504 Custom Excavators

The Working Car Museum Nagano はらたくじどうしゃ博物館

2010-03-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank Mr. Tsuchida from The Working Car Museum for his kindness and hospitality today. I had an amazing time at his museum looking at his thousands of models, including some of the rarest items I have ever seen. I am proud that Mr. Tsuchida accepted one of my custom PC1250LC Komatsus for his collection. It was really an honor to visit his museum, and the highlight of my stay in Japan. I also thank him for the wonderful gifts...it really was an amazing time. A special mention also goes to my girlfriend who organized the trip. Without her efforts I would not have been able to find the museum and also have such an in-depth conversation with Mr. Tsuchida. Photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/craigmwatts

はらたくじどうしゃ博物館の土田さんの心温かさに非常に感謝し、感動しました。彼の素晴らしいコレクションには今まで見たことも無いようなレアー物があり、目移りするほど多いモデルがありました。私が作ったカスタムのPC1250LC　KOMATSU　を受けっていただき、非常に嬉しいです。日本に居た今までの５年間、色んな経験をしてますが、この日は私の中では一生忘れない、思い出に残る一日でしょう。博物館を見させていただいただけでも本当に光栄でしたのに、素敵なプレゼントまでいただいて本当に申し訳ありません。心から感謝しております。http://picasaweb.google.com/craigmwatts

KATO Models

2010-03-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of KATOs I made from 1/43 models with Case and scratch-built cabins. I hope you like them.

Cheers,

Craig

住友 Sumitomo SH400LH-3 Excavator パワーショベル

2009-08-16T06:11:00.000-07:00

Been a long time between updates...sorry about that!! Here's some of what I have been working on. Hope you like it!

Cheers

Happy New Year!!!

2008-12-31T07:20:00.000-08:00

Now here's one for you. Happy New Year to you and your own. I hope 2009 brings you all the best in happiness!!!

Cheers,

Craig

Here Come The CATs!

2008-12-30T07:18:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would post another few pics of the CATs. I've taken a bit of a break for Christmas and the New Year....will be back at the workbench soon though.

My Fleet

2008-12-21T10:37:00.000-08:00

Here are a few custom excavators I have at the moment. There is a CAT 345CL, CAT 345CLME, a Komatsu PC750LC-7, a Komatsu PC750LC-8, a Hitachi Zaxis 450LC-2 and a Hitachi EX450-3. They look good on the shelf...they make for a very enjoyable Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you all!

CAT 345s Finally Completed!

2008-12-20T01:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I have finally completed the CAT 345CL and CAT 345CLME. I just have to get all the camera kit together and take some snaps. I am stoked with them! I have been wanting to make a 345 for a long time, and now I have two on my shelves! Here are a couple of pics I took with the phone.

Today's Events

2008-12-12T18:34:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to have a few tequilas while working. Leaning over the work bench is a bit hard on my back and is usually pretty painful. A slow steady stream of alcohol should do the trick.

On the list of things to do today is a CAT345CL, a CAT 345CLME, a Komatsu PC750LC-8, a Komatsu PC750LC-7, an Hitachi EX450-5, an Hitachi Zaxis 450LCH-2, a Komatsu PC1250LC-8, and a Sumitomo SH700LH-5. The Sumitomo will have the new style cabin which I took from a latest model Case CX210. It will have the new yellow and black paint scheme and should look pretty good. I should get both the CATs and the Komatsu 750s finished today.

I'll also be starting work on a Sumitomo SH400LH-2, a Sumitomo SH400LH-3, a Sumitomo SH400LH-5, a Komatsu PC450LC-8 with LA Bounty shear, and hopefully an Hitachi Zaxis 1000K-5. Looks like a busy weekend ahead.

Komatsu PC450LC-7 & Hitachi EX450-5

2008-12-12T18:28:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple I built and finished the other day. Just a couple of quick pics, I will post the nicer shots when I have them.

Work!

2008-12-08T20:48:00.000-08:00

I wish I could get more out of work. It bores me to tears! Teaching English pays well, but as far as job satisfaction goes, I feel like this cat!

What a Day!

2008-12-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

Just spent a couple of days working on about twelve models. I am working on a lot at the same time as I figured I was wasting my time waiting for things to dry, when I could have been starting and working on others. On the bench at the moment, I have a CAT 345CL, a CAT 345CLME, two Hitachi EX450s, a Komatsu PC750LC-7, a Komatsu PC750LC-8, a Komatsu PC450LC-7, a Komatsu PC1250LC-8, a Sumitomo SH400LH-2, a Sumitomo SH400LH-3, a Sumitomo SH400LH-5 and a Sumitomo SH700LH-5.

After these are finished I will be working on two Hitachi Zaxis 1000Ks, a CAT 345BL, a Komatsu PC450LC-8, two Hitachi Zaxis 450LC demos, three Komatsu PC1250LC-8 demos, and a Komatsu PC1000LC-2 front shovel and a PC1000SE-5 front shovel. Got my work cut out for

me!

Couple More of the Brothers

2008-12-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

Komatsu Brothers

2008-12-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of Komatsus I did. One is a PC600LC-8 and the other is a PC800LC-8. I always liked the look of the 800.

Hitachi Zaxis 330LC-3

2008-12-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

Here's a Hitachi Zaxis 330LC-3 I did recently. It was a nice model based on a 1/50 Deere 200LC. Again, another one I wish I could have kept!

Komatsu PC1250LC-8 In Cantieri Moderni Colors

2008-12-06T21:32:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorites. It was a Komatsu PC1100LC-6 I converted into a PC1250LC-8 in Cantieri Moderni livery. Cantieri Moderni is an Italian demolition and construction company. Their color scheme is one of the most striking around. Will have to make another one of these for my collection.

Kobelco SK350D 3-piece Demo

2008-12-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

this was my second attempt at a custom, and I think this one came off better. It was a Kobelco SK350D in 1/43 scale with a three-piece demolition boom. I really liked this one and will have to make another sometime.

Kobelco SK950DLC

2008-12-06T21:09:00.000-08:00

This was one of my first attempts at a custom demolition excavator. It was a Komatsu PC1100LC-6 converted into a Kobelco SK950D. I used a MDC demolition boom made for a 1/32 sized model, and I think it fit pretty well, albeit a little large for this machine. I wasn't entirely happy with this one, but at my first attempt it wasn't too bad. I sold it, but as my first custom I would have like to have kept it.

First Post

2008-12-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

Well, this is my first post. I hope you get some info here and are able to enjoy some of the stuff I put together.

Cheers,

Craig