pcm1977 Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 About 5 years ago I went to work for a company that makes plastic conduits for running underground fiber optics and power lines through. The conduit is placed on large steel reels during the manufacturing process. I saw these trucks and figured they would make an excellent subject matter. I picked myself up a Revell Kenworth W900 and an AMT Great Dane Flat Bed Extendable Trailer. I made the trailer so it would not extend and painted the semi the same color blue as the company. I used my wife's Cricut and some white decal paper for the company name on the side of the truck. The reels of conduit are what took me the longest to make. I tried making them from scratch out of styrene strips, but that failed as soon as I tried to wind some wire on them for the conduit. This all changed when I got a resin 3D printer. I designed and printed the reel flanges, reel staves, and even the conduit on the reels. Altogether the trailer and the 10 reels weigh a whopping 2.5 pounds. I found a file online for the load binders and with a little modification, 3D printed those as well. It took about 4.5 years to complete, but I finally got it done a couple of weeks ago. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutzie Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 Nicely done. Great looking flatbed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLMFAA1 Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 neat build greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 That's really a great combination. The load is fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy grumpy Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 A lot of work but it was all worth it. Great idea and very well put together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragline Posted November 17, 2022 Share Posted November 17, 2022 That is some kinda odyssey you went through for that conduit load to become a reality. I applaud efforts like this, and although I don't build this type of model ( I do have a LaFrance pumper I may break out this winter), I can certainly take a moment to write a few words when I see all out focus. Well done Sir... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted November 17, 2022 Share Posted November 17, 2022 Fantastic job, the load is exceptional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trick my mixer Posted November 17, 2022 Share Posted November 17, 2022 sharp looking set up. Nice job on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbowser Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 In my job we use this exact conduit, some with cable preinstalled. You nailed it! Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcm1977 Posted November 19, 2022 Author Share Posted November 19, 2022 Thank you everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincen47 Posted November 20, 2022 Share Posted November 20, 2022 Incredibly unique build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeatMan Posted November 21, 2022 Share Posted November 21, 2022 Awesome job! I unloaded my fair share of those trailers many moons ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcm1977 Posted November 21, 2022 Author Share Posted November 21, 2022 MeatMan, and I have put my initials on the batch tags of many reels, signifying I inspected them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted November 21, 2022 Share Posted November 21, 2022 Outstanding work, nice detail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 Beautiful Rig! I really like the load! It looks very realistic!! Excellent Work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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