raildogg

Aside from the so called kitbashers and self proclaimed someday I'll build its, it's really OCD. We must have it and we buy it. It is endemic in our genes to do so. I must have one to six of everything I see. It's fun,yes!!!

O.K that's a start, Thanks

Need the real thing. Real measurements and reference photos will definitely help.Will make scale drawings from the 1:1 prototype. I guess cans from any truck will do, I'd think that they are all generally the same, such as 15" dia. and maybe 24-30" in. length. I'd like to know where in screened parts are located if any and how wide they are along the length of the can, like three in. or six in. Also the diameter of the duct work entering the can from the engine compartment is critical to my need.

Need to know or find dimensions for a donaldson, or vortex type air cleaner can for big rigs. I would ideally like to have a blueprint or measured diagram, but a search for same turned up nothing I could use. Anybody HELP!!!!

The best advice I can offer as a retired Pattern Maker/Mold Maker is stay with shapeways.com, still the best alternative to suffering all the frustration of having to build it yourself. They are good and very reasonable in price.

Because I'm an idiot, this is a thing to shoot just the flake medium after a coat of clear? What about the drying time of the clear coat and what type, acrylic or,? What size of flake and where to get it. And finally how about a list of sizes for the completed buster tube sizes and construction of the unit???? I know A.P.I.T.A.

Hey Girl, I am thinking about selling my mini mill and mini lathe. Let's talk about it, if you have a general interest about information on either tool, have had mine for years and used to work as a mold maker, and pattern maker.

Yes I did that once and wasn't happy with my results. I could try again and try to get it right. But what about the hose connectors anybody know about those??

I guess I'll have to use this suggestion in place of what I want. I didn't think of such a simple solution Thanks.

Some time ago I build a Septic Service Pump Truck in 1/25th scale. I never added any hose line because I couldn't find any corrugated hose. I still can't find any hose but moreover the, hose connectors, do they exist in 1/25th scale. I think they're similar to fire hose connections. Does anyone make these, and where to get them???

I did the same thing, filled a 10 gal. tank ,from my bigger noisy old monster. I got about 15 min. of 12-15 lb. spraying before refill. It's o.k. for a little while, but then, I got the itch for more time and more parts to paint in one session. Went online and bought a generic compressor similar to an Iwata, whisper quiet and no heavy draw on the electric bill.

WOW those are some serious jigs, pricey but, what ideas I have, LOL

Yes, you have to admire a guy that builds his own chassis, that's champion mate.

Having been a mold maker for some of my working years I'd like to add to this conversation. The costs of making a mold now is very steep. In the U.S. it is always prohibitive, so the Chinese make them at, one third the cost. Then, they ship back it to the mfg. ,he checks the accuracy and then, spends almost as much to repair or rebuild it as it would have, to have it done in country. Add to this the art work and offset printing costs, and there you have it, the $25.00 scale model. If it's a re issue then it's and old mold shined up for a short run, still expensive. I know there are ways to make economical molds for new subjects but, the old one sell like hot cakes just the way they are, bad to just fair. In closing, no they are not spending anything at all, we must remember in a democratic capitalist business environment, profit is king!, not customer satisfaction!

I do mostly armor so model cars and trucks is on my menu right now. That has proven to be a bit of a chore as I dwell in the odd and unususal subjects, this will lead to many dead ends. Still fun though.

Tumbler tires YES!!!!

I sent a message off to Ma's Resin for information I got from a web site about off road model tires yesterday, I got a reply this morning from Alan. This is a man who wants to do business, not unlike some others I know. It is satisfyingly refreshing to get a reply both timely and mature. Thanks to you Alan @ Ma's.

Try electric guitar strings. Any name brand X X L gauge high E string, available as a single string about 32" long, with a nice brass grommet at the end.

O.K. Those are fabulous o. Does he have an online store that's not fleebay? And how are you gauging the tire sizes for 1/25th scale??

Ditto to opening the box within 24 hrs. I've had kit with missing vital organs before. I will never get burned again. I always verify parts count and quality before the day is out.

This is where the rubber meets the road concerning 3D printing. It's o.k. for small lot printings of pieces, but for whole kits or even bodies, it gets really expensive. And, yes it will be less expensive in the near future but many of us will have aged out, if you catch the drift. The only way it may get affordable a lot sooner is, if many, I mean many people, purchase upper level machines and start making parts, and flowing the marketplace, will it become affordable. But those machines require a long term investment, and in these unreliable financial times who can, or would do this. I did once want to start up a company to do industrial model making prototyping, but I could not get start up financing, and, that was ten years ago. So in closing, don't hold your breath too long or you'll suffocate!!

Thank you sooo much.

I got one too. I think it's great for the money, shhh, I got mine for $29.00 retail. I think I stole it!! I shoot only Acylics but clean up with lacquer tinner, no issues. But watch out for what I call spray back, when you spray too close to the outer limits of the shroud, you may get some in the face!

How do I contact Ma's Resin shop. I know the fotki site but don't see a contact me icon?

Thanks guys. I don't get around as much as I used to so it's tough to go and see the real thing to do measuring.