Project Information
Most of you know I "build to the beat of a different toy builder", and this one is truly another one of a kind. My long time interest in Petrolina lead me to the building of the 1800's horse drawn oil wagon.
Research for the build was 100% internet and the knowledge from building other wagons of that era. Like all my other wagons the steering and braking systems are unique to the piece.
A bit of explanation here…... this is built as a very H/D rig. The wheels are heavier and have 16 spokes, axle hubs are larger. This may not seem like much of a difference to my normal 12 spoke wheels but it is very tough to build. The room for error is [0]. I had to build a whole new set of jigs for these wheels, front and back. This process is quite time consuming with my limited tooling. Several hubs were discarded before the final ones were accepted. Pictures 3 & 4 Picture 5 are all the homemade jigs I use to make my wagon wheels. Pic #6 has the wheel rim drilled and being parted off the blank.
The Woods I used brought out the real beauty, that a picture just can't do justice. The cab alone, although it looks simple has 5 different exotic woods, as well as the painted white pine seats. The hose box has has 2 of the same hard woods as the cab has plus another beautiful wood with red streaks that makes my nose run like crazy when I sand it. The tank is a solid cherry block, straps are turned out of it and stained black. Brass nails were cut to 1/4" and drilled into the simulated straps. The fill openings on the top are yet another exotic, purple heart,
Let me say here that I do not know the names of all the exotic woods. I buy pieces from a hardwood flooring supplier from time to time that they have left over. They are, what they are, but they are all pretty.
Now for the newest addition to my builds. The LETTERING. This is a first for my builds and I am very pleased with the outcome. A friend, Charlotte Gentry, did the beautiful art work and I hope will share the success of my work in the future. There never was or will be a Mentone Oil Company, except in the Mentone Toy Makers shop.
I don't think I will build the hook up for the horses as I never display them with the other wagons and they take up a lot of room on the shelves.
Comments welcome.
Research for the build was 100% internet and the knowledge from building other wagons of that era. Like all my other wagons the steering and braking systems are unique to the piece.
A bit of explanation here…... this is built as a very H/D rig. The wheels are heavier and have 16 spokes, axle hubs are larger. This may not seem like much of a difference to my normal 12 spoke wheels but it is very tough to build. The room for error is [0]. I had to build a whole new set of jigs for these wheels, front and back. This process is quite time consuming with my limited tooling. Several hubs were discarded before the final ones were accepted. Pictures 3 & 4 Picture 5 are all the homemade jigs I use to make my wagon wheels. Pic #6 has the wheel rim drilled and being parted off the blank.
The Woods I used brought out the real beauty, that a picture just can't do justice. The cab alone, although it looks simple has 5 different exotic woods, as well as the painted white pine seats. The hose box has has 2 of the same hard woods as the cab has plus another beautiful wood with red streaks that makes my nose run like crazy when I sand it. The tank is a solid cherry block, straps are turned out of it and stained black. Brass nails were cut to 1/4" and drilled into the simulated straps. The fill openings on the top are yet another exotic, purple heart,
Let me say here that I do not know the names of all the exotic woods. I buy pieces from a hardwood flooring supplier from time to time that they have left over. They are, what they are, but they are all pretty.
Now for the newest addition to my builds. The LETTERING. This is a first for my builds and I am very pleased with the outcome. A friend, Charlotte Gentry, did the beautiful art work and I hope will share the success of my work in the future. There never was or will be a Mentone Oil Company, except in the Mentone Toy Makers shop.
I don't think I will build the hook up for the horses as I never display them with the other wagons and they take up a lot of room on the shelves.
Comments welcome.