B.R.B.O. Diamond Reo C-1164DFL

[Olskoolrodder]

Nice work!

 

[Canso65]

Thanks for all the nice comments and encouragement guys. It means a lot to me.

 

[Canso65]

Well, its been a couple of day of sanding, cleaning and aligning parts so I thought I should provide an update.

I got more work done on the engine and did painted the rims.

Next I want to add some more details to the engine, I am pleased with the level of detail AMT included on the engine but I think a little more basic plumbing and wiring will make it pop. Now I just have to find some good detail pics of the NT-350 so I know what to add. Not like a good old V8 engine which I can build in my sleep. What I am really enjoying about this build is the change of subject for me. Building this rig has given me the opportunity to do lots of research and learning.

While mocking up the truck I noticed that the rear wall of the cab is warped. This will need to be straightened but I am concerned how the pressure required to straighten it out may impact the sides. I'd like to open up the doors which will weaken the sides potentially causing the cut-out doors to not align. I guess I may have to add support to the cab.

Thanks for looking!

Rob

[Superpeterbilt]

Well, its been a couple of day of sanding, cleaning and aligning parts so I thought I should provide an update.

I got more work done on the engine and did painted the rims.

Next I want to add some more details to the engine, I am pleased with the level of detail AMT included on the engine but I think a little more basic plumbing and wiring will make it pop. Now I just have to find some good detail pics of the NT-350 so I know what to add. Not like a good old V8 engine which I can build in my sleep. What I am really enjoying about this build is the change of subject for me. Building this rig has given me the opportunity to do lots of research and learning.

While mocking up the truck I noticed that the rear wall of the cab is warped. This will need to be straightened but I am concerned how the pressure required to straighten it out may impact the sides. I'd like to open up the doors which will weaken the sides potentially causing the cut-out doors to not align. I guess I may have to add support to the cab.

Thanks for looking!

Rob

Opening the doors could actually be the solution to your problem. You would want to make a flat floor for the cab instead of using the one piece tub. There would be gaps if you tried to use the tub with opened doors. If you make a flat floor for the cab, that will force the cab to hold its shape. 

Edited January 14, 2016 by Superpeterbilt

[Canso65]

Thanks Terry, that is a great idea.

I have made the floor for the cab and doing so has straightened the back wall out. I didn't get much done on the weekend except for finding piano hinges which I believe will be small enough to replicate the real thing. 

Next, opening the doors and then I will post some pics.

Rob

[kilrathy10]

This is a good looking model, Man.....I really like what you're going for....Very nice....

[gino]

looks like you are coming along nicely on this build !  I like it !

[Canso65]

Thanks JT and Gino. I really am having fun with this kit learning about large trucks. 

 

I got the floor in, I just need to make the engine tunnel and work on the interior. The details on the interior door are very weak, so I'll scratch build my own along with the rest of the interior.

Finished cutting the doors out last night. When I tried a mock up I noticed that the hood is terribly warped as well. Must be from sitting for all these years in the box. I'll have to figure out a way to straighten the hood out. All suggestions are most welcome.

Edited January 19, 2016 by Canso65

[gatorincebu]

 

 

    One possible way to fix the warped hood. Would be to immerse it in warm water .  Looks to me like you are making good progress on this project.

 

 

     Be Well

      Gator

[Chu]

I love this built it was my first amt that I built I will keep an eye on your D.R.

[GearUpJammer]

Looks great Rob,love the old Diamond Reo's !

[Canso65]

Thanks Vic and Jesus!

Thanks Gator for the tip on using warm water to straighten the hood out. I decided to go in a different direction as I have never had much luck with the warm water method. Likely, more that I don't have the patience for that. 

I decided to use a brace of metal to force the hood back to shape. I cut a strip of metal to size and formed it to the proper shape of the hood. After several adjustments I epoxied and clamped the brace to the underside of the hood. After the epoxy cured I removed the clamps and did some final adjustments and Bob is your uncle. The brace stands out like a soar thumb right now, but I will clean things up to make it less noticeable when the hood is open. 

Here is a shot of the hood and cab sitting on the frame. All held together with tape for now.

I found myself in a hobby shop yesterday afternoon. I have no idea how this happened but I bought the Mack DM600, Ford Race Car Hauler, and Italeri Ford Aeromax 106. 

I am hooked!

[Mopar - D]

Very nice progress. Really like your step by step instructions too. 

[Superpeterbilt]

Thanks Vic and Jesus!

Thanks Gator for the tip on using warm water to straighten the hood out. I decided to go in a different direction as I have never had much luck with the warm water method. Likely, more that I don't have the patience for that. 

I decided to use a brace of metal to force the hood back to shape. I cut a strip of metal to size and formed it to the proper shape of the hood. After several adjustments I epoxied and clamped the brace to the underside of the hood. After the epoxy cured I removed the clamps and did some final adjustments and Bob is your uncle. The brace stands out like a soar thumb right now, but I will clean things up to make it less noticeable when the hood is open. 

Here is a shot of the hood and cab sitting on the frame. All held together with tape for now.

I found myself in a hobby shop yesterday afternoon. I have no idea how this happened but I bought the Mack DM600, Ford Race Car Hauler, and Italeri Ford Aeromax 106. 

I am hooked!

Excellent work. That cab looks great, and good thinking on repairing the hood. Your not too far off from the 1:1 because it would have had a brace under there. So youve actually taken your hood detail up a notch. Im glad to hear that you scored more trucks. I look forward to seeing them. 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

You're doing a great job! I like all the trucks with this cab and enjoy building them, but they always require a little tweaking. This one is going to be good!!

[Tesla]

This is progressing very nicely...looks great!

[10thumbs]

Looking good Rob.  I had a grin about you getting a couple of more kits.  I feel the same way.  Good fix on the hood too.

Michael

[Canso65]

Thanks Michael, Terry, Brian and Dan. I am pleased they way the hood worked out with the brace inside. It looks good on the outside but a little sloppy looking when the hood is opened. I'll have to do a little clean up as I plan on keeping the hood as opening and closing. No big deal though.

The firewall in the kit comes nowhere close to fitting. I started to add strips of plastic to fill in the gaps, then I looked at some reference material on the net and realized I could build my own and add more details than the kit part has. I'll post some photos a little later.

This week was a little busier with that darn work thing many of us have to do. I wish I could get paid to build models.  In my dreams!

I did manage to get her up on her feet and do a quick little mock-up with the fenders attached.

I started some high level plans for the interior. It'll be mostly scratch built to replicate the interior door panels and floor plan a little more detailed and realistic.

I found this shot on the net which shows a very basic, no frills interior. My guess is most fleet trucks didn't come with many bells and whistles. 

I have it in my mind that it would be cool to make operating windows.  Why do I do this to myself. Maybe I'll just leave that out on this build.

Thanks for looking guys. Now back to the workbench.

Rob

[mackd]

Very nice work.

[gino]

looks great !

[Superpeterbilt]

Nice work man! FYI, there are some mold seams on this cab that shouldnt be confused with 1:1 factory seems. One of them is right at the top sides of the windshield between the winshield and the door trim. The others are vertical seems right in the curves at the back of the cab. The vertical seems to each side of the rear window are factory, the others are AMT. I hope this helps. It makes for a much more realistic model with these gone. Also, the angled cut on each side of the cowl at the bottom, should be filled in. This is a removable piece for the Autocar kit, but none of the others that uses this cab. 

[Canso65]

Thanks for the tips Terry.

I had no idea the angled cut wasn't part of the cab design.

Rob

[jacobus]

rob , thats already a lot of work

like this old icoon already

i have lookin on google some time ago [ also for diamond reo,s ] and if you type diamond reo trucks , i look at flickriven random photo,s of dr

there are some picture,s you think wath??? but also a nice shot of the interior with a good vieuw on the dashboard

its good for the color etc , maybe you have sometink a bout these photo,s

keep up the nice work

jacobus

[Superpeterbilt]

Thanks for the tips Terry.

I had no idea the angled cut wasn't part of the cab design.

Rob

The sad part is, Ive known about it and still forget to fill it in

[10thumbs]

Rob, you just go and cut the doors out?  No way I can handle that. 

Looking good.