Miniature Tool Collection

[Stilldrillin]

Very nicely done, and shown, Ralph! 


The first, and probably the last time, I saw those types of jacks was around 1960.
They were being used by the maintenance crew, where I was a young apprentice.......

I watched them carefully, jack a long, 60'+(?), centre lathe, onto skate blocks. And, gently move it down the shop to the doorway.

The crane/ transport crew, slung it at either end, and started to lift it onto the transporter.

With a loud bang. The bed broke in two! 

David D

[vtsteam]

...With a loud bang. The bed broke in two! 

David D

Oh man!!!!

[flyingtractors1]

Thanks Gents.

I've started a new project - need to build some wheels, and I lack the experience to do a good job,
so I'll practice some.

I am building metal wheel to resemble old farm implement wheels and used a section of brass plumbing pipe for the rims.

Ralph





The hubs were turned and drilled to accommodate 1/16 inch spokes.











A device was developed to help ensure that the wheels and hubs were true when the spokes were inserted.

[flyingtractors1]

A nice, true wheel resulted.  I may have finally figured out how to build one.





and then another





Two more and we will have a set for some four wheeled contraption.   Ralph

[micktoon]

Hi Ralph, looks like you have it cracked  , what diameter are the copper rims ? , looking forward to seeing what the implement is 

  Cheers Mick.

[flyingtractors1]

Hi, Mick.  Yes, I'm moving right along.  I've done it two more times and now have a complete set.
The larger (rear) wheels are 1 3/4 inches diameter and the smaller (front) wheels are 1 1/2 inches.
I've considered a number of implements but as of yet was just trying to learn how to build good wheels.
Having accomplished that, I think, the next step is now worthy of serious consideration.   Ralph

[micktoon]

Looking good Ralph, I remember seeing lots of good models of farm impliments at the Harrogate model engineering show, I might even have the odd photo , if I have I will post a couple, they were all sorts of ploughs hay balers etc, all really detailed.
  Cheers Mick.

[Stilldrillin]

"Nice wheels", Ralph! 

Well done. 

David D

[flyingtractors1]

Thanks, David.

I think that these wheels would go well on a horse drawn wagon or a sulky plow, etc.
But I've about decided to try to build a drawn grader like one that I remember operating in my youth.

Ralph





I have not been able to find 1/4 inch brass "I" beam nor "H, "C" etc, so decided to build my own.
It looks crude, but a good solid "T" beam built of 1/4 x 1/4 inch might work. 
Both top and bottom rails were cut and formed then tied together tightly with wire and silver soldered along the whole length.
And did it twice with good success.

[flyingtractors1]

It's coming together . . . slowly.   Ralph

[tom osselton]

Looking real nice Ralph I like your stump too!

[flyingtractors1]

Thanks, Tom.

Built the frame and turntable for the blade.
Now work on the blade and mounting apparatus.   Ralph

[flyingtractors1]

The blade and mounting frame came together well.




 
The turntable rings fit together properly allowing the blade angle to be adjusted and locked.   Ralph

[flyingtractors1]

An evener and double tree (two single trees) used to pull the gtader by a team of draft horses:








A comparative scale:

[flyingtractors1]

The miniature road grader is completed.  Now it needs a little tweeking and cleaning up.   Ralph











See the action video on YouTube:   

     

[dsquire]

Ralph

Very well done. This brings back some very old and dear memories for me. My Grandfather had a grader like this and was often out grading the township and county roads. This would have been in the late 1940's. Thanks for sharing this with all the members. 

Cheers

Don

[Stilldrillin]

You still have the knack, Ralph! 

Beautifully made, and presented. Well done! 

David D

[micktoon]

Top quality job Ralph, and nice video too, it would be great if you could find some model horses to scale to have harnessed up too.
  Cheers Mick.

[flyingtractors1]

Thanks, Gents. 

Most of my project ideas came right out of my youth, and they help connect me to the days when I was my Dear Old Grandpa's shadow.
He was an incredibly talented and highly skilled craftsman, and I just loved "helping" him with everything as he encouraged me to develop my ideas and skill.
Though he has been long gone, he is still very much with me when I do this, and that may well be why I do it - for those dear memories.
It would be nice if we all could get together and share memories at length. 
And perhaps that is exactly what we do on this forum.

I am still looking for those miniature horses, Mick.

Ralph

[Meldonmech]

   Hi Ralph

                        Great model, are you going to cast the horses?

                                                                                                Cheers David

[flyingtractors1]

Hi David.  I might just cast bronze horses, carve wooden horses or harness a hefty pair of squirrels            Ralph

[tom osselton]

I agree they may be gone but we can spend a lifetime making them proud!

[nel2lar]

Ralph
You are blessed, my wife seen a lot of what you have done and I think she was more fascinated than I. And I was astatic. Wonderful work and be proud for it is all professionally done.
Please continue what you love to do.
Nelson Collar

[SwarfnStuff]

Once again, well done and presented Ralph. I too remember these old graders as a boy. The local council used them on the gravel roads, etc. Now I shall just have to wait for those horses to appear. Thank you so much for posting.
John B

[flyingtractors1]

Thanks, gentlemen, and thank you to your wife, nel2lar.  I am delighted that you all appreciate my work. 
I do throw myself into my work wholeheartedly and enjoy sharing it with appreciative viewers.
I still want to make my Dear Old Grandpa proud.   Ralph