Building Italeri truck cabs...

[BigBad]

So here's the thing, I got really excited about building trucks again that I bought almost every kit available today except a couple.

In that lot I have 6 Italeri trucks waiting for a nice build.

The question is, how do you guys go about building the cabs? Do you go the way the instructions tell you to or you just

put the outer panels all together without any interior or window glass attached? I have seen a lot of detailed builds from

Tim Ahlborn who gets the outer panels together first, then paints and attaches the interior panels and glass afterwards.

This guy has a lot of experience, therefore knows what to do. Knowing my own abilities, I am a little concerned for the glass installation building this way though.

When the panels are flat, it's easy enough gluing the windows in, but once the cab is built, I'm not to sure of the outcome yet, I fear some glue smearing.

A little insight on this would be appreciated.

By the way, I hate the joints on the roof of these cabs, you know, just aft of the windshield frame... Reminds me of the AMT Freightliners.

On the other hand, I have to say Italeri makes nice models and the rest of the trucks go together well.

[scale trucker]

i build my outer shell first then file the floor a little for easy fitment..

[mackinac359]

I build them several ways..

If the cab and roof will be the same color, I assemble the cab leaving the floor out.

If the roof will be a separate color, I leave the roof off and install the floor.

If I use a resin raised roof, then I install the roof making any necessary body work modifications

and leave the floor out.

Tim

[mackinac359]

One more thing, on the glass install, it is a bit tricky installing the glass with the roof on. A trick that Rick Mark showed me was to place the glass in position, then use small strips of low-tack tape to hold it in place from the outside. Then apply the clear parts/windshield glue from the inside. Let the glue set up and the remove the tape.

No muss, no fuss.

Tim

[scale trucker]

great tip on the glass install..thanks Tim.

[mackinac359]

Here's a glass tape-up-job.

Tim

[Kostas Parchas]

Here's a glass tape-up-job.

Tim

Great tips from the experts!!!

That's why I love this forum.

Kostas.

[Guest Johnny]

Tim! Great tip!

BTW do you purposely place other work into the picture as a tease on what you have in the works???

If so don't stop, it works for me!

[69A-CAR]

Hi Bob, I am in the same boat, so to speak. I am building my first Italeri Pete, a 378 with resin set back axle hood from porkys. I have the cab shell assembled and I don't see any problems in completing the assembly. I couldn't imaginge painting the flat parts and then assembling the cab and getting a good result.

Tim, Thanks for the glass tip!! I will be using that one soon for sure.

Mark

[BigBad]

Well, I think that settles it. Thanks for the tips Tim, It's going to be a big help. I was a bit baffled because I am used to the old AMT's, Ertl's and Revell "cast as one" cabs with at least SOME material around the glass to stick. Italeri unsettles me a little with their flush fitting glass. I'll go Tim's way and most other's by putting the cab together first. I'll glue the glass very carefully with some Elmer's glue all then seal them with clear drying epoxy glue.

[jekylljr]

the way i do it assemble all pieces (having the interior fully painted) assemble sides to floor and all other pieces in place u may ask how will u paint it ? i just mask off the windows and turns out pretty well