Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Not sure I'm following you... The cap threads on/off easily, but to keep it from unscrewing when driving it'll need to be screwed on fairly tightly, which is a challenge. That makes it difficult to get it off, as well.

My thought was that if I drill through the cap (top to bottom, for example) I could insert a thin allen key in there to tighten/loosen it and the hole might not be too visible.

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

My thought was make something that looks kind of like a toilet plunger, with an RTV silicone cup molded to the hub cap. Hopefully it would act kind of like a jar lid opener, and grip the hub to install/remove while you rotate the handle.

The holes around the edge to use a wrench like a pin-spanner would probably be faster to mod. I thought you ment center drill and file or broach flats in the hole to fit an allen wrench.

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Got some more work done to the Peterbilt recently. First was to glue up the tires. The glue doesn't seem to bond very well between the aluminum wheel and the hard rubber of the tires. Hopefully they'll hold. Time will tell...
https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_7946-XL.jpg

Hard to tell with my crappy pic, but I replaced the 2mm nylocks with Locked Up RC acorn nuts. Much better!
https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_7977-XL.jpg

And paint has started! I'm waiting for a warmer day to apply the clearcoat, but so far I'm loving it.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_7980-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_7981-XL.jpg

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

If you filled your tires with BBs the tires won't slip on the rim, you wouldn't need to glue.

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

I appreciate the thought. My main reasons for not running BBs in the tires is because I want the tire to be able to flex/conform to the terrain as much as possible. So while I don't mind adding a bit of weight in the wheels, I prefer to have ample room for foam. Also, generally speaking I prefer to keep the weight on the body, as opposed to the wheels. I just do this for more realistic performance, but I'll sometimes add a smidge of weight to the front wheels. All that being said, I really don't know what to expect with the performance of this truck. Honestly, I'm not even sure what kind of terrain I'll be running it on. So my thoughts on all this may change once I get it running. :)

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

One way to not have to unbolt all of the center cap bolts is to make 8 of them just the socket head and super glue them in the cap. Only use the other 2 to hold the cap on the rim. This should be more than enough bolts to hold the center cap on. You might think about getting some model railroad stick on lead weights to put into the wheels instead of using BBs to add some weight to the truck for traction. Leaves room for the foam inserts.

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Thanks! I like the idea of gluing 8 cut-off screws into the cap like you suggested. I may wait to see if I end up removing the wheels/tires very frequently. If so, I'll definitely cut and glue!

For wheel weights I've used the stick-on type, as well as lead rope. It usually just depends on the shape of the wheels I'm running and which fits better without adversely affecting the foam's performance.

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

3 coats of clear applied. Will likely give it at least 2 more.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8004-XL.jpg

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

That gold leaf is awesome! Cant wait to see that thing covered in nice thick clear coat!

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Thanks!! :) I was pretty much dead set on gold leaf being a part of this truck since I first thought of the build. It's coming out just like I'd hoped! All the clear is done and it's still curing, but I'll see if I can get some decent pics today since the sun is out.

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

As is typically the case for me, pics could be better. It looks nicer in person, but here ya go....

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8024-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8025-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8026-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8022-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8023-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8021-XL.jpg

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

That rig is looking great! What paint and clear coat did you use?

Chris

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Thanks! It was some stuff I picked up at the local Advance Auto Parts. I'll get the exact name later today and let you know.

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Progress.... Waiting for Semi Joe to get more Peterbilt aluminum grills in stock. :)
https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...C312742-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...4EA0D31-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...F34E015-XL.jpg

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

:jaw: Looks very good nice work

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Thank you very much! :)

Earlier, Chris asked about the paint I used. It's all just Dupli-Color from the local auto parts store: Bahama Blue and Arctic/Dover White. The white is definitely a softer eggshell color. Kinda old school looking and precisely what I was going for (I got lucky!). The blue is nice, but I was really hoping for a teal.....just couldn't locate any I liked. Everything is cleared with Dupli-Color gloss, as well.

Anyway, here's the paints for those who may be interested:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8040-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8039-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8041-XL.jpg

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Tommy,

Great paint job! What kind of prep did you do on the fenders?

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Thanks, man! Basically, the prep on the fenders started with a lot of sanding to try to smooth out the coarse finish of the 3D printing process. Once I started getting it a bit better I started applying a filler primer. I'd apply numerous coats and then sand that down. I repeated this process until I could apply a coat of normal primer and felt good about the finish. But overall, there were probably a dozen or so coats before I felt good about it.

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Very cool Tommy. That truck is really looking good.

Chris

Re: Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler
 

Thanks, Chris!

I picked up a tiny bulb R&R tool from ebay and it looks to be working like a charm. Thanks! :)

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8093-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8094-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobby-Stu...MG_8095-XL.jpg