The Story of Seven Cranes and their Transformation - Part III

As we last left it, the seven happy cranes of the wood were lost and looking for an identity, which forum friend and wise mage bluebarn requested the humble painter bobm2004 to perform. In our last chapter of this magical tale, all the seven cranes have been taken apart and fully painted in their new coat of arms colors, the red and black of the mighty clan of Mammoet!

In this installment of the tale of the seven, we will see how they go from a pile of parts and pieces to, utilizing magic and wizard tools to a working model! So off to bobm2004’s workshop:

The first thing to do is reinstall the out riggers. Placing the truck body on its back install the outriggers and reinstall the outrigger covers.

Now we turn the truck body over and prepare to install the cab. The first thing to remember is that during the painting process, we have painted over mounting pins and inside mating holes. So it’s a good idea to remove the paint from the pins and mating holes, otherwise it is almost impossible to get them back together without the use of brut force. I use a small file on the pins and an appropriate size drill to achieve this.

Wizard Tip: when gluing up parts I generally use a two part epoxy-strong stuff!!! Additional Wizard Tip: always get the two tube kind, not those new trendy twin syringe types-they are wasteful and a pain to store.

Using a very special wizard tool that I make on my lathe (yes I know it looks like a tooth pick, but its not) apply the epoxy

I find these to be invaluable for organization, the disposable Tupperware

I organize my parts on a special wizard cloth called a terry towel

I assemble the crane by starting with the cylinder to the crane frame body

I then install the ram to the underside of the main boom

Then push the two parts together

Then pin the main boom in place

Now it is time to install the crane body to the crane frame.

Line it up and slide it forward

Secure with magic wizard potion epoxy and magic applicator stick (yes I know it looks like a tooth pick, but again its not)

Mount the tires to their rims

Now time to assemble the crane winch, being careful not to let that spring shoot off into the space and disappear forever into the void of the shop floor. Install the spring in the whole of the drum and pinch it with your finger flush with the edge of the drum and slide it into the crane frame, then slide in the winding arm

Now using another secret wizard tool, the screw, attach the crane to the truck body.

Install the wheels and axles to the truck

And now we are ready to install the boom

And ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, here is the assembled crane

Repeat seven times and we are finished for today!

In our next installment, we will finish the transformation of the seven by adding the coat of arms to the units themselves! Till next time……

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