redneckrigger

Finished the reinforcements for the boom foot and did a quick mockup to see what it looks like. Next step is building the boom head section and then the folding joints and then install the joints. Happy with what it looks like! Good thing is, when and if I ever finish it, if I want to stretch the boom, just gotta put in a work order to the fab shop and pin them on!

Nicely done! Building something that has memories makes it all the more special!

All good thoughts……and I like the idea. Good thing is drawings are done, but no idea when the crane will be!!

Yeah, I last talked to John in 2017 whenhe went to the NNL that year with me. Haven't heard a word from him since. He did have a pretty serious case of diabetes, also hoping he is still with us.

Got the boom connectors all done...........WHEW! That took a toll on my arthritic hands, but they are done. Next step will be to finish detailing the boom sections, make the boom head section, make the folding joints, and then get the connectors installed to pin the boom sections together. The connectors are all match marked because they were drilled assembled, but they will still have to be fitted to each boom section so they assemble properly. I hope to make it so it can come apart easily enough for transportation, with brass pins to hold them together but with all the rigging and drums and cables etc., that may be a bit of an issue. No matter, I'm not at that stage yet, so it's a problem that does not need solving yet!

Ha! That is a problem yet to be figured out..................just WHERE I am going to park her!

Not a bad idea! I have another sheet with all of the drawings for all of the outrigger parts etc. Knew I kept them for a reason!

Quick mockup to ensure the boom fits with the cab and upper enclosure. So far so good!

This is a stunning build! But way down deep, a piece of me thinks that just maybe instead of doing all this incredible detail work, you built a 24 to 1 pair of tweezers and found a huge fiberglass hand to hold them and are showing us pictures of a real truck……..just sayin’! This is absolutely incredible work sir!!!

Today’s chore, and maybe spread out over a few days, is making 20 each of the female and male boom connector parts. Still trying to perfect the method of making them as they seem to love to take flight across the cellar while I’m shaping them! It is for these kind of repetitive parts that 3D would be awesome! But for me it is a piece of 5/32 tube with a rod inserted into it to make a 5/32 rod, Dremel tool with cutting disc, files, sanding sticks, drills, a jig to hold them, and a chopper to make them up!

Yes sir, they will fold exactly like the real one. Trying to make it as authentic as possible. Just mounted the boom foot this morning to see how it fits. It still needs a lot of reinforcement pieces added and such, but it looks pretty good.

Still lots of pieces to add to the boom sections such as pendant anchors, boom stops, pivot points, pin connectors, deflection rollers, folding hinge points and more, and still need to make the 20’ boom head section, but this gives an idea what it will look like. Total length will be 48” which equates to 100’. The one I am modeling has 210’ boom and 30’ of jib. I’m going to be happy with 100’ in scale. I can’t even think about making another 67” of boom and jib to match the original!

Having not only worked with trucks like this but I also built bodies as well as repairing old ones, and painted everything from dozers to loaders , cranes and about any truck you can imagine. And I can say that your attention to detail has every base covered, absolutely incredible work!

Thank you. I can see that you also spend a lot of time doing research as well to get the details right. I know I could reduce my build time by not being so precise, but my OCD won’t let me! I have found that obtaining operators, maintenance, parts and service manuals for all of my builds has helped immensely. Some of them are quite costly, but the return in info is worth it!

Got a start on the boom foot. Have a lot more pieces to add to it but is starting to look the part. Hardest part is finding the proper reference photos that show all the details I need. I took about 150 pics of the actual crane I used to work with and have about 1500 photos found online, but finding just the right one that shows the details I want is sometimes a challenge. I’ve been working on this for over five years and I would estimate 1/3 or more of that time was spent drawing blueprints, taking photos, online researching, and planning how to do something. But as the steps are completed one at a time, the feeling of accomplishment is worth the tedium. I wish I had gotten into 3D but at my age, I’m happy with what I have! One step at a time…….!

That is a superb build so far. You have it perfectly replicated. We have a Thor 29G class A of very similar construction. It looks like you have not missed a single item!

That is a fantastic build, Jeff! Used to see those trucks all over the place, and still see one once in a while when our small town does an oil and stone job on some of our back roads. That 3D work is INCREDIBLE! I wish I was younger and I would try my hand at it, but it would be an all consuming project for me at my age and with my limited technical ability! But it sure would have sped up my crane build that is at more than five years, with no end in sight1 Only a few resin cast pieces from AITM and Moluminum on it and the rest is 100% scratch styrene etc. But, I am envious of those with the superpowers of 3D! Keep the updates coming!

Sixty feet……two 20’ straight sections and two 10’ sections for the folding function.

Anyone who has used Jamie’s parts from his Moluminum site knows these parts are beyond compare. And you also know he is a gentleman. I just talked to him, he is recovering from bilateral below knee leg amputations. His hands will be next, one at a time as soon as he is mobile on his new legs. There is no time frame yet, but they will be taken. This is a craftsman who was a hot rod and street car builder, master craftsman, model builder and an incredible resin caster. If anyone can see fit to help him out, please go to the Facebook page referenced to make donations. I know everything will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

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 still needing 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 and good, 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!