BK9300

It has been a gratifying morning! I managed to not bend my aluminum strap for holding down the plow's rubber deflector, so that was a relief. Got the metal strap 'bolted' to top edge of plow, securing the deflector in place. The most satisfying part came when I did a test re-assembly of the front plow - its been apart since all the parts were painted back in August/24! Still one part to paint and chains to add, once it is ready to mount on lift group, some fasteners to replace with smaller, scale appropriate sizes, but good to see it assembled. Painted 0.2mm aluminum strap, with pre-drilled holes, ready to be CA glued in place; I then needed to drill holes in rubber and the top edge of plow Using Top Studio Hex Rivets for bolts All holes drilled and bolts CA glued in place from the underside - still need to add spot applications of epoxy where bolts come through on underside to firmly secure bolts in place. The bolt pattern spacing looks inconsistent on the left portion, but that is what it was like on actual plow The aluminum strip was very scale suitable for the deflector hold down strap So, here's all the sub-assemblies that make up the front plow - the plow itself, the adjustable tubing brace (can adjust angle of attack for plow blade), the push frame, two sets of plow shoes and the swivel mount that will attach to the bumper lift group. When I looked at this picture, I did a quick inventory of the pieces that made up these plow parts - 66 pieces of styrene, 20 heads of dress pins for blade carriage bolt heads, 20 resin nut/bolt ends for the backside of the blades, 17 brass/aluminum fasteners/rivets/pins, 2 white metal clevises, the rubber deflector and the aluminum strip - 127 pieces in total! Still need to add a couple warning flags to pins on either side of plow tube. Various angles of the assembled front plow The adjustable tube brace still needs to be painted and several of the brass 00-90 fasteners may be replaced with slightly smaller aluminum fasteners from Scale Hardware - that's going to depend on whether or not my fingers/tweezers can manipulate the smaller fasteners!

I like the detailing that you've done on the rear suspension. Great paint job and other detailing on the cab and hood - looks really good!

A very complex engine being recreated with your excellent scratch building - wonderful job!

Looking really good, Alberto.

My apologies! I did that with Jeff a long time ago - it won't happen again.,

Thanks, Jeff - just about ready to put the whole plow/pushframe/lift assembly together - will be another milestone!

Thanks, Pete - appreciate the compliment! I should have painted it before I glued the aluminum fittings to the plate!

Tough looking truck for rough conditions, Jurgen!

Great update on the underlift, Scott and glad the parts arrived ok! I have to give a shout out to Bren who printed them for me, before Christmas holidays.

Bit more done today - finished up the bulkhead fitting and, while waiting for some ordered fasteners to assemble the front plow lift, I worked on the front plow itself. I needed to add a length of rubber to the top, front edge of the plow - this rubber strip helps direct the snow back down. Just need to paint the fitting, glue it in place, attach the hoses behind the bumper plate and wait for some fasteners before hooking up the lift cylinder hoses to the front of the fitting Hard to see, but there is a 0.2mm, aluminum strap that is taped to a guide for drilling bolt holes. I'll be using it to 'bolt' down the rubber deflector across the top edge of the plow. I'm hoping this aluminum works - should do the trick, but sure is easy to bend out of shape! Rubber deflector CA glued in place. Will be using 0.8 mm aluminum bolts to secure aluminum strip, through the rubber, to the plow edge. Aluminum strip has been painted and drying out in the shed Not a lot today, but still making progress - take care!

Yes, I've come across the Zaclift equipment while looking up info on the Miller, Challenger body. Neat piece of equipment!

Scott, your underlift is sure coming along. Do some underlifts attach to the main deck as opposed to the boom or mostly to the boom?

Looking very sharp, Topher!

Your cab and new hood combo is going to look great in that Safety Lime - sure wouldn’t miss that coming down the road at you!

I agree - really liking the 'bolt action'. Got to love primer - its always the a 'big' step in building a model.

Looking forward to seeing how you do this - complex item on big wreckers like this!

Really coming along, Gary - looks great!

Good job with the hinges - you have them tucked in very neatly. Sure will add to your overall detailing by being able to see your interior detail better!

The mirrors are awesome, Scott - real metal adds so much to their visual impact - great stuff!

Well, not much else to say but 'simply stupendous' - amazing skills, Randy!

Looks very convincing and once painted, will look like a realistic door panel and trim!

Very realistic build and excellent weathering - very well done!

That 'Mack models I need to finish" pile seems bottomless! Another good looking truck back in line.

Your cab and hood are looking great, Scott - hope the control tower makes it way to you soon, so you can finish the interior!

This is a very cool project! Your scratch building is excellent, too - great job!