BK9300

More great detail! The bongos look well used, too.

No chores today - looked like it was going to rain. I'm waiting until tomorrow morning to do the test chroming of the parts tree, so got started on a bit of a distraction. In the last bit of stuff @Bren printed for the bridge inspection truck, he included a few radios and mike sets. Not on the 'outstanding items' list, but I wanted to see if I could represent the radio in the 4900's overhead panel. I didn't have any scale appropriate wire to make the mike cord out of, so I used some thin nickel rod. Had to first chuck the nickel and a 1 mm brass rod into my pin vise then chucked the pin vise in my 3/8" variable speed drill. I drilled a small hole in the edge of my work tray for the brass rod, so I wouldn't bend it while tensioning the nickel as it wound around the brass - All the bits gathered, ready to assemble. I cut a portion of the painted radio off, to glue into the overhead cutout for the radio. The nickel coil was a bit stiff, so going to thread some black wire into the coil and shape the cord that way - My version of the mike's retractable roof cable - Best look anyone will likely get of the radio, but glad it's in there! (I also added a couple vertical flanges for the day cab panel to sit against - will make it easier to glue and look, from the inside, like panel trim) - Looking forward to the paint test tomorrow - hope it turns out well and next steps can be taken!

Simply fantastic! I'll bet it feels very rewarding to see the boom fold as planned.

Sure is - and I'm literally counting down the remaining steps needed to finish! Thanks, Scott.

Not just awesome paint jobs to admire, there's the amazing fabrication as well!

Mighty ‘fine’ work, Daniel - in all aspects of that word!

Pretty amazing build, right down to the hub cap detailing - makes me wonder what else there might be to see, in the interior!

Did I see a mini drill press in one of the previous photos of your bench? Otherwise, pretty handy with a pin vise drill! Looks good.

Much appreciated - thanks, Gary!

I agree - exceptional work, Tom, especially with the comparison to the real boom connections!

Carrying on, when I can, because fall chores are lining up and bench time is a bit hit and miss at the moment. Was able to get a little more work done on the cab. Got the windshield in and cab visor attached. Made a bit of a mess, even with the tiny bit of epoxy I used, while setting the windshield in place. Got rid of most of the biggest smudge using some iso-propyl alcohol, but there are a couple spots where the epoxy squeezed out a bit that I didn't dare try to clean up - would have made back and forth repairs necessary on the window seals, so just left it alone. Mostly, hard to see the spots with the naked eye, but right in your (my) face if a pic is taken from the wrong angle. The flash show the streaks in the glass - But, if I don't use the flash, the scratch marks don't show - I still need to add the side rivets to the visor - I tried to drill the holes about 5 minutes after CA gluing the visor in place and promptly made the visor come loose. So, re-glued and let set for a day, then do it - Still pleased that the inner cab detail shows when taking a pic through the windshield - Going to finally do my test chroming of part of an old parts tree, before going ahead on the parts for the cab. I have a base of gloss black applied to the tree and I'm to let the base coat cure for at least a couple days, according to the Easy Chrome instructions, before applying the chrome paint. Looking forward to seeing how that will turn out!

Going to be a sweet addition to your truck.

Very well done, and terrific job on weathering the wood - looks quite real!

Screen capture from hpiguys workshop video -

A couple more pics and I won’t add any more!

Maybe the trailer in your pic is extendable - twice the trailer (almost) for the same shelf space! Regardless, will look great with your custom container loaded up.

The result still looks tremendous - such a great add-on! Your headlights look good, too.

Your engine/transmission buildup looks really good. Along the way, I've saved a few links, to maybe aid in future model detailing. This one may have detail that would be useful to you - https://www.summitcoresupply.com/for-sale/detroit-8v71-mechanical-diesel-engine-13136104

Another well executed build - quite amazing detailing and especially the overall weathering. Very well done!

Always inspiring to watch one of your creations come to life!

Well done, David - you've added a great variety of extra detail to catch the eye!

Might be harder to control, but jeweler's round, or wire, saw blades might catch less - good for keeping up the eye-hand coordination!

Looks like it works well - able to rotate your work and keep cutting same spot seems like it would make the cutting easier.

Very fine looking build! Was envious of a buddy who bought one similar, fresh out of high school, after a summer of working in the oil patch.

Beautiful paint job, Scott!