Tamiya Komatsu G40 Bulldozer - Build Challenge 2016

[nextceo]

If you need to buy new tweezers, I would highly recommend the 90 degree ones from MicroMark. I bought 3 of them because A) - the $6.00 shipping fee was the same for 1 as it was for 3 and B) - I'm tired of always hunting for my favorite pair of tweezers so now I'm bound to stumble upon 1 of them at any given time.

Alan

[NEMMRRC]

I managed to get the first subassembly done without any major catastrophes.





The headlights are optional according to the instructions. I paid $20 for this kit and I'm getting my money's worth. I'm adding the headlights.





I've been using these cool sprue cutting tweezers to get the parts out of the sprues.




And here is what I have so far.









The kit goes together great. The little dozer is not very big even though it is twice the size of an HO dozer. So far it is a lot fun.

Later.

Jaime
Narrow Gauge Convention photos

[NEMMRRC]

If you need to buy new tweezers, I would highly recommend the 90 degree ones from MicroMark. I bought 3 of them because A) - the $6.00 shipping fee was the same for 1 as it was for 3 and B) - I'm tired of always hunting for my favorite pair of tweezers so now I'm bound to stumble upon 1 of them at any given time.

Alan

I may need to do that. Thanks for the tip.


Jaime
Narrow Gauge Convention photos - more added daily

[NEMMRRC]

By the way, I've not exceeded my "oh crap!" quota yet even though I managed to lose a part for about 2 minutes. I found it and all was well. I'm a tad rusty at this but my "oh crap!"s are rolling off the tongue no problem 


Later.


Jaime
Narrow Gauge Convention photos - nothing crappy about them

[ACL1504]

Jaime,

Looks like a fun build. I may have to try something other than a train model one day, SOON.

Great job so far.

Tom

[NEMMRRC]

Jaime,

Looks like a fun build. I may have to try something other than a train model one day, SOON.

Great job so far.

Tom

It is fun indeed. I'm hoping to learn new techniques. Plus, it's a nice change of pace to model in a different scale.


Jaime

[Twopoint2]

Jaime

Looks good, parts have nice detail.

[martin.ojaste]

Jamie, I've always wonted to try building these modern plastic kits and your thread just may be that kick in the pants to look for a good kit.

[NEMMRRC]

Next up is the driver's seat, the control levers (which I failed to photograph), the hydraulic arms and the tracks.







I've done 5 out of 7 steps in the instructions. Cool!

I debated whether to paint the parts while on the sprue. But I was too anxious to get something done so I opted to build the dozer's subassemblies, paint them, put it all together and then weather it.


Later.

Jaime
Narrow Gauge Convention photos

[NEMMRRC]

Jaime

Looks good, parts have nice detail.

The parts are molded very clean and there is no flash anywhere. Everything fits just right. It's a good kit for the money.


Jaime

[NEMMRRC]

Jamie, I've always wonted to try building these modern plastic kits and your thread just may be that kick in the pants to look for a good kit.

I saw the kit at a vendor's booth at the narrow gauge show in Augusta and I thought to myself "that is one kit you need to put together". I'm looking forward to the weathering part.


Jaime

[NEMMRRC]

The bulldozer blade goes together easy.



And I'm all ready for paint.



I've decided to primer the critter with Tamiya grey surface primer. Once that is all done I'll decide if I wan to then spray it with the IJN grey and then assemble it or assemble it and then spray the IJN grey. All that is up in the air right now.

Later.

Jaime
Narrow Gauge Convention photos

[MAP]

You're really cranking along on this Jaime.  Looking good.  I need to buy me one of those sprue cutting tweezers.

[NEMMRRC]

You're really cranking along on this Jaime.  Looking good.  I need to buy me one of those sprue cutting tweezers.

Those sprue cutters are awful handy.

Jaime

[ReadingBob]

Looking good so far Jamie.  I'll second that recommendation on the sprue cutter.  I have one that looks just like yours and find it invaluable at times.