| Project by ralbuck | posted 03-19-2019 12:48 AM | 899 views | 1 time favorited | 20 comments |  |
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The youngest great-grandson has been playing with my 19 year old tow truck. He wanted me to make him one. I had to make 2 one for his older brother also. So here is the Cruz towing Company fleet.
Made from shop scraps in a variety of woods—many unknown for species. The bumpers & hooks are oak, the rest a mix. Using the scraps and making them work, so a lot of unforeseen modifications as I went along.
Only new wood is the axles; commercial dowel, that I buy in bulk.
They sizes are about 14-15 inches long and 6-7 inches wide and tall. The cable is a very heavy multi-strand fish line. The lock for the winches was also just a hole saw slug and a small dowel attached into it.
I had made several of these tow trucks about 2000- none since until these. Two more are under construction too.
The pattern was from T & E designs again. Lots and lots of T & E in these. The paint is craft store acrylics and then a spray poly top coat. The lettering is just press on. I do wax the axles to facilitate rolling nice. The winches will wear in, no wax.
It was a guy that I worked with, who suggested the first one now over 2 decades ago.
-- Wood rescue is good for the environment and me! just rjR
20 comments so far
doubleDD
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9172 posts in 2715 days
#1 posted 03-19-2019 12:56 AM
Just don’t tow my car buddy. Nice job and the kids should love them. Love the name on the door. LOL.
-- Dave, Downers Grove, Il. -------- When you run out of ideas, start building your dreams.
EarlS
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3578 posts in 3020 days
#2 posted 03-19-2019 12:59 AM
This project made me smile. He is a lucky young man to have such nice tow trucks.
-- Earl "I'm a pessamist - generally that increases the chance that things will turn out better than expected"
PaulDoug
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2359 posts in 2376 days
#3 posted 03-19-2019 01:29 AM
Great work, nothing more satisfying than toys for grandkids… Again great work.
-- “We all die. The goal isn't to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.” - Chuck Palahniuk
bushmaster
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#4 posted 03-19-2019 01:32 AM
They look really great. Nice paint. Very attractive. Bet the kids love them too.
-- Brian - Hazelton, British Columbia
oldrivers
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2038 posts in 2239 days
#5 posted 03-19-2019 02:10 AM
Great project, nothing like making the Grand children something they enjoy.
-- Soli Deo gloria!
luv2learn
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3026 posts in 2975 days
#6 posted 03-19-2019 04:18 AM
Making memories with the great grand kids. Can’t get any better than that!!
-- Lee - Northern idaho~"If the women don't find you handsome, at least they ought to find you handy"~ Red Green
BnC
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68 posts in 565 days
#7 posted 03-19-2019 06:14 AM
Lucky grandchild!
-- The garage is calling, I must go. The dog is Fred, and yes he’s well fed.
Ivan
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15718 posts in 3539 days
#8 posted 03-19-2019 07:18 AM
So cute vehicles…lovely colours!
-- Ivan, Croatia, Wooddicted
jeffswildwood
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4332 posts in 2649 days
#9 posted 03-19-2019 11:36 AM
Just a nice little truck! I like it. I bet the Grand Sons like it too!
-- We all make mistakes, the trick is to fix it in a way that says "I meant to do that".
hunter71
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3504 posts in 3859 days
#10 posted 03-19-2019 11:56 AM
Lots of creative play time here.
-- A childs smile is payment enough.
PPK
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1670 posts in 1481 days
#11 posted 03-19-2019 01:24 PM
Awesome! They look great, Ralbuck!
-- Pete
GR8HUNTER
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7138 posts in 1384 days
#12 posted 03-19-2019 03:47 PM
these tow trucks are perfect for towing whatever GREAT JOB :<))
whats T&E designs ?
-- Tony---- Reinholds,Pa.------ REMEMBER TO ALWAYS HAVE FUN
clieb91
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3781 posts in 4607 days
#13 posted 03-20-2019 12:44 AM
Nice use of the scraps. Bet they will be getting plenty of use.
CtL
-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."- PortablePastimes.com (Purveyors of Portable Fun and Fidgets)
crowie
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3488 posts in 2623 days
#14 posted 03-20-2019 07:21 AM
Love it Ralph, even more that your grandson with have many hours of fun and plau with it…
Well done sir!!
-- Lifes good, Enjoy each new day...... Cheers from "On Top DownUnder" Crowie
Jim Jakosh
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24083 posts in 3777 days
#15 posted 03-22-2019 02:15 AM
neat truck, Ralph!!
Cheers, Jim
-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!! Variety is the Spice of Life!!
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