Thread started by musclecarfan
Bill Newcomeradded a new photoalbum.
24 20 September 2019, 05:43
Bill NewcomerOfficially started the tractor for the lowboy. Just carved out the hole for the 1st of 4 headlight buckets.
20 September 2019, 05:48
Bill NewcomerHalfway done with the carving and filing to make rectangular headlight conversion a reality. Opened up the lower grille vent too.
23 September 2019, 06:33
Bill NewcomerEngine assembly begins. One is going to be painted gold. The other one I am seriously considering it to be painted PINK.
29 September 2019, 00:47
Bill NewcomerThe Coke truck is being parted out since I do not desire to build it. Various items will be used from it for mods to other builds. I was going to use its longer frame for the triple drive on the Freightliner but I have an alternate plan. I was going to use the wheels and tires but I bought the Moebius Big Rig set to make up what I need. I thought about using the Ford V8 but it looked like too much of a hassle. So actually now it does not need to be part of this project. Thanks.
29 September 2019, 05:40
Bill NewcomerThanks to warnings from my mates, I am test fitting everything before painting. I did not like the fit of the windows so I have removed a big chunk from the top to facilitate a tighter fit on the side windows.
12 October 2019, 06:08
Bill NewcomerEngine complete. Another submission to the engine blasphemy club.
21 October 2019, 06:41
Bill NewcomerThanks Chris the truck is to be red and white. So I went artistic and combined the two for the engine.
21 October 2019, 07:01
MunkyslutSquare quad lights mod was definitely worth the effort Bill, looks very sharp.
Motor looks awesome!
21 October 2019, 07:16
Bill NewcomerThanks, I am steadily deflashing the bazilion frame and suspension pieces. My naughty kitty ran off with my front axle and steering link. Fortunately I have a Ford Coke truck to rob parts from.
21 October 2019, 07:23
MunkyslutHaaaahaha!!! Kitty runs off with parts!
My boxer dogs do the same tho
21 October 2019, 07:38
Bob HallMore BOLO's On the Fuzzy Feline Banditos ! I'll Stop them before they make the boarder ! (unless they head North) LOL !!!!!
22 October 2019, 00:40
Tim HeimerBeing men and all, we should know by now ,,a little pussy can cause a lot of problems.
22 October 2019, 14:55
Tim HeimerLooks good! Where did you get the conversion kit for the lights from?
22 October 2019, 14:58
Bill NewcomerTim from auslowe.com.au/ I was THIS close to buying a 3D printer to make them.
23 October 2019, 00:52
Tim HeimerI had a feeling it was from them! LOL! I've used them in the past but haven't been on their site in quite a while! TY!
23 October 2019, 04:20
Chaz GordonWell, I guess October is the appropriate time for PINK. Going to put a Moustache on it next month?
23 October 2019, 04:33
Bill NewcomerTim, I bought a whole bunch of goodies from them. I just need to build faster to utilize them.
23 October 2019, 06:43
Martin OostromHear hear. It seems every time I have finished two kits, three more have found their way to the stash. If only I had the time...
23 October 2019, 07:01
Bill NewcomerYep, I have been buying them faster than I can build them. However, I am approaching owning 99% of what is out there that I want.
24 October 2019, 02:44
Bob HallAnd here is 50% of that 1% that your looking for !
Ebay.com Item - Vintage AMT Y909 200 1969 Chevy Impala SS Model kit UNBUILT
24 October 2019, 02:51
Chris GreathouseWhat's the point of $300 for that kit? The parts are sealed but the box is open. Is that a special kit?
24 October 2019, 07:15
Bill NewcomerBody in white base color. Frame cut up pending exact measurement for extended length.
30 October 2019, 00:19
BozzerAm I too late? I wanna see the triple drive setup. Awesome work so far Bill!
30 October 2019, 00:54
Bill NewcomerBozzer, you are not too late. I need to pre-assemble the day cab dual drive first. From that I can learn the spacing to know where and how much to extend the frame so it looks right. (also be able to use the driveshafts without modifyng them.)
30 October 2019, 01:14
Bill NewcomerSpent yesterday and today making a custom tail light bar from scratch. I have to wait for the weather before I can paint it.
23 December 2019, 05:06
Bill NewcomerJust posted the above 22 DEC and it shows up dated 29 OCT. Hmmmm.
23 December 2019, 06:38
Bill NewcomerMaking slow progress. Prepped parts for painting. Assembled a few parts to the frame.
30 December 2019, 04:59
Chris GreathouseGetting closer, I see. All your bits are waiting in the booth.
30 December 2019, 05:00
Bill NewcomerWeather is temporary. Carpet Monster sometimes is not. Then there is my kitty who steals parts to never be seen again.
30 December 2019, 15:08
Bill NewcomerFinally got to paint today. Frame primed, cab got base coat, misc parts colored.
4 January 2020, 03:02
Bill NewcomerWorked on it some this weekend. Frame drying, interior started, grilles blacked out.
6 January 2020, 06:16
Bill NewcomerCab paint dry enough to handle masking for 2nd color. Challenge: Mask the cab perfectly so that the thin black stripes have the different colors on each side with no peeking. Took the decal sheet and copied it on my printer/copier. Cut out the front curved decals right through the middle of the stripe. Laid off-brand BMF (with too thick of adhesive) onto body. Scotch taped paper copy of stripes over (fake) BMF. Cut said BMF with hobby knife to leave exactly the mask required to separate the colors. On the straight lines, I used Parafilm to mask the sides and back of cab due to its SUPERIOR masking properties. I will finish masking tomorrow.
11 January 2020, 08:53
Tom ...I'm all turned around. How many builds are you doing? 🙂
I do like the photo of the paint booth in pristine condition... oh well.
12 January 2020, 03:44
Bill NewcomerTom, I am just working on just the two Freightliners. The El Camino has kind of stalled until the semis are nearly done.
12 January 2020, 20:00
Bill NewcomerInterior is finished. Just masked it to paint the bottom. Still waiting for the weather to dry up.
21 January 2020, 05:34
Bill NewcomerThanks guys. It is just kind of a shame that no one will really ever see it again once the model is built.
22 January 2020, 06:13
BozzerI left my bunk as was. Unless you open up the back, it's never seen. It's a shame really.
22 January 2020, 07:02
Bill NewcomerI saw in the instructions that if you installed the "curtain" the bed is compeltely blocked visually. I came up with plan B to show it. I am moving the curtain to the back wall and taking the 2nd unused curtain from the other kit and using pieces of it on either side. That way the walls appear upholstered and the bed can be seen.
24 January 2020, 03:53
Patrick HagelsteinYeah, I don't know how you did those sheets but they look awesome!
24 January 2020, 04:29
Bill NewcomerSatin? No, enamel. 3/8" fan brush, laid heavy and not brushed with too many strokes.
25 January 2020, 07:58
Chris GreathouseThat's what I do with my wood grain dashboards. Uneven brush strokes, turns out really well, like your blanket 😄
25 January 2020, 18:16
Bill NewcomerCab and frame and misc parts painted. No complaints from wife about fumes.🙂
26 January 2020, 00:54
Bill NewcomerBeen working on the decals. Kit stripes applied. Door and tank decals artworked and printed.
17 February 2020, 02:31
Bill NewcomerThanks guys. So far so good. Need to spray some clear gloss to my freshly minted decals. Once they are applied, I can coat the cab(s) in Future. Then I can paint the window frames and interior walls.
17 February 2020, 07:43
BozzerThat's just beautiful Bill mate! Keep taking your time and it's gonna be a stunner! Hat off to you sir!!!
17 February 2020, 16:35
Bill NewcomerMunky thanks. The red was just a lucky choice at the auto parts store.
18 February 2020, 07:26
Bill NewcomerBozzer, Thanks, I have been very diligent on this one to get the best result I can muster.
18 February 2020, 07:27
Bill NewcomerThanks Tim and Dominik. No pics but I made a little progress this weekend. Cab has been fully decaled and clearcoated with Future. Chassis has fuel tanks mounted and I started on the modified exhaust stacks. Worked on the mirrors. OMG! the pieces are so wimpy they are going to be very fragile. They should have made them one, maybe two pieces.
24 February 2020, 08:17
BozzerBill, them mirrors killed my enthusiasm for this kit. 3 bloody times I had to repair them! My metal grab rails were bent too, so they became a chore! Then there's the raised rivets on the roof, where the running lights go. Needless to say, I'll get round to it, eventually.
25 February 2020, 01:36
Bill NewcomerI am part way through mirror assembly. Fortunately all my grab rails are straight. The pads that get attached to the body have different shapes based on where the were on the sprue. I have one pair and two oddies from each kit. Thanks for the warning on the roof lights.
25 February 2020, 03:12
Chris GreathouseYou're making my White Freightliner look like crap compared to yours 😛 ... beautiful mate!
25 February 2020, 05:11
Bill NewcomerJust got bumper glued to the frame and test fit cab. (so they are straight)
27 February 2020, 07:02
Bill NewcomerThanks Tim. I have another tip for you. The cab is supposed to tilt forward on fragile pins at the bottom of the grille and small holes in the frame rails. I suggest you slot the top of the holes so that the pins slide down into them instead of prying the frame rails numerous times for test fittings.
27 February 2020, 15:21
Bill NewcomerIt has been slow going but I have been making progress. Today I decided to tackle fabricating a headache rack. The lowboy trailer had some hexagonal sprue that I though would be good for the perimeter. The backplane is from the cargo box sides from a Coke truck being parted out. I found the style rack I wanted on Google and the Mfr actually had a pdf of the drawing with dimensions for it! I can make the proportions correct. I had to first create a miniature miter box in order to make perfect 22.5 degree cuts. That way I get the 45 degree corners it should have. I cut the backplane out taking care to take advantage of the rivets in the piece. I now have to obtain some .250" x .125" I-beam from evergreen or plastruct to continue.
15 March 2020, 05:16
MunkyslutGreat work Bill! Your plans are interesting, I love to see a bit of working it out on paper 👍
15 March 2020, 08:50
Tim HeimerSo this headache rack isn't causing you a headache? Great to hear that!
15 March 2020, 13:40
Bill NewcomerMunky, they make it very easy. In the drawing the real world dimensions are already in inches. For 1/25th scale I simply divide any dimension by 25 to get my SCALE dimension. My dial calipers help me get them measured to .001 of an inch.
15 March 2020, 23:08
Dominik WeitzerUh, thats a really cool build. The engine color....pink? Really? Thats outstanding
16 March 2020, 13:59
Bill NewcomerPink came about due to research yielding some sort blah yellowish tan to be actually correct. Everything on the engine was to be that color. My artistic side couldn't cope with that so i mixed red and white and got pink. I made all the add on pieces different colors for visual contrast. The idea was to make it eye catching. It obviously is not correct but I follow enough rules in daily life, call it being rebellious if nothing else.
17 March 2020, 06:50
MunkyslutI like your style Bill! Your colour choices reminded me of those cutaway technical illustrations, very cool😎
17 March 2020, 07:30
Bill NewcomerJohn, Thank you. The tire trick is so easy. The decals just take lots of trial and error. Hint: ALWAYS print on paper to be sure the size is to your liking.
30 March 2020, 23:22
Bill NewcomerHi to all of you that may be following. I have FINALLY finished the chassis. I hope you enjoy the pics.
30 March 2020, 23:24
Bill NewcomerTim, I know but real grease is such a dust magnet. Besides, I like the "Bling" factor.
31 March 2020, 01:55
MunkyslutThis is just awesome Bill !!!
Triple drive deserves triple exclamation 😉
31 March 2020, 06:28
BozzerBill, did you fit a half shaft, between all the axles? I'm just curious to see the setup? I plan on doing a triple drive, at some point. I have recently acquired some extra axles.
31 March 2020, 15:55
Bill NewcomerBozzer, I added a pic (#46) to the album. I tried my darndest to extend the frame AND mount the axles such that I would not have to modify the driveshafts. The instructions were kind of vague on whether the pinions are up high or down low. It seems I ended up with a little of both.
31 March 2020, 22:41
Bill NewcomerBrandon, Thanks. I can't wait to finish applying all the chrome bits to the cab. Because that is all that is left to do.
1 April 2020, 00:34
BozzerBill, you're a god and a legend dude! Seriously, thanks for the picture! That couldn't be any more clearer! When I clear the backlog of kits I have, I'm gonna do some detail work and also some scratchbuilt trailers. I'll happily share it with you guys. I think you'll like some of my ideas. I'll take some pictures of the stages and maybe some of you will attempt it? Thanks again buddy, really appreciate the trouble that you went to 👍
1 April 2020, 03:23
Bill NewcomerBozzer, Scratch built trailers? That sounds ambitious. I work on my models a little bit most days and just the mods on kits is very time consuming to me.
1 April 2020, 04:32
BozzerBill, I'm self employed and I've been in self isolation for 2 weeks. I've just been told that the hospital I was working at, are closing all works until this is all over. I now have a lot of time on my hands, indefinitely. I was supposed to leave the UK for 2 weeks in the states, on Tuesday, but everything is locked down. Only thing I can do now, is modelling and keep abreast with the news. Good job I have a fair stash of kits and supplies!
1 April 2020, 05:25
Bill NewcomerBozzer, Sorry for your being out of work and missing a trip. Enjoy the break and stay healthy. 🙂
1 April 2020, 13:56
Bill NewcomerJohn and Dominik, Thank you, while I have never been a watch maker, I have always had an above average attention to detail problem. (That is why the cab is taking so long.)
1 April 2020, 13:57
Chaz GordonJust waiting for the promised slow down to kick in. We're all working from home and my biggest customer is directly linked to supporting the NHS, so we've been twice as busy as usual. Amazing work on that Chassis
1 April 2020, 15:58
Bill NewcomerChaz, Thank you. My job is semi-essential so we are still working in the field. I did have the day off today though. (Started my next project with the free time)
2 April 2020, 06:36
Bryn CrandellI am essential as well. Working from home this week and back in the office next. I'll do this schedule until the DoD puts us back into normal status. My home office is in my hobby room so it is so tempting to play hookie from work and work on models. LOL
3 April 2020, 15:23
Chaz GordonI'm not actually supposed to be doing support cases, I'm supposed to be managing the team, but I have a caseload left over from helping my guys keep their heads above water when everyone suddenly wanted us to set up their IT for working remotely. When I get that cleared next week, I won't need a second keyboard, so I can put up a cutting mat on my desk where that goes and "Multi-task". I have a stack of trucks to renovate and build, so I'm tempted to bust one out.
4 April 2020, 01:11
Bill NewcomerChaz, build this one...
Scania T142M Roadrunner (Italeri 780, 1:24)
4 April 2020, 01:40
Chaz GordonHmmmm, That's tempting, the Chassis was started 25 years ago and needs some resto work, but I have an unstarted chassis from the Scania Wrecker, so I can cast a couple of replacement items.
4 April 2020, 15:31
Bill NewcomerWell I got brave and made the mods needed to the nearly finished cab. Precision rotary cutting on one side and step replacement and relocation on the other side. Both operations went pretty well. Touch up paint and 6 more parts and I will be done!
9 April 2020, 04:58
Bill NewcomerWell gents, it is finally done. I had to rush the pics as I was losing my daylight. Comments welcome.
21 April 2020, 03:34
Martin OostromShe is a beauty! The red and white dress brings her to life. Great job 👍
21 April 2020, 05:36
Chris GreathouseBeautiful, and a beast too, very cool!!! I love the sunset photos 😄
21 April 2020, 08:19
Bill NewcomerThanks guys. 🙂 A bit more light would have helped my camera do better.
21 April 2020, 14:41
Bill NewcomerThank you Zach. John, fortunately it fits in my display case with room to spare.
22 April 2020, 05:23
BozzerYou aced it Bill! I gotta admire your dedication to these two kits. I also love the way the sun shines off the rivets on the roof. Maybe my nostalgic side is more awake today? So with these babies in the bag, what's next? And thank you for taking us on this memorable freightliner journey 🙂
22 April 2020, 22:53
Chaz GordonLooks awesome with the trailer on, perhaps it could do with something like this on it Bulldozer (AMT/ERTL 31769, 1:24)
22 April 2020, 23:34
Bill NewcomerChaz, Nice suggestion but not in my wheelhouse. Glad you like it Nigel. 🙂
23 April 2020, 00:01
Bill NewcomerBozzer, Now that I have a cargo hauler, I need to make some equipment delivery to my new shop diorama. Hopefully pics this evening.
23 April 2020, 00:02
JarrettChaz I just picked that bulldozer after being disappointed with the current AMT version and it is any awesome kit. Gorgeous truck and nice drop deck trailer!
26 December 2021, 14:41
Bill NewcomerMinor update: I finally found the front axle my wife's kitty ran off with two years ago. It was under the refrigerator...
12 December 2022, 05:22
TreehuggerI wish there were more truck kits around, like modern truck kits, and new mould ofc. 🙂
How do you deal with chrome parts? Use as is? Airbrush on new?
I recently tried out a chrome-pen and it was really fun, so I bought a few of them, most unused. Trick is to achieve a 100% coverage for the chrome, while avoiding the chrome paint starting to dry, so working quickly is important, but perhaps impossible for larger parts, unsure. I can always clean the chrome off again and try again if I am not happy with the initial result. I guess some truck rims might be difficult to get to with a pen tip on the inside at the center.
12 December 2022, 09:07
Bill NewcomerBob, I see you get it.
Treehugger, If the kit chrome is good as is, I use it. If it needs slight touch ups, I'll hit it with a Molotow pen. If it get stripped, which some of my Big Girls bumpers are getting then I am going to airbrush it with Green Stuff World chrome.
Dominik and Neuling, Thanks. I am pretty happy with how it turned out.
13 December 2022, 02:05
Kyle DeHartWell I, for one, am glad you found your mirror because now I can see this beauty. Great stuff!!
13 December 2022, 02:29
BozzerJust as a heads up..
You can buy a Molotow refill, and this is excellent for using in your airbrush. My method is to give the part a light dusting all over, then a wet coat, right after. No need to thin, and clean airbrush with cellulose thinner, after.
Hope this helps some, or all of you?
14 December 2022, 18:09
Bill NewcomerBozzer, Thanks. Airbrushing from a Molotow refill I have heard works well.
Rui, Thanks.
15 December 2022, 03:00