I have started a Steam Tractor project.
I have recently started learning how to cook so I haven’t been spending much time in my shop.
I have the rear wheels finished for the tractor. 216 pieces for the pair.
I started a Shutterfly site to show my methods of work on this project. HTTP://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Prescriptive codes don't address the connection at less common angles, so base the connection off more typical ones using bolts, structural screws, blocking, and steel tension ties.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
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Very impressive !!!
Thanks, Your work is impressive too. Dallas
That's a heck of a set of wheels!
Thanks, They were quite a challenge for me.
How many hours did it take to get them done?
I haven't been keeping very good track of my time. working on it a hour here and there. I would guess 15 hours.
That's less than I expected.
Very cool; and I like the Shutterfly slideshow.
You could write a book.
Scott.
Thanks Scott, Slideshows are pretty cool.
If I did write something I would need an excellent editor. Dallas
I have one front wheel done on the tractor.
Another dozen pictures to put on the shutterfly site later tonight.
I wished I had half of your patience !!
Thanks, I think you do. You can't do the quality work you do without some patience.
Building these are really about patience.
I have made a little more progress on the tractor. 4 back wheels and 4 front wheels are done. The front axles and suspensions are roughed out and ready for finish sanding.View Imagehttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
That is pretty darn impressive. The detail is terrific. Not sure how yours will eventually be arranged, but watch out for the orientation of that tread on the rear tires.
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Thanks, I had them backwards when I took the picture. I did remember to make a left and a right wheel when I was building them.http://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Glad to hear that. I sort of felt uncomfortable writing anything, but to see you go to such detail on those models and to then end up with the treads backwards would just be heartbreaking to see. Nice work on all your projects that you've posted!
Please feel free to critic my work. I am still learning new ways of doing these models and I am getting better. Thanks Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
"Please feel free to critic my work.
Son, it ain't right for someone down low on the totem pole of woodworking to critique someone higher up the pole. I keep as quiet as I can around here.
Edited 10/29/2009 6:28 pm ET by Mongo
I do my share of screwing up. Don't be too quiet.http://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Lookin' Good Man!!!
I've often wondered if you share your work with the Knots crowd (tho' I don't hang there). Seems appropriate.
But please don't stop posting here too. Your posts are a refreshing break from tile subfloor issues, electrical entanglements, and the latest way to shape your toenails with a Fein MM.
Keep it up,
Scott.
Edited 10/28/2009 1:56 pm by Scott
Thanks, I don't go to Knots very often. Even though I have built some furniture I consider myself a carpenter first.
Knowing there is some interest keeps me posting. Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Looks great. Check out the flue scraper tool here.
http://steam-tractors.blogspot.com/
That is pretty cool stuff. The one I am building is the most like the first one.
There is a Heston Steam Show about 6 miles from my house and I need to go there once. Not sure if that would come up on Google or not. Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
I go the Darke County Steam Threshers Association Show in Ohio now and then. Lots of old steam equipment is running there. There's a good bunch of guys there.
I Googled the Darke County one. I really need to go to a steam show.http://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
If you want to go to that one, I'd be glad to show up too. It's a great show, with all the usual stuff, and others like steam powered bulldozers, a street legal truck with an old steam engine powering it etc.They saw, thresh, pump, mill, bale, generate electricity, power blowers, plow and so on.They have a nice camp there for out of town visitors.
Thanks for the offer but I wouldn't be able to get away anymore this year.http://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
This year's over, sometime in July they have the next one.
A little more progress. I worked on base and deck parts today.
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A update on the tractor project. I have been installing rivets in some of the parts. I have installed over 400 so far and have many more to go. Dallas
View Imagehttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
well don't slack off now...
get back to it...
it's difficult as it is waiting to see how another one of yur master pieces turns out...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
I am getting a little anxious to get it done myself.http://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
did any body ever mention that yur work is pretty impressive???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
I have heard that a couple times. Knowing there is some interest is what keeps me posting. There are many on Breaktime doing impressive things. Thanks Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
400 Rivets?Holy smokes, is this the most complex model you've done? Any idea what the total number of parts will be? Must be thousands.
I am building two of these at the same time. 400 rivets so far for two of them.
I would say this is the most complicated so far. I don't know but I would guess there will be a thousand pieces for each one.
Thank you for your interest. Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
I love to watch your progress too, as I suspect many others also. I was thinking of you yesterday as I watched a Roy Underhill Woodwright show yesterday. He was at a steam operated mill where they sawed lumber, planed it, made windows, generated electricity, baled cotton etc. All volunteer workers. It was amazing! If you decided to model that, it would be a lifetime project.
Thanks for your interest. I missed his show yesterday.
I don't know about modeling a factory but I would like to build the sawmill to go with the steam tractor. I have looked on internet but can't seem to find a good picture of the mill itself. I am confident I could build the mill if I had a couple good pictures of one.
Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Please keep posting!
That's fantastic work!
I am in awe of such craftsmanship!
Thanks Frenchy, It is helpful for me to know there is interest in this project.
This project requires a 1" diameter 24 tooth wood gear to be made for the steering. I am going to try poplar first and if that doesnt work I will try maple. Something I have never done. Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
I think you are going to have to see a mill in operation to make a model. I tried to find a patent for an old one, but most lacked the detail you would need.
I have been working on the steering gear. I bought the threaded dowel but I had to make the ring gears.
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More amazing work. Keep the posts coming.
If you ever happen to be in Newport New, Virginia, there's a museum there called the Mariners Museum. One of the exhibits is a collection of miniature ships. It's called the Crabtree Collection of Miniature Ships. If anyone could appreciate it, it would have to be you.
Thanks, I was worried about making the gear but it was pretty easy really.
I like going to museums, I will keep it in mind. Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
A little more progress on the project. I have been working on the parts that go on top of the boiler. Smokestack flange, smokestack, steam dome flange, steam dome, steam dome-roof brace base, and top boiler valve.
View Imagehttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
yur not done yet????
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
I am not and I wonder if Madeline ever got her ship done.http://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
but what you've done is some fine work...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
I have so many other things I should be doinghttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Today I worked on right and left cab walls, some of the piping, and the steering wheel. The piping will be on the back of the steam dome and the guage faces the driver. The bottom hole on the cab walls fit around the rear axle.
View Imagehttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Dallas,You always post some great work.Thanx for sharing.Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Thanks Chuck This is the most complicated of anything I have done.
The plans can be a little vague and some measurements aren't correct so there is a lot of checking and testing involved.
Thanks for the interest. Dallas
There is a new section on the site called "what's new" so you don't have to keep looking at what has already been seen.
http://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Edited 11/13/2009 5:19 pm by Doodabug
not to hijack but did you post pictures of davids cabinets installed?
I installed the boiler doors tonight. I have a few other parts started and I have come to the point where I need to start glueing things together.
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I have made it to page 3 of 4 on the plan.
Now that I have a solid base assembled it is easier to glue the parts on as I make them. I started some of the plumbing and the parts are really small.
View Imagehttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Holy Cow! ( Allah vache! ) those parts are small -
Forrest
I thought I better show this while I still can. I am still working on page three of 4. Everything I had cut is glued on and working. There must be another 100 details to go on it yet. Some levers, brackets, steps, wiring, and plumbiing.
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Toot the whistle! Toot the whistle!Dang Dallas, that is incredible. Gonna make lil chunks of coal too?
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
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Thanks Duane, I went to a model train show with my brother last weekend and there was a guy there selling bags of coal.
I am afraid if they do Breaktime like they did Cookstalk I will just be a lurker. Too old, tired, and uneducated to navigate there.
Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Dallas,Great work.
I hate to say it but most of my scraps go into a woodstove or the BBQ.Chuck SThe end of the world as we know it for my BT. What a long strange trip it's been. I am old and in the way. I shall become a fat man in the bathtub with the blues.live, work, build, ...better with wood
Thanks Chuck, It doesn't take much for these. I should burn a bunch of mine. I have 2' by 4' shelves full of small scraps. Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
Great looking project. Where did you get the plans ?
Thanks, It is the most complicated model I have made. The plans are hard to follow for me. Don't expect to follow them too closely if you buy.
I buy the plans from http://www.cherrytreetoys.com They also sell parts kits but don't expect much if you buy them. I got a few pieces of dowel and a hunk of chain with this one.
Dallashttp://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com