Author Topic: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)  (Read 10013 times)

Online Kim

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Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« on: October 22, 2018, 03:28:23 AM »
I’ve now completed the final assembly of my version of Rudy Kouhoupt’s  3/4" Steam Tractor model.  I’m quite happy with how it’s turned out.

This all started a little over 3 years ago. And for completeness, here’s a link to the build log: http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,5264.0.html

It’s been a long road and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the support from the members of this forum! Thank you!

Following are a series of shots of the completed model.

And thank you again for all the help!
Kim



































Online crueby

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2018, 03:39:21 AM »
What. A. Beauty!!!


 :NotWorthy:

Offline 10KPete

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2018, 04:28:47 AM »
Wow. This came up kinda suddenly; I guess I haven't been following as closely as I should have. Has it been three years???

That's a beautiful road loco!

Pete
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Online Kim

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2018, 05:48:42 AM »
Thanks Chris & Pete!
Yeah, I made my first post on it in August of 2015.  That's a lot like 3 years!

I'm a little disappointed with the paint job.  It looks OK, but its not very durable.  The most gentle of rubbing and the paint will come off.  You can see it in lots of places in the above pictures. I've been quite careful, but you can see a glaring spot on one of the front wheels and in the tops of several of the rivets running down the left side (just to mention a few).

Ah well.  Not sure what I did wrong on the paint.  I did follow the manufacturer's instructions. Just thought it would be a little more durable than it's turning out to be.

Kim
« Last Edit: October 22, 2018, 03:45:11 PM by Kim »

Offline Steamer5

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2018, 06:29:51 AM »
Very nice Kim!

Only seems like it was a month or two since you started!

Cheers Kerrin
Get excited and make something!

Offline Admiral_dk

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2018, 11:21:04 AM »
Hello Kim - a very attraktive tractor  :praise2:  :ThumbsUp:

As for the paint job …. I have never been any good in this respect too and we are almost always our own worst critics  :thinking:
So I do understand why you aren't completely satisfied - but with that said - I really hope that you see that you have done very well.

Best wishes

Per

Offline joe d

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2018, 11:45:05 AM »
Hi Kim

Has it really been 3 years? I've been following since the start, and have to say that came out great! :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:

Looking forward to your locomotive build...
Cheers, Joe

Offline Ye-Ole Steam Dude

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2018, 11:46:27 AM »
Hello Kim,

Outstanding, simply outstanding.

Have a great day,
Thomas
Thomas

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2018, 01:32:53 PM »
Beautiful job Kim!
I like the contrast between the different colors and the bright parts.


Dave

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2018, 01:44:16 PM »
Just beautiful Kim and a very fine addition to your collection of engines!!  AS for the paint, I think you are being overly critical. In my experience it takes paint much longer to really dry and adhere well than the manufacturers say. Go back and touch it up as needed with a small brush and if you can let it just sit for a couple of weeks for everything to really really dry well. I know you are wanting to run it under steam though too....so maybe do that and then do all the touch up work. Really a wonderful model though, Rudy would be proud!!

Bill

Offline Flyboy Jim

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2018, 02:50:03 PM »
It's a beauty! Well done Kim.  :ThumbsUp:

Jim
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Online Kim

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2018, 03:48:44 PM »
Thank you everyone!
Yes, I'm sure I'm my own worst critic and all.  But in spite of that, I'm actually quite pleased.  It does look pretty good over all.
Thank you all for your continued support!
Kim

Offline Johnmcc69

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2018, 04:12:31 PM »
 :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:
Wow Kim! That turned out beautifully! Just an absolutely fantastic job all the way through.
 I know I learned a lot just from following the build thread for the past three years, this is my favorite kind of project to watch, there are so many skills to learn, from fabrication, machining, soldering, gear cutting, & fixture design/build.

 No doubt the loco project will be just as pleasant a journey.

 John

Offline Don1966

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2018, 12:24:47 AM »
just down right gorgeous work on the paint job Kim good contrast. All photos show how much work and effort you put into this model and ever detail show it. You have achived a well made model you can be proud of, and what is great about it you learned and did things you never tried before honing your skill. A great accomplishment because you were not afraid to try. You made all the gears also something you will never forget and had a good outcome doing them. Dont stop tasking your skill my friend you have the skill to continue your journey to more complicated builds.    :praise2:


 :drinking-41:
Don

Online Kim

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2018, 12:46:22 AM »
Thank you John and Don,
Really appreciate the kind comments :)
Kim

Offline gbritnell

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2018, 12:52:54 AM »
Hi Kim,
What a great looking traction engine. The colors really set if off. I know what you said about firing it up and the yuck getting on the machine but you have to do it at least once.
gbritnell
Talent unshared is talent wasted.

Offline Robert Hornby

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #16 on: October 23, 2018, 04:52:08 AM »
Just brilliant Kim, excellent result of a stylish traction engine. (I have often thought that I would like to build one but shied away at the thought of all the work necessary). Regarding the paint it looks just great, the prototype would not have had blemish free paintwork, but I do understand you see imperfections when you have put so much into it.  :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Robert
Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill

Offline Zephyrin

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2018, 07:14:06 AM »
neat work at all steps, even for the hidden parts, as we have seen on the build log ! congratulations !

Online Kim

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2018, 02:35:38 PM »
Thank you George, Rob, and Zephyrin,
And thank you for your support through out the build!
Kim

Offline Tennessee Whiskey

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2018, 10:49:28 PM »
Kinda late, but, Kim, the little tractor is awesome. You should be totally chuffed. Can’t wait for the next build, as it’s looking awesome also.

Eric

Offline Larry

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2018, 11:36:12 PM »
Love this little steam tractor. Great job. Have enjoyed following your build log. This was first published in "Popular Mechanics" magazine - Feb. 1971. Plans (16 sheets - 12 x 18 in.) were available for $10.

Online Mike R

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #21 on: October 24, 2018, 12:43:22 AM »
Very nice job.  Without those little paint "blemishes" I would have thought the pictures were computer generated!
Congrats on finishing it.
Mike

Offline Johnmcc69

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #22 on: October 24, 2018, 01:08:54 AM »
I think this pic was part of the magazine article. Years ago I got hooked on this tractor, bought the book "Building Rudys ...tractor" & recreated it in 3D CAD (Pro-Engineer). Had every intention of recreating this exploded view & a complete detailed BOM, but other projects came up...

 I was pretty excited to see someone build this here & document it so well, I think the last time I saw it documented was on the "other" site & that was more than 5+ years ago.

 For other folks interested in Rudy's tractors, check out his Stirling tractor, a member here (I think) Frazier H built one & turned out very well.

 So, thanks again Kim, a great model.

 When you gonna steam it up?  :stickpoke:
(Can't wait to see it!!!)

 John
 

Offline Ye-Ole Steam Dude

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #23 on: October 27, 2018, 07:39:08 PM »
Hello Kim,

Like your new avatar  :ThumbsUp:

Have a great day,
Thomas
Thomas

Online Kim

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #24 on: October 27, 2018, 07:48:07 PM »
Thanks Thomas!

Seemed a fitting tribute for my last 3+ years. And it was time for a change.  My old avatar was the first engine I ever made.  Now it's the first full steam vehicle I ever made   :Lol:

Kim

Offline gary.a.ayres

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #25 on: March 06, 2019, 12:10:20 PM »
Excellent work, Kim. Very nice indeed.

 :ThumbsUp:

gary

Online Kim

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #26 on: March 07, 2019, 05:40:39 AM »
Thanks Gary! :)
Kim

Offline vcutajar

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #27 on: June 13, 2019, 01:23:01 PM »
Kim

A bit late here but just realised that you finished the steam tractor.  Congratulations on a well made and presented model.

 :AllHailTheKing:

Vince

Online Kim

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Re: Steam Tractor 3/4" (Rudy K)
« Reply #28 on: June 16, 2019, 06:41:49 PM »
Thank you Vince!  ;D
Kim

 

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