Eaelec TT-Scale Ford Model BB-157 Tow Truck User manual

Assembly Instructions For TT-Scale
Ford Model BB-157 Tow Truck
Page 1
This is a scale model kit of the 1934 BB
series truck. The BB series was in production
from 1932 to 1934. It was equipped with either
the standard four cylinder or the optional
“flathead” V-8 (this kit depicts the V-8). The BB-
157 indicates the longer wheelbase version
(157”) rather than the shorter wheelbase version
(131.5”). This kit is the tow truck version of the
BB-157.
3D printed parts Included in the kit:
A. chassis.
B. cab
C. tow bed
D. hoist
decal sheet and some fine
copper wire.
Required to complete the kit:
Paint - see painting guide on pages 3 & 4).
Glue - Slow setting CA is best.
Tools -
1. X-acto knife with a sharp #11 blade.
2. #400 and #600 sandpaper.
3 Pin vise with #76 drill bit.
E. tool chest
F. lift frame
G. spare wheels
Also included, a
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Made in Canada
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD
Keep out of reach of small
children!
Note that these ARE NOT TOYS,
AND ARE NOT INTENDED FOR
USE BY CHILDREN UNDER
AGE OF 14. These products are
model railroad equipment and
accessories intended for use by
adults.
Parts In The Kit
A
BC
D
EF
G

The 3D printing process requires a supporting frame during printing, see below left. The
printed part is cut from the frame using flush cutters and this sometimes leaves small bumps on the
part. Use a knife with a sharp new blade to cut away the bumps. When trimming bumps off the
wheels you should place the wheel on a flat surface as shown below on the right. Putting too much
stress on the wheel can cause the axle to break. For bumps on the cab body, sanding is
recommended.
After cleaning up the bumps, paint the parts and apply the decals as shown on the painting
guide on pages 3 & 4.
When everything is dry, proceed to final assembly. Follow the steps below using CA glue.
Drill Out the Holes on the Hoist: One of the limitations of 3D printing is that very small holes get filled
in during the process. Once the hoist has been painted, you will need to drill out the holes as shown
below. I use a pin vise with a #76 drill bit for this.
Rigging the Hoist: Using the fine wire included in the kit, I form the wire into a V-shape by bending it
around a 1/16” drill bit. Hook the wire around the top pulley then insert the ends into the two upper holes
and pull them tight, place a tiny drop of CA glue into the holes. Cut off any excess wire at the bottom of
the holes. Next CA glue one end of a piece of wire into the hole in the winch drum and let it dry. Then I
wrap a coupe of turns of wire around the drum then thread the wire through the opening under the
upper pulley and around the lower pulley. trim off excess wire so that there is about ½ inch left hanging
from the pulley.
Page 2
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Final Assembly - Step 1
Final Assembly - Step 2
Pin Vise with #76 Bit Drill out Holes Here Drill out Hole Here
Wrap wire
around Pulley
Insert wire into
holes and glue
Glue one end
into hole in Drum
Wrap a couple
of turns around
the Drum
Thread wire under upper Pulley
and around lower Pulley

Page 3
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Final Assembly - Step 3
Final Assembly - Step 4
Ford BB-157 Tow Truck Painting and Decal Placement
Flat Black
Flat Black
Flat Black
Chassis & Spare Wheels: most of the chassis is not painted, since it is already black. The front
bumper, bumper supports and the wheel hubs are painted as shown below. Once this has dried, I
touch up the tires with flat black if the wheel hub paint has slopped onto the tires. The spare
wheels are painted in the same way. The paints I am using for the chassis are; silver - Testor’s
1146, flat wood - Tamiya XF-78, flat black - Tamiya XF-1.
Silver
Silver
Silver
Wood
Glue the tow bed and cab to chassis.
Glue the tool chest and the hoist to the floor of the tow bed. Glue the lift frame to the rear of the tow
bed as shown below. Glue the two spare wheels to each side of the tow bed. Then hook the wire
from the drum through the hole at the top of the lift frame and cut off excess wire to form a hook.
Attach Tool Chest
& Hoist Glue Lift Frame Here Hook Wire Through
Hole in Lift Frame
Attach Spare Wheels
to Both Sides of the
Tow Bed
Attach CabAttach Bed
Step 3 Completed

Yellow
Flat Steel Flat Red Flat Black
Flat Steel
Silver
Silver
Red
Page 4
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Hoist, tool chest & lift frame: Paint as shown below. Paint used; silver - Testor’s 1146, flat steel -
Testor’s 1180, flat red - Humbrol 153 and flat black - Tamiya XF-1.
Apply the Decals: NOTE: before placing the decals in water you must cut out each individual decal
just inside the dotted lines. Place the decals as shown below. Once decals are completely dry it is
a good idea to spray the cab and bed with Glosscoat (Testor’s #1261) to preserve them.
Cab and bed: These are spray painted with metallic silver - Testor’s 1246. After the silver has dried
paint the light on top of the cab gloss red (Testor’s1921500) and the back panel of the bed gloss
yellow (Testor’s1921557) as shown below.
Decal Decal
Decal
Decal Decal