Jürgen M.

Hi everyone, I'm back after a week of illness. Not cured all the way yet but enough for some work at the bench. I got sick before I could post these: Roof, cockpit, door panels, ... chromed parts (you may have seen these in Gary's thread - No hijack!) The cab, interior and doors! And this is last night's work: Wheels, ... quarter fenders and fuel tanks, .... bumper and grille fixed into place, Not glued yet!

The uneven surfaces come from the fact that all parts are printed and then painted with multiple layers and sanded in between! The sanding may have caused some roughness which you only see when the chrome is on. I'll try to improve that process! Keep going with that build! It's awesome!

Hi Gary, that sounds great! I would be proud to be copied by you! ? An old beer truck sounds like a nice nostalgic build! Great idea! I chromed several parts for my Pete. They look pretty good but still I'll put a clear coat on! Hope this is not seen as a hijack?

What a perfect job! It's so fun watching this! Keep going! Can't wait to see the final model!

What a great build! Clean and perfect paint job! The re-chroming is a great idea and the Revell chrome spray is pretty good. It has to cure a long time though but it's worth waiting! Will you put a clear coat on the chromed parts as well? By the way, I wanted to tell you that my 352 Pete is going to be a beer truck too but a totally different one! Didn't want you to think I'm a copy cat! I just liked the idea!

Said by a man who really knows what he's talking about! I can only agree with Jeff! There's nothing to add!

Nice Idea for the tank straps! I switched to cable ties! They're available in several sizes! I really enjoy seeing what innovative ideas you guys have!

A really awesome build! Looks great! The belly dump Looks just perfect! More detail than the eye can handle!

I can confirm what Gary and Jeff said! I only built it once but compared to other amt kits it's a real toughy! I did build the Coca Cola Western Star though and it wasn't too good a quality either! Maybe they did use the old tools once more for the Coke Editions? Anyway, your General is looking good and I'm sure you'll make a real beauty out of it!

Nothing to add Jeff! It's just a beautiful tractor you built there! I think the fifth wheel fits this truck pretty well!

What a fantastic and extremely detailled build Jeff! I can't take my eyes off it. I can't wait to see what you've got for us next!

Got the exhaust system installed! The mufflers and the PB typical slash cuts will be attached to the cab! That's the way it is on my amt 352 Pacemaker, so I took over this detail. The pipe off the turbo charger is a bendable plastic drinking straw. The piping is one piece! The air cleaner is connected! Tail lights are also in their bezzles! I designed the bezzles so the classic amt tail lights fit in exactly!

Oh yes, that paint finish looks better than the original!

I changed the doors to fit in the hinges! To do that, I first measured the hinges and drew them in 3D in order to copy them into the drawing of the doors! (I didn't draw the holes in the hinges since they're not relevant for the build). The doors with hinges (from both sides): On the inside the door panels will cover up the hinges! The chassis is growing too! The air cleaner is printed and will be mounted behind the engine after painting!

The chassis and engine are painted and "married"! The red comes out much brighter and lighter than it is! Since the doors hinges didn't come out at all in print I moved to plan B: Tiny hinges! With these I can fit in the doors without major changes!

Thanks guys! Of course printing opens doors to new, unpurchasable models but as I just posted in the "Plow" thread, it does generate a lot of surface rework unless you're willing to spend lots of money for a high end printer! It is of advantage though if, for example, you need to replace parts.

I think speed is not important in this hobby! You're doing such a great job without printing. Believe me, there's a lot of rework neccessary on printed parts If you are not willing to buy a printer from 1000€ and above. You can tell when you look at my builds up close. The surface needs lots of attention and the material is so hard, you'll have to use diamond sandpaper in order to smoothen it. Means, you only have the chance of a good surface If you use a fill primer and a few more layers of paint than usual. I chose printing because I wanted to build trucks you can't buy as a kit and the resin or printed ones you can purchase are extremely expensive. Anyway, keep going! You couldn't do a better job! It's really fun watching!

Do overs are part of it unfortunately but I'm sure you've got the right ideas to make it work out! Looking good so far! Really nice Job! I'm anxious to see it finished!

Cab fits pretty well! It´ll look better after primering and painting. The chassis is painted and drying!

I get dizzy when I see all those details. I´m speechless! Perfect build! I believe not even the real thing is built with such passion and quality!

Really awesome details! Those steps look like shrunk real ones! Amazing that tiny mesh! That is one beautiful Pete you wouldn't see on the road everyday either! You can be really proud of that build! ?

The print of the cab came out fine, the doors and the sun visor didn't! The door hinges were actually missing in both sides. Have to design new ones and somehow integrate them. Either a new print or maybe a thin tube. I'll have to think about that!

Thanks everyone!

I decided to post a few more design pics: I know it's probably not all correct but I can live with it! Some day I might do more research and make corrections! The chassis is ready for painting:

No problem! As I said back then, I didn't mean to offend anyone. Didn't think that anyone would still feel annoyed by it today. I followed the rules since then and it wasn't my intention not to follow them back then. I admit, I missed reading them in the beginning and therefore made mistakes. Hope this is not going to follow me eternally.