Derby Talk

Edit: Photo's Have be changed over to Imgur for viewing of this topic for scratch building 18 wheelers and trucks.

Here is a design concept using fenders:
That I've been toying around with for the semi trucks as well!

This truck design is for a 8'' long frame.

Some of you may have noted: the Nellie Faye looking front fender in the drawing..
and that it's running back into what looks like an Arrow fender over the rear dual wheels.

I've never seen a semi truck using fenders that are the front half of the Neille Faye fender design,
or that uses an arrow looking rear fender as well!

So I thought why not play around with the idea:
And put it on paper to see what a design might look like I also thought the truck design
might look ok with a Kenworth look to it as well for the cab & hood.

The next stages will be in building it!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

I've painted that old paint scheme many times. Here's a bit of info for those wondering how that paint scheme was put on the truck. The 1/2" stripe was usually gold. The entire side of the truck would be painted gold and then the design laid out with 1/2" fine line tape. 1/4" tape would be used on the curves. Inside the tape is then painted the second color. The second color is masked off and the entire truck is painted the final color. The factory used plastic punched full of holes to get the design. They would tape it on the truck, dust powder over the holes, and have the design after pulling the plastic.
To duplicate the design in the body shop we would cover the old design with masking paper, rub a pencil over the design, and then use a small wheel with pointed ends to punch holes in the masking paper. Kenworth hoods used to be one piece and if severely damaged we had to replace the entire hood. Many years ago Kenworth came out with a 3 piece hood and fenders can now be glued on.

Whoda, did you work for Kenworth?

Speedster, Thanks for the paint scheme info!
I had no idea thats how it was done to get the paint design on the truck.

For the paint scheme seen in the truck drawing:
I thought I'd go with a Apricot Orange paint & a Vanilla Ice Cream paint.

Speedster wrote: Whoda, did you work for Kenworth?

Speedster, Can't say that I have ever worked for Kenworth Trucks..

However I have worked for Trailmobile Trailers In Liberal,KS.
Building dry box trailers like what is seen in this link:
http://www.manac.us/trailmobile-trailers.php
My job with them was in the side walls dept.
Working the big riveter press building the right and left side walls..
To installing the top and bottom aluminum side rails on the trailer walls along with sticking
on the reflective safty markers and doing the fifth wheel cut outs for differen't trailer models.

Looking forward to seeing your truck being built and refinished. Your work is always Gorgeous.

Thanks Speedster!
I'm looking to get started on the truck build on friday.

Have a good Thanksgiving Speedster!
Mark.

Hope every one had a good Thanksgiving!

I had some free time to get started on the truck build with fenders today.
I chose to go with fenders because of aerodynamic pressure drag!

You've probably seen some of the concepts on what trucking companies..
are doing to save on fuel now or days on the trucks and trailers.

So to get started on that concept.. did you know:
That the front end on a conventional truck makes up to 25% of the pressure drag.
And that the gap area behind the cab and trailer makes up to 20% as well..
What about the areas open between all the wheels? 30% of the pressure drag.
The back end of a box trailer is 25%.
That's right a grand total of 100% pressure drags in those open areas.

So why not build off of those concepts using fenders.


For making the wheel cut outs:
I'll use the scroll saw and stack cut the fenders cutting the wheel openings smaller in size.
Then move on to a spindle sander to enlarge the size.

Then I'll go back and cut the rest of the fender out:
For making the rear outer fenders:
I used the back end.. of the longer fenders and traced around it making a new pattern.

Top view of the truck:

Side view:


Sporty, if you are looking over the topic:
I've got a total of 6 hours into making the truck so far with more to go.

Dang, only 6 hours, u are pretty good .
Looks real nice, that's some smooth window shapes and cut, looks really good and smooth.

Sporty is schooled..

Would take me years to have skills like that.

I am tickled that Whoda drew the "BSA Pinewood Derby" lettering on his cut template. A true artist.

sporty wrote:Dang, only 6 hours, u are pretty good .
Looks real nice, that's some smooth window shapes and cut, looks really good and smooth.

Sporty is schooled..

Would take me years to have skills like that.

Thanks Sporty & Vitamin K !

I thought the front end and the hood could use some more shaping.
And would look better with square head lights in the fenders so that's a design change from what's seen in the drawing.
I still have some more shaping to do in those areas .


Don't know if you can tell from the photo or not:
That I'm using one of Sporty's Ideas for clear plastic windows as well!
Thought that was a neat look and a nice touch for windows.

I also put it on the scale:
To see were I was at for weight with just using all pinewood for the build so far.. 4.9oz.

Its going to be a really nice semi.

Thanks Sporty, Your big rig is very nice looking as well!
I didn't get much as much done on the semi truck tonight as I was hoping to..
so I'm at 9 hours into the semi truck build now.

However :
I did get all the shaping around headlights done and got started on the 1st coat of paint.

This is what I came up with for the shape around the hood, headlights and fenders.


For making the air horns and the air filter canisters:
Most of the time I just use the drill press and a file for making them out of dowl rods.
Tonight I thought I would try my wood turning skills out on something I haven't used..
Since I was a kid a Dremel mini lathe that I all most forgot I had.

So this should be fun to see:


Well as you can see I'm a little rusty with it!

And that I need to sharpen the rusty turning tools up as well before turning the air horns out.

Very nice.

So how many semis have you built ?

Its looking great.

I was gonna ask you how you make the horns. I'll just wait and see, so I can learn how too.

I was thinking of T,'s for golfing to use.

Sporty

sporty wrote: So many semis have you built ?
I was gonna ask you how you make the horns. I'll just wait and see, so I can learn how too.
I was thinking of T,'s for golfing to use.

Sporty,
This semi truck will be my 10th to build ..and my frist one useing the full fenders.

Golfing T's is a good idea and will work as well for the air horns.
You could sanding down part of the T so it could lay flat to the cab and be glued on
but it makes the bell of the air horn look funny.
One could make a wood washer to hold the other end up it might look ok then.

Have you got any good ideas on how to tint the side widows?
I was thinking a black magic marker might work for this on the inside of the clear plastic.
Just don't know how it will look in the end.

whodathunkit wrote:Have you got any good ideas on how to tint the side widows?
I was thinking a black magic marker might work for this on the inside of the clear plastic.
Just don't know how it will look in the end.

Might try black sharpie and then smear it across with some rubbing alcohol?

Might have to try that out on a test piece and see what it looks like V-K.
I can't see myself buying some window tinting film just to do some small windows like this.

But I might have to check with a window tinting shop for some film scraps some time.
Thought haveing tinted windows might look ok on this truck.. will see.