Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

actually if you added the top hanger to the scale art it would me exactly like the real thing. Just take the one in the picture and turn it upside down part of the upper bracket is there just make it long. Ed

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Very nice modified Wedico Peterbild. i milled also the frontaxle by my Scania ;)

I optimised my Osswald Pendulum Spring because of the Frame high.

Befor
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/5381/1500ie5.jpg

after
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1801/132kl2.jpg

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Thank you Marcel. My truck also sits a little high in the rear, now that the front end is lowered. I also have the same Osswald rear suspension that you used. Do you have any more photos of how you optimized the rear of your truck?

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Hey nate that truck is really coming togather...really like the idea of the rack with the batteries and it looks great ...awsome build ...gona keep my eye on this one

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

I read all topic it is really perfect truck and very good information source about wedico and osswald frame and chasis operations. Tons of thanks for pictures

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Hi

Sorry for the late Answer. I made new Holder ;) .

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9185/1102mc9.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/4707/126aj4.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2673/134rv4.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2544/157bv0.jpg

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

man the truck so far look`s great, the work you have put in so far is one of if not the best i have seen for some time, remember all good thing take time.
keep up the great work on it
cheers paul
tiny trucker

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Thanks Lou!

You are very welcome kamyoncu! I don't mind sharing any and all information in this hobby with others who enjoy building trucks like me.

Paul, actually you were looking at Marcel's handy work there. I cannot take credit for it. I had asked him a question about his rear suspension, and those are his photos, not mine! He's definitely done some great work too. You've seen his thread here - http://rctruckandconstruction.com/showthread.php?t=893 A beautifully modified Wedico chassis too.

Thanks Paul. I always like hearing people's comments.

Marcel, thank you very much! I never considered machining a whole new bracket up, as you did. You did a great job with that. I also really, really like that rear cross member you made, for the chassis. That is beautiful. Hope I can also make one for my own truck. Thanks again! Mind if I ask where you got your scale hex hardware?

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Nathan very nice machine work. Keep this up and you would have wasted the money you spent to buy the Osswald suspension. Ed

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Wow Nate, when you say "slow" you really mean SLOW! lol Just kidding, it looks great, so incredibly realistic!:D

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Any updated on this engineering marvel (atleast in my eyes) What kind of mill are you using, manual or CNC? I really like your drive train setup, if i ever do a daycab pete i think i will be using it.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Hi Arioch,

Unfortunately, I have no updates to share yet. Not on the truck anyway. I have, however, purchased my own benchtop milling machine now. It's not as big as the Bridgeport I was using, at work, in my free time, but for the smaller sized parts I want, I think (hope) it will be useful. I'm working on getting it all set-up at the moment. I would like to have it running by Jan. 2012. This build might make it back to the main burner soon enough. I was relocated, at work, to a different facility, so I lost access to the Bridgeport mill, and I got tired of waiting for a chance to continue with this build, so I pulled the trigger on my own mini-mill instead. It has proven to be a significant investment, but it should pay for itself, if I can get it all dialed in. Everything I made, was with a manual mill. CNC would be nice, but I'm not ready for that yet. I have found some CNC conversion kits for my new mill. Maybe for the future.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Just read through this thread again for a recap. You got the stance perfect Nathan, looks so much better without all that air between the wheel and the fender on the front. Have you begun to make the steps? Far be it from me to say anything but I can't help but think your styrene prototypes are perhaps a little too wide. From all the pictures I've seen, the steps are not as wide as the doors they sit under. It might just be my eyes though!
Can't wait to see this fully functional, it reminds me of the 1/50 sword heavy haul 379 I have.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Nick, thanks so much for the kind words. I have not started on the cab steps yet, and yes, I think you are right. My styrene mock-ups are long. I will correct this when I make some from metal, although these days I am leaning more toward the idea of mounting my fuel tanks beneath the cab, and so loosing the battery box steps altogether. I like the look the fuel tanks with steps give. Has a more heavy haul look to it. Oddly enough, when I first found the Sword 379 Peterbilts, I was thinking to myself, 'that's the look I'm after' so you are not far off with your comment.

Anyway, guys, I have a small update. I am finally able to blow some dust off this old thread and breath some new life back into it. My progress was pretty much stalled, as I needed parts, but had to no way to make them. So I broke down and picked up new benchtop milling machine. This should get me back on track!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...ewminimill.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...millandDRO.jpg

The very first part I finished up, for the Wedico, was this new front cross member. I hated the original very much. It's almost impossible to assemble, as you need to bolt the 2mm screws together, with nuts on the back. Problem is the front member is so small and tight, you just can't more then one finger behind it. As much as I've taken this chassis apart, and reassembled it, I figured it was time to improve what I see as a weak and flawed part.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...eroldvsnew.jpg

The original is on the table. The replacement, on the chassis. From a stamped piece, to a solid billet aluminum replacement.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...ossmember3.jpg

I drilled and tapped twenty 2mm blind holes, for all the fixxings, which keeps the inside nice and clean looking.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...rossmember.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...ossmember4.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...axlebackon.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...rancenotch.jpg

Bolted the axle back on, this time with no nuts, and it went about 1,000 times easier then before. Because my suspension was dropped, and my hood and cab dropped, my new front cross member will also let me drop my bumper. Just need to shoot some holes through it, and that is the purpose of the lower hanging front face. So things are getting back to business, finally. Now, if I can just keep it up!

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

wow , Nate ,looks good ;) Nothing like having the right tools to do what you want and how you want :D

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Man i want one of those! Nice work Nathan!

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Thanks Brian. Means a lot.

Steve, thanks! Hey, when you get around to it, I need some Vortex breathers for this thing, now that it's back on the work bench. :D From a guy who really knows how to machine. I'm just a novice.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

I don't machine like some of the other guys here :o you only see the good part :eek: not the hrs of fustration , for instance , you spend hrs manually doing 1 op on the lathe only to get screwed up in secounds on the mill :mad: I realized friday that the coaxial indicator I got is total crap same with the digital caliper after a few hubs (days worth of lathe work ) bearing bores where off . :mad: now I'm going to make a different setup jig much like a pallet system .

A/C I'll try to run them this week with rc channel hubs I have to run ( same stock )

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Steve, we are all just human beings, prone to make a few mistakes. The path you take, and the stumbles along the way are not nearly as important as the end results. I've seen your projects. You make good stuff. If I could make my own breathers like you do, I would.

By the way, I'm after the 379 style breathers, so no rubber tube holes needed!

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

The Wedico witch all others are judged, humbled and wished they were.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Wow !! Nathan ,what a build,just looked over the thread,you have some very good build skills,awesome build so far.look forward to seeing the end result :D:):)

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Great build I can't wait for more. I love all the aluminum. Very clean look. I'm speechless.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Cant wait to see more of this truck...

Amazing.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Thanks for the kind words, guys. I appreciate it! It keeps me going. So how about an update?

The weather has been unusually warm, so it's hard to spend time inside, working on the Wedico. We hit 79 degrees today, and it's not even April yet. Normally, even in April, there is still snow on the ground, with some 30 degree temps, but it already feels like summer. Anyhow, I was having a hard time finding the movitation to work on the Wedico, but I pushed on, and got some back. Nothing like machining up some parts, and seeing some form of progress take shape. That was enough to get me going again, and I really hope to get this truck finished by the end of the year?!? Ha, we'll see.

So one thing I have been wanting to do is build some aluminum tool box steps for the truck, like these -

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...teptoolbox.jpg

Here is what I've got so far -

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...sforWedico.jpg

There going to go on the truck something like this -

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...forWedico3.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...forWedico2.jpg

I intend to run the fuel tanks under the cab, instead of the more typical place, behind the cab. I've got a plan for making some nice tank saddles and tank steps, but first, I want to finish these tool boxes.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...readplates.jpg

Now the really fun part is I intend to make the steps and tread plates for these tool boxes, and see through. I had fun drilling out 57 holes, per top tread plate. I haven't even gotten to the actual steps yet! I am in need of some small screws, to bolt it all together. I'm thinking 0-80 screws. They are a little smaller then the 2mm screws I have been using. Bolting everything together will be a little tedious, but it's the only way I'll have the detail of individual pieces, made into a complete tool box. It should be fun!

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

looks good Nate ;) I don't think you have enough chips laying around yet :p

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

very nice machining indeed. well thought out and good planning too i'd say.

Chris

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Thanks Steve. Yeah, I have a lot of chips to make, before I'm caught up with you, but so far, I'm not doing to bad, considering my mill is smaller.

Thanks Chris. I appreciate the comment, considering your engineerng, and fabrication skills.

Thanks Paul. I hope they turn out as nice as I picture them in my head.

Here are a couple more photos. I finished off the top tread plates tonight. I ordered some 0-80 screws, and thought I'd have to wait till I got them, so I could drill the last two holes and counter sunk relief for the screw heads to size. Instead, I found the specs for the head diameter and height online. I was able to go ahead and punch the last couple holes into the plates. The heads of the screws should sit flush or slightly below the tread plates, so it will look clean.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...eadplates1.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...eadplates2.jpg

Definitely a labor of love! 59 holes a piece. Now to get the steps on the front, which thankfully will have a few less holes. The tread plates are going to be narrower, but scale. Hmmm, wonder if I should make a deck plate for my truck, and drill all the holes for them too?

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

those are sweet Nate . careful now ;) machining can get addictive . I have more then most here :o , but it's not enough :eek: I need a good BP for the stuff I don't need to put in the VMC . I dislike electronic hand wheels , no feel :eek:

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Lookin SWEET Nate

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Unbelievable Nathan! Looks like you drilled all of those holes perfectly without the use of a jig?

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Incredible as always.Those boxes are the real deal. great job!!!

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Thanks plow jockey.

Thanks Craig. No jigs used for the holes. I just did the math and planned out the pattern. The digital read outs on my mill let me achieve the accuracy of the pattern, although it was still very time consuming.

Thank you Mike.

Thanks Tim, and yes I know. It's about time I get back on this, right?

It's snowballed a little, Steve. I find it very easy to keep spending money on tooling, but I won't be getting a new machine until I wear this one out, or until I build a workshop for something bigger. Still, I'm very pleased with this machine. It wasn't perfect out of the crate, and took me a while to dial in, but it's totally worth it. Thanks for watching the progress.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Very nice start on a great project! If you want to go even smaller than the 0-80 machine screws you might want to try www.scalehardware.com He has nuts and bolts down to .5mm. He also has taps for that size. I have only had the nerve to try 1 hole in .5mm. Came out OK but very nerve racking as it was the final detail on the part.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Hi Lynn. Thanks for checking out my work. Yes, I've looked at Scale Hardware's website a few times. Like you, I'm a little nervous about tapping something smaller then an 0-80 thread! I've done a lot of 2mm threaded holes now, but that's .078" diameter, roughly. 0-80 is smaller yet, at about .050". But .5mm at .0196"? Yikes! I'd be really worried about snapping the tap, if I just looked at it wrong. Though 0-80 screws are still a little large for what I want to do, I think I can accept that, since the idea of breaking off a tap, and ruining a part that I have a lot of time stuck into machining, is a poor trade off! Guess we'll see. I should have the 0-80 screws and taps I ordered, tomorrow.

Forging ahead! I got two more tread plates for the steps done this morning.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...olboxsteps.jpg

Here's another photo, that shows how I hope to tie the steps to the boxes. I've got some step side members machined, that will pretty much bolt together, like the 1:1 steps will. These are not finished parts yet. The front edge (lip) will be milled off completely, at an angle, to match the 1:1 steps. In the next stage of machining, they'll be finished. Sometimes you have plan how you are going to hold onto such small parts, for each step of the machining process. They are oversized right now, but will get trimmed down to size soon enough. The top step will be slightly narrower then the bottom step and the side members will be angled to meet the top step. One just has to look at the 1:1 prototype photo I posted to see what I mean.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...lboxsteps2.jpg

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Nathan, the step plates look really great. A lot of drilling but sure adds a bunch to the detail. If the 0-80 is a bit large, maybe 00-90? I use this size a lot on brass, aluminum and styrene. Not really a problem, in my experience. Just take your time. I've had the best luck by holding both the work and the tap in my hands. Seems that both "move" together, as opposed to having the work stationary in a bench vise. I've never used a tapping block or fixture - perhaps they would be helpful. Keep up the good work!

Ken

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

My head hurts from the coolness of this project..... My GOD what an outstanding looking RIG this is!!

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

Thanks Ken. My order for the 0-80 screws should arrive sometime this afternoon. Just doing the math and sizing things up, they might still be a little on the big side, at least for bolting the steps to the side members. I'll have to see, once everything is in my hands. Good to know about the 00-90 screws and taps not being as fragile as I was thinking they might be. I guess they really aren't a ton smaller. Just a little. About .010 to .011" difference in diameter. They might end up being the hot ticket though.

Thanks MoRockN. Hopefully I can keep the standard going. I have a lot of other detailed parts to make yet.

Re: Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build
 

WOW :eek::eek: Nathan nice router work!;), and what? no jigs or templates to boot! Must be that calibrated eye!:p:p:p. All seriouness aside, it looks very good and I can't wait to see it move a little faster, I mean done! Just one thing I'd like to see some one do is put rubber fender extensions on the front fenders when running super singles. Ok enough of my 2 cents.:rolleyes::D Keep up the great progress!:cool: