HYPERMINIS

Ever wondered if you could find a good use for those broken antenna tubes, and scrap lexan left over from cutting out your bodies? Well I always knew some day I would come up with some kind of good use for the stuff, so I have been collecting it in a box for years.

Well today after installing my Pro-Line roof rack and slapping my gas can in it I was left with the feeling that it still needed something else to look right, and buying anything else this week was out of the question. I had already gone over my weekly RC allowance, but not being one to be held down by such trivial things as funds lol I decided to make my own hand tools to mount on the rack.

Here's the stuff needed for the job. Along with some paint of course.



I use Testors acrylics for most of my painting of this nature, and then seal it with a matte acrylic clear coat to protect the finish from wear and tear.

The process is really quite simple. First cut your antenna tube to the appropriate length for your model. Next cut the shape you want for the actual shovel head, and find any good way you can to attach one to the other. For the shovel I actually used a linkage connector, inserted the tube into the end that would normally have the tie rod threaded into it, and then glued the shovel head to the flat part of that.

Once you have it all cut out and assembled, all you have to do is paint it, and voila you have a miniature shovel for your scale or trail rig.





This same concept will also work for many other types of hand tools. I am currently in the process of making a sledge hammer using modeling clay for the hammer head. I'll post pics of it once it's finished.

So there you go guys. Why spend $15 or more on a package of hand tools when for virtually free you can make your own with scraps you most likely already have lying around.[8D]

56-jeephead

My Feedback: (11)

Great job! That makes the hobby even more enjoyable! I am thinking of building my own Hi-lift jack, now I am even more inspired to do so. Keep up the good work!
-Z

HYPERMINIS

Thanks. I'm working on a jack right now as well. I'll post pics when I get it finished. If you build one please do the same.

Zim-uh-tosa

LOL, I just started making my own scale accessories as well. My first was side mirrors with real mirrored glass inserted. I have to cut the rod to length so it does not stick out past the door mount, but looks pretty good IMO...I am thinking of lining the outside edge with more aluminum or maybe paint...Right now its simply blacked out with a sharpie.

I used Dubro metal rod holders that I used on an airplane many years ago. I drilled a small hole in the body using a picture of an FJ40 for reference and mounted the rod holder into the door with a little hot glue on the inside(keeps it from turning). Cut the rod wire, used pliers to bend the angle in the rod and insert. The shaping of the aluminum took the longest but I just used a file until I was happy enough....A pack of glass squares and glass cutter were under 10 bucks (2 years ago) and you can make literally 1000's of mirrors. The rear view is next....Hot glued the rod onto the back of the aluminum and colored it black....

Z

HYPERMINIS

That is very cool. Awesome work. I may have to give that a try myself once I finish with the stuff I'm currently working on.

Zim-uh-tosa

You opened a big ol can of worms Hyper! After I built the mirrors and saw your shovel, I can't stop thinking of new things to make. I have become obsessed. While watching basketball today I made a roof rack, shovel, pick-axe, shovel/pickaxe bracket, Ugly semi-scale front grill(Will make a CNC one when I can plus waiting on emblem) and a sad attempt at bungy cords. I am going to "axe" the bungy cords and try to make some scale ones. Those hair ties are all my woman had....LOL....Ionly attached the roof rack with hot glue for now, I might rotate it 90 degrees so the slats are running the "correct direction"? Hot gluing the top might be good for a break-away rack in case of roll-over?

What do ya think?

HYPERMINIS

Awesome stuff man. I really like how your shovel, and pick axe came out. I made some more stuff yesterday as well. I made some bungees, a tow strap, and got started on a cooler. I have also swithced all my stuff over to a different body, and will be doing some more grill and headlight work on this like I did on the stock lid. I posted a couple updated pics in my project thread, and will get some pics of the new accessories today.</p>

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Zim-uh-tosa

Thanks for the tips on the shovel, I had a bunch of those links sitting around. My camera is almost too good on the close-up shots and shows all the defects!! The inside of the grill sure did come out ugly though...I was messing around with a piece of scrap alumunum and a drill...Eeeek..I do however like how the opening came out. I dremmeled it from the Bushwhackers style to how they are supposed to be in real life. More work to be done for sure!

I think they have a tutorial for bungees on RCC so i will have to check it out. I might have to just make the scale rope though because I made my rack so fricken burely that a little bungee would never fasten to it....

Looking forward to your updates...

Z

HYPERMINIS

No problem, I'm glad somebody else got some use out of the idea. Yeah my bungees won't hook to my rack either, but I just wrap them around what I'm strapping in, and then hook them back on themselves. Works perfect, and is actually how I bungee most stuff on my 1:1 too lol.

Zim-uh-tosa

Almost finished with my bumper....I have to drill some mounting holes and counter-sink the screws and I am done. The holes you see are for more lights. I think I will try some yellows for fog lamps but who knows. I have a bulk pack of different colors. I may have to mill a little weight off as well...It's HUGE! Looks better in the correct lighting all polished up....

Anyone else making their own parts/scale accessories? I would love to see them....


Z

HYPERMINIS

That's very cool. What did you make it out of? Do you plan to mount a winch on it?

Zim-uh-tosa

It's a solid peice of aluminum stock that I milled at school. My lab partner thought Iwas nuts when I started milling the diamonds in-set in the top of the bumper. He finally caved in and gave me a compliment....I am going to make a hidden winch P.T.O. style. I have some older large servos around to build one....I am using a 6 channel radio so I have many options.

Here is the sticker sheet I have been working on with Photoshop to make them scale. These are the stickers I had on my 1:1.



Z

HYPERMINIS

Nice work for sure. The decals will really set it off. Can't wait to see more.

monsterbombs

hey guys, i have a shaft driven crawler on the way and decided to make it
a scaler. i read this thread a while back and it gave me some ideas. well
last night i made some stuff, its unpainted but here it is.
there is a couple of shovels an axe, a sleeping bag thingo and a mallet.
oh and a "hydraulic" jack. hopefully will have paint this afternoon.
{image}http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/DSC00256.jpg{/image}

HYPERMINIS

Nice work. They all turned out great. Looking forward to seeing them painted.

HYPERMINIS

Here's a shot of my rig with the home made cooler and bungees on it. The cooler is the top off of a bottle of lotion just painted red and white.

monsterbombs

yeh that esky looks sweet,nice truck too. i got the stuff painted
and got a bit carried away trying to move them for the pic when
they were still wet, i may need to repaint some bits. you get the
idea tho .im not sure of the broom i made. thanks for the ideas, you
inspired it, just trying to think of other stuff to make.... the great
part is, it all cost me nothing besides the paint.

HYPERMINIS

They look real good. Love that broom, and you gotta love the price. I sprayed my stuff with a matte clear coat after paint as well to keep the finish from chipping and flaking off from the rigors of running. 

monsterbombs

ok i had little sleep again so this morning i modified my broom
and repainted eveything. oh and i mad a hammer, wich is my personal
favourite out of all of them. i made it from some antenna tube, nitro
fuel line and some old turn buckles. i will let them dry this time.
will post pics after work.

i must say, i have never been one for building models or painting but
there is a strange satisfaction i get from making these scale tools.
thanks for the comments and help.

HYPERMINIS

Can't wait to check them out now. I know what you mean I really enjoy making some of this stuff myself. It is fun, and rewarding.

Zim-uh-tosa

Pretty cool Monster! Mad props to anyone that makes their own scale items...

The broom will have it's place once you make that scale shop Toothbrush right?...Don't know if you have seen the guy over on RCC that has a shop built so he can take pictures of dolls working on his rig in a real-style shop? It's a must see. His detail blows anything I have ever made out of the water. Heres the link to his "comic book"style thread that shows many of his homemade shop items. Best of all....He is rolling a WK!!!! Check out the vice and bench grinder...Amazing...

My rig is rocking out now finally. I made some custom servo brackets to mount the servos on the axle and installed a 55T motor with a Sidewinder. Instant forward to reverse and drag brakes for descents. All for just under $100....Could not be happier with the hour of run time I got on a 2200 Mah 3cell Lipo...Still had 3.8 volts per cell too!

I am redesigning the frame(again) and cutting a 6061 aluminum plate on a CNC machine for my own version of a scale frame. It is designed specifically to lower the CG. Moving the motor from the top of the spur to the bottom with a custom bracket. WK's are notoriously top-heavy. I will post pictures when I get the chance....

Peace

Z

monsterbombs

yeh the toothbrush broom.lol. i think i might sand/grind the
sides to make it squarish. im not interested enough to buy
figurines or anything because i would go overboard i think.
i was already thinking of a little mattress for the back of a ute,
well heres an updated pic. i think i might paint the axe and hammer
handles black but im unsure. pretty happy overall. for now.
just need the truck for them to go on. thinking of getting the body
and getting started. im thinking landcruiser or hilux. if i can find
a landrover defender troopie or a discovery i would be happy also.
hopefully next week my crawler arrives.

HYPERMINIS

Awesome work man. They look fantastic, and the broom looks much better with the bristles trimmed like that.