First Tamiya truck build, MACK Dump truck 6x6

[roadranger]

Understand! Was wondering if the cab and fender/hood assy. were for sale somewhere and then I found them at Shapeways. Is this cab the one with the non opening doors?
Looking forward to this build, as I might have to change plans on my 6x6 tractor build from a Globe to a R model. Spent a lot of years/miles in R models.
I hear that sanding these printed bodies down smooth for paint is a bear...

I'm using the F350 powered steer axle with F350 springs with factory holes drilled in them, and it does lift the front end up some. But so are the 1:1 6x6 trucks. I've seen some guys redrill the rear suspension mount holes lower down to get the frame to ride level. OK for a straight truck, but a tractor will be too tall to hitch up to stock trailers anymore, just like the 1:1. You just put blocks under the landing gear legs.

[RCP57]

Looking good!

[scottyk]

Originally Posted by roadranger

Understand! Was wondering if the cab and fender/hood assy. were for sale somewhere and then I found them at Shapeways. Is this cab the one with the non opening doors?
Looking forward to this build, as I might have to change plans on my 6x6 tractor build from a Globe to a R model. Spent a lot of years/miles in R models.
I hear that sanding these printed bodies down smooth for paint is a bear...

I'm using the F350 powered steer axle with F350 springs with factory holes drilled in them, and it does lift the front end up some. But so are the 1:1 6x6 trucks. I've seen some guys redrill the rear suspension mount holes lower down to get the frame to ride level. OK for a straight truck, but a tractor will be too tall to hitch up to stock trailers anymore, just like the 1:1. You just put blocks under the landing gear legs.

Yeah shapeways is where I got mine, I also got a few extras like MACK emblems and the bulldog for hood ornament. The prep work is a little bit tedious but really not that bad. Just take a couple days to get plenty of high build primer built up and sand after 2-3 coats seemed to work the best. I think I have a total of about 8 coats. I plan on using a nice automotive clear and helps hide alot of imperfections that aerosol clear coat cans doesnt.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/SJ...=user-wishlist
https://www.shapeways.com/product/DQ...=user-wishlist

[scottyk]

Well this thread is kinda old, PB wont show my pics, so Im going to post pictures directly attached here.

I have not lost interest in this project and I am trying to build this a little differently than standard practice. Which is probably not the smart way, but I am tying this with my other hobby of casting and forming metal along with my 3d printer and design ability. So I am actually attempting to cast the majority of the dump bed from aluminum which is going well, although it is a pretty heavy dumper I think it will still work fine, I will modify my pattern to make thinner castings and maybe even make the walls shorter and use a piece of wood at the top like some full size truck do.

I attached some pictures of the process, the bed is cast from aluminum with traditional sand casting methods using petrobond sand and 3d printed patterns that I finished with primer and sanded down, the casting duplicate the patterns finish almost exactly, as this petrobond sand is MUCH finer than standard water bonded sand.

[scottyk]

Some more pictures of the dump bed.. This file uploading sure does take a long time!

[scottyk]

Well, Im sorry guys if this isnt working but Im not seeing the photos.. Im hoping maybe they're pending approval by a moderator or something but here are more pics of the bed sitting on the truck.