-
Posts
7,717 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Everything posted by CDW
-
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
With the covers removed, the spring tensioner for the idler wheel can be seen. A grease fitting on the shaft in front of the spring puts tension on the tracks when grease is injected. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
Once the snow started in the fall, pipeline construction would cease for the winter season. All heavy equipment in need of maintenance would be brought into the yard, then pressure washed, then brought into the shop where it would be disassembled and often rebuilt, repainted, etc. Spent a lot of good times working, joking, smoking, and drinking moonshine with good friends. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
-
Turning out such a beautiful model, Harry. Hope you have a place of honor for her when you're finished. Your sub-assemblies keep getting better and better.
-
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
The road wheel/idler/drive sprocket assemblies are fairly complex. This one side took more than a couple of hours to clean up and assemble. Too bad so much of the assemble gets covered with panels and will never be seen. However, s kit like this could make an incredible maintenance diorama. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
Starting the color coats, I like to thin my paint 2 parts thinner to 1 part paint and lay down very thin, multiple coats rather than heavy ones do as not to obliterate detail. Since more paint coats will be applied after the tracks and remainder of the model is assembled, this will be enough painting for now. Paint and thinner is Mr Color lacquer. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
-
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
The next steps of construction will add the road wheels, idlers, and drive sprockets, so now is the time to get this assembly all primed and painted before the track/wheel assemblies go on. The kit did not provide any material to create the cable for the winch. I ordered some 30 gauge soft wire which I will use to make my own cable from scratch. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
-
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
Thanks Edward -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
Of course, yes, that's exactly the way I normally do it with small parts with the small saw I photographed and posted in a previous post. However, this is not sufficient with these small parts, they still break even then. It's one of those things you can't get your mind wrapped around until you try to do it yourself. I've been doing these plastic model kits more than 60 years so there are very few techniques I have not tried. There is a very specific plastic nipper I have not yet tried due to the high cost of it, called "God Hands" nippers. The nippers are designed in a very specific way so that only one side of the nipper is the blade while the other side is a flat piece the blade comes down upon. These nippers are probably the most precise you can buy and are specifically made for very fine work. I will probably break down and order a pair this week. Amazon.com: GodHand Ultimate Nipper 5.0 GH-SPN-120 for Plastic Models : Arts, Crafts & Sewing -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
Thanks for the comments. As for a flat surface and a sharp blade I agree. Trouble is finding a small enough flat surface. It’s like dancing on the head of a pin. As for whittling, plastic too brittle for that. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
Larger parts are fine, but some are cast so small they easily break apart so yes they are brittle. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
-
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
I kid you not, at least a half dozen of those delicate parts broke in 4 or more pieces and had to be reassembled/glued back together. What a pain in the butt. I guess you can say, I'm getting my money's worth with plenty of things to do. Guarantee you this is not a kit for the lighthearted. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
-
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
We were never allowed to cuss when I was growing up, but I learned the technique at Parris Island. Since then, I have had many years learning to perfect this skill but remain a novice compared to THE mentor, Senior Drill Instructor Lee Ermey. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
The pedals and linkages shown in the previous photos go here. It took some extra cussin’ to get it to fit. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
To remove the small fragile parts from the sprue trees a razor saw as shown is an invaluable tool. Even then some breakage may occur. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
I reduce Mr Surfacer at a ratio of approximately 3 parts levelling thinner to 1 part paint. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
A model like this one has so much detail, assembling and painting it in subassemblies is a necessity. Otherwise I could not get paint on the subject. In this case I am using a very well reduced Mr Surfacer dark primer that will be covered in a Caterpillar yellow in the end. The primer is highly reduced to prevent the paint pigment from obliterating detail. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
Did they have a side boom? This D7N would be the basis for a side boom scratch build if I had a good set of drawings to reference. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
First page of instruction manual completed. Look closely and you might see some of those small parts. All were used in the assembly shown. -
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
-
U.S. Tractor D7 “Tow Cat” by CDW - FINISHED - MiniArt - 1:35 Scale
CDW replied to CDW's topic in Non-ship/categorised builds
Talk about some small parts… See part number c36 in instructions Here’s that part on the sprue with a #11 scalpel blade for reference. Where the part ends and the sprue gate begins is up to interpretation.
About us
Modelshipworld - Advancing Ship Modeling through Research
SSL Secured
Your security is important for us so this Website is SSL-Secured
NRG Mailing Address
Nautical Research Guild
237 South Lincoln Street
Westmont IL, 60559-1917
Model Ship World ® and the MSW logo are Registered Trademarks, and belong to the Nautical Research Guild (United States Patent and Trademark Office: No. 6,929,264 & No. 6,929,274, registered Dec. 20, 2022)
Helpful Links
About the NRG
If you enjoy building ship models that are historically accurate as well as beautiful, then The Nautical Research Guild (NRG) is just right for you.
The Guild is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to “Advance Ship Modeling Through Research”. We provide support to our members in their efforts to raise the quality of their model ships.
The Nautical Research Guild has published our world-renowned quarterly magazine, The Nautical Research Journal, since 1955. The pages of the Journal are full of articles by accomplished ship modelers who show you how they create those exquisite details on their models, and by maritime historians who show you the correct details to build. The Journal is available in both print and digital editions. Go to the NRG web site (www.thenrg.org) to download a complimentary digital copy of the Journal. The NRG also publishes plan sets, books and compilations of back issues of the Journal and the former Ships in Scale and Model Ship Builder magazines.