This will be the first in a series of antique fire equipment builds I have planned. Tribute to my DAD Archie Perkins, who was a life member of Hose #1 in Homer, N.Y. and ALL THE FIRE FIGHTERS OUT THERE.
I don’t paint many of my builds but this just had to be Fire Engine Red and trimmed in Gold, the eloquent way that they did things in the late 1800’s. Built from a 4×4x12” Ash bolt almost entirely. A few poplar dowels, and some hard wood scraps needed for fine details. The boiler was first and 3 were turned before I got what was in my head, pictures were plenty, but any sizing had to be from dead reckoning, internet didn’t help much here. The drive piston turns the crank [ I made several]that turns the pump rods into the pump cylinders by hand turning the flywheel. [toughest part of the build] The fire box door opens and closes. The gauges are made from filling brass eye’s with white paint and sanding smooth. Only other metal is the bent wire used for the front seat and the boiler tags that I applied. All my skills were used in this engine, turning, painting, hand building and lots of carving. I learned a lot of how these engines and steam in general was used back then, a fun build.
Next will be a hose wagon and then a ladder wagon. These take a LONG time so be patient, thanks for looking, Doug
