Clamshell Fun

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have had an itch about clamshells for a very long time.

Walthers show clamshell kits, metal kits more different kinds of clamshells at a variety of prices.

Last year at the trainshow I saw some toys priced at 15 dollars each that had “Ok” clamshells. But 15 dollars times TWO? UGh.

That was to be a seed that will grow.

Today in Walmart I found a Tonka Toy “Mini Mighty” Crane with the clamshell in the blister for about 4.50 each.

Took two of them home, ripped the clams off the trucks and blasted them with oxide red spray paint.

Now to wait for them to dry. I may have to fool with some chain from cambells and add some doodads to it for decoration but we will see.

Pics later!

2

3

Here the completed cranes.

They are the IHC cranes that sat in the box on shelf for several years and finally got built.

4

Nice job!! I never thought of looking for “just parts”, although I check out the toy car/truck sect at K & Wmarts whenever there. Now if I can just find my IHC(AHM) cranes . . . [:P]

5

Does the bucket actuate and is it heavy enough to dig? What medium? I fabricated a brass HO scale clamshell bucket that will dig moderately well in aquarium sand if dropped from a couple of inches above the sand surface. Trouble is my aim isn’t all that great.

George

6

I left the buckets alone. There are two tabs where you take your fingers and squeeze to open the jaws. I wasnt sure how I was going to feel about that when they got hung onto the boom but Im thinking “Good enough” and leave it be.

The rail and concrete blocks are going to need painting anyhow the covered hopper is one of my clearance test cars. Im thinking of passing coal with these things from hoppers to barges or to something else. Dont know exactly yet.

There is no real plans to install a cable reel inside the cab, it can easily be done. I simply secured the crane rope to the hole in roof with a dallop of window cement from Model Master which dries clear without glue blobs.