Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

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nmanica
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Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

First sorry about the new thread I could not change the name so let's start here. The Mi-Jack was released by GHQ in 1995 I think and at the time it was the largest N scale kit around. I picked my kit up about 15 years ago at a swap meet and have been sitting on it since, But the time as come to build this kit !
First I won't be building step by step because I like to detail so good example is the cab, It needs windows so as I type this the primer is drying more. As I build I'll then list the products I'm using. This is going to be a long build, I'm already into it for 3 hours and didn't get much done and this will be a battle of wills, Trust me on this. So lets get rolling.

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To save time all the parts have been cleaned as needed and there very little cleaning at all

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Last edited by nmanica on Sat Nov 06, 2021 6:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

nmanica
E5
Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

OK, First thing I need to do is set up a "A" &"B" side so I know which why I'll be going

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Hobby table didn't stay clean for long !

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Adding the safety cage was hard to fit into the ladder. I used a old dental pick to widen the holes in the ladder but I got it done

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Here is the ladder with the cage it is not glued in as of yet
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That's it for now I need to prime a few things, So thanks for dropping in and see you again !
"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

StarCruiser
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Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by StarCruiser »

Excellent start!

Luckily, the MiJack doesn't have a lot of different colors needed so, painting shouldn't be too much trouble.
"It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of java that the thoughts acquire speed. The hands acquire the shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion." - Programmer's Mantra

nmanica
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Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

Morning Star ! Thank you very much. Was hoping to make this thread a bit more inter active. Like what color should I paint the mi-Jack ? Should I build it in the up or down position ? Later today I'll be working on the cab, wheels and the third roll cage. I'm using Tamiya light gray primer. it dries a lot faster and is much smoother.

So do i paint the Mi-Jack white or yellow ?

nmanica 8)
"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

nmanica
E5
Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

Got over to the hobby shop today and knocked out a little bit more, Finished the roll cages for the ladders and primed a few parts and made two " Bars " to protect the motors up on the rails.

I'm using Tamiya paint today, Been using there paint for awhile now and I find it better then most " Railroad " paints in fact I only use railroad colors or the bodies now. Today I used XF-1 Black, XF - ? Cockpit green and XF-64 Red Brown. let me say sorry for the poor pictures I replaced the lighting in the shop and need to set up a small photo area, As for the air brush I'll be using my Paasche Raptor gravity fed internal mix double action. when I use it I",m shooting paint at around 19-20 PSI so I can now paint say the tires without masking off.

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Here is the inside of the cab in cockpit green.

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Next are the roll cages. I must say it was not as bad as I was thinking. I used wooden dowels to get the shape and then test fitted till the part fit into the groove and tight as I could make it




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I must say the photo etched parts are the best I have seen or worked with in a very long time had no problem at all cutting them, Once cut from the fret the bits that was lift popped right off with no problem. I use a 9mm blade to cut P.E.parts

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Tires are primed but until I know what color the main body will will be I'm holding off painting them.

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This morning while I was looking at pictures of the real thing I saw that on a few Mi-Jack's the cradle and lift arms are painted black

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In the instructions GHQ said something about building a bumper for the two motors so I did, yes the holes are to big even maybe the wire is but I'm invoking the two foot rule
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So if it rains again I'll be indoors, The only thing to do outside is get started on next years fire wood. See you soon.

N 8)
"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

StarCruiser
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Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Houston, we have a problem...

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by StarCruiser »

What few actual Mi-Jacks I've seen were painted yellow but, it's your baby so..?

As to up or down - you have to ask, action shot with a container or inaction shot sitting around?
"It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of java that the thoughts acquire speed. The hands acquire the shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion." - Programmer's Mantra

nmanica
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Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

Good Morning Star, Well I was messing with color's yesterday and it going to be hard to pick one, Plus you know me I march to the beat of my own drum. So with that said I guess I'm going to wait till Saturday. It's been a long, hard week, Not looking forward to Thursday or Friday ! They say time heals all wounds but there are some wounds that will never heal.
N :cry:
"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

nmanica
E5
Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

Morning to all that are up at this hour. Yesterday I got a little bit more done. I installed the chain cover on the to upper beams, Only one hole needed to be drilled out a wee bit deeper.

Said hole that I drilled out, This was the only one that needed to be deeper

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Shot of the chain covers with one installed.


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Was easy enough to get them lined up. I just picked up the beam and worked fast, Believe it or not I'm using Dollar Store super glue ! It cost only a dollar and it seems to be working great. Only issue it is really fast setting.

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started to install the pistons on the cradle and found I lost one of the short pistons !!! the one from the kit is on top.

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I've said it a zillon times before " Never Throw any Parts Away " I went to the parts box and found a pretty close match

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After a little cutting and sanding I have my stand in piston.


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Also finished the trailer I made for the Mi-Jack
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I have some more pre-building to do but at at that point in time to start with installing and painting. So be safe out there and have a great week-end.

N 8)
"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

nmanica
E5
Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

Banged out a little more of the Mi-Jack today, Worked on the upper walkways today and it was no walk in the park.

Here the upper beam before installing the uprights.

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The other beam
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Both beams are done, I let them dry and went back at it after lunch.

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Here are both B and A side
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Not glued in yet but it gave a me a good feeling where I was going.

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Now the fun starts, Photo Etch !

The first walkway and the last for the day

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stand alone before test fitting.

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Test fit and wondering if I messed up big time ???

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Parts that needed to be stripped again due to me messing up. Not the first time and won't be the last.

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"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

nmanica
E5
Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

Still wondering about the color ? Leaning to white because 1. it will show off the detail GHQ put into making the kit and 2. White will hi-light all the mistakes I made :P Anyone have any input ?
N 8)
"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

nmanica
E5
Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

Well, if not one thing it's something else Just got back from a visit with my surgeon and I'll be down for about 2-5 days. She gave me a Depo-Medrol shot and was told to do " Nothing " for a few days, When I asked her if I could build or paint, she looked at me and said " No" So in the mean time I'd like to wish one and all a happy, safe quite Thanksgiving. let's just pray we make it to 11/22. 8)
N 8)
"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

StarCruiser
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Posts: 394
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Houston, we have a problem...

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by StarCruiser »

Got my fingers (and toes) crossed for you!
"It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of java that the thoughts acquire speed. The hands acquire the shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion." - Programmer's Mantra

nmanica
E5
Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

StarCruiser wrote:
Wed Nov 24, 2021 7:46 am
Got my fingers (and toes) crossed for you!
Good morning Star, First I'd like to wish you and yours a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. As for me I was doing too much shooting with my new toy I guess I'll need a wee bit more padding next time out. Should be starting up again next week.

N 8)
"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

nmanica
E5
Posts: 277
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by nmanica »

So I went to the shop today and got a bit more done on the Mi-jack. Here are both upper beams with the walkways glued in place.

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I'm using Mirco Kristal Klear to glue all the photo Etch in place, Besides using it for window glass it is also glue. What I like best when used on P.E. it has some give to it it, So if a P.E. happens to " Fall Off " it will not break off and take the paint with it like super glue will.

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Here I already bent the work way and I'm just making sure it's square.

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So I have the walkway sitting in place and it looks like to me the photo of the Mi-Jack as a small section of platform going to the left. I double checks and yeah something is there. I picked this first choice.

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Then I found something better, cut it down to size and then made three supports for the bottom.


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Now that I made a safety issue, I'm sure that exhaust pipe gets really hot so that is a GHQ step for the dump truck I think ?

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I also put the exhaust grills in place, That took some doing as I wanted them to fix as flush as I could. Took some filing and a lot of test fitting but I like the way they came out I should have taken a picture of them alone.
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"Anyone can model prototypically,it takes a genius to model What If".

StarCruiser
E5
Posts: 394
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Houston, we have a problem...

Re: Building the GHQ MI-Jack Trans Lift Straddle Crane

Post by StarCruiser »

Serious progress there - especially considering you're supposed to be 'taking it easy'...HA!
"It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of java that the thoughts acquire speed. The hands acquire the shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion." - Programmer's Mantra

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