Conduit Reel Flatbed

[pcm1977]

About 5 years ago I went to work for a company that makes plastic conduits for running underground fiber optics and power lines through.  The conduit is placed on large steel reels during the manufacturing process.  I saw these trucks and figured they would make an excellent subject matter.  I picked myself up a Revell Kenworth W900 and an AMT Great Dane Flat Bed Extendable Trailer.  I made the trailer so it would not extend and painted the semi the same color blue as the company.  I used my wife's Cricut and some white decal paper for the company name on the side of the truck.  The reels of conduit are what took me the longest to make.  I tried making them from scratch out of styrene strips, but that failed as soon as I tried to wind some wire on them for the conduit.  This all changed when I got a resin 3D printer.  I designed and printed the reel flanges, reel staves, and even the conduit on the reels.  Altogether the trailer and the 10 reels weigh a whopping 2.5 pounds.  I found a file online for the load binders and with a little modification, 3D printed those as well.  It took about 4.5 years to complete, but I finally got it done a couple of weeks ago.

[Dutzie]

Nicely done. Great looking flatbed. 

[ChrisR]

Awesome!

[GLMFAA1]

neat build

greg

[Jim B]

That's really a great combination.  The load is fantastic.

[happy grumpy]

A lot of work but it was all worth it. Great idea and very well put together.

[Dragline]

That is some kinda odyssey you went through for that conduit load to become a reality. I applaud efforts like this, and although I don't build this type of model ( I do have a LaFrance pumper I may break out this winter), I can certainly take a moment to write a few words when I see all out focus. Well done Sir...

[gotnitro?]

Fantastic job, the load is exceptional 

[trick my mixer]

sharp looking set up. Nice job on it.

[bbowser]

In my job we use this exact conduit, some with cable preinstalled.  You nailed it!  Well done.

[pcm1977]

Thank you everyone.

[vincen47]

Incredibly unique build!

[MeatMan]

Awesome job!

I unloaded my fair share of those trailers many moons ago.

[pcm1977]

MeatMan, and I have put my initials on the batch tags of many reels, signifying I inspected them.

[Gary Chastain]

Outstanding work, nice detail

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Beautiful Rig! I really like the load! It looks very realistic!! Excellent Work!!