redneckrigger

We sent a firearm via USPS Priority mail from our shop in MA to a dealer in CT on December 2nd. It went to Springfield MA, then to NJ, and back and forth between NJ and Springfield 6 times, before it finally arrived where it belonged in CT on January 22nd. Yet, I ordered a bunch of resin items from KFS in England that was shipped from there on January 13th, and it arrived on the 19th. Amazing, totally amazing.

I tried my first scratchbuild project a couple years ago, when I found myself bored with out-of-the-box builds. And, I was VERY inspired by those talented builders, especially Charlie Rowley, who I saw right here on these forums, as well as at shows such as NNL East. I had always assumed that dreams of building some of this stuff was just that, dreams. But, I figured, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So, I gave it a go, and have built a Galion roller, Galion hydraulic crane, detachable gooseneck lowboy, a Barber Greene paver, and am now working on a Link Belt 82 ton crane. Each project has been a few steps more away from my comfort zone. So far, I have pretty much stayed with plastic, and a few aluminum or brass tubing shapes, as well as several resin castings from reputable suppliers. I have found that Evergreen has pretty much allowed me to do anything I want. I hope to progress to soldering brass someday as well as making my own resin molds for various parts, as these skills will greatly extend the possibilities for various builds. It is a great joy to build something that I have never seen before in 1/25 scale. I tend to build trucks and construction equipment, based upon those I worked with before I retired from the construction industry. I also tend to be a hoarder.......................if I see something that I feel MAY be able to be re-purposed in a build, some day..............it goes into a box of goodies. Scratchbuilding has allowed me to take a great hobby that I have enjoyed for over 55 years, and bring it to a level FAR above anything I imagined as possible. Give it a try! You never know what you can do until you attempt it. I have not yet hit a wall where I could not figure something out, or get advice from a fellow builder. Nothing is impossible!

VERY well done. The color is perfect and the weathering is authentic as well. NICE!

1973 GTO and Grand Am 1974 GTO Mack B Model Dodge "Pilot House" cab pickup 2012 Chevy Truck

You have the "look", Charlie..........................absolutely awesome work!

Yup, the original has an 8v71 NA in the carrier and a 6/71 in the upper. Just got the cab and front fenders and bumper all made and attached. Lots of finish work to do but hours and hours of fab work yet.

Working on carrier cab and engine enclosure and grille. One piece at a time!

Following this Brian............................going to be awesome!

Yes sir, plans sure do help, especially with things like this, especially when they can be directly measured from for the parts. I have heard another phrase used for building stuff that looks real, kind of like imagineering................gizmology. Works for me!

Instead of a ruler and a pad on my kitchen table, figured it was time to unearth the real drawing board! Seems like a lot of extra work but it sure helps to have blueprints to make the parts from.

Well said Charlie. Yup, met Tim at a show many years ago and remember that term. And it is spot on. If it has the “look”, it works!!!

Outstanding recue and restoration.

Thank you Charlie............................means a LOT to me coming from you! Some of the details are a little crude, but when done, painted and weathered, it will be fine. I think I enjoy the research, engineering and design, and conversion of the real thing to 1/25 scale plastic than I enjoy actually completing the build. Every time I step outside my comfort zone, I learn from builders like you, and develop my own skills, which is no mean feat as we get older and our fingers get a mind of their own! Finally got out of the builders block I had going on, and am having a blast doing this now. Stay safe and healthy my friend!

Off to the drawing board.........using measurements I took, factory diagrams, and the photos blown up to 1/25 scale and then measured, looking good!

Rear suspension done with radius arms installed and driveshaft from the creeper transmission in place. Suspension pivots just like front. Brake cans still need to be installed when piping is being done. On to the cab.........

Front suspension and steering all done. Radius rods added, suspension travel bumper stops added, steering cylinders and steering box in place, front of frame trimmed as per actual prototype. On to the rear.......

Thank you. Having the real one to photograph sure helps too! Of course, count the number of bits and pieces involved, triple it, and you come maybe somewhat close to how many pieces I made before I got to this point!

Tried to attach a video of the linkage working in the previous post. Click on the arrow. Hope it posted!

Steering linkage done with the cylinders. First time I’ve ever made a twin steer let alone one that works. Kinda fiddly snd so forth but makes me happy! IMG_5413.MOV IMG_5415.MOV

Looking fantastic!

Mockup of the steering linkages. Still need to make the two hydraulic cylinders. Happy New Year to everyone!

Gotta work on the linkages, so built a sort of rotisserie stand for the frame to hold it as I figure out the complicated linkage. The intent is to have it work, though it is so complex that may just be a dream.

Giving this a try on the front steering. Knuckles from an IHC COE and heavily reinforced tie rods and metal rod pivots and axles. Still have to make the drag links, radius rods, steering cylinders and steering box, but I think it will work well.

Outstanding work Jeff. Love the auger....................same exact construction method I used on my paver................shapes and pieces. Absolutely beautiful, and very timely with the snow upon us!

Outstanding rescue job!