redneckrigger

I use a pair of kelly clamps, also known as hemostats. I haven't found anything I want to paint yet that doesn't have a tiny spot underneath to clamp the hemostat to, and then I hold it in one hand and paint it. When done, I clamp the handle of the hemostat in a small bench mounted vice. I aslo hold it in the vice if I don't need to move it around while painting. Has worked for 45+ years.

Welcome back to the hobby! You are not alone, many have taken a leave, as have I for several years. Not far from you in southern Vermont. ENJOY!

When I worked for someone else, a construction company, all of our trucks were Cummins, Cat, or Mack. When I had my own truck, it was a Detroit, and yes, I drove her HARD. Got bad mileage, but got the job done. I found out early that she could not, WOULD not run lugged down, so I pushed her till the day we parted. The larger more powerful engine doesn't always mean worse mileage. A friend of mine and myself both bought new 1985 GMC K3500 single rear wheel pickups at the same time. Both trucks had every option, his had a 350 and mine had a 454, both with 3.73 gears. Mine averaged 13.5 mpg no matter how I drove her. His couldn't get better than 11. He was so PO'd, that the dumped his after 3 years. I drove mine into the ground and parted her out to keep my wrecker running. Great engine, with plenty of power and acceptable economy. Big diesels rule still around my part of the woods.

Nice build! Brings back memories....had a '68 A100 van with the 225.

They are ALL music to the ears!

The Detroits that I had all had crankcase vents that worked well. Built up pressure was not a problem, from what I have been told by a friend who still turns wrenches on a few of them. But, compressors, alternators, crossover tubes, o-rings, and about every other place that could leak did. We had a 1971 Seagrave/FWD pumper in our fire department. We bought it second hand with an 8V71 in it. That truck ran super and didn't leak anything at ALL like my 6V92T. But it took a special type of driving to get the best out of it. The problem was the other four trucks we had were 2 Cummins 250's, a Mack ENDT 673 and a gas Waukesha 817 C.I. in a Thibault/FWD. None of them needed to be run as if you were mad at them as did the Detroit. The Seagrave eventually died a slow death because no one drove it correctly. You CAN'T drive 'em like a Cat or Cummins, or even a Mack. 'Twas a pity, as the was a sweet machine!

Hey, it's a Chevy............it's GOT to turn out good!!!!!

Thanks for the good words, guys! I don't have much choice than to behave myself. My wife is a Paramedic, and she works at my gun shop. Her threats as to what can happen to me if I DON'T behave and do what the doc says are scary indeed! Yeah, I enjoy the time at the bench. It is relaxing even if some days, like the last four or five, end up in a net gain of NEGATIVE results. But, it's getting closer to completion, and IF I can finish it the way it is going now without further revision, it may get done in a year or two! I also leave the ultra fine details for the guys with the young eyes and flexible fingers. I'm happy to have it turn out like I imagined, and heck, I only build to please myself. I gave up trying to please others years ago back when I went to the NNL East every year. But, even that experience gave me inspiration to build, but to build the way I want to, not for anything else. Cheers, keep the projects going! Tom

They are quite easy to make using two V8 Detroit engines. Have done it many times. AND, if you build a few, you get left over parts that can be used to make a 6V71 engine! Bonus!!!

Very cool! And not far from reality with the advent of the AWD Spirits too! I would suggest raising the plow headlights a bit. In use they would be too low and with the plow raised they would shine on the back of the plow. They should be able to shine over the top of the plow when it is raised. Just put my own plow on my truck for the first time this year and had to adjust the lights! Nice build!

That is awesome detail work and absolutely incredible weathering! Wow.................!!!!!

Not many????!!!! Wow, that is a huge body of work and very nicely done too! Are there still many old American cars around down there? I spent several months working in Blumenau back in the early '80's. Actually went to Florianopolis one weekend we had free. Absolutely beautiful area and super friendly people too! Keep up the good work!

Thank you..........it's old, for sure.............like me!

Well, the last time I posted anything on this WIP, I shortly thereafter got to thinking about changing it to a 6x8 with a powered front axle. I had just recovered from right hand surgery when I restarted this build, but now I have been laid up again for a bit with rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder, so now I can only work half-fast (!!!) with one hand. So, now I am really at a slow speed. But, with that one hand, I have been able to destroy about 20% of what I had completed so far, as I DID decide to go with the 6x8. I cut all of the rear suspension free as it must be raised to accommodate the new front axle height. I cut the pusher axle free. I dug out an old Mark Savage powered front axle and cut the IHC front axle away and have made the preparations to attach the Savage axle in place. Gonna use the same rear tires with Savage two hole wheels, and Savage traction floats in front with Savage two holers as well. ( I have a HUGE amount of Mark Savage's old resin items, perhaps the best that I have ever seen). Turning into a typical project for me..................two steps forward and five in reverse! But, fun is the key thing here, and I'm having loads of it! Happy New Year to all and many new projects to come for all!

The 23 y/o female driver of this truck in Indiana not only tried to go across a bridge marked for 6 tons, her truck was also too tall. http://www.livetrucking.com/indiana-bridge-collapses-after-being-struck-by-semi-truck/ http://www.livetrucking.com/truck-driver-who-knocked-down-bridge-said-she-didnt-know-how-much-6-tons-was/

Nice work! And cabovers too! AWESOME! I have been a builder for decades, but kind of went on hiatus for the last ten years or a little more, for health and various reasons. I am also back at the bench, and it is great! Welcome back.................this bunch here on this site is tremendous! If I had found this site, and these great guys ten years ago, I'd never have hung it up!

I have been looking for a detachable lowboy kit for what seems like forever. KJ, make 'em again and you have three, minimum, sales to me alone! Have either been too late out of the gate when one was offered, or tried to get one from someone who ended up trying to keep the deposits and not furnish a product. Anyone know know of ANYBODY making them in kit form? Robert, that is superb work! The detail work looks real! (Nice Ford too!!!)

Mustang Madness, Nice build so far! Cobramike, of course, you still have the '66, right? No? That's ok............I dont have my '66, '67, or '69 'Stangs any more or my '73 GTO, though I kept her for 30 years! Ahhhhh, 20-20 hindsight and shoulda, woulda, coulda! That's why I build models! AND, thank you for your service! Mustang Madness, Keep the great pics a'comin'!

Nice build! Merry Christmas!

Have bought and sold on eBay for over ten years, but don't know for sure what time period they have for returns/refunds. But, PayPal has a 180 day window for returns/refunds.

At least on eBay, the site and PayPal offer buyer protection. Try direct communication first, then appeal to eBay or PayPal at last resort.

That dealer ran a flat rate shop. They charge by the Motor's Flat Rate labor book regardless of the time it takes. That is how they make their money, besides the high rates. Body shops do the same thing. A collision job may say a fender takes 5 hours to remove, replace and paint. If the body technician gets it done in 3.5 hours, the shop gets paid for the 5 and the tech gets a bonus on the hours saved. Your decision to use the local guy is a GOOD one!

OUCH!!! That's expensive! I have a 2011 Toyota, a 2012 Silverado, a 2000 Harley Ultra Classic, and a 1991 Mustang GT hotrod all insured with collision here in Vermont for under 1000$ per year. Of course, we don't have the traffic you have where you live. Been there, like VT better!

Kinda sad actually.....................that there are that MANY trucks and larger vehicles out there that are being driven around by totally clueless buffoons!