Author Topic: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s  (Read 10342 times)

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Offline ddstoys

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Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« on: April 23, 2019, 11:36:16 AM »
After years of putting it off I’ve finally started my Erie diggers these mechs could be anywhere from the 1920s-1950s.   Poor things were reused updated recycled over and over again by the showmen to keep them working and relevant.

   Now my timber skills are very limited they mainly include Splitting and burning the stuff.


  I think it’s coming along pretty well I have one more coats of varnish to do on the cabinet and 2 more on the roof (I dropped the stain on Good Friday and Bunnings was closed )


In all honestly I was expecting to lose a finger or just ruin all the wood here’s my first attempt with the router table and gotta day damn I love my new toy



I purchased a set of plans from Jim Roller a crane guru in the states.  After trying to convert the measurements I gave up and used the overall measurements and just made the rest up as I went.  Because let’s face it metric is far easier




Here’s where it stands still need to rebuild the mech and make the prize tray etc but decided to finish the cab first so I can touch it without leaving hand prints and dirt on the raw timber cab


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Offline Retropin

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2019, 07:18:10 PM »
Awesome!!

Offline ddstoys

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2019, 07:25:08 PM »
Awesome!!
Thanks mate



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Offline Crashramp

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2019, 08:15:58 PM »
Very cool mate, looks awesome

Offline Strangeways

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2019, 03:03:14 PM »
Woodworking Skills = A+

GREAT start - can't wait to see this working one day !
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Offline pinnies4me

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2019, 03:10:19 PM »
Looks fantastic!!!
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Offline ktm450

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2019, 04:30:22 PM »
Very nice work mate  ^^^

Offline ddstoys

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2019, 09:17:50 PM »
Had a few setbacks and some progress on the crane.     Found out the Tonka base sits way lower than the old one that the plans where obviously designed for.

  So I’ve changed this one to the older Erie digger mechanism. 

     Just needs felt for the prize tray a back door and some glass/ Perspex and a few little items I’m sure to find as I finish it up




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Offline ddstoys

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #8 on: May 09, 2019, 08:12:07 PM »
Second cabinets finished just need to order glass for both now.



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Offline ddstoys

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2019, 05:17:30 PM »
And the Tonka Dragline is 98% complete just need to add some lead weights to the chains and it’s done.

  The Erie digger I wasn’t happy with the back door set up so I’ve decided to re do that but it’s finished aswell



 Quick video coz who doesn’t love a video
https://youtu.be/IITjo7mvumk


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Offline ddstoys

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #10 on: May 14, 2019, 07:40:46 PM »
I’m meant to be selling one but I’m not sure I can now they are finished I found room for them both mmm maybe I don’t have to hahaha



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Offline punkin

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2020, 04:54:31 AM »
Whereabouts is your space mate? I'd love to spend an afternoon there looking at your stuff one day.
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Offline ddstoys

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2020, 12:11:55 PM »
I’m in geelong hopefully one day I’ll get enough stuff finished and the shed clean enough for people to visit hahahaha


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Offline punkin

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #13 on: March 29, 2020, 05:53:04 AM »
I hope so, that would be worth the 15 hr trip for me.
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Offline Strangeways

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Re: Erie Digger / Tonka Dragline 1920-1950s
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2020, 02:49:47 PM »
I’m in geelong hopefully one day I’ll get enough stuff finished and the shed clean enough for people to visit hahahaha


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