Scotties Miniart US Bulldozer

[Airborne01]

No Steve, I have a very pointed tiny awl that I use. I tried the blade way, but most of the time, it cut the tiny thangs in half trying to pick them up to place them..........

Prost
Allen

Interessante - sehr interessante! Or. a tiny awl ... sounds far posher than a knife tip mate!
Steve

 

[Wookie2486]

Martyn, I will probably ignore the kit pipes and make them from copper were possible. Its good to know Miniart replaced the broken items ,what was the lead time?

To be honest Scottie I don't think it was that long a week if I remember correctly, I even emailed them to see if they could send me replacement headlight assemblies as my boys managed to get they're hands on it so I had to replace the two complete pieces again they sent me the parts no questions asked.

Marty

 

[Jakko]

I wouldn’t count on it taking just a week now, though, given where MiniArt are in the world.

 

[JR]

I wouldn’t count on it taking just a week now, though, given where MiniArt are in the world.

Yes , can see that being a problem, but read yesterday a model company in the West of the country has started production again. No mention given when I read it of who it was . Mini Art did move several years ago from the East so it might be them .

 

[Tim Marlow]

Are they the company that put the picture of the dog with chewed sprues in their box? Tag line of the picture was, in effect, “Don’t shout at him, just contact us and we’ll send you replacements “. Pretty cool I thought.

 

[scottie3158]

To be honest Scottie I don't think it was that long a week if I remember correctly, I even emailed them to see if they could send me replacement headlight assemblies as my boys managed to get they're hands on it so I had to replace the two complete pieces again they sent me the parts no questions asked.

Marty

That's good to hear, from what I read on here a lot of companies it is a battle to get a good service.

Are they the company that put the picture of the dog with chewed sprues in their box? Tag line of the picture was, in effect, “Don’t shout at him, just contact us and we’ll send you replacements “. Pretty cool I thought.

A cool piece of advertising.

 

[scottie3158]

Due to a couple of broken pieces earlier in the build all my fault I should say. Looking at the build I should have left them off until later in the construction, I have decided to replace all the rod type parts with copper wire that way they will hopefully be more robust.

Hydraulic pipes were replaced a section of vinyl pipe was also added to hopefully represent the fittings. Also in the picture the dip stick was replaced with copper wire and punched pewter.


Next some levers were added.




I will redo the piece above as I have noticed the cap is off centre, I will also remove the rivet/screw detail on the cover plate and add punched items.

This was also modified, whatever it is.



Finally for this update two radiator braces were added from wire.



comments good or bad always welcomed as always.

cheers
Scottie

 

[outrunner]

Are they the company that put the picture of the dog with chewed sprues in their box? Tag line of the picture was, in effect, “Don’t shout at him, just contact us and we’ll send you replacements “. Pretty cool I thought.

No, that was ICM, it had that page in the Studebaker truck kit I built a while ago.

Andy.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Scottie
I think you're wise to swap out those pipes and levers for wire. You'd get fed up with knocking them off and I'm also sure the carpet monster would be laying in wait for a snack or two.
Jim

 

[scottie3158]

Hi Scottie
I think you're wise to swap out those pipes and levers for wire. You'd get fed up with knocking them off and I'm also sure the carpet monster would be laying in wait for a snack or two.
Jim

Jim,
Your right especially when they take so long to clean up.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Nice work Scottie. Probably easier to scratch than clean up the wire parts anyway

 

[Mini Me]

Juuuuuuuust Boooootiful!

 

[scottie3158]

Nice work Scottie. Probably easier to scratch than clean up the wire parts anyway

Tim, a lot easier.

Juuuuuuuust Boooootiful!

Cheers Rick.

 

[Wookie2486]

Scottie, the plumbing looks really good as does the levers well done mate .

 

[JR]

Best idea to replace with the wire Paul, how many times have we had one break, even on the sprue.They look better anyway.

 

[minitnkr]

Have to agree w/all above. Much better looking & much more robust.

 

[scottie3158]

Scottie, the plumbing looks really good as does the levers well done mate .

Cheers Martyn glad you approve.

Best idea to replace with the wire Paul, how many times have we had one break, even on the sprue.They look better anyway.

Your right there John I normally replace wing mirror arms etc but even those I leave to as near the end as possible.

Have to agree w/all above. Much better looking & much more robust.

Thanks Paul.

 

[scottie3158]

This is a frustrating build nearly every lever has snapped while trying to remove it from the sprue or trying to clean them up. This despite using a razor saw and sharp blades. As you can see from the picture I started to make a replacement steering lever as both had snapped then realised that they will not be seen as all the linkages are hidden by the footplates or seat. So I wimped out.


this linkage I had to make as it is prominent on the side of the engine. Made from wire and punched details.



What I didn't realise is that it had suspension I thought it would just have had a sprung seat. Then finally for this stage the belly plates, front towing hook and rear hook attachment.



I am just wondering how long it is before I snap off the surviving levers.

cheers
Scottie

 

[Jim R]

Hi Scottie
Not an easy build then
I have no doubt that with your skill and patience you'll end up with a fine model.
Jim

 

[minitnkr]

Looks great.