 519 days
posted 430 days ago
wow thats cool. i love how you payed so much attention to detail. it is a wonderful truck. I’m sure that Mr. Ford would have been proud to own that. thanks for the post.
Karson
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21155 posts in 1152 days
posted 430 days ago
Great looking truck. My prayers are with you and your mother on this change in her life.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
jcees
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530 posts in 550 days
posted 430 days ago
Great work and meaningful to boot. Kudos to you and prayers for you all.
always,
J.C.
-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein
toyguy
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612 posts in 588 days
posted 430 days ago
A couple of you have asked me about the making of decals on an ink jet printer:
If you didn’t see it, check out the blog from Kerux making decals for his pens…..
This is almost the same process I use… But I do use different paper and finishing.
-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/
john
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973 posts in 1133 days
posted 430 days ago
Great looking truck and great story .Nice work toyguy !!!
-- John in Belgrave http://www.extremebirdhouse.com ....http://community.webshots.com/user/cranbrook2
Critterman
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519 posts in 561 days
posted 430 days ago
Brian, again a wonderful job. I particularly like this one for some reason. The detailing is awesome and the wood selection perfect. You are the “Toy Master” [Grin]. Exceptional work.
-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA
Les Hastings
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866 posts in 524 days
posted 430 days ago
Well done Brian!
-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)
toyguy
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612 posts in 588 days
posted 428 days ago
Thank you all for your positive comments; both on my project and and my situation.
-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/
romansfivefive
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253 posts in 524 days
posted 427 days ago
Hi Brian
I think the fact that your craftsmanship allows you to leave the work stained rather than painted makes such a difference. It has so much more depth when you can show off the grain. It is a stunning truck and a wonderful gift. I am sure that looking at your creation will remind her of a lifetime of love well spent.
-- www.robneves.com
smitty1
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32 posts in 450 days
posted 418 days ago
What a beautiful Truck and a wonderful use of wood. A sure crowd pleaser and great gift.
-- Smitty, Alabama, http://www.firstdesignwoodworking.com/
David_Bethune
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185 posts in 144 days
posted 132 days ago
Awesome Job!. I really like toys also but have not made many.