Design concept for a semi truck.

[sporty]

The clear water slide decal, could use that and try different shades of black or Grey. It will be light due to the clear.

[whodathunkit]

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

Sporty, I'll make them both ways for you to see.. on the lathe and then on the drill press.
Hard to take photos while useing the lathe.. you know how it is holding the camera!
For the wood lathe: I'll start by marking them out the very middle is the bells of the two horns.

The two tools used is a parting chisel.. seen to the left and the round over chisel on the right.
I'll start with the parting chisel marking the cuts then use the round over chisel to start shaping the horns.


For using the drill press & files.. well it's a lot like removing burs or putting groves in axles.


when done shaping I'll cut them..

I use the pattern drawing to mark out air filters and horns.. this is how the look to the drawing.

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?

Well Vitamin K,
I gave it a try.. what do you think does it look ok?

The clear water slide decal, could use that and try different shades of black or Grey. It will be light due to the clear.

Now that's a cool idea that would work for tinted windows Sporty!

The truck build is coming along.. however not much time to work on it .. after work.
Anyway this is where I'm at with it tonight at 12 hours in.

[sporty]

Well at 12 hours in, Its pretty amazing how well built, smooth and great sanding and shaping.

I think it would take me double that easily to get where you are at. Not to mention, I don't have the skills to be that refined.

Spent most of the years, learning to go fast and never focused much on looks. Now Its like learning as a newbie.

Hint, hint, It needs a matching trailer....

Sporty

[whodathunkit]

Well at 12 hours in, Its pretty amazing how well built, smooth and great sanding and shaping.

I think it would take me double that easily to get where you are at. Not to mention, I don't have the skills to be that refined.

Hint, hint, It needs a matching trailer....

Thanks Sporty!
I haven't really made up my mind on what type of trailer to build to go with the truck.

However :
I've been leaning towards maybe building a trailer to go with that Bobcat skid steer loader I made some time back.
I think your on to something about the trailer needing to match the truck as well.

Worked on it for awhile tonight.. smoke stacks and made mirrors out of pop can's and paper clips and then cleared painted.

[sporty]

That's one very nice semi, can't wait for the trailer and some wheels.

Ya time is hard to come by, especially the hours it takes to build a semi

[whodathunkit]

That's one very nice semi, can't wait for the trailer and some wheels.
i

Hint, hint, It needs a matching trailer....

Ok Sporty! I know you can't wait for the trailer and some wheels & the trailer needs to match.

would it have to match.. if it's being towed by a Tow Truck!

[Speedster]

Whoda, You are an ARTIST !!! That is Beautiful.

[sporty]

Breaker breaker one nine.

We got a break down on route 66.

Can you call whodathunkit !

We need a tow !

Nice detail there.

Sporty

[whodathunkit]

Whoda, You are an ARTIST !!! That is Beautiful.

Thank's Speedster,
I thought with you being a body shop / paint guy and all..
That you'ed enjoy seeing seing a semi truck turned into a Tow Truck.

Breaker breaker one nine.
We got a break down on route 66.
Can you call whodathunkit !
We need a tow !
Nice detail there.
Sporty

Sporty, beens how you tricked me with the Monster car!
I thought I'd suprize you with a Tow Truck as well..

I kinda got the idea from Andy & Noah on the remake on there Tow Truck build some time back.

However Sporty,
I've been thinking for my next semi truck build..of building a stretched 10'' long truck.
Day cab model of some type & for the trailer I haven't seen any stock trailers here on DT!
so If I can find some plastic cows for it.. (Just for looks & laughs!)
I just might have to incorporate some cow heads sticking out of the side boards
along with tails and hooves for the bull wagon.

[sporty]

What did you use for your rails ? Real metal ? They are on fender above duel wheels.

[Darin McGrew]

Wow... very nice. Thanks for sharing!

[DerbyAddicted]

Simply amazing. Really elevating the craft and setting the bar.

[whodathunkit]

What did you use for your rails ? Real metal ? They are on fender above duel wheels.

Well you know how some kids like to go to there toy box's for parts sometimes..
Thought I'd go to my toy box as well for some parts.

for making the rails.



Electronic soldering wire can be used.. or silver beading wire along with some
Indian seed bead's, Sewing pins, and Gorilla super glue.. with a little gold modeling paint.

Wow... very nice. Thanks for sharing!

Your welcome Darin.

Simply amazing. Really elevating the craft and setting the bar.

Thanks Derby Addicted.

[whodathunkit]

Bumping this topic on semi truck concepts.. for girtz911.

I've up dated the photos over to Imgur for anyone viewing the topic .. And I've added more photos to show some build details.
Of how I took this very concept and ran with to build my own scratch built versions of.. 18 wheelers and trucks.

Bob cat Build:






Then from plumb crazy to wild and crazy:

Front radiator grill detail images:


Thin crafting popsicle sticks.



Wild and Crazy Balsa was used for the hood.



Sunvisor on truck was made from a alum pop can.

Tyrone Malones Super Boss Truck:








How I make the cabs:
1/8'' Baltic birch plywood for doors and back of cab and floor.. Pinewood is used for the top and cab firewall.

[whodathunkit]

Window glass from plastic:




Seat's, dash \ steering wheel and so on:


Smoke stacks I use the K&S alum tube:


Heat shields from the Yellow pack of MR.Grip.






Steps:









Fuel tanks from 5/8 dowel rods and tank straps 1/8" Baltic ply:




I try to make all the parts fit to my hand drawn patterns:


Some of my very first scratch built trucks.
they had the front wheels set out just like the real trucks do.. however did not run so well running down the track were side to side rail crasher's.








Extra Details:
CB antennas and air hose from telephone cord wire and small seed beads.
Tooth picks are cut using the tips to make the cab clearance light's.
Small yellow ribbon for the ratchet straps.. Chains made using necklace chains.. Mud flaps from an old bicycle inner tube or 1/8 sheet rubber.
Trailor reflective marker tape is used and cut down smaller for making the reflective side markers.
Best of luck to every one looking to make your own scratch built Pinewood Derby 18 wheeler semi trucks.

And please check out other members semi truck topic's here on DT for building with 18 wheeler kits as well.
Hope to see you all track side some day!
Whoda.