redneckrigger

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.

Thank you. The fit and finish will get much better as it approaches the finish line. At the moment, actually, a lot of it needs filling, sanding and much attention. But it’s getting there!

Just did these hinges last evening. The two side access doors on the upper house are the #15259. They come assembled. The ones on the carrier cab and the upper house operators doors are #15256, and the long one on the upper winch cover is #85816. The #15256 have to be assembled, which for an old guy with arthritic fingers can be a challenge. Do it in a box so when the parts go flying they don’t disappear!

We may not see parts from Moluminum again, but we should not bemoan that fact. What we SHOULD do is try to support Jamie in their time of need. If we see parts from him again, it will be a bonus. If Jamie gets better, THAT will be the true gain here!

I use the Micro-Mark #15256, the #85816, the #15259, and the #15258, all dependent upon where it is being used and how big it has to be. They work wonderfully but are TINY! Be ready to chase the tiny parts all over your bench, or floor, or wherever you build. Fortunately, we rid our house of the dreaded carpet monster a few years back!

David, I might suggest that if anyone has ordered from Jamie in the past and they have his address, that they contribute directly, or to his PayPal account, as that way they will realize more from the donation than thru go Fund Me. Just a suggestion, Jamie is the best there is, a great guy with a great family who can use his supporter's help in his time of need. Tom

Thank you..................it is all consuming! They are from Micro Mark, www.micromark.com.

It’s a 95 coupe with the 6 speed. Just a driver but a heck of a lot of fun. Had a 91 Mustang GT for 30 years but when I got the Vette the Mustang went off to a new home.

That steel desk is a beast. And there is a second identical one back to back with it with the same shelving you see on it as well. Guy built it for a reloading center. Got it got free just had to move it. Works well!

Well, got back home on 1 April from our winter trip south and then west to Texas, weather was nice so even got my Corvette out for a ride. The next day it snowed and almost every day since then at least enough to stifle Corvette fun. So…….got some much missed and needed bench time. Worked on the upper crane works. Made a jig with false sides to allow me to make the guards so they all lined up with the house sides when I put them on. It also lets me rotate the house to work on it without being attached to the carrier. Makes it easier to work on house and carrier. Was able to get the house and all guards, covers, and upper doors figured out. Also got the operators cab all roughed in. Lots of detailing to do now. After the last year of being so busy trying to sell my business, which fell through about 9 days from closing, we decided to get on with retirement and liquidate it in pieces instead of selling as a going business. Couple that with TRYING to retire, and didn’t get much time at the bench. But working on that now! Cleaned my bench off, for the second time in two weeks, holy cow it gets cluttered FAST! Now more details for the upper works, then boom time! Oh boy!

Well, leaving for three month road trip to warmer climes, but it will give me some time to formulate plans and diagrams to complete this beast! Thank you all for the great encouragement and support!

That is a beautiful old dog!!!!

Will be back here with more updates in about 3 months …….time for a cold weather road trip to somewhere warmer! Carry on!

More work on the upper house.

Yeah you’re probably right! Not like it hasn’t been keeping my mind occupied already! Most likely this will be still on my bench when my ticket is punched, but it is getting closer!

Yes sir, the engineering always works. I have no concerns with using styrene either, as this is not being built to handle a load. But as a proof of concept to try out the assembly method, I’m quite pleased.

The one thing in this whole project, now going on 5 years, that was daunting, is the boom. I don’t know how to work with brass, nor do I have the knowledge to make it in 3D, so it is old school for me, lots of Evergreen shapes. So, it is about the time to start at least the butt end of the boom and its associated parts. So……I just jumped in with both feet and made a trial piece to see how it would go together. The actual lattice boom is 60” wide and 50” deep, made of 3” tube for the chords, and 1” tube for the lattice. I made a jig to hold the parts as they get assembled. And what you see in the photo is the result. It actually is quite rigid, and light. I hope to build 90 to 100 feet of boom. So far so good!

May not ever finish this monster, but am sure gonna give it a good effort. Haven’t had lots of time to work on it with the last 2 1/2 months spent deer hunting. But the freezer is full. Have gotten a few more things done on the upper house. Built the operators cab and the control pedestal. Found that my wife’s junk hair curler has bristles that make perfect control handles with knobs. This thing is such an involved build, it is extremely daunting. But I started it to be super detailed, and I simply cannot deviate from that path. The way I figure it I’ve only got about 1500 - 2000 individual pieces to fabricate and assemble, and endless rough edges to clean up still to go! I am leaving to head south for three months after New Years but will be back at the bench right after that. I had thought that I would be getting lots of build time after I retired. I am getting lots of traveling with my wife, lots more hunting than ever and just getting back to this build in between everything else. Still wouldn’t trade it back for working!!!

Courtesy of my Dad: "If you go through a day in your life without learning something, you weren't paying attention."

Started one of these back in the 70's. Still have it's semi finished hulk around here somewhere. It's still on my "to build" list as it is an iconic plane, at least in my mind.

As a former firefighter and chief, we often had occasion to ventilate a house. We always used positive pressure ventilation. We would put the fan in front of the front door, just about 3-4 feet outside and then open the window in the section of the house we wanted vented. It worked far better than using a fan to suck air into the house and force it out a window. Of course, a lot depends upon the size of the fans being used. I have tried this method in my house with residential size window and box fans and find that it works well. Stay cool!

Dave, thanks for the effort you are putting forth to fix this issue. I came to the forums twice today, 31 July 2024, once at 3 PM and now at 845 PM. Both times took an average of 60 seconds to open any thread, and I tried several each time. I am in the Eastern time zone.