Vario Digger in Cat Yellow

[JDH429]

I should rephrase that, I don't have the skill to be very accurate that some others do when cutting by hand.

[JDH429]

A little progress this week.

[RCP57]

That looks awesome Jason! I really need to get a printer like that. They are one cool device for sure!

Have you received your mail yet today?

Reg

[ricm]

nice looking machine - great build.

[JDH429]

Thanks Pal! Haha, No, not yet. But checking the tracking everyday.

[Stuff]

I like the look of this one!!

the bigger back body gives you more room. There was another guy I talked to about the counter weight should be the oil tank and I couldn't agree more. oil's heavy to, maybe not as much as solid metal or weights but it still adds up and then frees more area inside for electronics or batteries!

[JAMMER]

Hi Jason did you get your radio straightened out yet? Ed

[JDH429]

Ed, no I haven't had much time recently but thanks for the suggestion. Gonna try to give Spektrum a call soon.

[JDH429]

A few recent shots of mocked up detail panels. Starting to think the cab is a bit more 1/12 looking than 1/14, so I may downsize a bit. Perforated steel on the table will become walkways soon..I hope.

[thercfreak2012]

Nice

[headers]

Amaaaaaazing,absolutely the best looking vario I have seen

[Espeefan]

Wow, that's a good looking cab and cab protector! All 3D printed, I assume? Looks awesome. You definitely have a way with reworking models to make them more scale and unique.

[JDH429]

Thanks Fellas, I wish I had more to share but I haven't had lots if time lately to work on this.

Nate, yes sir. I try to use the help of the printer whenever I can. I'm happy with the cab but think I'm going to scale down. The height is about .200" too high. I also employed the help of a local shop near me to cut some plates with their water jet to help bring out some details and hide some of the imperfections of the base body I welded together. Theres about 20 panels that will cover the whole outside of the body. The screws holding some of them on now will be replaced with some more scale looking hardware after I get everything painted. The model is really putting on some weight now.

[JDH429]

Drawing of cab

[liftmys10]

Wow looks very good!

[Actros4160]

Well done job, looks great

[JDH429]

Been a good while since i updated this thread. Just a couple new things, made some decals, added railings, catwalks, and finished the battery cover. Got the counterweight finally shaped a bit better, still work in progress. Ended up body filling and laying on a few heavy coats of powdercoating, then sanded that to take out the messy rough assembly job i did...Stopping by the water jet on the way home to get some final pieces cut for the left side.

[Cooper]

Looks great!! Did you print the cab protector grating? If so what printer do you have? The detail on those parts are great. I have one but haven't messed with too fine of layering. Maybe I may play with the resolution some. Thanks!! Glad you turned to the cat side!! Lol!!

[JDH429]

Originally Posted by Cooper

Looks great!! Did you print the cab protector grating? If so what printer do you have? The detail on those parts are great. I have one but haven't messed with too fine of layering. Maybe I may play with the resolution some. Thanks!! Glad you turned to the cat side!! Lol!!

I am a fan of Cat, and like a the uniqueness of this project. Not sure I've seen another Vario done up like a Cat yet. Anyway, I print at .15mm layer height on detailed stuff like this and especially on radius' like the bars on the cab protector. Makes them look round, not blocky.. I also do some post print finishing, sanding, acetone smoothing etc. Thanks for the comments.

[Cooper]

Thank you for the answers!! I still forget that the printers are only limited to what you can think of!! And am just now getting the acetone baths down. Vapor and I did some brushing techniques also with good results. Depending op part I guess. But your stuff looks great!!