monkeyclaw

Tremendous work....but AWESOME!!! Matt

Ray; Thanks! Next for me will be a "show truck" parts set (1/25) , and I have some pleated tank covers coming for the Italeri petes as well (next week)....just little goodies for the end of 08...for 09 I am planning several KIT Specific resins for proposed re-releases... and will release resins timed with the kits (hopefully {LOL}) .... her's what I am planning: For the Ih 4300; A DINA 851, and the 4270 hood. For the F'liner D/D : A more modern (standup cab) cabover....this is the cab that uses the "condo" style raised roof, with dual square headlamps....This one will have the cab walls as a single piece, with the roof seperate....anyone that has built the D/D knows what a PAIN it is to get the front & back 1/2s to fit right . I may still cast the 70" bunk for the 379 as well; just waiting for the economy to pick up...expensive molds to make! I do have host of other stuff going for big scale cars, and other segments of the hobby as well...........matt

VERY COOL!!! matt

Dave; I had not planned to do the 389...but Brad @ BRL is working on one right now... he is trying to get it finished up.... I am planning to try to follow the re-issue kits for 09; and have plns for a couple of resin items for those....I will have (2) for the IH 4300; and (1) for the freightliner D/D matt

NICE!!! Matt

Ryan; This is one of those questions you will probably get a different answer from everyone who reponds. There are a plethora of available resins and silicones for moldmaking out there; and I have founf it to be a highly personal choice for each caster.... Most companies will send you "sample" sizes to try; to see if THEIR product will work for YOU. My personal choice is Alumilte white; I like the timing; it does not generate much heat in the mold; and gives a "kit like" appearance to finished parts; and takes color well when casting colored resin..... as far as silicone goes; I use firm silicone from MPK (hobbysilicone) who also offers a wide variety of resins; which also work very well...If you plan to parts with lots of small detail; I would tell you that VISCOSITY will be your main area of interest; MPK does offer low and ULTRA low viscosity resins; which "flow" incredibly well for doing small detail parts; and for thin castings...here is contact info for the people I use ... I hope this info helps.............matt www.alumilite.com 1 800 447 9344 Carol Warner www.hobbysilicone.com 714 899 7963 Mike Knott

Again; Thanks to all!!! For those that build using my resins; I wll be adding a new Gallery Page to my site for 09; so remember to send me photos of your build ups...I plan to do the gallery as a monthly "featured" truck; to spotlight one builder every month.... Josh; I look forward to hearing from you; and look forward to seeing your builds. Gregg; Always GREAT to see you out at the shows! We all look forward to it; and I hope you long flight back to Hawaii was Quiet... (I KNOW you had to be worn out)... A great friend that provides us the BEST Magazine in the hobby! I will be releasing another "custom" parts set in a couple weeks....1/25 This set will be vortex breathers, Grass cutter front bumper, and rear fender set....the bumper and fender set are the ones from the "turnpiker" ...also on the way are the tanks end covers (for Italeri petes) , and new fenders for the back of the 379's. Over the winter I will be mastering several new items that are intended to time with upcoming re-releases from stevens for '09... Dina hood for the 4300; along with the 4270 hood, and a "condo" cabover for the freightliner DD. Again; I thank EVERY modeler for stopping in on my site; and I look forward to serving ALL of you in the hobby in the future.................matt

Thanks to all for the GREAT comments !!! Your support is much appreciated.... with this current generation of resin parts, I tried to make sets of parts that simplify the conversions for the builders. My primary goal was to turn out resin parts that have a more "KIT LIKE" appearance, that work just as well for a 1st time resin builder; or a seasoned veteran. I hope that the builders out there are finding these sets easier to use, with minimal cleanup & effort, and certainly hope that builders find these parts sets are a good value for their hard earned money spent. I am trying to continue with new mastering projects, as my hands allow me to do the work; and again; I very much appreciate all of your kind words and support............matt

I agree....Very nice work!!! great looking rig.................matt

Great little X/19....that is one kit that has just eluded me for decades! One of these years I will build one.....I TOO had a REAL X/19 ...mine was a 78; and was a great little car; it drove like a go-kart....lotsa fun...what made mine so much fun was the engine swap! I put a "euro-spec" 128 engine in; cammed, dual weber side drafts, cammed, ported and polished; and the basket of snakes header....that little car was lightning fast! I was also fortunate that the car had ABARTH magnesium rims mounted when I bought it.... my son inherited the X/19 as his 1st car....you can guess the rest (LOL) Again...great model.....matt

TIM; Now That's a vacation! Sorry to hear you did suffer some attrition; but you did pretty well considering the volume of trucks you had to carry. What a great display....I'm sure the guys at the factory enjoyed it...great work...you are the "Ambassador" of model trucking! matt

I couldn't have said it better paul! matt

very nice!!! Cool old truck; and very nicely done...great work...........matt

I knew when I saw the 935 on ebay that this topic would come up....so I had to chime in for what it's worth....so here goes. The model is very nice; and NO, I don't know the builder; and yes, I think there should be better photos, to show off the work...If I am the buyer; I really wnant to see what went into it. I think most modelers will see it from a builders standpoint; not the view of the car collector who seeks the "Objects De Art" for their personal collection; to one up their buddies.... I personally don't see why the builder shouldn't ask what THEY think it's worth....if they end up paying $500 in ebay fees after re-listing it a bunch of times; perhaps it's "value" might be readjusted. I also know firsthand what it takes to build these cars; as I build quite a few of them for my own customers.... And not to start a big fracus; but I have to disagree with you George; NOT anyone can build a plastic model; not well enough to make a living at it; or compete with other modelers around the country....that's like saying "anyone" can do brain surgery...(as an analogy only)...you may be able to do it...but your patient may lobotomized when it's over...(LOL) . The peolpe that WOULD spend the money on this type of model are the very people that CAN"T build the models (for whatever reason); and thus the value of the model becomes greater to them....just my two cents........matt

Hey guys; finally got the Hawaiian Tropic conversion done in resin...I finally had to cut the front clip into 3 pieces to get the molds to work....now I can get on to casting the twin turbo upgrade; and then get some building done.......matt

I feel your pain....my 30yr old son infected MY computer with the same virus going to stupid ADWARE sites... I had to reformat and load all new software; as that virus just doesn't come off.... Needless to say; the kid is barred from future use of MY computer...glad to see you are up & running......matt

Jim; Looking good! I like all the "extras" you have added....the stacks and steering axle really add alot to the truck... if you want the ULTIMATE 70's look; you should print out some orange and brown plaid decals to do the seats!!! That would really scream '70s......matt

looking good! That's gonna be a nice rig.........matt

Thanks guys! I do apologize for the wait.... I had TWO molds that just would't work the way I did them; so that cost me a BIG chunk of silicone....WASTED!!! Lesson learned, but it slowed me down, as I am waiting on more sili to arrive. When I get more product; I will get the 70" molds finished, along with a 36" flat top, and all of the small parts to be able to readily use these resins on the 377 kits! I also decided to to "recycle" the original 378 donor hood center section... it will be re-born as a 378 SBFA hood; I just need to figure out the hood hinges, so it's an easy installation for builders. I will have the rest of this stuff ready in the next couple of weeks..........matt

Tim; Great work (as always)... I can't wait to see what the blue turns into....love that color. I finally have what I need done to get a couple of my own 379's built... looking forward to getting into a nice build up again......matt

Jim; Thanks...I am currently uploading the new stuff to MY site www.monkeyclawmodels.com you can find it on the "truck stuff" page. I have to say that it has been a LONG time in the making; this truck has been my only project all year.... and I hope the model truck builders like this one........matt

Hey guys; Finally got this one done... intended for the italeri 378 kit; will direct fit.... although it "looks" like a 379, I have cast this hood with no badges, and will be offering this one as the "Americon Icon". I currently have 2 63" sleeper versions in the mold boxes; flat top and stand up, and they will be done in a couple of days. No more robbing parts from two or more expensive kits.... these conversions are intended to use the 378 kit as the donor; and are "cab delete" ....the versions for the 377 kit will delete the sleeper instead...since it is already in the kit.... you can expect a 70" inch sleeper next week; and a new raised roof, with headliner details cast in. I will have P/E grill inserts available for this one as well shortly....Any way...have a look..........matt

Hey guys; I'm with you! My LHS just called me yesterday; there are several of the Tamiya 935 repops waiting for me at the store....which is good....I can add them to the stack I already have. The new kits are the P/E version....so that helps.. I can say if you can get the P/E set by SMS; it is worth EVERY penny it costs, as it adds so much dimension to an already great kit.....I spent months mastering the K2 body parts; but the 1st set of molds were a bust; so I have re-engineered the front clip into 3 pieces for easier casting; along with all of the parts to upgrade the engine to twin turbo spec (935/78), with the intercooler that can be mounted forward or aft (as in the moby dick cars)...as well as a new set of fuchs alloy wheel centers for the 934 kits. I will be doing several build ups this fall; as well as finishing up the k3 body parts masters, which will allow builders to take these kits to kremer 935/80 spec.....matt

Hey guys; just wanted to let everyone know that i will be out of the country until the 30th....going fishing down in Mexico....as soon as I get back; I will be releasing something new & special ... timed perfectly for he U.S. re-release of the Italeri 378 kit.... I will be posting more pix and info upon my return.... so I will talk to all of you then....matt

Try doing a "google" on PULLING tractor engine combos; you will findplenty of multi engine hookups there....also think about a marine type V drive? Matt