Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: 6milPhil on November 09, 2014, 09:08:02 PM
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I was asked if I could build a step-up van and to start with I wasn't sure I could but I was happy to have a go. Having looked at some photo's I was relieved to see it's basically a box on wheels, and I can just about manage boxes. ::)
Although not especially known in Europe it's a very widely used vehicle in the U.S.A., it seem to be the most common older ice-cream truck, but also has seen use as early SWAT and PD/FD control vans. As such it's as iconic as the Ford Transit is in the UK, or the VW Combi/Camper across the world.
I started by getting a plan for it, quite easy for such a popular van, and then printed it out had a fiddle around with the measurements to get it to the required scale and then printed it out again at that reduction to have it actual size. Two copies so I could have an extra side, these I then mounted onto plasticard;
(http://i.imgur.com/1LvV7qB.jpg)
This made cutting the pieces out a lot easier, although at scale some of the cuts were very fiddly, and on some of them there was a very definite best order to cut them too. This wasn't immediately apparent, so a lot of gazing at them and thinking was involved.
(http://i.imgur.com/OqPE8Yw.jpg)
I kept the plan attached for as long as possible, it just made it easier, and gave a better idea of how it was going than blank white plastic, and it helped keep the right pieces in the right place.
(http://i.imgur.com/ELdDRLP.jpg)
The two pieces which couldn't be cut this way were those with any angle, namely the bonnet (hood) and the windscreen. I left these for last. Next the doors were all sanded to allow for a gap to give some detail, there's not much detail to it anyway so every bit helps to make it a little less boxy. Then the doors were fitted with some backing styrene sheet.
(http://i.imgur.com/A8gntE2.jpg)
Next I prepared to make the wheel arches on the sides. Here's a quick test with the wheels in place.
(http://i.imgur.com/JQOG5ZV.jpg)
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Very promising 8)
cheers
James
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Really interesting, I use(d) the same technique to make 1/3000 model ships, but yours is a bit bigger :)
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Great start what thickness plasticard are you using?
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Interesting.
I think there are many who will follow this thread with interest. I will.
Tony
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Thanks chaps. :)
Great start what thickness plasticard are you using?
Mainly 1mm, the lining behind the doors and windows is thinner though.
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A great start 8-)
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Great start Phil!! 8) 8) 8)
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ooooh, this looks like fun to watch.
*settles back and gets comfy*
Cheers
Matt
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Looking good! Zombified UPS men to follow, I imagine?
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On with the arches. Started by boxing out them out...
(http://i.imgur.com/ITGe5DR.jpg)
...and checking they're right for the wheels
(http://i.imgur.com/eDwGn7f.jpg)
Then fill them with milliput and let it partially cure before shaping them. The worst part about this bit is waiting for the milliput to cure fully.
(http://i.imgur.com/6kN2s7L.jpg)
And they're done, well aside from curing completely. on the rear arches I could just use plasticard on the tops because there's no curve there.
(http://i.imgur.com/r4Wi1PN.jpg)
Notice how I've etched "R" on the right door, but on the wrong side >:(
This had to be filled and sanded of course...
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An interesting project,I look forward to seeing the finished model.
As for door just laugh at it.When you out think yourself.Its the universe stopping you from sitting at your desk and feeling smug.I should know the universe reminds me at least once every project that I'm not as smart as I am on paper lol.
Have you given much thought to the bonnet and lights?
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Well laugh wasn't quite my first instinct. ;)
It was born of cutting the two sides from the same printed side of course, so although it was the same cut, bar the petrol cap - I slightly lost track. It's filled though so not a problem.
The lights and the bonnet are difficult, I think I'll make one light and cast it to guarantee identicality but have it raised rather than set flat. Bonnet, don't know yet.
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Could I suggest a quicker method?
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Sure.
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I would make a reverse stamp of both the bonnet and the lights.
The lights could be done in three layers of plasti card.a base layer of card,then a layer with a cut out square for the headlight,and a small rectangle below it.then a layer with a larger rectangle to act as a frame.Infact if you think of the whole thing as a. picture-mounting card-picture frame.
If you use miliput then use a hairdryer to warm the card and soften it(once the miliput has dried)to peal the card away from the miliput.it works with green stuff too.
then cut a hole in the plasti card grill front and put it the light block behind.
Its pritty much the same thing for the bonnet.
This method is easy with throw away stamps.
I hope this is helpful.
Mark.
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It's an interesting idea, which I'll consider, thanks.
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It's a method I use when building masters one off tools are a masive time saver,when you only need a few copies its cheaper than making a mould.
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It's a great idea which I shall try at some point, although not on this. Not least because it's only a couple of grams of rubber and I'd already started. Thanks for the heads up mate deffo one for the skill bank. 8)
Now the arches are dry I join both halves together internally and fit some quarter tube along the top for the roof curve. I leave this longer than needed for trimming later when the other parts are fixed. It makes for a better overall fit and allowws for mistakes. Being out by half a mil is just irritating.
(http://i.imgur.com/gkbSd4D.jpg)
Next onto the front grill and headlights, made a tiny mould to make sure both were identical.
(http://i.imgur.com/bfJoANJ.jpg)
Next attached the front to the hull.
(http://i.imgur.com/JtmQa8H.jpg)
and the back section too
(http://i.imgur.com/7MLeXd3.jpg)
Next up the bonnet and the windscreen...
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Ohhhh!....that is looking rather good! ;D ;D
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Thanks Andy! 8)
On with the bonnet, with greenstuff on the wings and the rest left to show the opening. And then the windscreen, which I made of sections because it was the only way I could get the inside curves.
(http://i.imgur.com/Opp5JCo.jpg)
Followed by the quarter pipe for the front curve, again slightly oversized, and the roof.
(http://i.imgur.com/FuOHTIh.jpg)
Next is lining the inside of the box with milliput, letting that cure followed by filling it it resin letting that cure and topping it off again with milliput. This is all to make it solid which I've found is best when it comes to making the mould. Many moons ago I made a model and left it as a hollow box and made a mould only to have it collapse under vacuum - never again. ::)
The only problem with the filling is it has a total cure time of around 9 hours, so it does slow the build.
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Nice work :)
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Ta.
Having got the main form it's filling any gaps and sanding, and then a bit more filling, and more sanding and then a little more sanding.
Then on the bumpers, at the rear there's a step bumper and for the front a more shaped one. The back one was working in situ, while the front one was made as a component. Again this was milliput so a bit of curing time involved, bit of shaping, bit more curing, some sanding, etc.
(http://i.imgur.com/ajaUX9d.jpg)
Then the front bumper was attached. Again once fully dry this will be sanded
(http://i.imgur.com/puyKqmj.jpg)
Next will be the wraparound parts of the bumper and the remaining detailing. There's not a lot, so it really benefits from it.
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Cracking little build Phil 8) 8)
cheers
James
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Thanks Jim.
Start to place the detail, ribs along the side, lights and door handles, bolts on rear bumpers.
(http://i.imgur.com/0LLVajf.jpg)
Bit more filling on the front bumper, and the wraparound has been added.
Need some more filling on the roof front and back and more sanding,
(http://i.imgur.com/QWWDLHr.jpg)
That done rear lights, and the roof lights too.
(http://i.imgur.com/j1n8tGZ.jpg)
Although everyone is being very pleasant about this build by now I'm a trifle peeved - I know all the errors in it, where the measurements are out by half a mil etc, the usual creative self criticism which we all enjoy I think.
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I know all the errors in it, where the measurements are out by half a mil etc, the usual creative self criticism which we all enjoy I think.
No, we don't enjoy it lol it happens all the time at work, the trick is learning what people will pass over when looking at something... Quite a skill.
I'm assuming this will be for sale somewhere?
cheers
James
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8)
I'm glad others are not always happy with their creations. I thought I was just a ham fisted oaf... I better keep going with my own attempts then.
Cheers
Matt.
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Looks bloody good to me. :D
I wouldn't be so hard on yourself, it's a great build.
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Keep going mate!! That looks brill! I don't see ANY mistakes!! o_o o_o
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Thanks geezers. 8)
I'm truly not being hard on myself, I think just about everyone enjoys suffers similar. Lots of my chums will show me a solidly good piece of work and the first thing they guiltily admit is what they believe they got wrong. :?
I think it's also part of the creative urge which keeps us in the hobby, if you were ecstatically happy with each and every thing you did you'd get bored, lose your drive and take up something more challenging. :`
Needlepoint anyone? :D
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Just to make you happy I think the windows in the rear doors are .25mm too wide. ;)
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Thanks geezers. 8)
I'm truly not being hard on myself, I think just about everyone enjoys suffers similar. Lots of my chums will show me a solidly good piece of work and the first thing they guiltily admit is what they believe they got wrong. :?
I think it's also part of the creative urge which keeps us in the hobby, if you were ecstatically happy with each and every thing you did you'd get bored, lose your drive and take up something more challenging. :`
Needlepoint anyone? :D
Couldn't agree more.
On my own projects, it's great that other people are positive but what gives me most pleasure* is knowing I've solved a particularly tricky problem! or had an ingenious idea, and made it work.
* Excluding that dream about Kate Beckinsale's interview as my secretary, when we run out of peanut butter. :-D
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Bloody lovely, Phil.
Very clever and good to see the processes you use to solve all the little 'problems'.
8) 8)
* Excluding that dream about Kate Beckinsale's interview as my secretary, when we run out of peanut butter. :-D
lol lol
That did make me chuckle, you naughty boy.
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Very nice indeed- the step-by-step mirrors my own way of doing things. Glad to see I'm not the only one who doubts themselves when making a model!
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Thanks all... except Voltan - for you :P :P :P
I'm assuming this will be for sale somewhere?
Yes it will.
Cleaned the model up as it had got a little grubby from all the handling, and partly to seal any miniscule gaps I might have missed but also to tie it together so I can get a good look at it I give it an undercoat. I think this gives it me the first "proper" look at it if you know what I mean.
(http://i.imgur.com/4dGJULh.jpg)
* Figure is for scale comparison only and is not included in this build.
Now I'm happy with it again.
(http://i.imgur.com/QH3UIWE.jpg)
This is now off into rubber.
The wheels are already metal masters, the rear one has to be cut down to sit in the space. It's not interesting enough to warrant a photo.
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Very nice, mate.
8) 8)
The clean up has certainly brought out the smoothness of the build.
Nice work.
:D
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Great stuff...
Your process is much as I have used on models for some time.
But...
Now do something... curvier*
* Kate Beckinsale again :-)
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I'll happily do Kate, do you have her number? I hope she's not too clingy like Kiera "Twice" Knightley.
While I'm doing her here's something for you to look at...
(http://i.imgur.com/Qy2lbEP.jpg)
For some reason I did take a photo of the wheels... and now it's all yours.
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Ooooooooh. o_o purty.
Cheers
Matt.
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Looks the dogs. :D
Hope to get my hands on one for my SWAT team.
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Well the rubber set and it's casts away!
(http://i.imgur.com/2ywkmwo.jpg)
The good part, aside from seeing the finished model as it should be, is how I've got my mould technique down so well there's little chance of making a mistake... guess how frustrating that would be! :o
(http://i.imgur.com/oSbGdNB.jpg)
Am wondering if I should make a strip of lights, and a large step for the rear so it is more easily turned into a SWAT vehicle... Thoughts?
(http://i.imgur.com/KmMv32L.jpg)
I'm chuffed how quickly I've managed this, from sheet plastic to cast in under a week... ain't I great? ::)
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Wow! Really nicely done. Quite fascinating to see how this was designed and built.
Chris
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I'm chuffed how quickly I've managed this, from sheet plastic to cast in under a week... ain't I great? ::)
Yes, I may never forgive you. :D
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Yeah Phil, you need to do a light bar, and a PA speaker/ice cream cone. You never know ;)
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Very nice indeed!
I noticed a small omission, though ;-) - no windscreen wipers!
Pity that it's too late for my periods of interest, though, or I might be tempted to ask how much and where do I buy.
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What a brilliant build! I see these types of van all over the place here in the U.S. (and I tend to notice them as I didn't grow up here, so I'm not used to them), and your one looks perfect - and nicely scaled too. I think I'm going to have to pick one up for a post-apoc diorama I've been thinking of doing.
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I'm in for a set of lights and step. But only because I'm lazy. ;)
Great looking cast.
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Thanks guys! :)
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Fantastic. Actually Vantastic!
Tony
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Working on the "tactical platform" and the lights...
(http://i.imgur.com/wdzQObE.jpg)
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Superb work Phil! :-*
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And that step in action, it obscures the rear lights slightly but I don't think that's a problem.
(http://i.imgur.com/2zvgXVM.jpg)
and "click"
(http://i.imgur.com/wwJPuhm.jpg)
unfinished when I took a photo but now finished.
(http://i.imgur.com/EHSJWj0.jpg)
I modelled it after the most stylish one I saw on a SWAT van but thought slight recesses would make it a lot easier to paint.
Both these pieces will be included in the final model as standard. 8)
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will be included in the final fine model as standard.
Fixed that for you Phil :D
Cheers
Matt.
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Brilliant. :D
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Awesome piece of work & a fascinating thread showing the build process :-* 8)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpajdIln6w4
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Great work Phil, very cool project 8)
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Thanks guys.
Good call on the DK Fram, Jello Biafra - the punk Emo Philips :D
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This is really looking great. Looks like it's definitely going to be up to the standard of your previous work.
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Jello Biafra - the punk Emo Philips :D
lol
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On a more serious note, Phil, have you considered a slight alteration to the hood, by gradually sanding down the cutaways to make it shaped just a little more like some conventional van hoods? I tried to photoshop what I mean here
(http://i.imgur.com/aXfkZP6.jpg)
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No because it's based on the chevy which on the plan and in the photos supplied by the client just has these indentations rather than a scoop. ;)
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Ah, okay!
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Top suggestion though, but now it's finished, had a mould made, first batch cast and in the post it's a trifle too late. I would have suggested it too as it's a soldily good idea - which I missed. ::)
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I think if someone wants to do it that way, it's not exactly a difficult modification ;)
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Just to confirm that Phil's excellent box van is now cast up and available from myself, along with the other items in my Apoc Isle thread, which can be found here
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=69062.150
;)