Big Rig

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sporty
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Big Rig

Post by sporty »

Im working on my first big Rig build.

Lots of pictures.

How many did not use the cardboard for the trailer and made there own ? and what size and type of wood did you use ?


I believe my fenders are too big, Ill have to cut them down, but they may have to be remade.

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everything it just sitting on there. I got a ways to go yet.

Much of what you see, I used either basswood or balsa and pinewood.

Sporty
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ah8tk
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Re: Big Rig

Post by ah8tk »

Looking good, that didn't take long to get there.

No cardboard box 1/8" plywood.
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whodathunkit
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Re: Big Rig

Post by whodathunkit »

The big rig is look'n good Sporty!

I like how your useing clear plastic for the windshild in this build.
It's something I'v been thinking about doing as well.

Like Andy & Noah,
I like using 1/8 baltic birch ply wood or even Basswood or Balsa sheets for the box trailer.

You don't have to run with a box trailor you know!
So why not skip it and go with a Low Boy Trailer.. like what is seen in this race video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66mBtNRns9s
Last edited by whodathunkit on Mon Nov 24, 2014 6:46 pm, edited 2 times in total.
What type of automobile can be spelled the same forwards & backwards?
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sporty
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Re: Big Rig

Post by sporty »

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I made this front end nose, Im not sure I like it over the other one.

what do you think ?


Sporty
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whodathunkit
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Re: Big Rig

Post by whodathunkit »

Sporty,
I like the shape and angles seen on the first hood.
But you're the one building it.. and it's up to you on what shape you like best for the hood.

Keep posting the photos.. we need more build photos of Big Rigs on DT.
Are you building this one to race out in Peoria Illinois for the Mid-West Truck Show?
http://midwesttruckshow.com/pinewoodDerby.aspx
What type of automobile can be spelled the same forwards & backwards?
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sporty
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Re: Big Rig

Post by sporty »

I am considering racing this one.

I am going to go with a flat bed. I need some aluminum 1/4 thick, 12 x 3 3/8. ill have to get that when I have some $$$.


I have also thinned the frame down to just about 1/4 thick and hollowed out at a places.

I have mounted the sleeper, cab, hood, fenders, ---not the silver front grill & bumper, just taped on for now .


Im out of time for tonight.

heres pictures.

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The only thing I don't like is not enough angle on the cab, window area, to rounded looking, some of it wont show as bad, once I put the window in and painted. At least im hoping. The next cab will have to be more correct and less rounded.

Id like to get some painting started, before doing the tank and stack, ect.

Don't know when Ill get time this week to get back at it, thanksgiving day ???. wow, 5 hours on this tonight. It just flew right buy.


Sporty
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sporty
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Re: Big Rig

Post by sporty »

Tedious is what I would call small part work.

First base coat and some work in progress photos.

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I started a flat bed, using 1/4 thick basswood. So I can use more weight where I want it. I also as mentioned have a 1/4 thick piece of aluminum coming to use for a flat bed.

Not gonna try a super low bed yet.

I have to wait for my transfer decals to come still. So I can do the decals for many places.


I also started on another cab,

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Nothing mounted yet, just test fit and shape work,

I am tight on $$$, so I have to wait to get some more wood, to build a decent trailer. Im not really wanting to use the cardboard box.

I have to again, thank whodathunkit, Andy, guadad and others

Sporty
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sporty
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Re: Big Rig

Post by sporty »

So far 20 hours into the build..


That way people have some idea, what time it takes.


I ruff fitted a few pieces, still a lot to do. But starting to take shape.

Awaiting decal paper in mail, wont clear coat till I have that part done.

But its starting to look like a semi.


I need to work on the trailer fitting and rear frame/wheels to trailer, rear bumber, ect. lots of little things to do and figure out yet.

Front bumper just taped on for view of it and top roof angled piece, just sitting on there. Making progress...


here some pictures.

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whodathunkit
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Re: Big Rig

Post by whodathunkit »

Nice Job Sporty, it looks good & the 2nd truck is comeing along nice as well!

I can't recall how many hours I put into makeing my first big rig.. & they do take alot of time to build.
It's good to see you keeping track of the hours spent in the building of your semi trucks.
What type of automobile can be spelled the same forwards & backwards?
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sporty
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Re: Big Rig

Post by sporty »

Thanks, I don't have the best wood workers skills. But I'm hoping by the time I get to my 3 or maybe a 4th build. I will have improved.
I have one I want to build with led lights on it.
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sporty
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Re: Big Rig

Post by sporty »

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I think the grab handles are clearly to big, but ill stay with them.

Started adding some decals, they came in the mail.

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I got decals to do yet for the headlights, a few other pieces., before clear coat. Just more progress pictures.

Add in another 2 hours here=22 hours so far.

Being first semi and all and knowing nothing about semis, takes me allot longer to figure out, look up and think about, and doing it.
I don't have mad wood skills either.

Sporty
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sporty
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Re: Big Rig

Post by sporty »

We are getting really close to being done.

All I got to do, is add the mirrors and window, that's all that is left on the cab.


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Another hour and 1/2 was added to the time line.

so, so far, 23 1/2 hours.

I suspect Once I get the bed finished up, be another 2 hours. I estimate 25 1/2 hours on total build.
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sporty
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Re: Big Rig

Post by sporty »

PIN "THE PIN"


I have found its tricky to get right...

Why, well it will bind and actually cause tilt or lift of wheels on the rig or bed.

Some have said, that during a race, the pin that comes with the kit. Is to loose or the trailer will come off, during the race.

I think there is a double edge sword here, If you make it tight, its going to cause lifting of the wheels or tilt one side of the wheels. or do both.

So this is not a easy task to get right. It's gonna take some trial and error.


Here is some pictures. I have It close now, but I'm not 100% comfortable yet with it.

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I used a nylon type sleeve from local hardware store.

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Measurements and whole drilling and accuracy is important here, if you are racing it to do well in the race..

Bed height should be the same, I had to do some correction and sanding and adjustments. heres what I mean.

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This was what I could come up with at the time to make sure the pin was in true.

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I had to remove some more of the pin, it was a little long.

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I do not know if this will work, but decided to notch the pin and add in another small rounded piece of steal into the bed holder, that way I can just push the pin in. To keep the trailer from coming out or off.

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I turned the smaller pin around, so you could see the rounded head.

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Make sure before you glue it on, the lines are right and centered.

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The truck and wheels on the scale, no weight added yet. I can go to 9oz.

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The trailer on the scale, no weight added yet. I can do to 16oz.


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Sporty
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sporty
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Re: Big Rig

Post by sporty »

The semi is pretty much all done. I just need to do the trailer bumper.

Build Time was 29 hours

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Hope it turned out good, Hope you guys likes it. I took lots of pictures. tried my best to get close up shots and share as much info as I could.

I still got axle work, wheel work and weight to do yet. I'm letting it sit for 7 days, so the clear coat gets hard some. Can spray paint, needs about three weeks to really cure. Sometimes upto 3 months.

I have learned a few things.

I can build the next one allot faster, now having done my first one. I can be more organized, Set up better and the process will flow easier.
Decals, I will now have some already done and also what to do and so forth quicker.

Sporty
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whodathunkit
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Re: Big Rig

Post by whodathunkit »

:o Sweet Home Alabama.. That truck is sharp looking Sporty!!! :bigups:

Thanks for the tip's and ideas on the trailer pin.. very neat idea there! ;)
What type of automobile can be spelled the same forwards & backwards?
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