Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build

[Brian in PA]

Great update Nathan! The boxes look awesome! Will they open??

[Dairyland Trucker]

Now I would have to say excellnt craftsmenship on this build...the attention to detail is just plain sick...I am a very detailed oriented builder and collector and the way you have gone with the detail is just plainly off the hook and I love it looks awesome.

[Espeefan]

Originally Posted by Brian in PA

Great update Nathan! The boxes look awesome! Will they open??

Thank you Brian. Opening tool boxes would be sweet, but I don't think I will be attempting that yet! Then I would need straps and binders to put inside?

Originally Posted by Dairyland Trucker

Now I would have to say excellnt craftsmenship on this build...the attention to detail is just plain sick...I am a very detailed oriented builder and collector and the way you have gone with the detail is just plainly off the hook and I love it looks awesome.

Thanks Dairyland Trucker. Good to see another rare WI guy here. Where abouts are you located in the state?

[Dairyland Trucker]

SE corner just east of Lake Geneva

[JAKEBRAKE]

Espeefan those steps are over the top!!! I think your doing it right. The build is the best part of the hobby, your never done adding things. Great job, maybe you can give me some pointers....

[calm n sedated]

Nathan, it's been a long time! Great to see your still trying to complete this truck sometime this decade! You still into those crazy helocopters? Later, Greg


BTW, speak about all the old timers' coming out of the wood work..........JAKEBRAKE!!! nice to ya too Lee.

[Espeefan]

Originally Posted by Dairyland Trucker

SE corner just east of Lake Geneva

Wow, that's way south of where I am at, but it's always nice to see another member, from WI, on the forum. There aren't to many of us.

Originally Posted by JAKEBRAKE

Espeefan those steps are over the top!!! I think your doing it right. The build is the best part of the hobby, your never done adding things. Great job, maybe you can give me some pointers....

Lee, thank you for the kind comment. I know your work, and I don't think I really need to give you any pointers! Your trailers through the years have been incredible. At one time you and I had been in contact, as I was looking forward to your progress with your 1/16 scale lowboy trailers you were designing. I think you had done up a few 1/14 scale trailers, but I wanted a 1/16 scale trailer for my Wedico. I don't know if you ever pursued making them.

Originally Posted by calm n sedated

Nathan, it's been a long time! Great to see your still trying to complete this truck sometime this decade! You still into those crazy helocopters? Later, Greg


BTW, speak about all the old timers' coming out of the wood work..........JAKEBRAKE!!! nice to ya too Lee.

Greg, long time no see! Good to see you back. Yes, I'm still struggling to finish this dang truck! I sold my helicopter to put the funds and time into the Wedico and my mill. I miss my helicopter a little, but I can always buy another someday. Right now I'd rather have a Peterbilt.

[Espeefan]

Okay guys, a small update for those who have been following along!

As I mentioned in some earlier posts, I was totally dissatisfied with stock fuel tank mounting methods that Wedico uses. I also didn't like the aftermarket solutions any better! So I've been working on making something up to better suit my needs and wants. It's been a trial, but I am making some headway!



Here are some Peterbilt tank saddles, which I tried to loosely base my design after. I took some rough measurements of a real tank saddle, and a few photos. I realized, while researching, that there are at least 3 different types of Peterbilt tank saddles, so I kind of combined the features I liked, and doing the best I could, with the limits of my skills, and my mill, I came up with this.









The saddle hasn't been cut free from the bar stock yet, but you can see what it will look like. I have to machine the other side yet, and then I'll separate the two saddles, but it gives you a good idea of where things are headed. This first saddle was more less a test piece. I have to see if I can duplicate it at least 4 more times! Thanks for looking!

[Brian in PA]

Nathan I'm speechless!!! those are awesome Great attention to detail.

[Stylin n profilin]

CRAP!! Now you know Nathan we are going have them in Tamiya scale now!! Fire up your mill

[DuelTruckDriver]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Okay guys, a small update for those who have been following along!

As I mentioned in some earlier posts, I was totally dissatisfied with stock fuel tank mounting methods that Wedico uses. I also didn't like the aftermarket solutions any better! So I've been working on making something up to better suit my needs and wants. It's been a trial, but I am making some headway!



Here are some Peterbilt tank saddles, which I tried to loosely base my design after. I took some rough measurements of a real tank saddle, and a few photos. I realized, while researching, that there are at least 3 different types of Peterbilt tank saddles, so I kind of combined the features I liked, and doing the best I could, with the limits of my skills, and my mill, I came up with this.









The saddle hasn't been cut free from the bar stock yet, but you can see what it will look like. I have to machine the other side yet, and then I'll separate the two saddles, but it gives you a good idea of where things are headed. This first saddle was more less a test piece. I have to see if I can duplicate it at least 4 more times! Thanks for looking!

Nathan, those brackets are freaky accurate man! That is some serious skills I wish I could do that level of work. And, the side steps are insane also! Man I hope you get fired up to us some more updates w/ pic's soon. >Marty<

[dabears]

I would totally buy some of those! that's looking really good so far! It amazes me what you guys can make with your machines! Can't wait to see the finished result of those tank holders! Keep up the good work

[doodlebug]

Nice job Nathan, another homerun!
Cheer's, Neil.

[ihbuilder]

Nate , I knew you could they look great . now watch these guys

[Claus]

Unbelievable!!

[Snowman]

The hours you must have spent crafting that, can't put a price on it. Great work!

[SWAGGER]

Holy crap!! Sick skills....it's very clear that you put some major time and effort in there and the result? Art.

[B-Train Hauler]

Wow! Very impressive Great job! Can't wait to see next step

[Espeefan]

Originally Posted by Brian in PA

Nathan I'm speechless!!! those are awesome Great attention to detail.

Thanks Brian! I'm kind of a detail nut job. Glad you like them.

Originally Posted by Stylin n profilin

CRAP!! Now you know Nathan we are going have them in Tamiya scale now!! Fire up your mill

Thanks John! I'm not sure about making these for the aftermarket. These things are by far the most time consuming parts I've been working on. I'm afraid if I did produce them for everyone, they'd be way to expensive, after all the time put into them.

Originally Posted by dabears

I would totally buy some of those! that's looking really good so far! It amazes me what you guys can make with your machines! Can't wait to see the finished result of those tank holders! Keep up the good work

Thanks dabears! I'm looking forward to seeing these saddles done too! Then I can move onto the next set of custom parts.

Originally Posted by doodlebug

Nice job Nathan, another homerun!
Cheer's, Neil.

Thanks Neil!

Originally Posted by ihbuilder

Nate , I knew you could they look great . now watch these guys

Thanks Steve. Still more to go yet, but I'm pretty happy with the results so far!

Originally Posted by Claus

Unbelievable!!

Craig, thanks buddy!

Originally Posted by Snowman

The hours you must have spent crafting that, can't put a price on it. Great work!

Nick, thanks for the kind words!

Originally Posted by SWAGGER

Holy crap!! Sick skills....it's very clear that you put some major time and effort in there and the result? Art.

Thanks SWAGGER! I don't even want to think about the total time invested, but it is a labor of love, so I haven't been keeping track.

Originally Posted by B-Train Hauler

Wow! Very impressive Great job! Can't wait to see next step

Thank you B-Train Hauler! I can't wait either. Seems like a long road to completion yet!

[RAIDERS]

Nice job.....