New Print Job

[Jürgen M.]

Hi everyone,

I found a new Idea for a print project and just couldn't hide it!

It'll be a mixture of these two trucks:

Both a version of a 1960 Autocar DC75T with a sleepercab.

I like them both so I'll try to extract the best of each and combine them to a hopefully successful build!

I chose this truck because I always try to build at least one cabover and one conventional of a brand. Like I did with Marmon, Diamond Reo, GMC, ...! And since I built the ACX cabover last year, I needed a conventional to match it!

And it's also not an everyday truck! The integrated sleepercab wasn't built that often if what I read was correct. Maybe some of you guys know more about it!

Hope you'll like the build. I'll post the first design pics soon!

[Jürgen M.]

The first part designed and printed! I might have to print again after I made some corrections but generally it looks pretty good I'd say!

I decided not to put the mirror brackets on the doors. Freedom of art! ? 

The roof is in print!

 

[Jürgen M.]

I'm trying something new concerning the wheels!

Like in reality I put the bolts on the brakedrums and holes in the rims!

Same with the rear wheels! That makes it easier to center the wheels when mounting. 

Hope it works out! I'm a bit insecure about the long bolts. They might break off. But for that case I've got a plan B!

These parts are unprocessed out of the printer. Hope they fit well when processed!

Edited August 22, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[JohnB]

Awesome stuff. I'm trying to teach myself FreeCAD and learning about STL files. Hoping to create some of my own projects. Look forward to seeing more

[Jürgen M.]

Thanks!

I began learning last year in April when I bought my first printer! 

I don't know freecad but I'm sure it's similar to fusion360.

You learn quickly and you can make great stuff!

I wish you quick success and fun at designing!

[Bren]

On 8/21/2024 at 8:50 AM, Jürgen M. said:

The first part designed and printed! I might have to print again after I made some corrections but generally it looks pretty good I'd say!

I decided not to put the mirror brackets on the doors. Freedom of art! ? 

The roof is in print!

 

Very nicely done. I’m always impressed by your design chops Jurgen. I have yet to tackle the arcane world of file design but it is on my do-do list. The first thing I’d like to try to get my toes wet is to modify the wall thickness on some of the files out there to produce a more realistic print. 

[Jürgen M.]

Well then good luck and God speed! 

I'm sure you'll be successful! 

[Jürgen M.]

These are the printed parts up to now! 

The center strut of the windshield will be printed separately. The results were pretty good on the Conco so I decided to keep that up!

[Rockford]

Impressive, as ever. I heard a boom earlier on, must have been you breaking the sound barrier!

[Jürgen M.]

? 

Am I that fast?

Just printing! No assembly yet! ?

[Jürgen M.]

Little mock up to see if parts fit!

I designed the hood to fold when opened. First try looks satisfying!

might have to make a few fitting corrections but I think I'm on the right track!

Edited August 24, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[Jürgen M.]

Another update on printed parts:

Took a short vacation last week, that's why there was no progress!

The chassis and suspension will be the same as the Conco. I know it's not authentic but will anyone see it when it's finished?

Since I don't have the knowledge of details concerning this truck, I will build it showing the main attributes, like most of my model trucks!

The purists among you guys might shake their heads but I think I can live with that.

Sorry, I know how you guys are into authentic details which I absolutely respect but I have to admit that I don't have the anticipation of looking up every detail. Hope nobody is offended by this attitude but it's the way I work. The overall impression is what counts to me.

Honestly, I envy you guys for the precision of your builds! I just don't have the knowledge about all those brand specific details and I'm an old dog that only learns few simple tricks! Nothin' fancy anymore! 

[Biggu]

Well … the nerve of you taking a week off..?????

First off, it is your model and you build it any way you want. I know I build for ME and there is no apologies needed. Now with that said, your printing is very good and you are delving into some very cool subjects . By any remote chance are you going to build this Autocar as an old ‘retired’ hard worker?  With some rust and lots of dirt? Personally, if it were my truck, I would sure consider that idea. Have you decided on rims and tires? This truck has almost endless possibilities.  I am looking forward to where you take this. Patiently waiting for the next up date….

Jeff 

[Jürgen M.]

Thanks Jeff!

Of course you're right, I'm building for myself. Maybe I shouldn't be thinking too much about other opinions! Not that they' ve been negative! I'm actually proud and happy about all your positive feedback! 

Concerning where this truck is heading, I was thinking about a customized but aged truck. Meaning a nice paintjob with visible traces of rust and some peeling paint.

I haven't yet decided which color though. 

First I thought about something like the "Over the Top" Hawk Hauling Autocar. Weathered and mechanically stressed! 

Then I decided to give it a noble touch with visible signs of a tribute to it's age!

I have decided which wheels I'll be using. 

The front rims will be these two-hole types, the rear wheels will be 10-hole rims.

The tires I have in my box are Italeri rubber tires as used on my Conco and the KW K123 I built before that.

Edited September 2, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[Biggu]

That sounds like a very viable plan JM. I personally so like an old school approach, and with a modern twist. And I LOVE what you are doing with your printer. Millions of miles head of anything I can do. Keep going. This is good stuff

Jeff

[Jürgen M.]

Thanks very much Jeff! 

Hope you'll like the results! 

[Jürgen M.]

Some more printed parts:

Chassis is almost completely printed.

The thin rods upper right hand side are 6-edged rods I printed so I can make the rear wheel bolts. I'll cut them to length and put them into the holes in the rear brake drums!

Then the inside rims, then the hubs, then the outside rims!

The axles will be made of 2mm steel rods.

A few more parts, then I'll begin printing the engine.

Edited September 3, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[Rockford]

I can just imagine the fear in your printer when it heard the key in the door "Oh no he's back!"

I think it's very practical of you to use the parts you've already drawn and that you know work in the process, it helps you focus on the other parts that make the truck individual. We do slave over the details, which no one really ever sees, especially once the model is assembled and sits on the shelf so you're making efficient use of your time I think. Keep up the good work and give the printer an affectionate pat from me. 

[Jürgen M.]

? 

Will do! I'm sure it'll appreciate it!

Thanks for your comment. You're absolutely right. Noone will see all the details later. Nevertheless I can understand why you guys still put so much effort in the details.

Sometimes you look at the models and feel the happiness about how real they look. You feel satisfaction and pride about your work, you take it down from the shelf and look at each detail and you remember how much work it was and you resume practically every step of work.

I know the feeling! I look at my Convoy trucks everyday, see them on the shelf and imagine them driving together for a cause, like in the movie! Nice feeling! 

[Jürgen M.]

Little mock up to see if the hood fits in!

I'll install some kind of "stopper" for the Back of the cab to be sure to fix it in the correct position on the chassis! Don't want to see the hood falling through or not fitting in later.

 

Edited September 4, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[Jürgen M.]

This is the "stopper"!

A simple but useful part. May not be an original component of this truck but I think it looks pretty good!

In its position! Not glued yet.

By the way, I reprinted the hood tops in a different position which gave them a nicer surface and the tunnels for the tilting axles came out perfect.

(Please excuse if I use terms that are incorrect or just descriptions of what I mean but I don't know all the correct words for all parts! I did learn a lot of them by reading your threads but sometimes the Kraut in me dominates and I just can't think of the right words. Of course I do look some up in the net but not all translations make sense!)

Edited September 4, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[Jürgen M.]

Here's the beginning of the front axle assembly with steering components:

[Jürgen M.]

Steering is completed!

The hardest part to me is making the tie rod exactly the right length so the wheels are straight.

The brakedrums are just fitted on to see if everything works! 

They turn perfectly and without wobbling.

They'll be fixed on the axles by rings. You can find them on the picture with all the printed parts.

Still I'm not sure If I'll use the brakedrums with the printed bolts! If they break during assembly that would be awful.

As a plan "B" I actually cut a 1.5mm Allen key to short pieces looking like chromed bolts.

The brakedrums would then have fitting holes to hold them.

I'll prepare one and show you.

Plan C would be the printed 6-edge rods to be Cut down to size. Easier than cutting a hardened steel Allen key but also fragile. ?

Edited September 4, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[Biggu]

JM. Nice work. And great engineering. I think that ‘cab stop’ on the frame looks like it belongs there. Nice job on that. ….. oh and as far as the hood lofting bits …. I would be inclined to call them ‘ hood hinges’ as they are like long door hinges just laid flat … and the bit that goes inside I would call that the hing pin. BUT that is just me. You call it what ever you think… ?

[Gary Chastain]

Sure do like where this project is going, nice job.