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Big Rig wooden models

Here in Minlaton, South Australia I design & build realistic Big Rig wooden models plus even draw up the woodworking plans for those who are interested in this of wood working.

Been a woodworker for as long as I can remember,- Grew up on a Southern Yorke Peninsula farm, but enjoyed wood work heaps more than farm work.

In my younger days, I worked on house projects, concreting work, and furniture restoration, plus even built a bit of timber furniture, etc., etc,- but now I am an, " oldie, " with a few, " creaking hinges, " I prefer designing & building wooden models of our Aussie Big Rigs.some of which, when completed stretch all of 2.9 metres in length !!

1:20 scale Side-tip Quad," Only, " 2.9 metres in length.Classic Superliner & tri-axle Low-LoaderPair of Kenworth T909'sOne is USA,- One is Aussie.B-double flat-top.The, " Bandit, " - in my back yard !K108 & a " load, " of West End Beer.T909 & a load of, Coca-Cola.Front-angled pic of the T909.Rear doors opened to show the " load. "K108 & a B-Double tanker.Close-up of k108 & B-double tankerAnother Load of, West-End Beer.T909 tri-drive hauling a triple tanker road-train.

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @bigrigmodels. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for sharing your projects.

Those are exceptionally detailed, and you've done some outstanding work there. I can't believe you're able to craft them from timber, and I suspect you're using a lifetime of skills. I trust our other keen woodworking aficionados will be interested to see your trucks and I'm sure you'll receive plenty of attention over them. Let me mention @kel, @Jamespeter100, @woodenwookie, @r23on and @Poppop.

How many hours would you say you put into one of these?

Many thanks for sharing, and I'm sure you have a wealth of knowledge to offer. In exchange, you'll find plenty of inspiration for your projects around the home and garden. Shout out if you ever need assistance.

Mitchell

r23on

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/17962#Comment_17962

Love the passion for details great work

bigrigmodels

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/17962#Comment_17962

Hi Mitchell,--- Average hours is about 50 for a standard 'reefer, or flat-top with cab-over at the front.

That BIG Quad in my first couple of photos took me ages, & ages to build,-- actually custom built that one for an ex-Port Hedland Road Train Driver who lives in Burnie, Tasmania. - The hardest part of building the side-tippers so they actually work is getting all the linkages to line-up correctly,-- Yes,- had a few disasters that have ended up in my winter fire wood bin !

I also draw up the full size 1:20 scale plans,- but I don't wish to, " step on anyone's toes, " by saying too much about them on here, just in case I upset the admin.

bigrigmodels

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/71629#Comment_71629

Hi r23on,

Thank you for your compliment.

Poppop

Wow. They're amazing. Being an ex driver myself a can appreciate your attention to detail. They are a credit to your patience and skill.

bigrigmodels

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/17973#Comment_17973

Hi Poppop,

Thank you for your compliment.-- About to add a separate post showing more detail of the Side-Tip Quad Road train.

bigrigmodels

This wooden model is set to 1:20 scale, ( 1/20th of the real one ).

Starting with the Truck, ( Prime-Mover ),- That is based on a late model Kenworth T909 Tri-drive,- I have all the specs here from the Kenworth website, which I used along with photos of a real tri-drive to enable me to draw up the highly detailed, realistic plans, which I then used to build the truck, plus have truckie friends who own a couple Kenworth T909's as well, which also helps. The frame is cut from good quality 9mm ply, using my scroll saw, while the bonnet is shaped from a decent block of solid timber,- The cabin & bunk sections are cut from 6mm & 9mm ply, while the seats; etc., are simply oddment pieces of timber, &/or ply.

The side-tipper bodies are a heavily modified version of the, " Side-tip iron ore road train, " which I purchased from Ashisworkshop some years ago, His plans are much smaller, @ 1:27 scale, so did a major redesign & rebuild to suit my big side-tip quad, The Tri-dollies are all my own design, along with the shorter A-Trailer.

Construction is good quality 9mm ply with nice Red Gum Trim along the upper edges of each tipper body.

The linkage is 90% my design & about 10% of Aschisworkshop as had to do major modifications there.

The tipper bodies & underside frames are relatively easy-to-construct,- but soo time-consuming,- and the most difficult part is getting the Tipping Linkage to line up so it works without sticking & jaming !

As I build these Side-Tip Quads for people to buy from me,- each one takes me weeks & weeks to build,- probably make about two a year as have a disaster or two ever so often & they end up in my winter firewood heap !

The wooden wheels, ( yes - they are real wood ), I have a retired school-teacher who makes them for me, and I simply paint each wheel.

Enjoy the pics,- and if you have any questions,- simply ask.Front view.Side view,- yes it's L-O-N-G !Rear viewleft side showing the trailers in un-loading position.Right side showing tipping .Close-up of the tipping linkage.Left side showing all the linkages.left rear view of tippng linkage.The shorter A-trailer.Standard B-trailer.Tri-axle Dolley.A real Side-Tip Quad Road train.My friend's Big, New Kenworth T909 close-up.Being able to take pics like these are handy,- very handy

KatieC

Hi @bigrigmodels

Thank you for sharing your amazing Big Rig wooden models with us!

You are very skilled in what you do and we can tell you love doing it.

Do you hand paint the artwork?

I especially like your "Bandit" one!

Katie

KatieC

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/17975#Comment_17975

Hi @bigrigmodels

This is another impressive model!

It is so cool how it does the tipping motion and everything.

Your decision to use the Red Gum as the trim really makes it a feature.

Can't wait to see your next model.

Katie

bigrigmodels

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/17980#Comment_17980

Hi KatieC,

Thank you for your compliments.

Re; Graphics on the, " Bandit, " - Nope, not that good, Get all the graphics & decals custom printed by our local commercial print shop who also specializes in doing custom-printed graphics on real trucks as well.

bigrigmodels

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/71640#Comment_71640

Hi KatieC,

Currently working on two models, both of which will be quite impressive when completed within the next few weeks.

( 1 ) Kenworth T909 hauling a " load, " of, Great Northern Beer, " - with the correct graphics & correct paint colors as well.

( 2 ) Special Model for our local Minlaton-Port Vincent RSL Sub-Branch for their annual ANZAC DAY community raffle.

KatieC

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99111#Comment_99111

That's great @bigrigmodels

What a great prize for your local RSL ANZAC DAY raffle.

Cannot wait to see them!

Katie

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116344#Comment_116344

They look fantastic! 🙂

But I wouldn't wanna meet any of those long rigs - full scale - on the road.

woodenwookie

Funnily enough this is the very reason I got into woodworking.

Once when travelling to Hawera to do a job I noticed wooden toys on the side of the road. One was a milk tanker which is oval and the chap had replicated the curves. This is my goal.

bigrigmodels

1:20 scale Wooden model I made specially for, & Donated to the, Port Vincent RSL Sub-Branch for their Annual ANZAC raffle.

Truck based on a Kenworth T909 hauling a refrigeration unit.

Dimensions;- 900mm long x 127mm wide x 220mm high.

The rear doors open, and the van roof lifts off to reveal interior storage.

Designed & built in Minaton, Southern Yorke Peninsula, South Australia by;- Roger Jenkins.

Graphics designed & printed by Bray Signs, Central Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.

Left side angled viewleft side close up.Right side.Front showing custom number plate.Top of cabin & bonnet.Rear doors closed.rear doors opened.Coat of arms behind bunk.lid off to reveal interior storage space.Signed & dated by myself.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/18373#Comment_18373

What a corker, @bigrigmodels!

Your detailed work is just phenomenal. Ever thought of integrating electronics for the lighting? Nothing overly complicated, but maybe just running lights down the side. I hear there are some tiny LED lights used as ambient lighting for miniature models. They could run off a battery pack housed in the container. Though, I am in two minds about that. There is something very nostalgic about a full timber model, and the addition of electronics not only complicates things but could ruin the appeal.

Many thanks for sharing another amazing model.

Mitchell

bigrigmodels

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/71827#Comment_71827

Hi MitchellMc,

Re; Led Lights,- yes there are 2mm. led's available,- but fitting them is another story,- been there.- tried that,- total disaster to say the least as just too fiddly for me & my old fingers, plus, one mistake & a $700 wooden model is ruined & is good only for firewood,-- which when one is on the Age Pension like I am is very, very expensive to say the least.

prettyliving

Wow these are incredible! 👏🏻👏🏻 @bigrigmodels

mich1972

OMG !!!!! These are amazing , beautiful work there @bigrigmodels Gosh, just amazing 🤩

Bobb

G'day

I am pleased to join this group. I am a 74 year old men shredder and would like to obtain plans for the big rigs, in particular my immediate interest is in the sidewinder quad and the Kenworth T909. Please advise how to obtain these.

Many thanks

Bobb

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/71630#Comment_71630

G'day, I am 74 and retired and keep myself amused by going to a men's shed. My son drives ore carrying multies for Campbell's in WA. I would love to make one of these models for him. Can I get the plans from you? If so please advise how? Many thanks Bobb

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108131#Comment_108131

Hello @Bobb

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.

Let me tag @bigrigmodels to make them aware of your request. Please make sure to start a new post when you begin your project. I'm sure our members will be keen to follow along.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

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