Semi Trailer Mechanic

What's goin' on... From the looks of your pictures you're definitly serious about this hobby. So the only time you (and when I say "you" I mean it in a general statement) should take a break from it is when you sit there w/ a project in front of ya w/ zero inspiration or you're so aggrivated w/ it you're ready to throw it in the trash. Like Harry said... " Unpack yer boxes, sit down and get busy. "

What's goin' on... That is really cool so far. I've got a 72 Nova in the process too only I did it the hard way using the Revell Pro street 67 Chevelle for the wheel tubs and the tires. Is that hood from a kit,scratchbuilt or a resin aftermarket piece?

What's goin' on... When I started this the 1967 Pro Street Chevelle (skulls/flames decals) was used for a parts doner kit. Wheels tubs,tires and a few other things were used. This was white until last week I stripped the paint in degreaser (same stuff as Castrol Super Clean) then painted it w/ the Testors Maroon Metallic Lacquor. The hood scoop was cut down and modified and some details on the fire wall were added. The rear end has got to be replaced. The suspension was broken so as seen the body is just sitting on the tires/axle. For the rear glass clear styrene will be used to replicate lexan glass and the windshield furnished in the kit will work. Evergreen Scale hollow round stock (styrene) 3mm in diameter will be used to make 3 inch exhaust. It'll come off the headers then a set of turbo mufflers will be added and turn out exiting just in front the rear tires painted w/ Model Master Aluminum Metallizer polished (to look like the same exhaust I had on a 1:1 70 Chevelle back in high school 18 years ago I MISS THAT CAR!!!) Bare Metal Foil will be added as needed on the body. I'm still not sure weather or not to leave the body clean or to put the contingency decals on the front end (Crager,Moroso,and so on) and the class/time on the windsheild/windows. Somewhere I've got a detail Master hood pin P/E kit I'd like to add to the hood and the rear trunk (giving that the look as if both were replaced w/ fiberglass pieces. I decided to start working on this again while allowing paint on another project to thoroghly dry between coats (two weeks between coats). As you can see there are some obvious flaws that I'm not concerned about it's not going to go to any contests just something to tinker w/ in the mean time. I appreciate the comments.

What's goin' on... Man that is too cool! Did you scratch build that Accel Super Coil or where can that be obtained from?

What's goin' on... Here's the AMT ("Old Pro") Nova. Several years ago I started this project and then it just got put away and forgotten about. I reccently remember this got it out of storeage stripped the old paint and this is how it looks so far.... Thanks for looking...

What's goin' on... I made it to the storeage unit and took some pics of my scratchbuilt hopper trailer. I built this about five years ago for a contest if I remember right so it went togather fast and it never saw that show. I've thought about rebuilding it but that's as far as that idea got!

What's goin' on... Go to the U.S. Patent Database do a search for wrecker. I used that Data base for past projects because the patents all have drawings there and explainations which is a HUGE help for reference when scratchbuilding. I found several different wrecker bodies there while looking for info on heavy wrecker assemblies. On that site you can enter the patent if you know it. Look for patents by searching the manufacturer (example Jerr Dan,Challenger so on ) or just a general description. I had the link saved on my old computer which is in the landfill these days.

What's goin' on... Very Cool. I'd say build a wrecker bed for it.

What's goin' on... Looks good. You about got it all finished up!

What's goin' on... Here's the latest WIP pics. Thanks for looking.

What's goin' on... I built mine " IDENTICAL " to how you're doing it. I used the old Fruehauf van trailer w/ the tri axle dump trailer suspension. I neglected some fine details. Back then for some reason I was in a hurry to finish a project. Don't ask me why??? I'll see about getting pictures of it soon. I rent a storeage unit and it's in here somewhere.

What's goin' on... Several years ago I built a tri axle Tempte hopper. Yours is off to a good start! Keep posting your progress if at all possible?

What's goin' on... Here's the latest update. Thanks for looking!

What's goin' on... Couple questions about these things. If I remember right back in tech school (diesel/trucks) if the pitch of the drive line between the U-Joints was more than 3-5 degrees it would lead to premature U-joint failure. But it has been close to 18 years since I was in college and my MCM user name let's ya'll know how many drivelines I've worked on lately. Looking at that yellow taxi's driveshaft I can't see how the driveline lasts? Back in the day I've had friends who build 4x4's and had U-joints bust because of the extream pitch angles (we were in high school back then couldn't afford to do it right). I understand raising up a 4x4 truck for ground/water/mud clearance purposes being "OFF ROAD" So what's the purpose of doing this to a car?

What's goin' on... Chris Not too bad. The Chevy has alot of potential. You should try to scratchbuild a flat bed like this......

What's goin' on... Does anyone know the different airtank configurations Kenworth put on the T600 preferably a 1988-90 year? Thanks in advance.

What's goin' on... Tim When you say that on the 359 the yellow was having trouble covering it was it that the color of the plastic was showing thru? If that's the case I've heard alot of builders say that they'll prime and put a base coat on then spray on a flat clear coat as a sealer then put on the remaining topcoats. Something that might be easier when it comes to detailing the flooring on trailers is this.... I use a needle heat it red hot and then burn the flooring where you want to put a floor screw. (The head of a floor screw is usually 3/8 tp 7/16 inch in diameter) For a little more accurate detailing the floor screws need to be over every crossmember. The number depends on the width of the floor board.Van trailer flooring is between 12-14 inches wild. On flat beds the flooring width can be anywhere from 5-10 inches wide this flooring is called Api-Tong flooring. So what's the next project? By the way. Here's an Alaskan Hauler 359 I build as a twin screw (tandem) day cab. I posted pics of this a while back but I thought ya might like to see it.

What's goin' on... Tim I'm impressed! This was your first time scratchbuilding right? Onwe thing I was going to suggest. I see how you had to extend the neck on the detatch. I completely forgot. On some lowboy's they have an extended "FLIP" neck for trucks w/ the fifth wheel forward or on a jeep. That would have looked good like that as well. NICE JOB!

What's goin' on... I've always just cleaned the plastic (part) and shot the metallizer on w/ no basecoat. In the past I've heard that gloss black will bring out a more refined shine when using the Alclad that's why I ask. Didn't know if that would work or not. Thanks!

What's goin' on... Has anyone painted a part black prior to using a metallizer? (Aluminum) Thanks in advance.

What's goin' on... Here's another update on the T600. This time I made some BUDD rims for the drives! Thanks for looking!!!

What's goin' on... Yeah this thing is a rare one. This is the second time in my life I've heard/seen this kit. The first time was from another model (truck) discussion group. Would it be worth building? It all depends on if you really want to. I like to have mulitples of each kit before one gets built. One to build and the other for the stash collection. Example I spent about three years looking for the AMT White Western Star (GP decals) sealed at a reasonable price. Before I build this I'm going to get at least one more. Another option is find (or) if you're a good resin caster reproduce the pieces of this kit you'd like to build. As far as the value of this kit is it all depends on who wants it and how badly they want it. The idea putting a ramp body on the back of it w/ say an old school AMX or Camaro on it is too cool. Built like that I could easily see it as a (red line) hot wheels car back in the day. If ya do build the truck and you have no plans for the trailer let me know.

What's goin' on... Here's the latest... (second attempt here first one for some reason didn't show up) Thanks for looking!

What's goin' on... Paul One of these years I'll get air brush painting down. When or for that matter if that happens I'll try weathing w/ it. I've always used chaulk. If there's anyway possible could you post a picture of the truck out of that book? Even if ya just took a pic of the page. I'd like to see that. Here's a project I built weathing it w/ chalk. I wanted to get a look of frost and road salt.

What's goin' on... Looks like a good project!