Steam Powered Tonka Truck

[Junkologist]

I have a small Tonka truck powered by a steam engine. It's the cutest little thing! I heard these were offered in a kit form with the Tonka truck included some years back. I would love to have more info on this. Anybody else have one?

Mike

[CaseyJoeS.]

I want one of those!!! Thats so cool!! That just reminded me..... I have a metal Tonka truck.... and I have lots of small toy steam engines, maybe I could make my own combination of the two!

[CaseyJoeS.]

yep, just went and got my Tonka grader... looks to be sutible for steam conversion! I'm starting on it now
-Casey

[Junkologist]

That grader ought to sound real good chugging away with a full blade of dirt!

Mike

[laknox]

Originally Posted by Junkologist

That grader ought to sound real good chugging away with a full blade of dirt!

Mike

Just in case you've forgotten or, Heaven forbid, you've never seen this site... http://www.crabfu.com/steamtoys/. Way cool!

Lyle

[Junkologist]

Lyle,
Thanks for the link! I had never run across that site before. He builds some wild and crazy stuff! The guy's really talented.

Mike

[CaseyJoeS.]

Yep, thats my friend Crabfu's site! I am currently in contact with him about the road grader project. I remember when he was first starting out and doing this first tests with his steam walker!

Today I got the back end hood modified to fit the boiler.... had to do some crafty mods but I got it in there

-Casey

[dhopfinsd]

Originally Posted by Junkologist

I have a small Tonka truck powered by a steam engine. It's the cutest little thing! I heard these were offered in a kit form with the Tonka truck included some years back. I would love to have more info on this. Anybody else have one?

Mike

If I remember right this was a Popular Mechanics project in the early 1970's.

Don Hopf

[Walter Kaufman]

I have an original unbuilt kit still in the box, if you need a copy of the plans and instructions I could copy them and mail it to you.
Walt Kaufman

[CaseyJoeS.]

well, got everything done except for the drivetrain! Its kind of unusual being that the engine is mounted upside down. I couldnt fit it in there any other way because of the small space. Its a Jensen #70 engine with a mamod flywheel (because its about half the diameter and the #70 flywheel wouldnt fit)

tell me whatcha think
-Casey

[mopar92]

Mike ,
email your address and Ill send you a copie of a artical in LIVE STEAM MAGIZINE. Its from the 70's I think. but it is cool Im building a dickins train. I started in high school and know 25 years later its close to getting to be done. email me @ mdpetrillose45@verizon.net

Mike P

[Junkologist]

Originally Posted by mopar92

Mike ,
email your address and Ill send you a copie of a artical in LIVE STEAM MAGIZINE. Its from the 70's I think. but it is cool Im building a dickins train. I started in high school and know 25 years later its close to getting to be done. email me @ mdpetrillose45@verizon.net

Mike P

Hi Mike,
I'm out of town right now and using a very painfully slow dialup connection. I will shoot you an email when I get back home next week.
Thanks,
Mike

[Casemaker]

Originally Posted by CaseyJoeS.

well, got everything done except for the drivetrain! Its kind of unusual being that the engine is mounted upside down. I couldnt fit it in there any other way because of the small space. Its a Jensen #70 engine with a mamod flywheel (because its about half the diameter and the #70 flywheel wouldnt fit)

tell me whatcha think
-Casey

I think that its a good project....and the end results will make it even better...can't wait to see it pushing some dirt.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally Posted by Walter Kaufman

I have an original unbuilt kit still in the box, if you need a copy of the plans and instructions I could copy them and mail it to you.
Walt Kaufman

Is this item for sale?

Jeff Smith

[Jeff Smith]

Originally Posted by Junkologist

I have a small Tonka truck powered by a steam engine. It's the cutest little thing! I heard these were offered in a kit form with the Tonka truck included some years back. I would love to have more info on this. Anybody else have one?

Mike

I have a book from somewhere in Texas that was packed full of information on this kit. It will take a while, but I will try and find it.

Jeff Smith

[Eric Schultz]

Here is mine! My mom got it for me when I was in Tech school. I think it came from the folks that make Sherline lathes (this was in 1978). I didn't try building it till about 15 years ago. Nice little project. I dont know if they are still availble. I do still have the drawings though, and will happily make them availble to anyone who wants them!
Eric
ebtaschultz@verizon.net

[Doug Kimball]

Originally Posted by Junkologist

I have a small Tonka truck powered by a steam engine. It's the cutest little thing! I heard these were offered in a kit form with the Tonka truck included some years back. I would love to have more info on this. Anybody else have one?

Mike

Mike,
I think they were sold by Edestaal who made or distributed Austrian built(?)Unimat & MaxiMat lathes as a project small enough for the Unimat. I have that kit & a small train engine kit purchased at the same time. I've done only a little on the train but truck is 90% complete. I sold my 10" by 24" Logan lathe & bought a larger Tawainese one & small work is not as much fun anymore and the kits have been put on the back burner. If I remember correctly I think the kits were $39.95 including all parts & detailed instruction book which I felt was a very good deal. Thanks for warming that back burner.

[Walter Kaufman]

Originally Posted by Jeff Smith

Is this item for sale?

Jeff Smith

Jeff, I don't think it's for sale.
Thanks anyway
Walt Kaufman

[mopar92]

Doug,
That small train engine isnt the dicken's is it? If so Ive been making one sence high school ( well I started it in high school.) this pass fall I got back on it , and to date only have one more cylinder to make. the right side works fine . Its a cool kit. If I can figure out how to post a photo Ill post one this weekend. I gave up tring to find a kit for both the truck and the train .

Mike P

[Eric Schultz]

[quote=Doug Kimball;191805]Mike,
I think they were sold by Edestaal who made or distributed Austrian built(?)Unimat & MaxiMat lathes as a project small enough for the Unimat.
Yes....Doug is right. I have trouble remembering what happened yesterday, let alone 30 years ago. It was the Unimat people who offered the kit.