I need help.

[SpreadAxle]

What's a good way to hinge the doors on the Amt/Ertl Ford Louisville cab?

I have the doors cut off and the door panels, too, but not sure how to proceed. I can never seem to get them right. The frustration :x lead to me building my Autocar logger(under renovation now) just to get away from it. Any suggestions,please let me know. Thanks

[Jairus]

Most trucks that I know of used piano, or continuous length hinges.

Best and simplest replication of this is with plastic packing tape.

I did this with a 1929 Ford woody that I built a llllooonnnggg time ago. The body was made all out of wood and all 4 doors were hinged with brown packing tape. I figured that the tape would get old and brittle but it has been more than 20 year now and the doors still open and close.

The tape is folded over and attached to both the door jamb and the door edge and replicates the leather weather cover over the piano hinge Henry normally would have used for a hinge on these type of early Ford Wagons.

A little more difficult application... is a product from Model Car Garage (www.modelcargarage.com), that sells an actual photoetched piano hinge set. Some assembly and folding is required but a very realistic hinge is the result.

Hope this helps....

J

[SpreadAxle]

That's a good idea I never thought of. :!: i know this truck has two small hinges, I guess you could say piano style, but I can't seem to replicate them without trouble. So I will definately keep this in mind. thanks for the tip. I may use this on future projects, too.

[mrglubaum]

The Louisville Ford doesn't use piano hinges. The door hinges are more like a pickup or automobile. I've seen paper clips used for hinges, but I'd have a heck of a time trying to explain how they work!

There has been several tutorials on paper clip hinges in the model magazines over the years. Maybe one of the other members can steer you onto them.

[SpreadAxle]

that's true Lee. They are more of a pickup style. I've seen it done before, but you are right, they are a pain. I had a "practice cab", never could get it right. trying to get past this hurdle so I can continue. This truck will be what they call a "hot shot". It will have a sleeper, a detailed engine, and a dropdeck trailer.

You would think in 12 yrs, I would finally have it done, but my career, plus the frustration got in the way. I even made a working steer axle, not bad for a 16 year old at the time, but the doors proved to be more than I expected, silly as it sounds, but I will keep the paper clip idea in mind. If i do end up with am accurate hinge, the problem becomes working with them since they are so small, and lining them up, since they are 2 separate hinges.

Oh well, I shall press forward. I'm not going to let this truck make me look bad anymore. LOL. happy modeling!!

[CITY COBRA]

KW. Do this. Think of hinges in a real truck. Just scale it down. Tube the door jamb in 2 spots and do the same on the door frame. Round bar the lower hinge and upper hinge "make sure the round bar is smaller in diameter than tube" drop some graphite on the bar so it slides easy with no binding and there ya go. 8)

[SpreadAxle]

That will be a good way to be sure they operate properly. Thanks

[CITY COBRA]

Not a problem there KW. Anytime. 8)

[SpreadAxle]

I started to try and tackle it. I wanted the hinges to be accurate, so I will be working them. I started to scratchbuild some hinges, just trying to get the sizes right. That is what i will be working on tonight. If anyone has a pic of a Louisville Ford with its door open, could you let me know? I will need to add a doorsill, and I want to see what it looks like. Thanks.

Here is the cab with the doors removed. That was as far as I got.

I don't know if you can see the four hinge pieces mounted to the cab just ahead of opening, plastic is so light colored.

[CITY COBRA]

Yo. KW. PM me with your e mail I know where there are few of these Louisville Fords are where Im going on Monday. Ill take pictures of the lower and upper door hinges both passengers side and drivers side for ya. Talk to ya. Be good. 8)

[SpreadAxle]

sent my address 2 u

[Old Albion]

Ray,

Following the suggestion of Jairus regarding the posibility of using the Model Car Garage Piano Hinges for your doors. I bought some myself. These are superb, very delicate though. They arrived today and are long enough and about the right size for my Pete 351 hood shown in the photo.

http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/model-ca.../hinges001.html

Good Luck with the build.

Best Wishes

Dave Bates

[SpreadAxle]

that is a great idea. I've been thinking of doing it to my Autocar that I'm rebuilding, hinging the hood. I'd like to see your 351 when you get it done

[SpreadAxle]

thanks for the tips everybody. i haven't touched it in awhile, but I'm going to work the frame for now. Working on my Autocar along with this one. I hope to have the frame on this one plumbed in the next day or two. trying to get it to where I can Prime it at least. I'm still trying to decide on a paintjob for it. Maybe one color with scrolls/pinstripes. Not sure right now, but I do have some pretty colors I would like to try on it. Keep watching. 8)

[SpreadAxle]

I see that someone posted pix of a Ford LTL9000 with an Italeri reefer. He opened the doors using Brass model ship hinges. Can anyone tell me where I can find those???? I would like to look at them and see if I could use those.