rig building, what's the worst part for you?

[tbill]

what's your least favorite part of building these things?

for me, it's fuel tanks

it never fails, if they are chrome, the plating is perfect, but I have to ruin it because I have to smooth the seams. the un-plated ones are just as bad seam-wise though, so it's what seems like tons of putty/sand/putty/sand repeat until happy with the look. it's my least favorite part of building, but I am usually pleased with the results. just seems like a lot of work for something almost no one notices, lol.

so what's your least favorite part?

[hgbben]

I'm brand new at building trucks but i'm having a time with all of the components relating to the frame on the California Hauler 359. Maybe it's just the one i have. Too much flash and once cleaned up, parts still don't have a good fitment.

[BigBad]

Aligning the cab to the Hood... That can be a lot of fun sometimes.

[Superpeterbilt]

Engines, mirrors, and chrome Alcoa wheels. Theres nothing more that I hate as a builder than an AMT engine. Even though most of my trucks have the hoods glued shut, I still put a fully assembled engine in. I dont go full curbside. I really dislike stripping the chrome to assemble the chrome Alcoa wheels, and the mirrors need no explanation. Thank you for starting this post. Ive thought about doing it myself.

[tbill]

Terry, I started it because I had just finished sanding the putty on a set of tanks for a freightliner, and it got me to thinking...........haha.

and yes, the mirrors run a close second to the tanks for me

[tbill]

  On 10/7/2014 at 11:30 PM, hgbben said:

I'm brand new at building trucks but i'm having a time with all of the components relating to the frame on the California Hauler 359. Maybe it's just the one i have. Too much flash and once cleaned up, parts still don't have a good fitment.

that is pretty much how all of them are [amt kits], it's all old tooling, but I suppose you get used to it after a few builds.

[Superpeterbilt]

  On 10/7/2014 at 11:30 PM, hgbben said:

I'm brand new at building trucks but i'm having a time with all of the components relating to the frame on the California Hauler 359. Maybe it's just the one i have. Too much flash and once cleaned up, parts still don't have a good fitment.

A good set of sharp hobby files makes everything fit. Its just standard procedure for me after all these years. I cut out all of the parts, then file all of the edges, debur the flashing, sand out the ejection pin marks, and start assembly.

[Petetrucker07]

Mirrors, hands down i gotta say mirrors. It used to be paint. But i got better at it. Im sure once i get better at mirrors itll be something else

[Chris guthro]

Mirrors, cab lights and windows!! By far those are the worst things. I know mounting flaps is a pain in the butt as well!

[Mackvision]

All the above can be frustrating at times,but personally I dislike dealing with chrome plated parts in general! I mean,no matter what method or tools you use,there almost always seems to be a "scar" left when separating chrome parts from the sprues,and no real good way to "fix" them visually. And before anyone pipes in,BMF is NOT an option (for me at least) I don't like the stuff.never got the hang of using it properly. Been thirty years since I seriously returned to modeling,and it came back to me pretty quick just how much I don't enjoy plated parts!..................................Mark

[Brinx]

For me, the part I always dread, Windshield and windows. There is an area I've found that can go wrong quite easily and is one of the most conspicuous places on a model.

I'll offer a couple of other observations:

Mirrors?...I have to admit, a few rigs in my fleet, the driver has to stick his head out the window to back up. I will however give kudos to the mirrors on the

AMT Pete 359. With the way the brackets are engineered (and some super-glue), those have been the easiest ones I have ever worked with.

It is too bad they didn't do that on the rest of their offerings.

Chrome in general, I'm with you guys all the way on that subject. For me, less is more as I tend more toward the "work-horse" variety of subjects

(although I do appreciate a rig all decked out and shiny sometimes too). But, what gets me is chrome on the engine. It seems the idea might have been to chrome something that should represent bare metal but the result is just seems to look out of place (specifically addressing the AMT engines, esp. Cummins).

brinx

[angelo7]

  On 10/7/2014 at 11:34 PM, BigBad said:

Aligning the cab to the Hood... That can be a lot of fun sometimes.

Same here.

[tbill]

Mike, I don't mind windows, I put them in with future floor polish usually [unless they are a 'complete' unit, like on the mack r]

and ya, I don't get the chrome engine parts either, although sometimes I will leave them chrome.

[Superpeterbilt]

I totally agree on the chrome. Keep in mind that these things were marketed for kids. A good selling point for a kid is plenty of chrome, even if its unrealistic engine parts. And Ive driven plenty of rigs with chrome 5th wheels(chuckle). Its just a plus for the model companies that we kept building as adults. Its just that now we know that a Cummins doesnt have a chrome oil pan.

[kilrathy10]

I''m with you all the way on just about any chrome parts assembly......There is ALWAYS a scar......And, like you, Mark, I hate BMF....Never got the hang of using that stuff, either......So, stripping is the best option and repainting them with Krylon's Silver Foil Metallic....But that's not much fun, either.....

But even after all the "terrible" things we have to go through to get a good build, you gotta admit, it's still VERY satisfying to get one done..... I know there's gotta be something to this hobby....Otherwise I wouldn't have so many of them laying around.....Built or otherwise.....

[Tesla]

Mirrors!!

[Pavel A.]

For me, only windows.... I hate work with it. Mirrors are without problems. Chrome - each chrome part I dechromed and now For each chrome parts I' ll to use only Spaz Stix mirror chrome. I love it. This chrome is much better like alclad chrome. But I must order it only by evilbay. Fuel tanks are better make in color or try Spaz Stix. I hate the scar on fuel tanks. Better way for me is dechromed than glued together and use a putty.

[Jim B]

Seams, definitely seams! They are my nemesis.

[Pavel A.]

For example on seams fuel tanks? Try as a puty normal superglue. Don' t falling down after time. Better like another putty. And cheap...

[Force]

The frame itself can sometimes be fidly and takes time and patience to get straight and squared, at least old AMT and some Italeri kits where you have to sand the ends of the cross members to get them to fit right.

As everything else such as the suspension, cab, hood and other things are mounted on the frame it's important to get it right and the chance to get the truck model to sit level on all wheels and get the cab to hood fitting good is a lot better than if the frame is croked and out of line.

Edited October 8, 2014 by Force

[k100]

For me it's the hood to cab fit , and painting of the cab , I'm just not good at it . That's why a lot of my models never get finished because the paint is bad .

[72 Charger]

Yes seams on tanks mirror frames and those plastic axel pins that are suppose to click on but SNAP .

[Mackvision]

You hit the nail on the head JT! no matter how frustrating,i still enjoy working on my trucks,i kinda like solving fit/finish problems now that I have the so called "skills" to do it LOL! I'll never equal the caliber of some builders on here,but I'

m real happy where I'm at at this point! Personally, I like to paint and do bodywork,one other little snag I seem to run into is assemblies that pass through others,such as exausts,radiator hoses etc,always seem to be too far back,too far forward or "this close" but no cigar!....................................................Mark

Edited October 9, 2014 by Mackvision

[kilrathy10]

That IS a good one, there, Mark.....Forgot about that frustrating aspect of building....I, too, find that to be one of the hardest things to "nail"....

Another good one, as well, Dave....Don't know how many I've broken.....

But like you said, Mark, my "skills" have gotten much better over the years.....I've gotten pretty good a fixing them......That, and it doesn't bother me as much if I just glue the wheels on, any more....When you're 12 or 13, the wheels being able to turn really matters....But after you come home and find your Payhauler on the floor in several pieces because it fell off the shelf; you kinda have a different perspective on that one wheel that doesn't roll...... Suddenly, it's your best friend....

Edited October 9, 2014 by kilrathy10

[Petetrucker07]

Its funny you mentioned the wheels rolling JT. I never quite understood why they need to roll, at least in my mind. Im building a kit, car, pick up or big truck, to look at. I never had the urge to "play" with it. Maybe i was a weird kid. But if i wanted to play with cars, i played with my hot wheels, even weirder, only the 1s i had duplicates of. I have a decent sized collection of hot wheels.

Now back on topic. Every once in awhile i have issues with clear plastic, windows, lights...., but this forum taught me to use elmers glue, if it gets on the plastic, it just peals off. That was the biggest flaw in my earlier builds. The glue on the glass finger prints really made my mediocre builds, look worse. Im hopin the steps on my freightshaker COE go better, those really tried my patience the 1st go at them