Termite Candy

[Tumbler75]

Stunning! Lookin' better with every update! I love the Balsa Saw Dust/CA Glue Filler idea! Great thinking. Can't wait to see more.

[Danno]

... added basa wood blocks (harder and denser than balsa) to secure the hinges to.

Believe that's a typo, Don. You added ... basswood, perhaps? ... blocks for the hinges?

This is a great build up & fun w.i.p.; thanks for sharing it!

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Right on Danno, the blocks are basswood (no excuses for the typo). Beat me, whip me and send my sorry old butt to the corner.

[Danno]

Right on Danno, the blocks are basswood (no excuses for the typo). Beat me, whip me and send my sorry old butt to the corner.

Not until you finish your T.C. Coach!

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Figured I'd grab a few more shots of this coach in progress as most of it will won't be visible when it's assembled and painted.

Started the passengers seat framing and floor board. The gas tank will under under the rear seat so it will be permanently fixed.

The front passenger seat will be hinged to allow access to the battery and engine.

[pharr7226]

This is fantastic work. I love the tip about the sawdust! Thanks for sharing.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

I cut a piece of basswood for the interior headliner......

attached 1/8" balsa strips 1/16" apart to complete the headliner, this will be varnished and used as is.

This pic is the coach upside down showing the headliner. The outside top will have compound curves and be covered in vinyl.

Couldn't resist setting the coach on the frame just for giggles....

[Tumbler75]

This gets better and better! I really like the time and effort you are spending to make this look realistic! Great work so far and I can't wait to see more.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Thanks Jason,

So far my plan for the interior is padded seating and wood trim....still trying to decide if I want to run wiring for lights before I close up the walls (if I decide to use lights I could hide the batteries under the drivers seat.

[Jantrix]

This is originality at it's best. Fantastic work.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Thanks gang, I appreciate the kudos but I'm just trying to keep up with you talented guys.

While I was doing the wood sealer, filler, drying time, sanding and more sanding on the body it dawned on me it wouldn't dry any faster by having me stare at it....so I'll get the wheels done for the rolling chassis.

It would have been a simple matter to grab some wheels and tires from the parts box but being a glutton for punishment I figured I'd cobble up something a little more in keeping with the stagecoach theme......after all, what's a stagecoach without spoked wheels...right?

I wanted a really tall tire for the rear (cause that's the way the old timer coaches did it) so I decided to use the 1/8th slick from a Big T kit.

I wanted fat whitewalls too (a little bling for Rick Gonder, that's an inside joke) hence the whitewall insert.

The spokes are from a discarded Mini Craft steam engine and the chrome trim ring is the backing ring from the Big T kit.

I had to cut down the white insert considerably to make it work with the spokes & painted the inside yellow.

Removed that lug that was used to drive the wheel on the steam engine, drilled out the center to fit my spindles and thinned the spokes a bit.

Painted the disc brake hub yellow.

It's finally starting to look like a coach wheel. I'll be using knock off hubs so I don't need lug nuts.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Don't you just get all excited when things actually start to go together and look like what you had in mind?

Here's a couple pics of the assembled and painted wheel....just need to scuff up the tread area a little, add a valve stem and the knock off hub.

[pharr7226]

The wheels look great. I dig the basswood work on the roof too...

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Thanks Rick,

Pretty much the same deal on the front tires except I'll be using the 2 piece tires from the Fiat kit. These tires are carry overs from one of the earlier the kits and originally had whitewall inserts, this kit however does not include them so I'll have to make some or paint the whitewalls.

Mock -up of wheel & tire.....

Mock up installed on the chassis.....well,back to the bench to do the rest of them.

[Tumbler75]

That is jus' toooooo coool! I really dig the "Wagon Wheel" spoked wheels. It will really bring this build to life for sure! Keep up the stunning work! I really like it.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

After a lot of sanding and fitting mismatched parts from different kits, I tapped the rear axles and front spindles to accept a small screw to secure the wheels....the knock off hub conceals the screw. I painted whitewalls on both sides of the front tires.

I removed the tread from the front tires & scuffed up the rear slicks.

Finally, I have a rolling chassis, all the suspension works.

Now I'll need to make a tie rod, finish wiring the engine and do a little touch up.

Everything I need to build the cradle that will support and attach the coach body to the frame.

Edited November 21, 2010 by GrandpaMcGurk

[David G.]

It's all coming along nicely. I love the oversized rear slicks.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Just trying to maintain as much of the old stagecoach look as I can David, while keeping it something that could actually have been built as a full size show car from the '70s. Mostly I'm havin' fun. Glad you're enjoying it and thanks for the kind words.

[Tumbler75]

I have to say this is getting better with every update! I really like the wheels as it keeps with the theme. Building a model is all about having fun with it. If it becomes too much like work then something wrong. LoL Keep us posted on the progress. I'm watchin' for sure. Love it!

[Curtis v.]

that is so cool, i cant even describ how cool it is haha, nice work

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Thanks Curtis.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, my best wishes to all of you.

I started to mock up the cradle that will support the coach, drivers seat & rear luggage rack.

It's finally starting to look like the brain fart I had in my twisted mind...I wonder if Roth & Barris would have approved?

The pics are just a mock up so that I can make sure everything clears and looks right.....things like clearance for the air cleaners, access to the dip stick, suspension movement and ample seating for 4 passengers all come into play at this point...yeah I'm nuts. So what?

The driver and the shotgun dude will ride up front so it'll actually carry 6 good ol'boys and or ladies and their luggage.

I already have some 1/12th scale 50 lb. flour, sugar, salt bags, crates and luggage to load on this coach's maiden run.

Still have to make a 1/12th scale sawed off shot gun.

Edited November 24, 2010 by GrandpaMcGurk

[Foxer]

I'm really liking how this is looking. Everything fits to the theme grandly. (don't forget the Strongbox! )

I'm wondering if you have any thoughts about how the front will finish off? It will need a radiator, so some kind of canvas hood or wooden radiator frame seems required.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Yes sir Mike......the square frame in the front...that supports the suspension will accept the radiator...just haven't decided yet if I'll go with an electric fan which would be easier to fab or work out a mechanical set-up. Kinda leaning toward the mechanical as this is s'posed to be a 70s themed build, not sure yet.

Wood and brass trong box is in the works also.

I've even already purchased material for the coach upholstery, thin foam, tan suede for the seats, vinyl for the roof and some wine red material for the interior walls. The floor of the passenger area will be wood or some black fuzzy material I have on hand.

Lots more to do as I'm trying to have this build finished by the end of Jan.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Managed to get a little more done on the support cradle......I'll let the pics do the talking.

The cradle upside down......

and topside up.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Cradle mocked up on chassis.........