redneckrigger

Thank you!!!!

As a matter of fact, yes, and I already have a couple micro motors…….! But, I will take a hard pass on that! Got plenty on my plate as it is. All of these drums etc. have literally four or five dozen mechanical linkages that run them as well as hydraulics and electrical controls. That alone will keep me busy for a LONG time!

Spring and band brakes and torque arms made up and installed. Now on to the planetary drives.

That is a fantastic lowboy! Great details right down to the bolts holding the decking down. Wow!!!!!

I have some serving for archery strings which is black, the right size, no fuzz, pretty stiff, and looks pretty good. Gonna give that a try. Done for the night, just added the house rotation drive. Tomorrow gonna work on bracing, planetary drives, band brakes, and the Detroit 6/71 power plant. No shortage of things to do!

Got all eight of the clutch/brake mechanisms made up. Now on to the torque arms, band brakes and planetary gearboxes.

Beautiful work on this lowboy Dan, absolutely fantastic! Keep the updates coming!

Thank you Greg. I remember my Mr. Machine from when I was a kid. Built it, took it apart and used it to power an old Buddy L dump truck, that we promptly blew up just for the heck of it. I am absolutely humbled to be mentioned in the same sentence as Charlie, but he is several quantum levels WAY beyond me!

Made up the first clutch/brake mechanism and installed it. Kinda tricky figuring out which drum/gear/clutch/shaft all has to get glued to which in order to make sure the drums can turn independent of each other and make the whole thing at least look somewhat proper. One down seven more to go!

Thanks Dan. Unfortunately the updates are too few and too far between as I tend to get bogged down in the details. But, since I enjoy the details I guess it's just gonna take time! At this rate, I MIGHT wrap it up in another two years. And then, I can move on to the kits in my stash, as long as I don't embark on another scratch build odyssey! Even so, at age 67 right now, if I get going real hard right now, I MIGHT reach the end of my stash at about the age of 435! All kidding aside, I know that I could build even this crane all buttoned up, with zero working features, kind of like a curbside build, but it simply would not satisfy me, so, full blown detail job it is!

I made up the drums today and all of the clutch/brake housings . Now working on the inner workings of the clutch/brakes as well as the auxiliary drum brakes and planetary gear drives for the hoist drums. Yup, it’s almost been two years this has been on the bench. I figure I’ve got about 4-500 hours in it so far, which includes research, engineering, figuring out just how to do something, parts and materials sourcing, and putting it all together.

Having a hard time finding time to spend at the bench as life continues to interfere. But, was able to make up the base for the upper works as well as the main side plates for the drive system. Got the gears all installed which took a bit of work to get them all to engage properly. There is a tremendous amount of mechanical work to be done here but it sure is fun! And Charlie, that zip tie idea worked superbly! Thank you!

Now THAT is a superb build! Don't see too many of those Brian. NICE!

The whole thing will be as functional as I can make it, the carrier steers, has suspension, outriggers work. The crane upper will also completely work.

Started on the upper house assembly tonight. Got the deck and the crane drive drum and boom support side plates all cut out. Got the gear drive system somewhat figured out. This is going to be a build all by itself!

That is absolutely beautiful. Great work!!! The details are superb.

Now THATS a pretty cool idea!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just got a headache even THINKING about making two of these monsters! All kidding aside, I do admit there is a certain something about seeing it in the raw state. Kind of like looking at an awesome 1/35 scale build of an armored vehicle that has a lot of scratchbuilding and photo etched, and resin parts included. It looks really cool to see it before it all gets covered with paint! The photos I take of the build in progress will have to suffice. But, it's been two years since I started it with LOTS to go yet, so it may NEVER see paint. Whoever inherits it after I'm gone can worry about it!

I am truly humbled by all the great words about this and other builds I’ve done. This one is all consuming but to be truthful, I am not as happy with it at this stage as with previous builds. It is unique, and I have ties with the real one, so I find myself being hyper critical with the details, even in this undetailed stage. The parts that are not square, level or finished perfectly are driving me crazy. But in time they will all be addressed. Until then, I thank you all for the encouragement and great words!

I have thought of that!

Added the front counterweight supports, attached the exhaust and the air intake and filter, and made up the cab door. The basics of the carrier are almost done. Lots of truing, squaring, and surface finishing, and of course, detailing to do, but the main parts are in place. Will move on to the crane upper house real soon!

This is an incredibly well done build. In today's world, it is becoming less far fetched every day. That said, the details are wonderful, and the whole package works. But, the part that I notice the most is the absolutely stunning weathering. The rust patterns, the freshly torch cut metal, the welds, the dirt and grime etc. are PERFECT!

Beautiful sub build! A true trend setter in the sub world. Had that one when I was a kid. Am just starting a 1/72 U Boat build with all the internal compartments. Kind of daunting, but a good change of pace when the dreaded builder's block rears it's ugly head!

Little mockup of the Detroit 8V71 with exhaust and air filter in place. Just roughed in for fit. Also installed the carrier fuel tanks and filler necks.

Got the carrier cab about done, instrument panel, pedals, heater, shifter for transmission and creeper gears, seat, and steering wheel, which is just placed into position and will need to be attached to lip of dashboard. Still have to make door and windows and gaskets, though the windows and gaskets won’t get installed until after paint. Also made up the deck plates and the rest of the pontoons.