studioman3

Looks good, nice work Tim

SWEET!!!!!

It all comes back, just like riding a bike, nice job, good looking Pete. Tim

Andy, check out Tim's trashy truck on page 2 (http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10713)

Andy, Welcome aboard, nice work on those kits, the FR700 is awsome. I too like trash trucks, and some day......., just maybe......, I might think about building one, after I aquire some talent for building scratch kits. I also was drawn in by Mr. Ahlborn's collection, his ability and creativety as a modler/scratch/photographer/diorama king is second to none, I just kept looking at all his pics thinking.... wheres the models at? Tim

These are my two 359s hard at work in my first diorama, please overlook some of the scenery that doesn't belong, as my yard is not idea for this. I am pretty happy with the results. I'll post a pic or two here, but go to my putfile to see the rest. Thanks Tim Here is the putfile link ( I hope ) http://www.putfile.com/album/191047/?action=slideshow

I just purchased the Revel Kenworth K100 Aerodyne kit and would like to extend the frame and add a third axle. If anyone would know where I could pick up an axle along with a set of rims and tires for this kit, that would be great. BTW I finished up my 359 Pete Heavy Equipment rig, I made it a day cab with custom wiring, and stearable front axle. Its pulling an extendable flatbed with a load of 2x4s, 2x6s, and backer board. I have everything strapped down, but still need to make the strap ratchets and figure out where to mount them. I am waiting on good weather to take photos. Thanks Tim

S-W-E-E-E-E-T_!!!!! Tim

Thanks for the link, and it looks great, but I really don't want to replace the plastic deck on the flatbed, I don't think I could cut it out of the frame and keep it strait. I'm just looking for a way to make the "plastic wood" look realistic.

I have a couple of flatbed trailers to make up, and was wondering how you guys make the wood decking look real. I assume to paint or stain the wood first, then mask them off and paint the rails, but I would rather not screw one up if I don't have to, so any tips here would be great. TIA. Tim

Looks good so far, are you using aluminum tubing for the hydraulic cylinder? Keep us posted, I would like to see the finished product. Tim

Tim, Your attention to detail is awsome, they look so much like the real thing, it is quite hard to tell that they are just a scale replica. If I didn't know any better, I would think you had just hand polished each one of the rims. On the 386, are the headlights real, painted, or a decal, I just ca't tell (kinda like on NASCAR). Also, might I metion that your lighting is perfect, you cast a perfect shadow, not multiple or blurred, and the different background showing on each shot just helps drive home the realism. Nice job on all of it! Tim

Tim, They both look great, love the color, and I agree on the nixing the black bumper, though it covered very well. Would love to see a better pic of the cab gaurd if you get a chance. Curious, Is that silver paint around the doors, or do you use something different, they always turn out perfect. Nice job, thanks for sharing. Tim

SWEET! .................... i thinkl Hate to see one die, but that one looks good, nice job! Tim

Thanks for the kind words and the information, I googled Cat and Cummins and found plenty Cat pics, but only one of a cummins, and the one of a Cummins looked like and old V8 So I just wasn't sure, but I did have some Old Cat Yellow paint, so there ya have it

[attac ment=1699:41608_189.jpg] This is an AMT 359 Pete Construction/heavy equipment kit. I'm building it as the little brother to my big rig, same color scheme, only this will have a tandem rear, and no sleaper. The kit comes with a non-steerable front end, which just doesn't work for me, so I modified it to work. You should be able to see in the pics that I cut the steer axles and drilled them, then added bolts and nuts (.090 guage), this allowed the axles to turn, then I did the same with the tie rod, as it turns out, that left more work to be done when adding the steering box and rod, so I used the same technique. all in all, it works ok, but I think they must use a ball joint or something in the real ones for smoother action. I then started wiring things up a bit. You should be able to see the battery cables, I attached them to the battery and out the back of the box, up into the frame and out to the engine compartment. I really don't know what gets hooked up from here, so I will use my own discretion as to where the wires will be conected. Its hard to find detailed pics and I'm not sure which engine this is, though I painted it Old Cat yellow. I hope it looks good when its finished, although when you turn the key, don't be suprized it the horn starts blowing and the lights flash intermittently while the strter runs in reverse. What can I say, I'm not a mechanic! Heres some pics Tim

looks good! Tim

Dan, Thats a nice procedure, I think the photos really help the explaination. Well worth the trouble, the final product is outstanding. That is a beautiful truck by the way. Tim

That sucker looks heavy Scott, nice work!

Broch, and Bill, Thanks for the kind words, The last six months have been the first time in 30years that I have not been working, so, it was a nice change, and I hope to have plenty of time in the future to build some more. Tim

I think the paint looks fine, the detail on the dash is great work also, nice lookin truck. Tim

Broch, Very nice truck, it looks great. love the fuel tanks, are those from the kit? Tim

Thanks Dave Tim

Scott, I tried 2 differant kinds of yellow (Testors/Valspar), They both covered like ######, you could see right through them and they were spotty, even after several coats. I then went with Rustoleum, and it covered in one coat, unfortunately, on the 359, it wrinkled up real bad on top of the Valspar. I would like to get an air gun, but am inbetween being disabled and /or retired, and money is real tight right now. Thanks for the info on the nails and decking, I don't really even have a place around here to look at a 1:1, so I am guessing on alot of stuff. I guess they would nail at every crossmember, didn't really think about that. Don't know whats next yet, I'm thinking of selling this one on Ebay and doing another just like it. Your rig looks great! love the color and the dumper is perfect. Wouldn't suprise me to pass it along the highway. Tim

I have a set of the squared diamond-plated ones from the Alaskan Hauler kit if that would help. Tim