RC Truck and Construction  

Go Back   RC Truck and Construction > RC Truck's Ag and Industrial Equipment and Buildings > Tracked Utility Vehicles

Tracked Utility Vehicles Snow,Mud or just plan dirt if it has tracks it goes here.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-02-2012, 03:22 PM
Espeefan's Avatar
Espeefan Espeefan is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,888
Espeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura about
Default Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Well, looks like I get to be the first to break in this section of the forum. A little while back, I picked up a brand new Blizzard SR. I had one in the past, and I always had a blast running it, so I had to get a new one.





The first thing I did to it was swap out the stock ESC set-up for something better. It's now running a Novak M2, but I'm still not happy with the way it drives. Ultimately, I'm going to get a Sabertooth 2x12, I think. I hear these run tracked machines very nicely. I also went ahead and added a bunch of work lights, to try and dress it up.









They improved the look quite a bit, but to be honest, I'm still not a big fan of the stock body. So I decided to try my hand at building something a little nicer.

I did some digging on the net, in search of some snow cat related photos. I found quite a few, and I have always liked Pistenbullys, but I felt that building a cab like that was a little beyond my skill level! To many curves.

Then I found something I thought I could work with.





Tucker Sno Cats. I'm actually quite fasinated by these machines. After finding more info on them, I started considering the idea of building one exactly like it, but just not right now. Anyway the cabs on these machines are really pretty simple. Boxy, but cool. I decided to give it a go.



Yeah, I know the Blizzard only has two tracks, and not four, but I sketched up a real quick drawing to see what it might look like on my Blizzard. Then I wrote down some rough dimensions, pretty much winging things as I went, and started building.





The basic structure of the cab, I built from rectangular styrene tube.









Just checking the fit, to get a rough idea of the size.





I thought it would be neat if I could build working cab doors, so I tried my hand at making one just to see how it would turn out. I wanted a more detailed look, so I also made window gaskets. The 'glass' will sit flush inside the gasket, when done. It took a lot of time to cut and file the opening and gasket, but I think it was worth the effort.

Since the doors will open and close, I also had build up the door jamb areas to keep the operator nice and toasty on the cold winter days. It also helps close up the gaps and prevent daylight from being seen through the gaps.





Since my first door turned out good, I needed to make three more! To stiffen them up, I reinforced the backsides with some lighter sq. tube.







Here, I was just checking the fit to see how things might look.

__________________
Nathan
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-02-2012, 03:28 PM
Espeefan's Avatar
Espeefan Espeefan is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,888
Espeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

The next thing I started working on was getting some skins on the cab. I finished the front windows, the face of the cab, the roof, and the sides.









A little close up of the windows and the gaskets.



The inside / underside cab view.



And plopped on top the Blizzard chassis, just for the heck of it!









Still, I have lots more to do, but I'm actually pretty happy with the way this turned out. It's really my first purely from scratch build, and I think it's looking pretty good so far. What do you guys think?
__________________
Nathan
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-02-2012, 04:12 PM
SmallHaul's Avatar
SmallHaul SmallHaul is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Eastern, PA
Posts: 1,113
SmallHaul will become famous soon enoughSmallHaul will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Very nice plastic work. It looks great!
__________________
Scott

"No load is too Small"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-02-2012, 04:22 PM
Tamiya Cowboy's Avatar
Tamiya Cowboy Tamiya Cowboy is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 2,981
Tamiya Cowboy has a spectacular aura aboutTamiya Cowboy has a spectacular aura aboutTamiya Cowboy has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Your plastic work is Top Shelf there Nathan.. I really like the look of the SC 2000 it si a great machine I have ran one for a season about 5 years ago very smooth great view in the cab..

Keep up the great work..
__________________
Paul W. "Tamiya Cowboy"

HI.. My name is Paul.. And.. I.. Have a Cabover Addiction.

RIP FreddyGearDrive 2-12-59/12-19-11 "LET IT EAT"
Like Us on Facebook "Corn Field Mafia"



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-02-2012, 04:32 PM
ihbuilder's Avatar
ihbuilder ihbuilder is offline
Fabrication and design , super moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: in a cage in Auburn,PA
Posts: 3,557
ihbuilder is a jewel in the roughihbuilder is a jewel in the roughihbuilder is a jewel in the roughihbuilder is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

looks great Nate . It's gona look a whole lot better then the stock body .
__________________
RIP FreddyGearDrive 2-12-59/12-19-11

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-02-2012, 04:49 PM
Espeefan's Avatar
Espeefan Espeefan is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,888
Espeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Thanks for the kind words, guys! I appreciate it. I'm not really a pro at this scratch building stuff, so the positive comments mean a lot. There is still a lot more work to do yet. I'm hoping to get an interior inside this thing, plus I haven't even started on hood and engine compartment yet. My lights should be arriving soon, and then I can build some mounts for them too. There are plenty of chances to do some details as well! It'll keep me busy for a while, I think.
__________________
Nathan
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-02-2012, 05:02 PM
trucker n's Avatar
trucker n trucker n is offline
Apprentice
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Spring texas
Posts: 498
trucker n is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

your styrene work looks sweet nathan also do i see a leimbach pump in one of the pics what you doing with that
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-02-2012, 05:57 PM
9W Monighan's Avatar
9W Monighan 9W Monighan is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pittsburgh,PA.
Posts: 1,283
9W Monighan will become famous soon enough9W Monighan will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Very nice clean looking lines on your widows.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-02-2012, 09:46 PM
TRUCKMAKER's Avatar
TRUCKMAKER TRUCKMAKER is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,652
TRUCKMAKER is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

The scratch cab is definitely a work of art and looks better than the original! Can I ask what your cutting your windows out with? I'm trying to build my tools back up. Looking forward to seeing how you finish it off.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-02-2012, 09:50 PM
Brian in PA's Avatar
Brian in PA Brian in PA is offline
I'd rather be truckin'
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Avella PA
Posts: 1,320
Brian in PA will become famous soon enoughBrian in PA will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Awesome styrene work Nathan! How do you make your lines so nice???????
__________________
Brian
RIP FreddyGearDrive 2-12-59/12-19-11
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-02-2012, 10:06 PM
Espeefan's Avatar
Espeefan Espeefan is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,888
Espeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Quote:
Originally Posted by trucker n View Post
your styrene work looks sweet nathan also do i see a leimbach pump in one of the pics what you doing with that
Trucker n, thank you for the comment! I'm afraid what you are seeing in the pictures is not a Leimbach pump, but rather part of a panetary gear head motor. I wish I had a Lemibach pump just sitting around on the workbench!

Quote:
Originally Posted by 9W Monighan View Post
Very nice clean looking lines on your widows.
Thanks Moninghan. It took a bit of work to get them that way. More then I thought, but thankfully, I only have one more window to do. The rear one.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TRUCKMAKER View Post
The scratch cab is definitely a work of art and looks better than the original! Can I ask what your cutting your windows out with? I'm trying to build my tools back up. Looking forward to seeing how you finish it off.
Thanks Truckmaker! I'm glad you like it. You sure can ask. I'm always willing to answer. For the windows, I've actually been filing them to shape. I make some rough cuts with a regular hobby knife, but I leave a little room to finish the openings with a file. That way I can get a much cleaner edge. Hobby knives cut clean edges in thinner styrene, but it seems once you get past .020" thick styrene, your cuts get a little less crisp. Especially if you use the scribe and cut half-way, then snap method. My doors and cab skins are all .040" thick styrene. The window gaskets layered over the top are .020" thick. I have very little finish work to do on the gaskets because they are thinner. Mostly just hitting the corners up with a small needle file, to get the radius.

All I use for working with styrene is the folliwing. A plate of glass - as my cutting board, a good standard hobby knife, with lots of #11 blades, an X-Acto precision razor saw, and some # 17 chisel blades, which fit the razor saw. The chisel blades work great when you need to clean up the inside of square corners. The saw is good for cutting styrene tube. I also use a miniature miter box that fits the razor saw. Beyond a simple set of files, which includes needle files, a nice straight edge, and glue, I haven't used anything else.
__________________
Nathan
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-02-2012, 10:08 PM
Espeefan's Avatar
Espeefan Espeefan is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,888
Espeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian in PA View Post
Awesome styrene work Nathan! How do you make your lines so nice???????
Thanks, Brian! You replied, while I was still typing, but the answer is in my above reply. I appreciate you checking my project out. I still think you are a better builder then myself! Just look at your Peterbilt.
__________________
Nathan
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-02-2012, 10:37 PM
TRUCKMAKER's Avatar
TRUCKMAKER TRUCKMAKER is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,652
TRUCKMAKER is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Thank you very much for the info Espeefan, I do need to get some small files, The ones I have are full size metal files. Also a lot of practice on some thinner material wouldn't hurt.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-02-2012, 10:52 PM
mazdaparts mazdaparts is offline
Wannabe
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 302
mazdaparts will become famous soon enoughmazdaparts will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Very nice styrene work. I can't wait to see it finished. Good to see Optimus has the security handled.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-02-2012, 11:39 PM
B-Train Hauler's Avatar
B-Train Hauler B-Train Hauler is offline
Newbie
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 125
B-Train Hauler is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

That work is the proof that we don't always need hitech tool to make hitech jobs! The guy behind always makes the difference!
Great project too! Can't wait to see next steps.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 01-03-2012, 08:27 AM
tc1cat's Avatar
tc1cat tc1cat is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 1,318
tc1cat is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Looking good there, Nathan! I have one of the original Blissards that I run around every now and then. Yours will look much beter than mine Wish I could take the time to upgrade mine. But that is not going to happen any time soon.
__________________
LYNN
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 01-03-2012, 04:15 PM
Snochaser's Avatar
Snochaser Snochaser is offline
Craftsman
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Southwest Ohio
Posts: 929
Snochaser will become famous soon enoughSnochaser will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Nice work Nate, and smooth lines too! I really like the Tuckers, they are the most popular groomer in the U.P. of Michigan where I snowmobile. I had originally wanted to buy one of the 1:12 R/C Pisten Bullys (300w or 600w) from Germany but I never have, one day maybe. Do you on making it articulate?

Ben
__________________
You are an inspiration to many
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
, you will not be forgotten.
R.I.P. FGD

Work Hard, Play Hard!
Never Forget- 343
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-03-2012, 09:44 PM
Izzy's Avatar
Izzy Izzy is offline
Backyard enginier
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Shipshewana, Indiana
Posts: 1,825
Izzy will become famous soon enoughIzzy will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

NAte - exccellent styrene skills! the fit up is great and that detail line aroudn the windows is a really nice clean detail!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 01-04-2012, 02:08 PM
Espeefan's Avatar
Espeefan Espeefan is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,888
Espeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura aboutEspeefan has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Thank you guys! I appreciate the positive responses! I wasn't sure how many of you would be interested in this project. It's been a lot of work, but fun too.

Ben, to answer your question, I'm not trying to build an exact replica of any particular Tucker Sno Cat. Maybe in the future I will though. I am fasinated by these machines. Rather, I'm just loosely basing my scratch built cab off a Tucker cab, because I want something better for my Kyosho Blizzard then the lexan cab that comes with it. The chassis will stay more less stock, which is not correct for a Tucker, as they run four tracks. So, no articulation - actually the Tucker Sno Cats do not articulate either. They have turning platforms front and rear, under the main chassis. Basically four track steering. Been doing a lot of digging and I think I could accurately model a Tucker, but I would need to machine a lot of parts.
__________________
Nathan
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 01-04-2012, 06:21 PM
fhhhstix's Avatar
fhhhstix fhhhstix is offline
Out of control
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Kirklin IN.
Posts: 3,788
fhhhstix has much to be proud offhhhstix has much to be proud offhhhstix has much to be proud offhhhstix has much to be proud offhhhstix has much to be proud offhhhstix has much to be proud offhhhstix has much to be proud offhhhstix has much to be proud of
Default Re: Espeefan's Blizzard SR project

Fantastic styrene work Nate, this should be a good looking model when you are through upgrading it.

Travis
__________________
AKA "00" Biddle


RIP FreddyGearDrive 2-12-59/12-19-11
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.