redneckrigger

First 20’ section of boom is done, except for the pin connections etc. came out pretty well I think, and the second is about 1/2 done. Once the jigs were set up, and a procedure for cutting and such was perfected, it went WAY better and quicker than I expected. The first section is amazingly stiff. The size is 60” on centers of main tubes in width and 48” on centers in the vertical direction. Here is a scale 40’ of boom they still need the connection points, and the boom section on the left is drying before I add the diagonals on the top but it looks rather good! edit: just added last photo to show the second twenty foot section all together as well

First piece out of the jig, second one just drying. So far so good!

Sat down tonight and started fabricating the first 20’ section of boom. There will be two straight 20’s, two 10’s for the folding joint, a 20’ base and a 20’ tip. Each basic 20’ straight section will have 64 pieces of tube making it, not counting the mounting pieces and joining plate parts at each end. I also sat and figured out how to make the female joint piece for joining the booms. Males are next. These are the times I wish I was knowledgeable about 3D printing! Sometimes I think I enjoy the planning, problem solving and design of how to build these things more than the building!!!

I just sold a '91 Mustang GT that I had for 30 years. It was a hoot to drive and even though it had 185K on the clock, it was a VERY spirited ride with the 5 speed. When I first got her I had more than a few surprise rides around in a very tight little circle while driving in the rain, and it would do a great burnout. Only sold her because I bought a '95 Corvette and I simply could not drive both at the same time and found myself using the Mustang for rainy weather instead of the Vette, (which was no fun at all), so I decided to sell the Mustang. At just about 3200 pounds she had plenty of power. I have driven several of the newer ones with the Coyote engine, and while heavier, the power was incredible, and it is easy to see why their drivers lose them so easily. My 'Vette with the 6 speed is faster, and quicker than my GT and far more fun to drive, but also more well mannered especially with the ASR engaged. With ASR off, it can be a handful. She does NOT get driven in the rain. A very good friend has a couple of McLarens, a Ferrari, three Porsches, a Lotus and a Jaguar. I have driven several of those as well, and BOY, it is easy to see how trouble can come along FAST. I cannot imagine the new 1000+ HP C8. But, as with all things, if you exercise caution, you won't make the front cover of Car Wrecks Weekly!

Between my phone and my Fotki albums, I have at least 25,000 photos of things that I MAY want to build some day, not counting the 5-10,000 photos I have already used building the equipment and trucks that I have done so far. It is a tremendous resource.

I injured my back by being stupid lifting heavy stuff 35 years ago. Have had all sorts of procedures including fusions. This stimulator has so far been incredible. As far as my next project, don't hold your breath! I have to live long enough to finish the crane I started 5 years ago! But it's getting closer every time I get to the bench!

Thank you!

Thanks!!

Thanks!

Thank you. This was my ninth back surgery since a construction work accident in 1990. I had a spinal cord stimulator installed to send electrical signals into my spine for pain management. So far it has eased my chronic pain by about 85%. It feels kind of strange to have so little pain after 35 years!

Thank you sir. Actually, just got to the point where I can comfortably sit at my bench again today. Started cutting the first of hundreds of pieces of tubing and rod to make the scale 100 feet of boom. 1/8" tube for the main stringers, 3/64" rod for the side and top diagonals, and 1/16" tube for the end verticals, horizontals and internal diagonals. The whole thing will end up at 4 feet long. Got my work cut out for me!!! Made up a jig to cut them all uniformly as well as another jig to assemble it all together. Getting there!

News as of today: We just got the news that Jamie may be discharged on July 13 from Aultman Woodlawn. Big shoutout to the awesome care team at Aultman — they’ve been amazing every step of the way and we’re thankful for everything they’ve done for Jamie. Since starting therapy and getting adaptive devices, he’s made amazing progress! He can now wash almost his whole body, brush his teeth, put on a shirt, lie on his stomach, and feed himself. To us these may seem like small things, but with everything he’s going through — they’re HUGE wins! He’s fought every day to get here. He’s not just recovering — he’s THRIVING. 💙 Let’s keep cheering him on as he continues this journey. The support of his family & friends has made a world of difference!

VERY cool build of a classic AMT kit! Well done!

Am kind of laid up right now.............got the pieces needed all sorted out and some cut, but had back surgery yesterday, (#9), and cannot get down the stairs to my workbench at the moment. Upside is that I have to lay low for 8 weeks so I am sure that I will get a bunch of that time at the bench as soon as I can navigate the stairs! Will post updates ASAP!

As many of you know, Jamie is going through a life altering event right now. He and his family need support. If anyone here can help this wonderful family out, it would be sincerely appreciated. If you want an address to donate to, contact me privately through this forum only. Or go to the Facebook page established for this specific purpose. Please do what you can! You will also find updates on his condition and status of his treatment plan on the Facebook page. I can assure you that what he is enduring would put most of us at our end. Jamie’s Journey-Healing and Hope.

Thank you…….more to come!

Global makes nice stuff, I got the same cab from them at NNL as well! When I was fire chief of our volunteer department, we had a Bermuda cab on a Thibault/ FWD pumper. But, being in the mountains, we got lots of snow, and the canvas top was long gone by the time we got her, so we took a cab roof and doors from a Dodge LCF truck I had for parts at my shop and made her cab weather tight. Was nicer to use for sure!

I tried a proof-of-concept with the styrene boom a little while ago and it worked pretty well. I built a jig to build it in and use a chopper with a cutting length guide to make repeatable cuts. Gonna find out real soon how it works with ten to twelve inch long sections that have to pin together! The good thing is that this boom will be a lot easier to handle than the one on the real crane. That one was 210 feet long with a 30 foot jib. THAT was a beast!

Appreciate the good words sir! It’s only cutting and gluing pieces of plastic that is assisted by having all the manuals and being intimately familiar with the real machine. And it helps to have a background of being a fabricator as one of my former jobs. Got the drive covers fine turned today so at this point this part of the build needs some final gizmos and then all of the wiring and air and hydraulic lines and the counterweights, but those will be done later. Now the next step is perhaps the most straightforward but also most likely the most difficult to get right. The boom assembly is next. I asked for guidance from the best modeler I know, Charlie Rowley, on how to work with brass. He gave some superb pointers. So I figured what the boom would weigh and decided to go with styrene instead. I plan on making a scale 100’ of boom, which will be 4 feet long. In brass it would be way too heavy, so on to cutting and fitting a LOT of Evergreen tubing!

Got a few more things done. Fabricated the swing control lever. Added the rest of the controls to the upper cab. Made up the counterweight support structure and installed it to the rear of the upper house. Will make up the counterweight removal linkage next. Made the counterweight removal hydraulic power unit. Added dunnage to the carrier trays. I put a leash on the radiator so it doesn’t wander away again! Added the step to the carrier for the driver and the hexagonal hub extensions on the drivers side front axles that are used as a step to get into the cab. Still have to do some fine tuning to the drive guard covers and make the counterweight removal linkages. Have all of the recently added pieces held to the build with museum wax so the final assembly after paint will allow final alignment. Then unless my OCD finds something else to do before I get the boom under construction.

Yup, going out there Sunday, bringing the crane for the In Progress table. Looking forward to the show…… hope to see you there!

The big problem I always have doing a build like this from scratch is that I am never happy with some aspects of my work, whether it be from design or fit or finish. It's just a curse that adds a bunch of time to my builds as I so often go back and rework something to make it satisfy me. I am trying mightily to fight this "2 steps forward, 3 in reverse" issue, but it's hard to teach a really OLD dog new tricks! That hinge as well as about 15 other items are on my "do-over" list, that may or may not get done. I have SO much to do on this, (I hope I get it done in my lifetime), and every step I take, I find a tangent to go off on to add "just a few more details", so it's kind of a never ending spiral! But it's the most fun I've ever had when I get to building these things, as I can't remember that last out-of-the-box build I did!

Yeah, the piano hinge on this build is a bit oversized, but it was all I could find at the time. IF I find the time (doubtful) I will replace it with a home made one, but until then it will suffice.

Installed the carrier and operators cab doors, both rear side doors on the upper house, the rear sliding access doors on the house and all of the top covers. Added the outrigger control cabinets on both sides along with the outrigger hydraulic tank, and the hydraulic power pack for the counterweight removal system. Added upper and carrier battery boxes. Added the upper exhaust and air cleaner. Changed the bifold carrier engine cover to a one piece side hinge. It is all mocked together in these photos to check fit. And in the process of fitting it together I discovered that I misplaced the carrier radiator and presently have zero idea where it is! Oh well! Now have to fabricate the counterweight removal mechanism. It’s coming along! Maybe the radiator will show up…….maybe not! EDIT....And ten minutes after I wrote the post……I found the radiator!

Thank you. I’m glad too! Spent most of the last year totally on liquidating my business so we could retire. And finally able to spend time traveling and building stuff! Hope to have more photos tomorrow.