Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Thanks for the comments guys-I decided to make the hinge pins since I could not find shoulder bolts with long threads. Some of the pins are going into aluminum so I need lots of thread engagement. I am making these now and I have a few other small parts to make. Some of the small detail work I have been putting off has to be done before painting. I need to get a radio and ESC to check out the operation of all systems and I need to put limit switches on the dump bed and that is going to be a major pain because there is no room left. I have not decided what type of battery to use so I am open to suggestions.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

I have used Tamiya shoulder bolts for their kingpins with some success.
Their thread is M4 and about 5mm long - maybe not enough for you?
If interested, check parts# Tamiya 50100 and 84175.

For the limit switches, maybe keep in mind that you can have the switch either actuated by the sliding "nut" or the dump box.

Battery: Sorry, cannot really help. I'm still using my old NiMH packs and have neither made the switch to LiPos nor bought new packs in ages.

Cheers
Jens

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

I had some small parts that needed to be made and I kept putting it off til later and now it had to be done so I can get this project finished. First I made this plate for the bottom of the radio box and it also serves as a shield to protect the steering servo linkages-
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1404.jpg
Next I made the front wheel hub covers-
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1408.jpg
I got the correct wire for the grille. This will have to be painted. They had this in stainless but the smallest pc. I could buy was $70+shipping and I only needed a pc. 2-1/4"X3" so I felt that was a bit high so I decided to paint the brass-
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1406.jpg
Next I put the springs in the rear suspension and put these chains on to limit the travel-
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1411.jpg
I put the limit switches on the dump mechanism-
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1412.jpg
I won't route the wires until it's painted. I think that's about all the building on this model. It will be awhile before I paint it . I am waiting on the ESC now and I have a radio to test everything. I still have to decide which radio to get. I need a switch to run the dump box so I am open to suggestions on a radio. That's all for now.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Maybe a DX3 is all you'll need for it? You know, Put it a box and send it up here so we can give it a endurance test at Brownsville in 2 weeks:D:D I would love to test it to see what grade the haul roads need to be in our miniature pit:p

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Traxxas has a 4 channel pistol grip 2.4GHZ radio TQ 4 that has a 2 position switch and a 3 position switch for channels 3 & 4. This should work very well for your truck. I have 1 in one of my trucks that I am going to use with one of Izzy's bottom dump trailers. It runs the Firgelli with no problem. Tower Hobby has them for $103. Not a bad price for what you get.

Truck needs some paint!! Still looks nice as it is!

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Steve-I wish it was finished-that would be a good test. While I am making a wish list I wish I wasn't 720 miles away. I would really like to go to some of these shows. tc1cat-thanks-that may be just the radio I need-I could use the on-off switch for lights and the 3-pos. switch for the dump box. I agree the truck needs some paint. I am sick of chasing rust!! But I have to get everything working with a radio before paint. There is probably holes to drill for wires and who knows what else. Maybe it won't be too much longer.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

i would put a lil primer on it since your that close primer is easyer to fix :)

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

I can't wait to see it painted.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Just a small update-I got my esc and used my Airtronics M8 radio to test the truck. To my disappointment the truck is really slow:( and I mean crawl speed slow. It is running .385-MPH and the correct scale speed is 1.5-MPH. I guess I had brain-fade when I calculated the speed of the truck and ordered the motors and now I am limited to the motors I can use because they have to fit inside the rear wheels. I have located some motors that will work but they will be about 30-35 RPM slower than I need but that is as close as I can find so I guess they will have to work. That's it for now.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Sorry to hear it's not working as planned. Luckily a quick motor change should do the trick. At least with a slower final drive it'll have power to pull hills.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Steve-the motors do not have as much power as I would like because of the size and speed but I filled the box and the motors I have worked just fine and the new faster motors have more torque so I think it will all work out okay. Smokin Joe-I'm not sure what your thought process is here but the tires were the first thing I made on this project and they are the correct size but thanks for the offer and for your comments.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

I leaped before I looked. I was not aware you had cast your tires previous
to my post. An attempt to help. I admire your skills.
Joe

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Looking better with every update Tom... :cool:

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Lil Giants joe-thanks a lot! I am slowly getting there!

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

UPDATE!! BAD NEWS-I got the truck painted and thought it turned out great:) But,that was a week ago and the paint is not dry:eek: So now I get to strip it down and start all over:mad: I think the idiot at the paint store gave me the wrong paint. Maybe I should just put it out in the drive-way and run over it a few dozen times with my truck!!! Then see if the paint is dry!! OH WELL!!

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

hey sorry to hear about the bad news,hopefully you can get rollin again soon.

Chris

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

I'm no paint mixing expert by any means, but could it be as simple as no or not enough harder added to the mix?

Would it help to try and bake the parts in the oven at 100 to 200F degrees or more to quicken the drying time?

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

i usually mix things like that 4:1 :1 if it is three parts thinner and and hardner and the paint they sell mixing cups at the paint store those really help if you haven't done much mixin and i usuall add a lil more hardner and thin the last coat it will make it shine or if you let your truck set for a couple 2 or 3 weeks it will dry and be good paint

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

If they gave him baking enamel,it will never dry unless it's baked at 325degF for a short time. I really doubt that would happen but you never know. We use baking enamel for steel beams and the over spray in the paint booth never dries.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Thanks fellas-but if it's not dry in a week it will never dry. I already have the sticky mess stripped off and have started over. All the bondo and primer have to be removed because it softened also. At the paint store I specified non-catalized Acrylic enamel. After all,I'm not painting a show car-it's a dump truck!! They mixed the color and said it would work just fine. After I painted it and it didn't dry I went back and they checked it out and realized it was the catalized type of paint. Did they care that I had-2-years work in this model-of course not. They offered to help out by selling me the catalyst. Oh well just another set back. Isn't model building fun!!

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Tom , I would've riped them a new 1 :eek: my paint always makes sure I have all I need when I order . sometimes a set back on my part I can deal with but when it's someone else and it cost me extra unnessary time , all heck breaks loose . All well can't wait to see it hualing dirt :)

IHSteve

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

That's a bummer Tom. I had this happen one time, because I painted in too high of humidity 98%. Hope everything goes well the next time.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Very Nice Tom

Hope you get the paint worked out and post some more pics

greg

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Any good news on the paint job Tom?

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Yes steve-I have it painted and this time it turned out okay:)I am working on some small details and getting ready to put it back together. I will try to get some pictures up soon.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Well,I hate painting and I didn't want to paint this truck the first time and I really didn't want to paint it the 2nd time but I did and it came out pretty good. Not perfect but nothing I do is perfect anymore:(. Here is a few pictures-
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1451.jpg
I had the 777D decals made and put on and I ask "Cat" for their approval and they said no so I had to cover them up.That really stinks because they added a lot to the look of the truck.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1450.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1453.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1455.jpg
I had to put the radio switch and the dump box relay in the cab-
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/100_1446.jpg
I still have to get the radio and batteries but everything is wired so radio install will be quick and easy. Going by the space I have I only can use a 1300mah lipo pack and not sure about the run time with that. So ???

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Modelman-

I think you did a SUPER job on the paint. We always want to beat our selves up, but honestly, I think it looks GREAT.

-Terry

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Very awesome job on the mining truck ,looks perfect to me.:)Like the color choice,stickers as well.Lots of time and patience went into it.
Again, Awesome job Modelman :D

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

I think it looks good too! Just curious why you had to ask Caterpillar for their approval on the decals? I thought you only need approval or licensing for mass production models, for profit. Why can't the hobbiest build an exact replica and decal it, when it's a one off item? That really stinks, to say the least, that Cat doesn't approve. I am sure there are Caterpillar decals and stickers around that haven't been approved. Heck, I wouldn't have even asked. I don't think I'd let that stop you.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

I'm pretty sure you could use the stickers - you may not sell it as a CAT model, but for personal use, I would be surprised if Caterpillar had any power over that?!
Still, they should be proud to fly their flag from this fine model, the paint came out really well.
(I might be tempted to black-out the radiator grill? And maybe paint the wheel motors CAT yellow or black?)

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Wow! It turned out just great. CAT hands out thousands of decals every year at career days and job fairs for kids to put on hard hats or any where the want, so I don't see a problem at all with adding them to your personal truck. They want people to put their logo on things to promote their products.

A first-class job on the build!

Ken

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Very nice Tom, Just print the decals the way they should. Like Nathen said; you only built this for your personal use.

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Tom, had the same answer from a CAT (am I allowed to type the name?) official when asking about decals to mine D8.
As said by others, what´s the problem for a one of a kind model, not made for selling.
Some years ago when I built the 992 I got the decal maade by Cat at that time, guess it was better before!

Maybee we should start putting a DOG sign on our models.
Dan

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Tom , the triple 7 look great :eek: As for "CAT" decals put them on , if they give you a hard time tell them I'm renaming my 2 kittens :mad: won't take me long to pull the decal off ;)

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

looks great!!!! wouldn't have asked cat anything it is a one off

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

The truck looks fantastic and I say put the decals on as well. Most on here know that I work for a CAT dealer and when I took my service truck to work they loved it. I asked for the prints to the decals for our service trucks to get some scale one's made for my truck and the smiles went away and I was politely told no. Cat has to approve the dealership logos and considers them an official CAT logo as well. I am having decals made and will have my name put in as the dealership name. The local sign shop said they had no problem making the decals and that they would make the text part of the decal separate and I could put the two together when I put them on that way they did not make the actual decal just parts to make it.

Travis

Re: Cat 777D Mining Truck
 

Thanks a lot everyone!! The decals are on the truck-I just covered the numbers for the pictures. Espeefan-I just thought it would be nice to ask. I didn't even think I would get a response, but I was really shocked when they said no:eek:. Their answer was "political mumbo-jumbo" and wasn't perfectly clear to me but I took the safe road. You can be sure that in my shop the decals will be displayed. I really like the way they look. JensR-according to the picture on page -7-of this thread the grilles start out stainless steel and I guess as they get dirty they look black. I may make a black one and see how it looks.