Liebherr R-954 Excavator by nosports and Retunga

Boris

Well-Known Member
Hello everybody
A small update.
Started with scratch built parts.
First, small preamble.
I found many pictures of this and other excavators of similar size. All of them had their top and bottom plate of the boom and stick protrude beyond the sidecheeks. As far as I can understand it, this protrusion is needed to easily weld the parts together.
This model does not provide for this protrusion. So... I will make it by myself.
I printed out a sheet of paper filled with orange color. Then I glued narrow cardboard strip (actually it was a side piece of cereal box) along the long side of the sheet. After everything was dry, I sliced 2mm wide strips from this sandwich, edge painted and glued these on the side cheeks of the boom to simulate this protrusion.
Then I switched to hydraulic lines.
The lines in this model are given as flat strips of paper. Surely I could not do this
So, had to find tubes...
Small diameter tubes were exact diameter as PVC laminated medium sized paper clips. The donor for larger tubes was found in my daughter's bracelet making set. My daughter kindly donated one of the long tubes which was exact diameter of the larger hydro line and the same internal diameter of the paper clips.
So, I made the bases for these tubes as proposed by designers. Then I've cut small 1cm long wires from the wire that I pulled from the laminated paper clip. Then I glued these wires on their places on the bases. Then the bases were covered by corresponding covers.
Then I cut the tubes to length, painted black with permanent marker, simulated the press fit connectors by 4mm wide aluminum foil strips.
And then I had to devise a "collector" to which the lines will connect inside the engine bay. Found some copper wire at home that fit internal diameter of the lines, formed them to correct shape, soldered them together and colored them black with permanent marker. Looks acceptable.
Then I started to assemble the things together.
Result is seen on picture.

More hydro lines will come later
I will take about 3 weeks off on this build, going for family vacation in USA.20190921_035242-1024x576.jpg20190921_123041-1024x576.jpg20190921_123045-1024x576.jpg20190921_035235-1024x576.jpg20190914_033300-1024x576.jpg20190921_120450-1024x576.jpg20190921_120506-1024x576.jpg20190921_122642-1024x576.jpg20190914_013604-1024x576.jpg20190921_035156-1024x576.jpg20190907_005251-1024x576.jpg20190914_001219-1024x576.jpg
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
You've taken this model to another level. I'm happy your building this. On paper, the parts look simplistic, but you have shown what you can do with almost any model. You put more into it, and the rewards are obvious. :)
 

Boris

Well-Known Member
Thanks zathros
Actually I didn't want to spend too much time on this model. But then it got me charmed.
You know what I mean
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Looking at the pictures, I know exactly what you mean. No doubt you will inspire others to build this model, whether they post or even tell anyone, other people who read this thread will be inspired. ;)
 

Boris

Well-Known Member
Hello everybody
Finished with the hydro lines.
Lines were made from plastic tubes used for making bracelets and PVC covered paper clips colored with black permanent marker
Connections between tubes was made from big paper clips, cut to about 1 cm length

So, what I got left
Need to mount the arms to the body
Need to decide what to do with the operators compartment
Need to install hand rails all around the body
Some small parts like ladders and such.


20191116_035447-1024x576.jpg20191116_035909-1024x576.jpg20191116_035914-1024x576.jpg20191116_035920-1024x576.jpg20191130_040405-1024x576.jpg20191130_040514-1024x576.jpg20191130_040337-1024x576.jpg20191130_040358-1024x576.jpg20191130_040448-1024x576.jpg20191130_040342-1024x576.jpg
 

Boris

Well-Known Member
Nice use of "Found Materials" !!! Looks Great!
I never heard this expression in regards to paper models. Thanks
Actually, the PVC coated paper clips idea was suggested by a good friend here in Israel, Yoav Hozmi.
The larger tubes was quite a challenge. Tried to use wire isolation, shrinking isolation, flexible wires from DVI cable, thick thread... Lastly, my daughter gave me a soft plastic tube from her bracelet making game set and - bingo!
Of course I got to our cheapo store and bought a bunch of these tubes "for her". A small bag of 5 tubes 1 m long each should be sufficient for years to come and it cost close to nothing
 

Boris

Well-Known Member
Hello all
Another small update
Made axles and using these I mounted the digging arms onto body.
Covered the connections with covers.
Then switched to cabin.
I took from my wife two pins with round plastic tip, painted them black and made joysticks with 1cm thin tubes made from paper wrapped over the pins.
Operator cabin was mounted on its spot.
An then I glued side strips with Liebherr markings on them

A friend in our paper modeling community suggested to improve the tracks which I will do
20191213_232632-1024x576.jpg20191214_014330-1024x576.jpg20191213_234858-1024x576.jpg20191214_014303-1024x576.jpg20191213_234907-1024x576.jpg20191214_015236-1024x576.jpg20191214_013442-1024x576.jpg20191214_021747-1024x576.jpg20191213_221035-1024x576.jpg
 
Last edited:

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
This model looks great. If you went the nex step and detailed the tracks, you'd have knocked it out of the ball part. It wouldn't take much either, just some detailing on the outside by adding rectangles on the existing printed ones would make the tracks pop. The cabin looks excellent, as does the rest of it. ;)
 

Boris

Well-Known Member
Hello everybody

I decided not to install the steps on the sides because provided design doesn't seem to be correct.
Also a configuration without the ladders exists and widely seen on pictures around the world.
So I finished with the handles and rails.

This actually marks the finish of the model as it was designed

I still want to do some more things. There is a dent on left side of the body that I need to fix and I want to improve tracks by adding small card strips to make the tracks look more realistic
Some pictures below

20191221_050021-1024x576.jpg20191221_045452-1024x576.jpg20191221_044852-1024x576.jpg20191221_050011-1024x576.jpg20191221_045513-1024x576.jpg20191221_045459-1024x576.jpg20191221_045512-1024x576.jpg
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
I like seeing it banged up a bit. They're all banged up a bit! :)
 
Top