Firebuilder

Charlie, I took your advice and swapped the kit trim, for the .030 stock. It took some work to get the trim off. The Ca glue was set pretty firmly . I got it off with out gouging the cab, and did some light sanding to remove the glue marks. The thinner trim looks 100% better. Here are the before and after photos.

Nice work Scott , tarp system looks great.

Good to hear your doing better and recovering, being at the bench is always good therapy!

Nice progress ,looks good.

Nice job, weathering as you go is a good idea.

Nice build , looks great!

Thank you foe the information greg

You are correct that the tire I used for the master was 3D printed. I am not a 3D printer there &ore I need to purchase or make my own items. The Tires are not always in stock and there is also the cost. So now I can cast the amount I need anytime I want to. Also by following Charlie’s instructions I learned something new and advanced my mold making skills. Just a note, while I did use someone else’s tire for the master, what I make is strictly for my own use, and if asked where I got the tire , I would recommend the vendor who produced it.

Thank you for the tip, I will pick up some evergreen at the hobby shop this week and try it out.

Charlie, Here are the results of the tire mold following your instructions. They came out a lot better than my first attempt. The black tire is the master . I needed a heavier tread or knobby tire for some of the older rigs I am building. They will look much better than any of the rubber kit tires I have on hand. The backs of the molded tires are not as clean and crisp as the front face, but once painted they will be ok. Thank you. For all your assistance with the instructions! Dom

Charlie, Where I was in North Jersey there were very few if any Maxims. The only time I ever saw one in person was at a muster. So for this build I am basing the cab on internet pictures. I did notice on later F cabs they added a blinker assembly. On this cab from Ranger the front trim pieces are not molded in, they give you 3 pieces of half round stock which has to be cut to size. I didnt think to sand them down to a thinner width, but now that you pointed it out, comparing them to photos, they do look a bit to large. I also liked your idea of an airport crash rig, but have not been able to find any reference photos for a maxim ARRF. The only one I did see was one with a different Maxim cab and the tires looked like they were from a tractor. Back to the trim I may try and pry them off and redo the pieces. Any other thoughts on this project from you are appreciated! Dom

The industrial pumper is just about done. I have not been able to find decals that I need to complete it. So for now onto the next project. The cab is a Maxim F model. It is a 3D print from Ranger Detail Technologies. Almost Every thing needed for the cab comes with it, including the maxim decals. The was only minor sanding of some print lines that needed to be done. This is my first 3D print and I am happy with the quality and details of the print . I have not decided on what this build will be yet. Either a n aerial ladder , rescue or a pumper. I have started the assembly of the cab in the photos below.

Charles, Thank you for posting this, I see 2 steps where my attempt failed. Step 2 where you do 1/3 layer and let it cure, and also covering the face down side of the tire and sidewalls. I had just paced the tire flat on the foam board and pored around it! I plan on making a second attempt sometime this week. Again I would like to thank you for taking the time and providing the instructions you have given on rubber mold making. I have many molds for parts that I can replicate as needed now (couplings, foam cans, light bezels etc). Hopefully someday I can pass along this knowledge to someone else as you have done. Dom

Nice build, very clean.

Nice unique build ! Looks great.

Looks great Gary, nice job on the castings

Great work once again!

Scott, coming along nicely, now that I have recovered from surgery, I will be able to sit at my bench an get back to building.

A category for fire apparatus and emergency vehicles, ambulances police cars etc., would be nice. Fire apparatus does not really fit with big rigs and heavy equipment. ( my personal opinion) thanks

Great job Scott. My old stomping grounds! Love the idea of the sopranos!

I have tried decals to make the chevrons, even purchased some premade ones and never had much luck with them. Tearing and such. I now paint all of mine. It can be very time consuming consuming, and no matter much pushing and smoothing down of the tape, there is also a little bit a bleed through.

Nice build, well done.

Thank you Jeff! No those lights were not from the kit. I found them from a vendor on eBay. He has all kinds of emergency lights and in different scales. I will send you his contact information.

Thank you Brian!

The ladder rack was added, I also resin cast some 5 gallon foam buckets. The ladder was painted , have to try and figure out how to make a miniature pulley for it