I figured I would lay a few things out, and let you pick apart what I do.
I have always been the kid who dreamed of the ERTL new releases. I have always wanted the machinery that my dad had, and Ertl didn't produce. I am now the guy who does this stuff with the knowledge and tools of a middle aged man who thinks he is still a kid. I am the guy who builds things that kids(old and young) dream of.
I'm sure lots of you still do this. I am sure that you have, at one time wished for a toy that didn't exist.
I never stopped dreaming. I still do, and every day that my skill level improves, I dream a little harder.
Anyhow!
Here's some stuff that I do... because my camera phone is so convienent, I figured I would take a few pics of what I was doing yesterday. I am doing anothe rcub right now, on the Ertl casting. I am scrubbing the underslung exhaust for a conventional hood exhaust, and I am improving the design in the cast hood. It is a shame they didn't make the exhaust out the hood on more than the limited edition. the bulkof cubs sold had a conventional exhaust. I'm sure we all can agree on that.
Also... I have isse with the scale of the tractor. some of the components are downright over-inflated. This is probably to allow for actual "kid play" that the "toys" succomb to. As a collector, I don't play with, yet, do discriminate as to the correctness.
Here's my latest, which is nothing new to me. I have done several in this style. I am working on a more correct hood, and for the earlier cubs.
Here are a few pictures of a more correct hood.
First...
A more correct (and perfectly in 1/16 scale) muffler.
Now, before I get the muffler in paint, I have to drill out the hood, and while I am at it, I cut the cast air cleaner post off, and built another one of those, but to perfect scale. (note in picture, nothing is soldered, so the air cleaner is a bit short)
Once everything is aligned, I can begin to paint the final pieces, and after the hood is painted, I can permenantly attch the painted muffler. After paint, the muffler looks like this...
That's all I have at $0.25 per picture, that is all I care to send right now. I did get the alignment finished, and the air cleaner painted. My template slid during marking, so my holes are (in scale) 1 inch off. out of scale, that is .0625", or a sneeze away from accuracy.
When the tractor is finished, I will post more pictures if anyone is interested.
I am not alone is this obsession. Anyone interested in this area should visit http://www.toytractortimes.com and check out what other scale builders are doing. I am not alone!
I just figured I would share... I Am sure someone must be amused by this hobby!
