Steam powered tonka truck

[scalebowler]

Burner is redesigned (mostly just have to put dimensions on the drawing and design a holder) and it looks like my truck will have a lifted suspension which acutually is not too much higher and will just look like someone raised the suspension a little. Might look kind of cool.

[scalebowler]

I have figured out the frame design! I got it all thought up right now and have also found the dimensions for the commercially available steam powered car and so far my dimensions are matching up quite well. Only differences are minor things and I will be having the same type of cylinder and piston on my truck so it should be powerful enough. Now I have to make some drawings for some pulleys and a flywheel and the lower frame. I also think I will have to remove the axles from my truck tires and rebuild them or get some RC car tires or maybe some wheels from a larger tonka truck and use those since I will need to make my own axles now just to make everything fit better.

[Ken R]

If you need brass, do you have the capability to melt your own and mold your own block of brass?  I know there are different qualities of brass, so not sure what quality you need.  You may be able to go to a thrift shop and buy some brass trinkets and melt them down to make your own block...if you have the capability.  I know at the auction I used to work at, brass stuff was selling for super cheap since nobody likes it anymore, but we bought it to sell it for scrap since I could buy it for less than what it's worth in weight.  Just a thought.  I have been thinking about your torque/gearing issue.  If you consider a snowmobile, they actually have a really cool system.  The clutch works on centrifugal force and changes the ratio as speed increases.  Maybe something like that would work for you rather than attempting to add a bunch of pulleys and gears...

[scalebowler]

The burner is built although it does not look as good as I would like it too but it does look much better than it did. I am going to keep it though since it will stay inside the truck hidden from view so no one will get a chance to notice that it is not 100% perfect. Still annoying though

[scalebowler]

Figured out how to remake the burner and keep it mostly square. Just got to get more materials. I did test the other one yesterday and that thing is amazing! It made a nice even flame and a lot of heat. I just want it to look nicer so I am going to remake it.

[johnieG]

It's very interesting to follow this project! I hope you haven't forgotten to install an over pressure relief valve.

or I'd have a bad felling about this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drkh0YLF8rI   

[scalebowler]

.

It's very interesting to follow this project! I hope you haven't forgotten to install an over pressure relief valve.

or I'd have a bad felling about this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drkh0YLF8rI   

I made sure to install a pressure relief valve in the boiler. I did not want to go out and buy a ton of tools and supplies to make a small boiler so what I did was bought a pre made boiler from a company that makes model steam engines that came with a pressure valve and a sight glass. Figured that would be the best way to go since I don't have any real soldering equipment (besides a plumbing torch) and the only boiler that I know how to make easily without soldering is made from pipe fittings and weighs a ton.

[scalebowler]

Rebuilt the burner today and it turned out great. The only problem I had today was a seam not joining together (fixed that by just soldering a plate behind it and covering the opening in the front with solder) and this one piece kept falling off because the part was just warm enough that the flux would melt and fall off but I eventually got it cooled down and figured out (also accidently set my drawing on fire but got that out before anything was lost on it). Please be kind when looking at the solder joints in the burner. They are really nasty looking. Soldering this thing up was much harder than I thought it would be. They hold but just look horrible on the inside.

side view of burner


Top of burner


Bottom of burner

[scalebowler]

You know what I really need is a press and some dies to make some of these parts on my own. That might be kind of a fun project for later on in my classes.

[briandr1]

You soldering doesnt look bad. You should have seen my first attempt at stick welding lol!!!!!!!!!!!