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Welcome to a build for a HO scale Jordan Highway Miniatures Model 238, 1925 Ford Model TT Stake Truck. There are many proper methods to assemble and paint these kits, but I've changed a few things to make a difficult project somewhat "easier". I follow the directions generally, but after building a couple dozen, I always look for sub-assemblies that I can have ready when needed . I also built a jig for one of the most difficult processes, the assembly of the wheels and axles.
Jordans come in many styles but most are pre-1930, and range from horse and buggy, to fire engines.
Built up Jordans can be seen all over the forum, IMO two of the best builders are Chester Fasmire and of course, Karl Osolinski.
Forum member Ken Marken did a 3 part thread on this same topic back in 2004, and it is very comprehensive build for a more complicated Jordan 1928 Model A sedan. I recommend his threads for beginners. You can find them here:
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/t...?TOPIC_ID=5877
http://www.railroad-line.com/discuss...?TOPIC_ID=6057
http://www.railroad-line.com/discuss...?TOPIC_ID=6182
I use three different glues, Pro Weld, CA and Testors liquid. Use depends on how quick I want to bond pieces together. Tools include a tweezers, jewelers file, emery board and a brand new, very sharp Xacto and Optivisor. (Or any magnifying device of your choice).
The Model TT stake truck is one of the easier kits, with fewer parts and less complications.
First the contents of the little white box. The detail is excellent. Minor flash was removed. Unlike Marken, I did not wash or prep the plastic in any way. I sprayed Krylon Ultra Flat primer black on all parts while on the sprue on this kit. If I don't spray, I brush with "diluted with windshield washer fluid" craft paint. I use the "Karl O" technique of brushing on several thin coats, and in only one direction, which works great.
Single page, vague directions. These kits and instructions have been made the same way for many years, so they appear to have never been updated or changed. Unfortunately, the minimal diagrams are not exact, and are artist drawings.
The styrene can be already molded in black, white, brown, or even red.
I wanted to keep the truck body black. I will use a light layer of a craft paint later. I scraped away any paint on all mating surfaces for cement to adhere to the pieces. If you brush on, you can glue up sub-assemblies, then paint those later.
Dry brushed all raised edges with a light gray.
Used the provided thin acetate for the windows, however the windshield is a thick piece of pre cut clear styrene. It barely covers the opening. Only a tiny drop of runny CA here.
Painted the wheel spokes red. Touched the hub caps with silver. Also painted the radiator frame silver, and the seat was painted brown-red.
The bed and stakes are molded in styrene, but I rebuilt it with real wood. I used the supplied styrene bed, but simply planked over it with 2x10.
Copied the "stake" sides and ends dimensions with 2x2, 2x4 and 2x8.
The cab body on Jordans is one of the most difficult to get together/mate properly. All five pieces must meet correctly. My procedure is against the order in the directions, but I prefer it. The corners of the walls are beveled, but they are not perfect. Very little glue surface here. Or anywhere else for that matter! Much sanding and dry testing is necessary. The roof on this one has indentations to accept the walls.
All joints are held in my hands till the glue sets. No clamps or rubber bands are possible, and I have to be able to feel the exact amount of pressure needed and make any alignment adjustments. Also, I don't touch the piece after each wall is done for at least 5 minutes.
First, I make sure the back wall is centered and glue it to the roof.
Then a "door wall" is glued to the back and roof. The back wall is shorter than all the others to accept the frame piece, so its "top" matches the others at the roof line. Which is not clear in the directions....
The other door wall.
Finally, the front. At this point touch ups were done with Americana "Soft Black". Actually a deep brown black.
Till next time, we'll finish it off....
Jordans come in many styles but most are pre-1930, and range from horse and buggy, to fire engines.
Built up Jordans can be seen all over the forum, IMO two of the best builders are Chester Fasmire and of course, Karl Osolinski.
Forum member Ken Marken did a 3 part thread on this same topic back in 2004, and it is very comprehensive build for a more complicated Jordan 1928 Model A sedan. I recommend his threads for beginners. You can find them here:
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/t...?TOPIC_ID=5877
http://www.railroad-line.com/discuss...?TOPIC_ID=6057
http://www.railroad-line.com/discuss...?TOPIC_ID=6182
I use three different glues, Pro Weld, CA and Testors liquid. Use depends on how quick I want to bond pieces together. Tools include a tweezers, jewelers file, emery board and a brand new, very sharp Xacto and Optivisor. (Or any magnifying device of your choice).
The Model TT stake truck is one of the easier kits, with fewer parts and less complications.
First the contents of the little white box. The detail is excellent. Minor flash was removed. Unlike Marken, I did not wash or prep the plastic in any way. I sprayed Krylon Ultra Flat primer black on all parts while on the sprue on this kit. If I don't spray, I brush with "diluted with windshield washer fluid" craft paint. I use the "Karl O" technique of brushing on several thin coats, and in only one direction, which works great.
Single page, vague directions. These kits and instructions have been made the same way for many years, so they appear to have never been updated or changed. Unfortunately, the minimal diagrams are not exact, and are artist drawings.
The styrene can be already molded in black, white, brown, or even red.
I wanted to keep the truck body black. I will use a light layer of a craft paint later. I scraped away any paint on all mating surfaces for cement to adhere to the pieces. If you brush on, you can glue up sub-assemblies, then paint those later.
Dry brushed all raised edges with a light gray.
Used the provided thin acetate for the windows, however the windshield is a thick piece of pre cut clear styrene. It barely covers the opening. Only a tiny drop of runny CA here.
Painted the wheel spokes red. Touched the hub caps with silver. Also painted the radiator frame silver, and the seat was painted brown-red.
The bed and stakes are molded in styrene, but I rebuilt it with real wood. I used the supplied styrene bed, but simply planked over it with 2x10.
Copied the "stake" sides and ends dimensions with 2x2, 2x4 and 2x8.
The cab body on Jordans is one of the most difficult to get together/mate properly. All five pieces must meet correctly. My procedure is against the order in the directions, but I prefer it. The corners of the walls are beveled, but they are not perfect. Very little glue surface here. Or anywhere else for that matter! Much sanding and dry testing is necessary. The roof on this one has indentations to accept the walls.
All joints are held in my hands till the glue sets. No clamps or rubber bands are possible, and I have to be able to feel the exact amount of pressure needed and make any alignment adjustments. Also, I don't touch the piece after each wall is done for at least 5 minutes.
First, I make sure the back wall is centered and glue it to the roof.
Then a "door wall" is glued to the back and roof. The back wall is shorter than all the others to accept the frame piece, so its "top" matches the others at the roof line. Which is not clear in the directions....
The other door wall.
Finally, the front. At this point touch ups were done with Americana "Soft Black". Actually a deep brown black.
Till next time, we'll finish it off....
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