Dodgy

Our friend Goldhammer is a prospector, (as a hobby I think), I don't know if he's had any decent finds, but he certainly seems to enjoy it.

I wish he would share stories, with pictures.

Dodgy

Isn't it fun to spend hours on something with so little to show for it. Ah well, that's modeling.

Indeed!

Btw Dodgy, I watched a series on Netflix about Australia gold prospectors. I enjoyed that series. 

No pictures, but half owner in 3 claims totaling 110 acres.  Since they aren't patented, all we have the exclusive rights to are minerals.  Two are in partnership with our chapter president (Gold Prospectors Association of America), and listed in their guide and available to all members.  All are in the Sweet Home, Oregon area. Lot of mining activity from the mid 1800's to now, and they've never found the source.

Usually use pan,sluice box, or small highbanker, and have a 2 1/2" dredge.  

No big finds, not even enough to pay fuel in the rig or equipment, but enough to keep me interested.  Best day was 1/60 troy ounce in about 3 hours of just dinking around.  Waiting for the lake to get low enough to get back in that spot.  Normally about 80' of water there. Gets me out in open air, by the creek, and enjoying the outdoors.  Any one gets in my area and want a go at it, happy to get you out and do some looking.

goldhammer88

Gets me out in open air, by the creek, and enjoying the outdoors

And there it is. Oh how I yearn for that. 

goldhammer88

Any one gets in my area and want a go at it, happy to get you out and do some looking.

If I could ever take some extended time off from work, Id take you up on that.

20 some years ago I took a road trip with my brother to Montana. There was a sapphire mine there that for a fee, you can dig.  I kind of think they held the better areas off from the public. We were high up on a hill while their mining operation was below closer to the river. We had no luck but it was a beautiful day.

Thanks for sharing, GH.

Bakster

What's the deal with the open differential? I am glad it's hollow because I will be routing wiring through it but why they slotted both the pumpkin and axles, I do not know.

Give you even odds it made it easier to mould, and it saved 1¢ per casting, which can add up over a run of 100,000 castings.  (Esoecially back in those days when a brand new Mustang automobile was $2600.)

Now, I have a memory of such parts from kits of the era, and being vexed they did not designe them to be flipped over, so that the open bit would be away from view.  Sigh.

Just one more thing the aftermarket ought 3dprint

CapnMac82

 

 

Bakster

What's the deal with the open differential? I am glad it's hollow because I will be routing wiring through it but why they slotted both the pumpkin and axles, I do not know.

 

 

 

Give you even odds it made it easier to mould, and it saved 1¢ per casting, which can add up over a run of 100,000 castings.  (Esoecially back in those days when a brand new Mustang automobile was $2600.)

Now, I have a memory of such parts from kits of the era, and being vexed they did not designe them to be flipped over, so that the open bit would be away from view.  Sigh.

Just one more thing the aftermarket ought 3dprint

 

Thst sounds right, Capn. And bingo about the aftermarket. 

Ah well. It is what it is. I knew going into this it was gonna be full of surprises. It's part of its charm.  Lol

I guess that I am committed to making a rock auger that will exit the front of the carriage. I constructed this sort of bulkhead/support piece. The idea is to drill a hole through it and use it as a support for the shaft. I will follow Capns idea to use a sort of threaded shaft. I will see what I can find at a hardware store. Maybe they will have a nylon bolt or screw I can repurpose. 

Oh, one other thing. I found some plastic gears that I might use for the wheels. I think that it was Goldhammers idea to use spoked gears. I like that idea. It would add to the steampunk feel.

Timmy-- if you are following. I probably won't use the rims you sent. The pairs are different in size. The rears are much larger and that would give my project a ratrod look again by raising the tail end. I do think there is some stuff in your parts package that I will use. One of them are some cone shaped pieces. I might be able to fashion drill heads out of them.

I guess that concludes my build cycle for the weekend.

Looks good Bakster! And filling in the differenial (sp!?!?) shouldn't be too hard.

Interesting, all I know about gold mining is what I saw on the Discovery Channel's 'Gold Rush'- aka every episode the MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT will break down and someone will get into a fist fight with someone else in every episode.

Sigh- TV 'reality'.

I figured from that it should be easy to get rich off gold mining in Alaska. Just don't ever mine gold- just open an equipment store selling the MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT to everyone to keep the mines open.

Gam, right you are, we call it-mining the miners.  I just bought a new highbanker for $700, and that's using an existing pump and engine.  Most recreational, or as we prefer, small scale miners, have more $$$ in gear than we'll ever recover.  Call it the thrill of the chase.

goldhammer88

Gam, right you are, we call it-mining the miners.  I just bought a new highbanker for $700, and that's using an existing pump and engine.  Most recreational, or as we prefer, small scale miners, have more $$$ in gear than we'll ever recover.  Call it the thrill of the chase.

 

Try owning a wooden boat GH88. Talk about swallowing money........

Dodgy

Try owning a wooden boat GH88

wning a wooden boat is cheap (building a wooden boat to keep is not )

Now, to be fair, oakum, caulk, spar varnish, teak oil, fg resin, cordage, inspections for the pony engine--those are not cheap [sigh]. 

Fresh water, now that is spendy (marine fuel is cheaper).

Good thing I only spend money on gold hauling war wagons with electromagnetic rail guns. 

Here is how the gears look. Their diameter is almost exact as the kit wheels, which was amazing to find. I like the width too. I must say though, I have to stretch my imagination to see the potential. The whole thing looks so toyish in it's native plastic. Kind of discourages me. Where is my faith? I must be in a valley with the build.

What I am thinking is to make wheel inserts that will cover the holes and their knockout dents. I would add some rivet detail, a hub, and some decorative pieces. I would hope that pulls it together.

Oh, and as you see, the model still has a downward slope. Apparently, I didn't figure things well enough. I do have a slop factor with the rear assembly that should get me closer, but I will have to manipulate things some.

Another positive is that I won't have to shorten the rear axle as I thought I would. I can get the alignment I want by how I'd mount the wheels. Lots of slop to play with.

What do you guys think of this? 
 

Those wheels look like they could do some damage to a paved surface! 

I cant say I like them. Something about the solid center's just does'nt look right.

It's ok if you dont use all the stuff in the "timmy car package", you can always use it later in some other "Fantastical never existed" build.

I like the way your woodgrain came out.... you've been hanging out with model railroaders again, haven't you ?

And, as far as owning "expensive to maintain stuff" , try owning an old Hearse. Each Hearse built is basically a "one-off. There are no standard parts, other than the drivetrain. The backdoor from one, will NOT fit another one.  ( even if they came off the assembly line 5 minutes apart!!!) You have to build it yourself !!!

( ask me how I know.... and, dont get me started on "special order" glass!!! )

littletimmy

I cant say I like them. Something about the solid center's just does'nt look right

I don't mind the solid centers, what bugs me most about these are the large teeth. They seem too large, I think. This is a sci-fi model, so it can't be ruled out I guess. Would like to hear more opinions from people.

And so if this ends in a no joy, not sure what I will use. I can't seem to find just the right rims as aftermarket. I have some wheels that have spoked wood rims and traditional rubber tires, like model T.  I could pull the tires off and try to fabricate toothed clad, I suppose, but that could be a lot of work and I am not sure in the end how it will look.

Btw Tim--thanks for your opinion. I can always count on you for unbiased input. I appreciate that! You are always there for me. Thank you.

Still not sure what I will do with this. Sometimes I look at it and I see potential, dim potential, but potential. I must stretch my imagination though. LOL. Other times I think, um... no. 

Nemo overbuilds, so these might not be out of the realm of his mindset. The large tooth treads could be fitting for a desert terrain vehical too. 

Before ordering these, I had also ordered some steampunk styled gears that I think would look good. They are thin, and I'd have to sandwich three of them together to get the width I'd want. My nagging concern is that they are made from metal, so they will have weight to them. This model is rickety, and I can almost be assured that somewhere along the line of assembly, something will break. It would be precarious. Not to mention the work of grinding material for mods, and, somehow, securing dissimilar material of metal wheels to shoddy plastic. Probably use epoxy and or CA. It screams problems and I see the whole undercarriage falling apart. I am tossing it around in my head that maybe I could make a mold of one and then cast them in resin. That would cut the weight.

It's vexing. 

Now! Thats Punky!

And here are the options I mentioned.

Top left is one layer, next is two layers, next is three.

Bottom row are all three layers but configured different.

Mate, for my two bobs worth I would continue to work with the green beasties. Earlier you mentioned hubs and bolts, I liked the sound of that. If you are worried about the teeth, maybee you can file them down a bit. Also I think it may be the colour that's putting you off.

Ok, ... a few things to go over...

The spoked gears look better. Im inclined to tell you to go with the one on the bottom row far left. However, Nemo would have designed something with "style / functionality" ,  so he would go with the third gear top row.

Now, as far as the teeth go, unless you are driving in really soft dirt, it's going to be a rough ride. You know how gravel roads get that washboard surface to them... driving on them will make your teeth chatter! Dont get me wrong, I kinda like the toothy look to them. But let's face it, their not very practical in real life.

Have you thought about a half-track configuration ? 

Also, if you want I have "MULTIPLE" Mack truck kits. If the smaller front wheels are better suited. I could send you a few more of them. ( I dont care if their "collectable kits" I'm going to destroy their value when I kitbash them into other stuff.)

Nope- smoothish outer road tire.

Baldwin Loco wheel.

Bill

GMorrison

Nope- smoothish outer road tire.

Baldwin Loco wheel.

Bill

 

Hey Bill -- that is an interesting idea. I guess I'd have to build some track into the dio too because no way those wheels would traverse a sandy/rocky desert. I envision the carriage to be free roaming, so a track changes the equation. Cool idea. You always think outside of the box, and I like that. 

littletimmy

The spoked gears look better.

I tend to agree if in keeping with a steampunk theme. I still think the greenies might work to that end though.

littletimmy

Nemo would have designed something with "style / functionality",  so he would go with the third gear top row.

That would be my pick as well. 

I thought about this a lot, and I have decided against using them in their metal state. I am near 100% certain it will end in disaster if I do. Maybe, just maybe, I could pull it off without my fist come down on it, but I have too much invested in this now to take that chance. If I use them, they will need to be casted into a lighter weight material.

littletimmy

Now, as far as the teeth go, unless you are driving in really soft dirt, it's going to be a rough ride. You know how gravel roads get that washboard surface to them... driving on them will make your teeth chatter! Dont get me wrong, I kinda like the toothy look to them. But let's face it, their not very practical in real life

All true but I don't think Nemo cares if his subordinates have a nice ride. All he cares about is getting gold, and lots of it. He wants this carriage tearing around the desert mostly unencombered. :)

littletimmy

Have you thought about a half-track configuration ? 

No, I have not. Another cool idea indeed. You too, Timmy, think outside of the box. I like it. I think I will pass on this though. Sourcing and changing things now does not interest me. Too far along and enough money already spent.

littletimmy

Also, if you want I have "MULTIPLE" Mack truck kits. If the smaller front wheels are better suited. I could send you a few more of them. ( I dont care if their "collectable kits" I'm going to destroy their value when I kitbash them into other stuff.)

Thanks for this too but no way I would have you mess up your collectables. And really, I prefer to not go that way anyway. Thanks a ton though. 

You rock sir.

Dodgy

Mate, for my two bobs worth I would continue to work with the green beasties. Earlier you mentioned hubs and bolts, I liked the sound of that.

Mate--I appreciate your clarity of thought! I think that you see what I see, but what I am struggling to see that you see better. Lol. I think that if the beasties are dressed up, and once when all the other rivet detail is added, adding the rock auger, the guns, the stack-- it will all pull together into one beastie looking gold smelting war machine. 

Dodgy

If you are worried about the teeth, maybee you can file them down a bit.

I had purchased an extra set for this sort of experimenting. I will probably try that just to see how it looks. I have my doubts only in I can never seem to file a straight line. It always ends up crooked, then multiply this task by dozens of teeth-- holy cats. LOL

Dodgy

Also I think it may be the colour that's putting you off.

You are probably right! The color is horrid! The green along with the awful orange makes me want to run to the hills... 

The beastie wheel offers the simpler solution. They are light weight, the width of them provides a stable stance, and they are plastic. I am not sure if model glues will work on this plastic, but I will test it. 

Thanks for stepping up, Mate. I appreciate you, Timmy, and Bill doing so. I am submitting your names to Nemo for the highly coveted Captain Nemo Engineering Recognition Award. He does not care about creature comforts on his war waggon, but he appreciates high level engineering on his projects.

Hmm, have a picture in my head for the wheels.

Bicycle-style rim in some exotic metal finish--like titanium, and wooden spokes that connect to the hub with a crank-arm sort of attachment.  Not because that would be practical, but because a crank-arm would be steampunk.

The tire on the wheel would be a rectangular solid rubber, but with flat wooden "shoes" (with hobnails, naturally) around the rim of the tyre.

Now a gear-toothed example might work, but to be steampunk, it would really want skinny, spindly, spokes to my imagining.  Now, around the sear, a chain like a chainsaw but with shoes instead of cuting teeth.

Like the shoes on Big Bertha:

Although, in looking at it, the spokes on Bertha might suffice, too.  Would be better for the steampunk image if they were a different material or metal.

The loose shoes would certainly reinforce the "Nemo don't care about the ride" aspect, too.

Hmm, hubes & rims color matched to the carriage; then dissimilar spokes and shoes, and a nice oily chain.

2¢--spend it well.

I lean toward either the middle bottom or third from left on top.  More "Nemo-esque" in my weak brain.

Maybe three rows of chain around the greenies, outside, middle, and inside if wide enough

I like the second and third on the top or the middle one in the bottom for a streamlined look. Or something like the Captain suggested for a rugged look. 

Still it's hard to tell how it will look until you paint it and put the rivets and all the other detail in there. 

Wow the project is coming along VERY nicely!

I always thought that the old steam tractors had some really cool wheels and also neat exposed gears and control systems. A little poking around on the web and this site popped up...

https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/steam-tractor.html

Maybe a little fuel for thought with the very industrial appearance and finish on these old machines. Sorry for the spam if this is not of interest.

Looking forward to seeing how this project morphs along the way

Holy steampunk Batman. The question of wheels has taken on a life it's own. When I first posed this question it was looking like it would deadpan. It has instead built momentum like a steam engine.

It is amazing the diversity of opinions and ideas. That is the beauty of this forum. It brings creative minds to the forefront. Nemo is impressed. 

Good stuff guys. Thanks to all that are participating. I just wish I could achieve a result half as good as some of the concepts presented.

Back to the bench

Wow the project is coming along VERY nicely!

I always thought that the old steam tractors had some really cool wheels and also neat exposed gears and control systems. A little poking around on the web and this site popped up...

https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/steam-tractor.html

Maybe a little fuel for thought with the very industrial appearance and finish on these old machines. Sorry for the spam if this is not of interest.

Looking forward to seeing how this project morphs along the way

 

 

 

Hey Gil, I love the link and the images. Those are awesome looking. Reviewing...

Well, if it's one thing we are it is a bunch of opinioned SOBs...

Whatever you go with Bakster it's gonna look cool!!!

Hey!!

 Put some hard rubber tyres on the Greenies!