New critter project.

[GearDrivenSteam]

Since I have some motivation, but no track, I turned my attention elsewhere. I have a Hartland Mack frame a good friend sent me some time ago. I teamed that with some MDC Hustler detail parts including two cabs and various other parts. I used one cab intact, and the other I sectioned up and made into the hood. The hood turned out pretty cool, since the door openings are perfect for the hood openings now. Here's what I have so far.

 

 

[vsmith]

So far looks great

The devil is in the detail so I've learned. Just take your time with it, dont rush it, and have fun first and foremost. I studied lots of critters on line to see what details to include on mine.

Are you planning to add cab details?

Does it have the motor block? HLW sells the Mack Block for about $30 bucks, check out there website

[GearDrivenSteam]

Yes, I am going to add it all. 30 bucks?!?!?!  I'm lookin at this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/STRAIGHT-6-ENG-BLOCK-20S-G-SCALE-1-24-NICE-PIECE_W0QQitemZ160119257122QQihZ006QQcategoryZ19157QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for the info on the Hartland stuff, though. I will keep it in mind. Right now though, my budget calls for some cheapness. LOL 

 

[GearDrivenSteam]

Here is some more progress. This is about as far as I can go before buying something, so I am at a stopping point for a bit.

[Sweet Santa Fe]

That looks pretty cool.  See, I knew you could do it.  Just do what you can and go from there.

You would seem to be pretty darn handy.

 

Melissa 

[Anonymous]

Looking sweet! Does mom know your on her dinner table doing this? LOL

[GearDrivenSteam]

Thanks yall. Yes, she knows I'm on the table. She gets a little miffed when I spill some paint or glue, but she's ok with it overall.

[Anonymous]

hehehe Yeah I get that too! But I am now making my new bench to work on. Did make my blueprint table to start making different blueprints for sale or give away.

[GearDrivenSteam]

Well I gotta work bench. whenever I go out to the shop and get comfortable to use it, the wife comes out there and asks me if I can do the same thing inside.  

[Anonymous]

Well, you can tell her that we can sell the dinning table and have this sapce as my new shop. But remember she will be watching you! A mans shop is his castle!!!!

[Sweet Santa Fe]

Robert, just do this.  When she asks you if you can do the same thing in the house, get a little bit under her feet when she's doing something that she wants to do.  That way she'll understand why you need some space.  Also remind her how upset she gets if you spill. She'll let you be in your shop, working by yourself.  

I love how the project is working up.  Looks great!

[Anonymous]

 I love how the project is working you.  Looks great!

Missed this?!

[Sweet Santa Fe]

Be nice to me ToadFrog.  I know where you live. 

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

( incert theme song from jaws here)

Gerat job, keep going.

[kimbrit]

Nice one Robert, I think that engine should have enough power for the critter, if you can get it fired up of course!!

[hoofe116]

Hey, great start, there. Or, nice going. Not sure which but it looks neat.

FWIW, in the early 70s, I repaired a lot of Lionel stuff on our kitchen table while Friend Wife fixed supper. That was 'BC'--before children.

Good luck on the rest of it.

Les W.

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

"That was 'BC'--before children."

thats good, I'm borrowing

[GearDrivenSteam]

I got the motor today, modified and installed it. I think it came out nice. Cab details next.

[GearDrivenSteam]

I made a gearbox out of the end of the oil pan since I had to remove it, and made  a shifter out of a piece of leftover detail part. I also built a dash and made a throttle. Next I'll make the seat when my driver gets here.

[altterrain]

That's looking good, Robert. I ordered up one of the flathead V-8's to do a similar critter.

-Brian 

[GearDrivenSteam]

I got my motor from LarryGScale on Ebay. He's a good seller. I thought about a blown and injected HEMI, but decided on a more subtle route.

[vsmith]

I'll be interested to see what figure you found to fit inside that tiny cab, I have been considering rebuilding my MDCs with bigger cabs as I cant find 1/22 figures that will fit inside. Otherwise its progressing very well...

[GearDrivenSteam]

I'm curious too. I don't have the figure yet, it's on the way....I'm kinda worried about the size. It's a Magnuson 1/24 scale engineer. It's a kit, so I'm hoping I can position it accordingly. We'll see.

[altterrain]

Hey Robert,

 I would suggest this Aristo guy (the one in the middle). Its easy to remove the oil can.

I picked one up for a boxcab diesel project. I also picked up one of the MDC critter detail parts kits SanVal was selling on eBay and this guy fits quite well in the cab once you carefully saw off the base. I also got my motor block from LarryG, he's a nice guy to work with.

-Brian 

[GearDrivenSteam]

I really need one sitting, which is what I have coming. I may have to go with something smaller.....we'll see. Thanks for the comparison.

[GearDrivenSteam]

Ok, here's the driver I chose. It's a 1:22.5 scale dude. He fits real good.

[Anonymous]

Lookn good Robert!!!! Looks like it works to me!!!!!

[altterrain]

Looks good Robert but its got no couplers!

-Brian 

[GearDrivenSteam]

Well, I never said I was done. LOL. I got lots of stuff left. Couplers, air and fuel lines, some more weathering. I'm sure I'll think of more.

[GearDrivenSteam]

I'm sharing this with the My Large Scale Forum as well, but all of you here have been much more appreciative. What's up with those guys over there? You must have to be in the clique or something.  Anyway, I got the couplers mounted. I think they came out good.