Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

All right guys, another weekend, another update. Nothing to big going on this time. Work continues again, on the tank saddles (still?!?). Finishing up some minor little things. I machined up some parts for securing the tank straps, but I haven't started on the straps themselves just yet. :D They might be the hardest part to make. I've been putting them off! But, I do have some fuel tanks now!

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psd57a7191.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6b1ed904.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1ce443e7.jpg

A special thanks to a friend from work, who made these tanks possible. I doubt he'll ever read this thread, but still, I couldn't of done without his help. They'll get a fuel filler cap, and a good polish a bit later!

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps875e689d.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps768ef997.jpg

Just playing around with some ideas for some stacks too. Stepping back to take a peak at the overall truck. The poor Peterbilt, in a state of neglect behind it. It looks like a glider. :D

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

I love that old truck with modern flair look, by far my favorite build.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Lol Nathan. How true, the Peterbuilt used to be front and center...:confused: Now it just lays there in the what looks like Rc scrap pile! :eek::p
Life is good when you can treat a Wedico like that! Lol. Jk

My personal opinion, the pipes you have mocked up are a little on the large size eh? It is your personal choice but if you want to stick to the 50's theme, I don't think they had big huge pipes back then...lol

Thanks for posting Nathan, always like seeing your work:cool:


Mario

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks for commenting wolws6! I appreciate the kind words.

Thanks Mario! Ha ha, yes, the Pete does look like it's sitting in an RC scrap pile. All it needs is a few weeds and tall grass growing around it.

So you're saying my pipes are to big? :D My intention while building this Kenworth was to go for a bit of a resto-rod look. It will have stacks. These might be a little large, but I'm going to try them anyway. In 1/16 scale, they measure out to be 8". I'll have to see if an equally large visor will pull the stacks together. :p I may downsize on the pipes a little.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nice update! It is certainly coming along. I hope to get some work done on my truck this weekend, too! :)

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

As always looking good Nathan. Love the tanks and saddles. Can't wait to see the straps. I like the bigger chimneys myself. That picture of the blue needlenose with flames looks good with the big chimneys. Pipes that are 7" or 8" in scale look sweet. But thats my 2 cents worth. Big pipes, drop visor, your front bumper, ...........nailed it!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Very nice work Nathan your tanks and saddles look great as does the rest of your work. Ed

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks Bigrigger! How'd you fair this weekend with your truck?

Thanks Jimmy. Seems you and I have the same tastes in trucks. :D

Thank you Ed! I appreciate it.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

I spent a little more time working on the Kenworth today. I decided it was time to start working on the tank straps. This was a bit of trial and error, bending these buggers up, but I managed to figure out the best techinique to make them. I was able to finish one of them, but the others will have to wait. I destroyed my 5/64" end mill, when one of the straps slipped in my vise, so now I have to order a new one. I'm pretty happy with the way the first one turned out. I hope the luck will continue with the rest!

Pictures....

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pse224e81f.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psc953f4dc.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psd4215808.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps78e35e3c.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps04611069.jpg

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

The straps look perfect Nate, great job.

Travis

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

That looks nice! At least you have a working mill:( boohooboohoo....

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nathan work work is amazing, I wish I had have of your patience or skills.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Wow those straps are spot on. Truly amazing craftsmanship! Can't wait to see whats up your sleeve next. :D

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks Travis. Good to have your approval. :)

Thanks Reg. I feel bad enough knowing I can't finish my straps tonight, after breaking my end mill, but to have something go wrong with the mill, well that would be worse! Hang in there! Hopefully it's an easy fix for you.

Thank you Craig. I was beginning to loose some patience making these straps too, but I just kept at it. No turning back now! I'm guessing I had 10 or 12 failures, to get 4 good straps, so it wasn't easy. I'd have to count the messed up ones laying on the floor to know for sure!

Hey thanks Jimmy! There is still a lot more work to do yet, so I guess there will be more to come!

I finished bending and soldering the other 3 straps tonight. I'm glad this step of the build is done now. It took long enough! I still get bogged down with the details!

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8a0ef3cb.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ffcbe6a.jpg

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Amazing work Nathan,
Your skills are above and beyond!!:cool:Keep up the good work!!:D

Tim

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thank you for the kinds words Tim!

Small update, before I get ready for work this afternoon. I managed to find a brand new 5/64" end mill, still in a McMaster-Carr shipping box, while I was cleaning up the workbench. The ones I ordered, to replace the one I broke, are already on the way and should be here today, but since I found a brand new one in my stash, I was able to finish the tank straps this morning! :D I guess I really didn't need to order two replacements. Funny thing is I knew I had more then one. I just couldn't find the extra.

Anyway, as if you guys hadn't seen enough tank strap photos, here are a few more.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pse8997d92.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9ff6c47e.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps398c714e.jpg

The Kenworth is looking great with the tanks both mounted properly! I like these low angle shots!

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pse68f609f.jpg

One more light show....test.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3f650e01.jpg

It's been a good day in the shop! Enjoy.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Looking good!!!! Love the lights and tank straps!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Breath taking. Looks awesome! I'm thinkin I should come down by you and work on my truck, and learn from a master. Lol.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nathan, the tanks, mounts and straps are perfect, very clean solder job on the straps!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Gotta love the classics... That baby is looking sweet

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Oh my word!!!! I've been off the forum for a number of months and come back to this stunner! This is shaping up to be a super cool unique build, I love the tank straps, you could mount them on a plinth and display them as a model in their own right!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Hi Nathan

Your remake of a classic Rc truck is looking good nathan, can wait to see a coat of paint on it and photo's of it first test drive.

I me and my dad are trying to fix up a real 1952 INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER AS-148, but we don,t get time to work on it much.

From Cameron.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Great looking truck.

Nice work!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

This truck is taking shape, Nathan! Your craftsmanship continues to astound me! Keep it up!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

that truck reminds me of the movie"the rocketeer"

very kool

Alfy

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Holy S! Wow, No plastic parts here! Your a true craftsman SP and i hope to be able to build with that quality and detail some day. Great job! thanks for sharing.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

that is stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i was never a fan of those kits but you have definitely changed my mind.i never thought a person could make them kits so nice.
a true work of art!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i saw on of those in 1/1 at a truck show in Pearl white with mint green fenders and it was beautiful

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

always keep a spare battery or you will throw your back out draggin it lol

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Your metal work is fantastic!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Awesome! what colors are you planning to use?

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks Aaron! Me too!

Thanks Paul. They were a lot of work, but turned out awesome.

Thanks Jimmy! Not sure that I'm a master by any means, but I appreciate you thinking that. I've got a lot to learn! There are a lot more talented guys on this forum then I.

Thanks Kent. Not bad for a first try at soldering brass. It was easier then I expected!

BRICKNICK, thanks. I'm really happy with the way the truck is turning out too.

Thank you Snowman! Yes, for as much time as I have stuck into the tank saddles and straps, they kind of did become a model themselves. I get carried away with the details sometimes, but since these are in the open, and are something you can easily spot, I wanted them to be perfect.

Thanks Cameron! I've really become a fan of the vintage trucks these days too. Sometimes I feel like I should just go buy a 1:1 to play with, but the costs kind of scares me off. Glad there are people around that still restore them, like you and your dad.

Thank you Scott!

Thanks Bigrigger. I do the best I can.

Thanks Alfy! Ha ha. Now that you mentioned the Rocketeer, I'll be darned, cause I think you're right! I totally see it.

Thanks JD! Glad you are enjoying the build. I am sure you can build a great truck too. I've seen your toys. They are nice!

Thanks Spudd! It's not done yet, and there is still a lot more I want to do, to try and get the cab looking more scale, but it is a great casting to start with. It really doesn't need much work. Just a few more details.

Stuff, she's getting a little heavier everytime I throw on another part, but the weight will be good, I hope. Not sure what it's up to right now, but it feels like it's got some heft to it.

Thanks DaBomb!

Ken, thanks. For colors, I think I'd like to go with some combination of red, black, and silver. Or maybe orange, black, and silver. Then again maybe something totally different - purple, black, and silver? Hard to say. I think when the metal work is done I will have made up my mind. I also think I might send the cab out for custom paint. I'm not very good at that.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Small update! I know it's been a couple weekends since I posted anything on this build, but I am still working on it. This morning I finished up some mud flap hangers! I tried a couple different ideas, while making these, and the version on the truck now is one of three different types I came up with. Version 3.0 was exactly what I hoped for. :D The others, I guess, where just practice!

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps565bdde1.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psfe7e75cb.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0fdb58aa.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps788d0245.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9a219e51.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps526f4b24.jpg

The rubber looks and acts very scale. I'm happy about that. I'd sure like to get some polished weights on the bottom of the flaps, and maybe a Cummins C logo, but for now, I'm happy with them! To bad I can't find someone who can photo etch the Cummins C for me, out of some thin stainless. I thought about checking with a graphics shop. Maybe they'd be able to print a sticker out of a chrome vinyl sheet or something?

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Heavy Duty!!!!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

It´s a very good looking truck. Nice craftsmanship!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Man,That's JUST Awesome.Great skills are being applied here.

Ed

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nathan,
I sent you a second PM on the C's.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

The mudflap brackets look awesome! So does the rear center section of the truck! Keep the awesomeness coming

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

looks like the thing weighs 20 lbs!