IH 3800 - plenty of seats to go around!

[gotnitro?]

12 hours ago, DZ7581 said:

How did I miss this? I have wanted to do a bus for a long time. Looks like you have done some instructions of sorts. A few questions if I may ask, how far from the bottom of the panel to the floor did you go, and how did you do the corner radius?

Welcome aboard!  Thanks for following along 

I was using an enlarged drawing for the layout I found browsing photos. Office supply store enlarged the drawing for me. 

The front corners were formed using the cowl off the Paystar kit. I added a filler strip to make both sides fit the drawing. The rear corners are just sanded, where the 2 sides met.  I'll have to check the height from floor to bottom, but its close to 1/2 an inch if memory serves 

Any other questions please ask, I'll try to help

[cifenet]

I hated riding the yellow school bus when I was a kid and the harsh ride quality didn’t help the experience.  

But for some reason, I am digging it and enjoying this WIP.  Looks very authentic and black stripes do look cool!

 

Good job so far!

[gotnitro?]

I finally found a method for the roof that seems to work. My plastic ribs didn't work out being uneven, so a tip was suggested about metal flashing. KnS sells thin tin sheet, so I thought I'd try it. This is just a guinea pig test piece, but looks promising. 

Here's what my attempted ribs looked like..so embarrassing . Even using a jig to create them, every one was slightly different 

[Mopar - D]

Jeff I think you are going to be pleased with the tin roof. Your first piece is already looking good. Your ribs look like what mine would look like lol. 

[peteski]

I'm wondering if the different thermal expansion rates of styrene and aluminum will cause any problems.  I suspect it would not be a problem with small pieces, but the roof is rather large.

[gotnitro?]

13 hours ago, Mopar - D said:

Jeff I think you are going to be pleased with the tin roof. Your first piece is already looking good. Your ribs look like what mine would look like lol. 

Thanks Dan , the ribs  were an ugly mess. I'll keep pecking away at the tin

@peteski- no idea about thermal reactions. 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

I use aluminum sheet for lots of things including dump bed with plastic ribs. The room that my models are in varies between 58 and 70 degrees throughout the year and nothing is in direct sun light. I have never had any problems. Larger temperature variations may affect it though.
Looks great with the metal Jeff!

[DZ7581]

I was thinking about using a brass sheet myself for the roof.  I want to see how your's turns out.

[Chariots of Fire]

What is the plan for rounding off the front and rear edges of the roof?

[gotnitro?]

4 hours ago, Chariots of Fire said:

What is the plan for rounding off the front and rear edges of the roof?

Haha guess I forgot about those. These will end up squared off oops

15 hours ago, DZ7581 said:

I was thinking about using a brass sheet myself for the roof.  I want to see how your's turns out.

I had both options, the tin is working well. 

@DRIPTROIT 71- thanks ! Having a couple windows open should keep temps down too

[gotnitro?]

The rear roof went on this morning, and I'm really pleased with how tight it fit.

The middle section is underway. I wanted to finalize the shape, but had to take daughter out delivering girl scouts cookies..yummy

I want all the panels to end at a window frame, then after paint apply the Archer rivets

Any feedback welcome!

[Mopar - D]

Looking great Jeff! What are you using to make your bends they look perfect. 

[gotnitro?]

12 hours ago, Mopar - D said:

Looking great Jeff! What are you using to make your bends they look perfect. 

The middle of the roof is bent using a tamiya rattle can. The tighter edges I've been bending using a 1/4 styrene tubing. The tin bends (kinks) very easy, so I'm trying to ease the shape into it. Most of the time its resting on my leg while slowly rolling the edges.

I found a neat trick for measuring the width before bending...by using a piece of string to lay over the body. Then transfer that to the ruler! Very little excess after bending 

[Warren D]

Good job on the roof.  I wouldn't worry about the plastic ribs, they should stay attached to the roof. 

[peteski]

On 4/1/2023 at 12:35 AM, DZ7581 said:

I was thinking about using a brass sheet myself for the roof.  I want to see how your's turns out.

I think brass would be too springy (unless annealed maybe).  I was thinking aluminum would be a good choice. I would be worried that tin (actually a tin-plated steel) might be prone to rusting.  But hey, it looks like it will work quite well.

[Chariots of Fire]

22 minutes ago, peteski said:

I think brass would be too springy (unless annealed maybe).  I was thinking aluminum would be a good choice. I would be worried that tin (actually a tin-plated steel) might be prone to rusting.  But hey, it looks like it will work quite well.

The trick will be securing it tight against the sides.  Aluminum doesn't like some adhesives.  Two part epoxy, maybe, but not CA.

[Sergey]

Incredible work now, Jeff! Following wiht pleasure. I wanted to build a school bus one day. So I learn.

 

[gotnitro?]

The roof is finally installed in its rough state, but everything handmade statts off that way. I used the old roof as an inner liner, then formed a 2nd over that. The inner keeps the walls tight, preventing the bowing I was dealing with.

 

The inner roof in place , sealed w hvac tape 

The outer roof installed..ugly now, but will finish up smooth.

Once the joints are sanded down, I'll give the entire roof a once over w steel wool to remove any fine marks. Prime and paint will follow 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Looks great!

[Rockford]

Impressive work. 

[Mopar - D]

Looks amazing Jeff! Looking forward to seeing it painted. 

[Chariots of Fire]

Now that's a method I would not have guessed!  Looks like it is really going to work well!

[TarheelRick]

Your craftsmanship and use of unconventional items is amazing.  I am thoroughly enjoying this build.

[heyjohnxx]

Be glad you didn't do this one: (great job so far!)

[gotnitro?]

On 4/11/2023 at 11:37 AM, heyjohnxx said:

Be glad you didn't do this one: (great job so far!)

That bus would be a nightmare to move around ! Very interesting photo, thanks for sharing