If the crank turns...it can be modified 😊👍
I can not be sure, as I am going by the ebay sellers description only....But I mean to find out!
My "Spoker D" is HERE!!
I did not know much about diecast toys or Ertl...but I am starting to learn, my findings so far is Ertl has lower price "Toy grade" intending to meet a price point and ment for children to play with...you will find these in a Farm Fleet type store and some large dept toy stores...but Ertl recognize adult collectors are willing to pay more for quality. Ertl offers Several grades of quality and I have not decoded all the grades...yet...but this is a "club expo viii" grade...it is Very nice!!
The steel wheels turn smoothly...more importantly to me the Spokes flywheel turns very smooth with LESS than.002 run out at the edge of flywheel!
Also the axle goes thru and spins the belt side...this is luck as lesser grades sometimes only spin the flywheel and the other side is cast "fixed"
Also the steering wheel turns the front wheels with very low effort and the john deere on the front is raised cast letters like original and not just a sticker....you pay more for all this detail but I got this off ebay and did not pay new price, it was not bad at all really.
So now for the conversion to steam drive...this model would "almost" work bone stock...However...I have enclosed a photo looking down on the flywheel and belt pulley, there is what we call in the diemaker trade "draft" on the flywheels most visible on the left belt pulley, it is taper needed to get the parts to eject cleanly from the mold, but the outboard side is smaller diameter than inboard. If I put a flat belt on this and spin the belt will climb towards the large end till it starts rubbing paint off the engine.
I can remove it and turn it in the lathe a nice slight crown in center. This will remove paint. I will ether need to respray JD green or polish to shiny metal...zinc will polish up "ok" but tends to dull quickly or worse yet oxidize...a chalky powder that looks awful...some grades of zinc diecast do not do this hardly at all, I do not know the grade Ertl uses...
I got this video from oilfield_steam YouTube channel....it would not be difficult to scratch build...you could get the small rubber ducks from early in the thread, # and race them lol!
https://youtu.be/B5SRRGesqmY
THIS is one of my more favorite Ertl diecast toy conversions built by the talented and creative StPaulsteam!
Ertl does at least 4 internal combustion stationary engines, I intend to collect them all.
St Paul added a noise maker to this one which is brilliant and it sounds surprisingly good as if the engine IS running so you get chuff chuff steam noises and putt putt engine noises!...I like it!
https://youtu.be/5m_kz752EMI
Your much to kind, I haven't dug that out in awhile (not sure if I still have it) looking forward to your JD conversion.
Wow, everytime I check this thread there's another cool thing to enjoy. That Ertl engine is great. Love the sounds that you got out of that set up. I have an Ertl pump jack on its way. We'll see if I can make mine run half as nice you did yours.
Have you thought of trying a marble machine? They’re not perfectly smooth runners, but good enough for slow running
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079KVK4NB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(Attachment Link)
I HAVE!....I have built several wood models by U-gears and a couple other brands, but have yet to build a marble run. I am looking for a bit more elaborate version.
There are some tricks to getting wood gear models to run more smoothly, one of the best tips is to burnish the gear teeth and axles with pencil lead, this smooths the teeth and also lubricate them.
Nick, I just did some research on wood marble runs and the one you posted is 1 of 4 in a series that was rated #1 wood marble run puzzle for 2021.
I think with all the drag of wood construction a Larger run would not be ideal for small steam power. So I have changed my mind...the one you posted is likely one of the best Current offerings for our use. Thanks for sharing!!
I bought it about 4 months ago, maybe I’ll get it put together one day... 😂
I bought it about 4 months ago, maybe I’ll get it put together one day... 😂
I have 2 U-gear oil pump jacks that are awaiting the same fate...lol
I bought it about 4 months ago, maybe I’ll get it put together one day... 😂
I have 2 U-gear oil pump jacks that are awaiting the same fate...lol
I have 3 kids to blame my delay on 😂
I bought it about 4 months ago, maybe I’ll get it put together one day... 😂
I have 2 U-gear oil pump jacks that are awaiting the same fate...lol
Say....thats a good looking model Stpaul!
