1954 Tonka Star Kist Tuna Truck Restoration Box Van Starkist 725 Refurbish Advertising Restore
I purchased this 1954 Tonka Star Kist Tuna Box Van Advertising Truck on eBay February of 2023 for $244.56. This is a pretty rare truck and made in only one year. Outside of missing two rear hub caps and one rear door handle, the truck was surprisingly complete for being almost 70 Years old. The body while extremely rusted and corroded was in great shape, only having minor dents and dings, the front hood had a pretty good dent, the grille was bend inward as many of these trucks are from being rammed into another truck, the box van body had several pretty decent dents as well. After sandblasting the body and completing the minor dent repairs, I used JB weld to fill any leftover pitting after the high build powder coat primer was wet sanded, then sprayed one additional coat of primer to give the uniform base coat color. I was very happy with how the body came out. The original wooden bed had two screws pulled out of it while disassembling and I found it was extremely brittle, thus I decided to make an entirely new one on the Thunder CO2 Laser. This is the first project using the CO2 laser and I have to say, it's extremely easy to use! I've been playing around with it a lot lately. After running the wood through a planer to get the correct thickness, I let the Thunder laser do all the hard work and simply stained the wood afterwards. My favorite part of this entire restoration was remanufacturing the hub caps. I CNC milled a stamping die out of 4140 tool steel, while I'm sure there are ways to speed up the process, I'm very conservative with speeds when using micro tooling sizes, so the entire milling process took over 22 hours! Then I used the Senfeng Fiber laser to cut 28-gauge mirror polished hub cap blanks to stamp. I used approx. 30 tons worth of force to stamp the hub caps which I absolutely love how they came out. Overall, this was a really fun restoration and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! Thank you everyone for your support and watching!
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Lathe details
Precision Matthews PM-1440TL
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CNC Fiber Laser Details
Senfeng 1.5KW SF1313G
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Thunder CO2 Laser Details
100 Watt Nova 51 CO2
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Filmed in 4K
I"m really glady you"re back with your videos. I was tired to watch other people butchering these old toys.
Thank you soo much Andresarmento7227! I really appreciate that!
Hi there Chip ! Like to know how you got started in this kind of work ,hobby , or other ?
@@dannyholmes9775 This is just a hobby I enjoy and it's grown over the years into this. I actually use it to unwind and detress from my day job.
@@ChipChannelRestorations whe
Sorry I forgot how many subscribers you are at. Love your videos
"Just a humble everyman hobbyist here, with $70,000 of CNC machines and special tools."
Exactly. Normal mere mortals do not have any chance of doing any of this.
Draw your name and
😮😮😮😮😮 8:39 d M@@hendrikdebruin4012
Come on now, everyone has that stuff in his garage….
This is a first for me to actually comment on one of your restorations. As far as restoring these metal trucks your work is the most complete and finely detailed. The restorations cost some real time and money and we're so glad to see your video's again. Your tolling must cost a fortune to recreate these forgotten trucks. Thanks again for doing what you do!
Thank you soo much johndyer236!! I really appreciate your support!
It may be a small thing to some, but to me, watching you alight the screw slots, all in the same direction, is so satisfying. A true artisan!
Assim DEUS faz em nossas vidas pega uma lata velha e transforma em algo bonito e novo !
I didn’t notice it until you mentioned it
Chip, boy have I missed you! Hope you are doing well! Charlie the tuna was one of my favorite characters growing up! There was so much paint on this. I could not tell what was the orginal colors. You really made those hubcaps and screws shine. The wood floor looks great. Of course your body work is top notch! This came out so great, I expected Charlie himself to come for a drive. Beaker would not eat him!
Thank you soo much annettemalaski1967 !! I'm doing well now, this year has been crazy busy with work and personal life things. But i'm definetly hoping to be back on track for a video a month next year. I honestly forgot about the cartoon character until just now! I'm going to have to spend some time looking those old shows up! Thanks again for the support!
"Sorry Charlie only the best Tuna get to be Starkist".@@ChipChannelRestorations
@@timothyokane9710 "Sorry Charlie! Starkist doesn't want tunas with good taste! They want tunas that taste good!"
@@ChipChannelRestorations do you allow for fans to send you classic finds to restore? 🙂 Recently found two
Hey Chip! Welcome back. Was beginning to wonder if we’d ever see you again 😄🤝👍
I thought the same thing
@@lisawilson1116👍
Hey BillMulholland1!!! It's great to see everyone again! This video took waay too long, it's been a crazy year this year, life got busy in some good ways, but next year the channel will be way more consistent. As always I truely appreciate you and everyone elses support as well! Thank you for watching!
@@ChipChannelRestorations We are glad you are back we have all missed you and welcome back. ❤️ I hope you and your cat are doing well and are having a great day. 😊
@@ChipChannelRestorationsyour videos are amazing and I love how you do these
Simply fantastic, everyone loves seeing something being returned to its former glory, but you take it to a different level. The panorama at the end of all your finished projects to date is stunning, not least. your format (i.e.: no mindless commentary explaining the obvious) is brilliant and another of the many reasons you're close on 400,000 subscribers - well done!
Chip has 405,000 subscribers now. I just joined today. Yes, he's something else.
This was BY FAR one of the most amazing restorations I've ever seen!
There is a good reason as to why you have 388k subs. Another exquisite restoration of a classic childhood toy. 👏🏽
THANK YOU Cimmerian415!! I was really happy with how this one came out. I've been wanting to add one of these to the collection for quite awhile. I appreciate the support!
@@ChipChannelRestorationsddd&d&&sdsscssc&sd&s&xsccscsdcsscsssssssssss&dxsaxaasssdsxsscssss&d&d&csscssssssscss
Almost 50k more over the past 3 months!! Crazy
@@Malitubee Indeed!!
This was a happy surprise to see this morning. I’ve been missing your channel and I hope that next year you have all the time you want to work on these amazing projects!
Thank you properfunny!! I've been missing posting as well, this channel is really what I use to unwind as I truely love to do these restorations. Next year is looking great for a video a month Lord willing. Thanks again for the support!
Omg yay! Your back!! My fiancé and I watch your videos before bed to calm us down from our busy days. All of your videos are so satisfying and amazingly done. Glad to see a new video pop up on your page. Absolutely love the sheep in the beginning of your videos. Keep up the unbelievable awesome work Chip!!
You know Chip, I think I have seen everyone of your videos. (I'll have to check and see if I missed any) You sure have come a long way from when you first started. You have all these fancy gee gaws and doo dads to create a lot of your own parts and I'm happy for you to have acquired all of them. I see you have a new nozzle for my favorite machine, the sand blaster. I hope you keep finding those little jewels that can be brought back to life. Thanks for all the cool videos.
Ураааа, новый выпуск, мы заждались ))) Глаз отдыхает от красивой работы.
Great use of technology CCR! Highly skilled craftsmen are not afraid to employ technology when it's appropriate. Great job, as usual. Cheers.
Thank you soo much rickkearn7100!!! I really love the CNC world, always looking for a justification for a new piece of equipment haha. Thanks again for watching!
Thank You for taking us along on this restoration and showcase of your amazing shop.
The way the cat was showing interest in the truck, you'd think there was actual Tuna inside of it.😹 In any case, it's good to see you, the guard kitty and the junkyard sheep again.😊
Hey, there's no tuna in here. I'm off.
I’ve always loved the before and after…..of course the process is fun to watch…but the end result is truly satisfying to see. Thank you and to Beaker as well.
Thank you soo much bobbyhernandez2415!! Beaker says Goodmorning (as she is setting here begging for second breakfast) haha
So glad to see you uploading again!!👍 Thanks for the video!!
Thanks soo much! Glad you stuck around, It was waaayyy too long since the last post, Thanks soo much for watching!
Another great restoration. I appreciate you using the same colors instead of "restomod" like some people do. Great you have all those "toys" to fix your toys. Keep up the good work.
They were never made this well when they were new! You have went above and beyond perfection!
Always enjoy your videos! Thanks for another great restoration!
THANK YOU SOO MUCH JIMTHOMPSON9992!!!!!!!!!!! I truley appreciate the support soo much!!! I hope you and your family had a wonderfull Thanksgiving and have a very Merry Christmas! I'll use this to get Beaker something for Christmas. Thank you!!
Qsdd es
Love your channel, no doubt the best toy restoration channel on KZhead. When you are not making videos, are you a fabricator?
Missed your videos. You always do such an awesome job on these old trucks. So glad I subscribed after I watched your first video.
Thanks soo much allanweaverling730!!! I'm working to get back on schedule for this next year, 6 months between videos was waaaayy too long. Thank you soo much for the support!
@@ChipChannelRestorationsI sure hope so bc like others have said, it is painful to watch other channels attempt to mimic what you do.
Thank you for your channel. My grandfather tried restoring these types of toys from is youth before he passed and it gives me great pleasure to watch you rebuild and restore them in his absence.
Looks like you have a life's time worth of restorations in the garage. As satisfying as a Bob Ross video to watch. Impressive collections of tools.
The beginning of the videos is always so bitter sweet, a new toy going to be restored but so many others waiting for their turn to be new again.
If they could talk, I wonder if they would be fighting over who gets to go next, It might make the process in choosing the newest project easier if they could vote for themselves haha. Thank you soo much for watching Dalton791000!
1@@ChipChannelRestorations
tn
Hi Chip I m glad you came back on I ve missed u I like when u restor trucks and bring them back to life
Мужик, я рад что ты вернулся! Твоих видео не хватало.
Welcome back. My 3 year old and 8 year old have been asking about a new build. They loved watching your work before they go to bed
Beautiful work. I had several of these old Tonka trucks when I was a kid. Its good to see these coming back to life.
Glad to see a new post. I was worried you had succumbed to a rust infection. I never saw one of these Star Kist trucks even though I have a few Tonka trucks from my 50's and 60's childhood. The "chunky style" reference on the box describes the condition of the toy in general!
YES! You're back!! Like many others, I was really starting to get conserned if all was well your way...but here you are! Excellent! Always enjoy watching your restoration work. Looking forward to more in the near future!
Thanks again Jim! The Gambles semi truck is up next, This last year was really busy, unfortunelty not on the youtube side. However this next year is looking soo much better for more consistent videos and i'm soo excited for it.
I am glad you are back and I hope to see more of your amazing restorations.
Always a joy to watch you truly reclaim these great old toys back to new! Glad you're back.
You are alive! i miss your videos, keep doing this awesome works :D
Thank you rodriemeritus2214!!! Yup we are alive, this year just got crazy with my day job and personal life. Should be way more consistent next year. Thank you for the continued support!
That is just what I love about your channel - no drama. You may have gone for a long time but returned with a bang. Passion mixed with craftsmanship and a dose of tech forge a masterpiece.
So glad to see your work again. Hope all is well. Look forward to seeing more restorations when you're able. Thanks for sharing.
superb, bloody superb, you are truly the master of this craft. I'm loving the new equipment as well, been a joy to watch your channel evolve and your work shop grow. Thanks for these videos, my husband and I sit together and just oooh and aaah right to the end.
Nice video and good job 👍
Many many thanks MSJONESBLOUNT!!! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas!
@@ChipChannelRestorations you too
Cool ! Glad you're back ! You and the cat were missed ! 🇺🇸
Soo glad to be back capt.spaulding5858!! Beaker says hello! Hope you and you're family have a very Merry Christmas!
Great restoration good to c u today
Love the long relaxing sand blasting and the choice of colors primer came out excellent
OMG Chip. I’m from a town, San Pedro, Calif. there was a Star Kist Cannery on Terminal Island just across from where my dad’s restaurant used to be. I grew up knowing all the cannery workers. This little truck brings back so many great memories. Thanks for not only this memory, but welcome back to KZhead 😊
Yay, long time no see. Welcome back
6 months was waay too long!! I'm glad to see you again as well! Thank you martinbalmforth2665!
I used to have old Matchbox cars I got when I was little... 40yrs ago. They dont build them like anymore. Hope I still find them one day.
Wow, Absolutely a Fabulous restoration chip!! The colors just pop Excellent job. Thank you for sharing 😀
So glad to see you and Beaker again!! ❤️ I had a Charlie the Tuna watch growing up! Wish I still had it! Keep up the great work!
Beaker says Hello (and is also right next to me begging for second breakfast haha) I appreciate the support! Thank you soo much for watching! I really love how this one came out
Its great to see you again, the before / after is really really impressive 🤩👍
Thank you soo much geo2cv6tron14!!
Thank you so much my friend you are a scholar and a gentleman 🎓 🎩
So good to see you back! Your cat seems to be really interested in this restoration, I bet he hopes that tuna truck is restored with it's cargo box full of tuna.
So glad to see back on KZhead, you were truly missed! Your level of quality workmanship, attention to detail, and now the very cool shop machinery make your videos extremely enjoyable to watch! This truck turned out beautiful, very well done! Hopefully, not so long between videos! As always, thank you for the entertainment!
Glad to see a new restoration! It was your channel that was my inspiration to start restoring metal toys! I now have around 40 that I have finished. Working on a cement mixer now. Looking forward to seeing more from you in the future.
That is awesome garygraham620! It's a very fullfilling hobby. Thank you soo much for the support and watching!
Beautiful Work - and A Nice Tonka Fleet. Glad To See You Back !!!!
You did such an incredible job restoring the Sunkist Tuna truck! It looks like you have a lot of new tools. Great work! ❤ My husband and I really enjoy your channel! Tom and Theresa 💕
very impressive restoration. I think i enjoy the disassembly process almost as much as seeing the finished project. Undoubtably, the most impressive collection of hobbyist 'tools' I've ever seen. Great videos, thanks for sharing and thanks for the memories!
Thank you herb2968! I really love learning all of the new equipment, always looking for an excuse to add something else to the shop haha. Thank you soo much for watching!
*Um trabalho magnífico,* *como sempre!* *_Parabéns!_*
I can't decide which part I like the best. Everything looks perfectly amazing... Very nice refurbishing project. Thumbs Up!
You did a great job restoring the tuna truck.
Yay, I'm so glad youre back! My tool-and-truck obsessed 5yo absolutely loves watching your restorations (and he's started trying to take his own trucks apart "like Chip does," so thanks 😂) Looking forward to more! Have a great rest of the year!
¡Hola chip! Nos alegra mucho volver a ver tus vídeos y como siempre exelente video, felicidades y saludos desde Nicaragua.
I really love watching your videos. The quality you achieve in your restorations is a thing of beauty. Absolutely fab!
Welcome back! Another remarkable restoration which leaves me amazed!
This is the first time I came across your channel. What a great restoration! That vacuum chamber where you get all that rust off is very neat equipment! And the end result, love that glossy red and blue.
Good morning from Southeast South Dakota stranger
Good morning slimwantedman6694!!! It's been too long for sure! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and have a very Merry Christmas. I appreciate you!
Sir you are a true restoration artist and I'm honored to see your work
I'm older 86 yrs. And never seen a darling truck like this ! My boys would have loved it for sure. Thanks😂
Missed your stuff. Sorry i couldn't watch sooner. I think I've figured out what I like most about your channel. You understand that you aren't just restoring toys. You are restoring memories. And you treat those memories with the respect they deserve.
Greetings Chip you have sorely been missed. Your skill set is truly outstanding and the way you present your videos is so addictive. Its great to see broken and rusty toys being restored to brand new in a no nonsence manner. You are simply the best
Another wonderful job of restoring an awesome Tonka truck!Glad to see you back.I really enjoy watching your videos.
I've been watching a lot of restoration videos on youtube and NOONE shows as much respect to the product nor produces such a fabulous result as you Chip. Can't wait for another!
Glad you're back! I love watching these videos before bed as they help me relax and de stress after a long day. ❤
Just found your channel. Wonderful restoration! Don't know which I like best...sandblast or powder coat. They're both so satisfying to watch. Oh, and I have a soft spot for gray tabbies.
Welcome back! The videos were missed. Looking forward to the next ones to come. Keep up the great work.
Another beautiful job! Amazing!
Sigo a muchas paginas que hacen lo mismo que usted , pero como lo hace usted nadie lo logra , haces un trabajo súper excelente amigo eres el # 1 👍😊
The restored truck looks like it just came from the store! Truly amazing and wonderful work!
One of my favorite chip channels restoration video I love to watch you doing your hobby for cars, trucks that original comes from Tonka company you purchase them through online. Awesome video! Welcome back here!!😊
The new laser is awesome, would love a shop tour video. Great work as always!
Welcome back! I've been waiting for a new restoration and I'm glad to see it went so well. It looks great. You need to let us know sometime how long it actually takes to do this. I can't really fathom the amount of time and effort, but you do GREAT work!
always a pleasure to watch your work and marvel at it
Pretty serious equipment, for a serious restoration! Great job, looking forward to more content!
WOW!!! This is not just another perfect restoration but a real amazing upgrade!! Congratulations Chip!! PS: I love all of your equipment. PS2: If you don't have space anymore to put all your beautifull creations, I have space enough at my home :) Greetz, from Antwerp, Belgium.
Thank you Brabosh! Lol, I'm definetly running out of storage space for the new toys, I may have to take you up on that, I've never been to Belgium but I'd love to see it some day! Thanks soo much for watching! Greetings from Central Nebraska United States.
@@ChipChannelRestorations I can recommend Belgium, if you ever get the chance. I found the climate similar to the UK and the people were really friendly. I also learned a little bit of Belgian to get by. It’s a lovely country! I flew into Antwerp, spent some time in Brussels, Ostend and Zeebrugge. But I was based in a lovely village called Stalhille.
Any plans to paint Charlie The Tuna?
lol, I'm not sure I'm talentend enough in the painting by hand department. But I could give it a shot, thanks for watching dubuyajay9964!
@@ChipChannelRestorations Transfer?
Chip! We were fixin' to call out the national guard! Where the heck have you been??? We missed you. You did an amazing job, as always. It's an expensive hobby, but I'm sure it pays off. Your work is top notch! ~Jimmy and Tammy
A great job on this project. Love the cat by the way.
Absolutely brilliant - a real pleasure to watch👌👌👏👏
Holy Moley, cold press forming your own CAD wheel covers… amazing.
Your attention to detail is amazing.
Welcome back, we missed you and your devotion to bring back in life these beauties
Great to have you back, Chip. The restoration was wonderful. Cheers!!! 🐑🐑🐑
Welcome back, as usual, amazing work. I hope you continue to amaze us with your videos .
Nice work! Good for another 70+ years..
Beautiful end result. I'm old enough that I remember when my brother got one of these brand new! Watching this brought back wonderful memories so thank you for sharing and thanks for the memories.
That was BADASS!!!! Love this channel.
We missed you, happy to see you back! Wow, such a nice restoration!
I'm so very pleased you are back. I've been watching your old videos, 2nd time around.
Nice job as always! Im impressed with the new equipment. I couldn't hardly believe you made new hubcaps, what an accomplishment!
Welcome back Mr. Chip! Nice to see you! Wish you more projects!
Great to hear from you again! Missed your work! Posted before watching, FANTASTIC WORK
Outstanding job, great to see you back!
The tool to shape the hubcaps was the most amazing thing to me! Can’t be generic!? Like standard. You must have thousands of tools! Very enjoyable to watch.
It looks like it was in some type of structure fire im glad your saving it and bringing it back to life