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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.

Gallery

Comments

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231 Posts
Hunter i have been watching the toys you put up on this site for years , and i can truthfully say that this is your best yet

Keep up the great work

Hooky
 

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841 Posts
Absolutely outstanding and super cool build. Thanks for sharing not only your great project, but the history and details of the construction process.
 

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Your builds are all so intricately detailed. Very awesome, as always.
 

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I like it Hunter. Again a nice build!
 

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324 Posts
Way to go Hunter nice job.
Chuck
 

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520 Posts
That is fantastic! If you don't mind, I think I will borrow your ideas for jigs for the wheel making. I have been looking for a why to drill the spoke holes on my lathe, using the indexer, but you way looks like with some care in building would be easier to fabricate than a jig to hold a drill on the lathe. That is just an awesome model.
 

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585 Posts
I am old enough to have seen a few of the real ones when I was very young in Nort DeColder!

Very fine rendition and work!

I can not come close to your patience! OR ACCURACY-that is why I make "playable" things.

NOT THE museum quality piecesthat you and Chuck make!

GREAT WORK!
 

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113 Posts
That is incredible! All the detail is mind blowing, what attention to detail. Approximaely how long is the finished piece?

Thanks for sharing.

Bill in MI
 

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949 Posts
Outstanding work! The detail is amazing! Nice work as usual Doug!
 

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Beautiful build Hunter. Being raised in the Oil fields of West Texas, as soon as I saw the name of Mentone, I thought of Mentone, Texas. Again, a beautiful job on the transport wagon.
 

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1,558 Posts
Superb Doug…
Such a beautiful piece of woodwork by a master craftsman, but please, I'd would still love to see more photos of the finished wagon.
 

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Hunter l've been taking more of an interest in toys lately and your toys are awesome . thanks
 

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this turned out very well, i really love the lengths you go to make the jigs you need for your wheels and such, that is a real part of being a woodworker, and you do it so well…a great piece…
 

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Awesome job on that one!
 

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124 Posts
Hunter Outstanding job I am in awe love all the spokes well done !!
Dee
 

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You've definitely got the "knack"....awesome job as usual!! And to build it from scratch wouldn't be an easy task either. Definitely an heirloom…..

prez
 

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Great looking train. Those process photos are verry useful to me.Always hungry to learn for more ideas.
 

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Very Nice Work Indeed Hunter! Thanks For Sharing!

Rick
 

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Thanks for all the kind words. I guess that when you love to make something it helps. If you would like more about my wheel jigs I would share MY WAY of making them. Email me. Email address is on my home page.
 
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