Bethlehem Steel

Bill Newcomer
Did you just start this?

Bozzer
I did mate. It's a WIP. Time permitting, but more pictures this weekend, for sure.

Kyle DeHart
Ooh. New semi incoming. Sign me up

Bozzer
Welcome aboard Kyle. This is a quickie that I've wanted to do. The longest part will be getting the decals from the states.

Bradley Sadler
I've always wanted to do a semi but if I was id have to try find one i could do as Optimus Prime. Looks good mate

Kyle DeHart
Well that's a cool looking Mack so I'm looking forward to seeing it come together. I like the Bethlehem steel idea too. Seems like a good truck for that

Bradley, Optimus prime as a semi would be a fun build. You'd need a Pete 379 for the film or a Freightliner cabover for the original version. Would be cool to have both really. Of course the film peterbilt is highly customized. Gen 1 prime would be the one I'd build.

Bozzer
Lol, you guys definitely know your trucks! If you look at the Mack Museum pictures, on their site, you'll see Megatron. I've stood next to that vehicle and believe me, it's very impressive! Certainly not road legal, but it would cause a stir, parked on the driveway 🙂

Bozzer
I'm gonna have to create a WIP album, for you truck guys to look at? You can see a few of them in the pictures above? I like to keep things moving, when I'm in the cave. Time through the week can be hard, especially if I've been driving long distances, so I average 14hrs cave time, in a session. Nobody can get hold of me in there, so I solely concentrate on my rigs.

Kyle DeHart
You're the one that knows the trucks, my friend. I've just had many a Peterbilt chrome bumper, stack, or drop visor under my hand polishing it. My very first job. It was awful. I've enjoyed semis ever since. 😂😂

Bozzer
Jarrett, there's some amazing stuff on that link!

Jarrett
I'll buy you the mud flaps and/or the accessories, if you want them... ?

Bozzer
Thank you mate, I appreciate your offer.
However, I'm kinda stuck in the builds that I've promised myself, for this year, and I also have to get my other stuff finished? But, that doesn't mean that I'm not still looking at the cool stuff??! Lol, even I'm allowed to treat myself, once in a while 😉

Bozzer
Got a bit done on this today. After several attempts at bending the checker plate, I finally had a lightbulb moment. Humming away in the background, was my 3D printer. So, I attached the roughly cut parts to the heated bed, and let nature do it's course. Hey presto, it worked! Granted, they have started to return to their original shape, but they'll work.
Glass was a poor fit at the very front, but it's clamped and drying, ready for the interior to go in. Then, I can really move this build along.

Bozzer
Just threw it together, for a mock up. Not long now, for this baby.

Kyle DeHart
Looking really good now Bozzer

Bozzer
Thanks mate. I lost count of how many coats of orange, but I think it was 7? However, I managed what I was trying to achieve, so I'm happy. 🙂

Bozzer
Just giving the eyes a rest, so I've added a few more pictures.

Bozzer
A bit more progress today.

Bill Newcomer
I am surprised you have not scuffed the tire treads. The mold seams are showing.

Bozzer
Lol, there's time yet mate. I had to put them on so I could get ground clearance? I might swap them out for some Moebius though. Amt tyres (tires) aren't really convincing, are they?

Bill Newcomer
AMT tires are a bit narrow for my taste. However, when your stash is limited. Do the best with what you have, That is why I like the filler rod to "fill 'em up"

Bozzer
Nearing the end of this one now 🙂

Kyle DeHart
Very odd but a very cool project