Re: Old tired wrecker
 

I knew that J hooks or coyote hooks were used to chain the car to the lift. i just wasn't sure if it'd be possible with your lift to go pick something repo-style and slow drive without the chains, so you don't have to fiddle with it everytime.

For the chains, hit up a craft store that's got a jewelery making section. Buy several that looks scale, then pull test to see what's structural vs decoration.

My dragline buckets use strong necklace chain, it's enough for pulling scoops of dirt and ground rubber.

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

What about the chain from tamiya pole trailer

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

This build is bad@ss. Cant wait to see it weathered!

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4551/...ca928ca4_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4540/...2d9cb68e_b.jpg

The second 360 servo is now mounted and working so she's a true twin boom. I found some grab hooks and got them mounted on the tow bar, I made a pair of oversize J hooks so I can grab most anything until I get a better idea of how much I can scale them back. I also added the operator handles for the twin winches, old school mechanical linkage here, no electrical control back in the day. And I got started weathering on the wrecker bed. The cab will take a bit more research as it was aluminum and I can't go crazy with the rust on it.

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

it look seven more beautiful, now that there's a hint of weathering on it

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

That's killer! Now it's really looking like a working rig.

Aluminum corrosion is generally white or grey. It can do the flakey/bubbly paint thing.

Awesome truck

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

The only thing I would dare suggest is to blacken the chains & cables.

Other than that... wow Dennis. :D

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

"Aluminum corrosion is generally white or grey. It can do the flakey/bubbly paint thing."

Yes, am making a hobby shop run next week to see what will work best for weathered aluminum. I'll probably go with a chipped and scuffed edge look as I have never been too good at doing the bubbly thing. BUT, I do have lots of left over styrene to try on????

"blacken the chains & cables"

Yup, gotta do the chains in a rusty dark metal look with the J hooks a worn red. There will also be wooden 4x4's and other "cribbing" and clutter thrown up on the deck.

If I can find 4 small diameter tires and wheels (12-15mm) with the right look, there will be a set of "knock down" dollies up there too! Am open for suggestions!

I really have to take a minute to thank everyone that has commented on this build so far. Your overwhelmingly positive comments and encouragement have so very much helped push me to go far beyond what I had thought were my limits of building!
Thank You All!!!!!

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

Maybe look into the salt method to fake bubbly corrosion?
On scrap plastic to test, paint, sprinkle some salt where you want bubbly, paint again. Maybe lightly brush to knock it loose if paint ruptured. Maybe weather it more.

I wonder if the 'patina' chemicals would be able to hit your chains, or if a paint wash would do better?

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

Perhaps look at PMD. Rick had the Weideco rims/tires that are pretty small. IDk what size they are, for sure, but I know they are way smaller then the Tamiya tires/rims are.

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

I checked PMD and Rick's smaller tires are still too big. The dolly I'm copying had tires the size of a small utility trailer. I'm thinking older 1/32 or 1/43 slot car wheels may be the ticket. I did find that 1/24 are still too big. Kind of like finding a bigger rotary beacon. There's one out there, just going to take a bit to find it.

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

Bummer, sorry to hear that those weren't small enough fir the project.

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

Are you going to paint the booms and lift frame? Truck looks great so far!!

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

Thanks Lynn

Yes, I plan to paint the booms and sling mount, just not sure what color I want yet.
Am thinking of white and applied by brush so it doesn't cover completely and then a rusty steel color dabbed into the thin areas to add to the weathered look.

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

Hey Dennis, how about some of the 1/32 scale “snap-tite” truck wheel/tires I think Monogram makes them and you can get them at any hobby shop or Hobby Lobby.

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

Found another picture of your wrecker:

https://s17.postimg.org/lbqq5d9qn/27...6_E99_F1_C.jpg

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

1/24 car model tires might be about right? i know some of the skinny 1970s and earlier models had the right profile and should be little under 1" tall.

Nice find on that truck, the boom rigging makes more sence

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

Good photo Kent! Maybe I'll go blue on the booms and sling, I'm just not sure yet. Was leaning toward white for a bit of contrast. Now I'm torn.

I have to make a paint run Friday either way so I'll probably pick up both if they have it in stock. The shop I'm going to also sells a lot of slot car stuff so I'll be looking at wheels. 1" is going to be too big compared to what I remember from the set I horsed around. May need to be more like .500" - .625" to look right. Hope to have new photos this weekend.

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

My grandson just got a little LEGO airplane it has really nice 1/2 inch wheels . Wish I could post a pic but .......

Re: Old tired wrecker
 

Wow that turned out awesome, great work.