Espeefan's slow motion Peterbilt Heavy Hauler build

[Diesel Demond]

wish i could just whip up some tank brackets. very accurate looks good !

[Espeefan]

Whew, it's been a while since I've had something new to share on the build. I've had a little more time to play with my mill, so I continued the work on the fuel tank saddles. These parts have been a great challenge to me. After making my share of mistakes, I've finally got a set of 4 that match, and are nice enough to use on my truck. These aren't quite done yet, but very close. Some minor machining is still necessary, but it's all the easier stuff from here on out. Usually the mistakes were stupid errors, but I'm glad to have gotten past all that! Anyway, to keep the build alive, here some photos.









One trial part for practice is milled out completely. I've got start working on ideas for the tank straps now. I have some good ideas, but I just need to see how they work out. I thought I would try making the straps out of brass strips, rolling an end, soldering it, and putting a t slot with a piece of threaded rod through it, so I could replicate the real method used on 1:1 tank straps, to tighten them up to the tank saddles. Seems easy enough. I have never soldered brass, so that will be new. If I use brass, I will either have to get the parts chromed, or paint them. I'm leaning more torward the paint, with a polished tank. I've seen it both ways.

[ihbuilder]

good Job on the mounts Nate Craig is gonna need a set you know

[Claus]

Man Nathan, your build is just awesome! When I look at your truck it makes me think mine should go out in the trash.

[JAMMER]

Great job Nathan but if I may make a suggestion, for straps why don't you get some thin stainless and do like you wanted to do with the brass only with the stainless and then silver solder the ends it would be stronger. Ed

[doodlebug]

Hey Nathan go to youtube, lot's videos there, maybe this on will help? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4bUd8tl7-Y

Cheer's, Neil.

[Espeefan]

Originally Posted by ihbuilder

good Job on the mounts Nate Craig is gonna need a set you know

Thanks Steve. Coming from you, that means a lot! I'd love to make parts for everyone else, including Craig, but I need to get better at this machining stuff before I go into production.

Originally Posted by Claus

Man Nathan, your build is just awesome! When I look at your truck it makes me think mine should go out in the trash.

Thanks Craig. Don't sell yourself short. Your truck is coming along really well. You'll have a really sweet ride, when it's done too. Probably before mine!

Originally Posted by JAMMER

Great job Nathan but if I may make a suggestion, for straps why don't you get some thin stainless and do like you wanted to do with the brass only with the stainless and then silver solder the ends it would be stronger. Ed

Thanks Ed. I didn't know it was possible to silver solder stainless. If it works, I'll give it try.

Originally Posted by doodlebug

Hey Nathan go to youtube, lot's videos there, maybe this on will help? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4bUd8tl7-Y

Cheer's, Neil.

Neil, thanks. Believe it or not, before I made my post this afternoon, I was watching that exact video! Doesn't look to hard, does it?

[Tinbender]

I just read this entire thread. And I come to realize that I may have bitten off more than I can chew by getting into this hobby. Your machining skills are very impressive. The research you perform prior to actual build is incredible. And then to have the hand and eye coordination to put it all into place is amazing. I may be rethinking what I am going to build if at all now. Keep the build alive and the photos coming, I am enjoying the heck out of it!

[Espeefan]

Thanks Tinbender. I just want to encourage you to enjoy the hobby, and not feel you've bitten off to much, especially when looking at some of the incredible builds posted here. We all started somewhere. I would have laughed at anyone who told me I'd be machining my own custom parts for this build, a few years back. I didn't think I had those skills. Funny thing how that works. If you want something bad enough, you figure out how to get it. Never stop learning, and never sell yourself short.

[Tinbender]

Thank Espeefan. I know from my past I have some of the skills but I am always eager to learn. I have been wanting to get a mini mill, now it looks like I have a real good reason to invest into one, I already have the mini lathe. I hope I didn't hi-jack your build.

[rappy]

wow wow wow what else can i say this is just a talented man

[JAMMER]

Nathan those tank saddles look great I know you have a lot of time in them but it was well worth it keep up the good work. Ed

[Straywolf]

Wow i finally sat down and read this build thread and all i can say is just excellent work!!! I can't wait to see more pic's!!!

Mike

[oldwestrnwear]

your work is amazing the detail is unbelievable pure beauty

perry

[Espeefan]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the comments. Unfortunately I don't have any updates to share right now on this build because it's taken a back seat to my Kenworth needlenose project. It might sound crazy, but after doing all I have with my Kenworth, I've sort of raised my expectations of what a truck should be, and this Peterbilt will follow the same tracks. A new chassis, new axles, new suspension, and new ideas will be coming. All of the goodies I've made so far will carry over, so not all is lost. I will be rebuilding before finishing .... again!

[headers]

No update on the Pete?

[NORM]

What page was this thread on? LOL

here is another classic build from when Custom parts were made by the owners, before we had the ability buy Custom parts from smaller vendors.