Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Wow this is impressive!

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Thanks?

This weekend was all about riveting, exciting stuff. Like adding more rivets.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/t03Q81.jpg

That was getting tedious, so I cut some holes for exhaust and the steam blow off valve. Also did a bit more work on the hood steam vent.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/pMQvnR.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/f9lY3w.jpg

Also, a part that was fun was building out the hatch on the back of the boiler. I like cutting tiny letters. I'll make this so it is removable, so I have access to the gas valve.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/cwIcR7.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/6iPt3G.jpg

Yay for progress.

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Very tidy work on that logo

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

What is the theoretical top speed of this thing going to be?

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

300 chugs per hour I would imagine

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Thanks, I made a few mistakes so went back and redid it.

Close to whatever a 65T brushed motor is capable of.

Now we're talking about my college days. ;-)

I'm quite chuffed by the progress here.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/6M2UcI.jpg

That hatch is removable so I can get in there and check/regulate the gas flow if necessary, and see total pressure.

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

The hatch will remove itself when the pressure gets too high !

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Very nice!

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Ha, we both know you're joking. ;-)

Thank you!

So, finally, done all 300+ rivets. What a royal pain in the butt. I have newfound appreciation for 35th scale tank builders, also know as "Rivet Counters". Those guys are bonkers.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/FdZcqh.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/4LxZpH.jpg

Got around to putting some detail into the steam exhaust on the hood.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/P7KIBN.jpg

And finally, because I like to punish myself and learn on the fly, I got around to starting some 3D printed elements of my own design. Some things would just be too complicated to do in styrene, like these tail lights:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/eyiTw3.png

And the starting of the rear bumper. As it needs to mount a little more creatively, I'm still figuring some of the mount measurements.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/p5pRL6.png

I didn't think I had it in me, but thanks to some help from the guys at Autodesk Fusion360, and my friends at Shapeways, these things are shaping up faster than I could have imagined.

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

So today, I finally decided that this build wouldn't meet my standard of completion if I left the interior stock. I got a picture from Kenny of the real deal to start the inspiration.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/DsOKWG.jpg

Ditched the stock dashboard and got started. Yay, more rivets...

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/z4XQiT.jpg

It's a good start, but requires some special touches to finish it off. I'm really excited.

Also, because I want to make sure heat is as small an issue as possible, I opted to cut another exhaust. We're sacrificing a little accuracy to make sure I don't melt it all down.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/igR4WD.jpg

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Seriously cool! Nice details

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Hopefully you've figured out, or made it easier to get into, than having to remove 9 screws to regulate the gas, like maybe the entire backplate removes with 1 screw and the rest are dummies, or make a latch that removes the backplate in one move. Once the boiler heats up, and triggers the blow off valve, you'll want to reduce the amount of gas going to the burner or you'll have short run times.

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Cheers!

I can spin three mounts and the backplate comes right off. No biggie. I'll probably leave it off until the blow-off trips, reduce gas flow, then close it and off I go.

So this was a week for some mechanical testing and a few cosmetic bits. I finally got the steam tubes plumbed so they run to the rear of each wheel well. Not much to see here, but truth be told, the steam is so accurate as it puffs out from each side, that I'm rather chuffed.

https://imageshack.com/a/img922/8017/V0vify.gif

Here's where those pipes route to. Still need to be trimmed and bent a bit more downwards so hot steam doesn't soak the front tires and create mud.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/w2lmXf.jpg


Got my 3D printed taillights too! They look great, and are bang on for size and fitment. Shapeways did a great job. I was concerned with the size and placement of the mini bolts, but it turned out great.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/VhpzLv.jpg

The coolest part was all of these miniature live steam pipes. All threaded, multiple sizes, and machined brass for the victory. I'm so happy with how these look on the truck, mimicking the real thing. No steam flowing through them, but they look amazing.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/kJaZoQ.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/fM0o2y.jpg

More to come, but every day, the list gets shorter!

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Think positive, could be a hot steam bath for the front tires to keep them clean and sticky!

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

What's going on with this rig lately? Is it painted, finished? Any Video's?

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Ha, yeah, a hot, oily steam bath. Gross.

Things are happening. I figure two more weeks and I'll take it outside for it's maiden voyage in a box to California.

Someone special is helping me out with the grille.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/G75Dp6.png

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

That's cool "thumbsup" I like the simulated steam tubes for the grill.

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

A. Needs more details.
2. Didn’t know you have robot part maker interns

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Yeah, just like the real truck. Very fun watching that part come together in the magical hands of James Knight.

12. You're right
X. He's on permanent retainer for when I can't do things.

Final design sent to print!
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/GSoY24.png

Re: Don't you know I'm Loco?
 

Those brass pipes and fittings make me geek out. So much scale nerd coolness. Where did you get said pipes and fittings?!

Excellent work.