monkeyclaw

Dave; When you finish up that one; you can go ahead andget mine started!!! LOL That thing is AWESOME.....Great work......matt

Hey guys; THANKS! For Dave.... Sounds like pours is a nice project....I will be waiting to see the detroit 12!!!! As for me; I am planning to do a narrow hood truck; so I am going to have to do a 6 cyl for mine....so probably a cumming NTC 350 (ish) type.....that seems pretty straight forward to build from scratch; and will fit the narrow butterfly hood I am planning. Rick; I sure had a GREAT time at you guys showin Joplin; and you can count me in for next years' show for sure... It was great getting to sit down with you as well; and I look forward to seeing your big pete finished up! I'm sure I will be emailing you for pointers on doing the lighting and such! Matt

Hey Promod; Thanks! The resin 379 hood is one that I produce....the hood on Tsunami is greatly modified....but the basic resin unit I started with is a 127BBC X hood....includes the grill shell...email me off bpoard for details........matt monkeyclaw62@aol.com

Hunter; THANKS! I finally got a great buy on 16th pete on ebay...and a trailer this weekend! Both new kits.... I think I have already got a line on an extra frame for stretching....as far as the widgets....I am going all aluminum on this one...Right now I am thinking tanks, breathers and rims in aluminum; and polished to a mirror finish....I may even have a grill shell machined for this one as well.... I am using the OLD school 345 style truck for my inspiration for the 16th scale build.... so it will have a narrow "butterfly" hod; little window cab, and bodywork that looks like a 345/350 style old truck....this build will be be less "conceptual" and will be more of a road going custom............Matt

Thanks Guys...and SORRY; the truck is finished up; made top 15 in Birmingham; and won best of show in Joplin.....here's a final shot of the truck.......I am currently getting all of the "goodies" together for next my one!!! It will be a 16th scale pete...... Matt

Very nice rig!!! The colors just amke it POP..........matt

Tim; Another AWESOME build! Hard to tell that it's a model...........matt

Hey Guys...here's my current truck project....just finished the paint tonite....about the only parts that remain remai9n unchanged are the tires and suspension mounts...........matt

Jason; The bondo type fillers work well; just remember one thing.....always put bondo OVER primer!.... The bondo doesnt like to "etch" into bare plastic....if you flex it very much the filler can crack and peel....this is far lwess likely when spreading over a lacquer primer base..........I hope this helps........matt

Jason; There are many places to purchase resin parts.....you can check ebay....some guys sell there all the time; Rhe previous sites mentioned are good; and a new guy riversedgeresins (Budd Ricker) now has most of my previous resin lineup. You will find that there is not really a "one stop" shop for resinparts....each guy does something different. As for putty.... For sculpting work I use good old BONDO.....For touch ups and scratch fill I use cood old bondo red putty....you can get either at Walmart or auto parts store.... The airbrush question is a personal choice thing....everyone will give you a different answer.....But I use a Paasche VL.... it is a bit expensive...but it is a great tool; and very versatile...if you buy it as a "set"....it comes with all three needles and heads.....which allows you to do everythin from 1/64th inch pinstripes...to overall finish work.......the biggest drawback to the VL is keeping it clean....I generally soak mine in a thinner jar after use....then spray thinner trough...I hope this info helps.........matt

Line-O-tape has the EXACT dot reflective tape you are looking for.......matt

Roadhawg; I use the FUJI S3100, which is an SLR style digi. I have been using this one for a couple years and have to say that I love it. It takes great pix; shoots great video clips....and the software is good....can't ask for more than that.....Well, I coulsd ask for the new NIKON 10.2 SLR....but that ain't gonna happen....bottom line.....fuji is a good choice........matt

Very nice work! I have a thing for logging equipment myself.....great model...............matt

Tim; Nice work as always! The side fairings sure clean up the look of the truck...........matt

Flame; Firstly; Thanx for hearing we "BIG Scale" guys out! And thanx for for letting us prove our collective case to be able to participate; it's nice to know that you considered our points, gave them due dilligence, and made the right choice for all concerned...I know I plan to participate; and have a "special" project planned for the perusal of all involved....I hope that you get much more participation this year, and will pass the word along to my fellow modelers to get involved. Again; I look forward to getting in on this one.............Matt Burnett

Here's current progress pix of the truck I working on right now.....It was formerly known as "the bellbottom" pete; as I had not yet finalized the theme of the build....The truck progresses nicely...it is fully shaved; virtually every feature is molded; custom hood, gullwing doors, and full radical custom interior....featuring a molded dash, and a ton of speakers and amps. I am planning to get this one painted over the next week....and will incorporate custom made CHROME mylar graphics into the paint scheme of this truck. The stacks are K&S aluminum tube, that have been machine polished....check it out.........matt

I agree with Kodiak; Your best option is to simply use the kit rear end on the forward most rear axle.....the least amount of modifying that way....then simpy "tag" axle the rear axle...you can find good pix for an air lift axle from a big rig with a bit of google image.... and just build it sized to your truck...I would say an air ride axle is the easiest to do....but remember to establish the ride height up FRONT first.....you need to have your truck on the tires.....front and 1st rear axle....this way your truck will sit with all 6 tires on the ground; even if you have a nice rake in the ride height.....I hope this helps........matt

Way cool! Matt

The issue is with the "re-coat window" using chrome clear...if you do not get all your clear laid down within the specified time (dictated by specific manufacturer) you will have to wait about a month for the urethane to be compltely cured for re-coats. Urethane is safe for use over urethane; and you can always use tamiya acrylic; as it won't "etch" the urethane...I do much work with urethane; and never have any issues doing intercoat clears; then decaling; then adding more clear. I don't know what your location is (temp & humidity); but perhaps you might try a "faster" clear. The faster the clear "flashes", The less time it has to etch undercoats; your paint dealer should be able to give you the specific re-coat window (if not on the can) for pre-packaged clears; and for any of the generics they sell as well....I have recently switched to Naison clears; and I think they are every bit as good as the chroma product (previously used concept 2000); but just don't carry the hefty price tag....I hope this helps............matt

I like it! In fact: I won my very first model car contest with this very model, whaen I was 12 yrs old....brings it right back.... any HOOOO . Brewster.....A good seam joint can be obtained with careful black snading down each side of th joint....a bit of bondo will do the job as well...bur emember to put primer on 1st....or th bondo won't stick .........matt

Jody; WIKI defines "roadster as follows:" A roadster, also known as a spyder or spider, is a two-seater car, traditionally without a roof (or with a detachable roof) and no side or rear windows. Modern day two-seaters commonly have windows and feature retractable roofs (and are thus convertibles). While retractable soft-tops are still marketed as roadsters/spyders, retractable hard-tops are commonly designated as coupe roadsters." Admittedly THAT definition is somewhat skewed nowadays at the Oakland "roadster" show.....Although all of the vehicles are exceptional....no knocks there. I do agree with you that there are far fewer aftermarket items for big scale model cars....but it is not always the aftermarket parts that make an exceptional model....In any scale....models are models....PERIOD....regardless of the scale a modeler chooses; and like I said before.... I thin they can be judged on there own individual merits, assembly, engineering, and finish. I don't buy into the "unfair" advantage hoooey at all... any skilled modeler can craft an exceptional model in any scale if they have the desire to do so. I have ALWAYS been a big scale modeler; and have built other scales as well; but now for me big scale is the choice; due to the limitations of mobility in my hands....even the big scale stuff is getting tuffer for me; but it let's me keep modeling.........matt

Flame; Although another contest is always a good thing; I still have to say that excluding anything other than "bi-scale" is just ######! A roadster is a roadster....apples to apples ETC. I don't get why you "bi-scale" guys shut out the big scale builders all of the time, and I just don't get the snobbery. A model car is a model car period.... All you have to do is judge each on it's OWN merits....and Viola' you will have a winner....I don't think scale is such a big (no pun intended) Deal. Obviously, I am not the only one that feels this way; as you have dodged the bullet from another forum member by simply saying last year BLAH-BLAH-BLAH.... Dude; get a grip....some of us just don't build that small stuff.... but that doesn't ,ean you should over look or exclude those builders....you may be be missing out on some of the BEST models you will see.....Matt

Tim; Another EXCELLENT truck! Great work.........matt

I have built the heller truck kits in the past....They built up well..... I did the Actros...I think it is the same as the revell or italeri kit.... matt

Chris; Looking good!!! I have looked at those trucks on Hank's as well....that company has some GREAT heavy Haul trucks; and you guys are doing a great job building them.......Matt