Installing exhaust systems on model trucks can be made easier - and more realistic - with these scratch built band clamps.
AMT's Mack R kit is a good example, with fairly accurate exhaust pipes provided although the joint between front and rear pipes, per the instruction sheet, isn't that realistic or easy to assemble on the model.
0:23 Kit pipes assembled. Some gap filling work could be done on the bottom right area of joint but the connection between pipes is still not that realistic.
0:40 Many of the exhaust pipe connections on real trucks are made with band clamps like this example.
1:05 Real band clamps are typically stainless steel, for model purposes K&S aluminum tube is an ideal material. It is available in a wide range of sizes and it should be possible to find a tube diameter that matches reasonably well with your kit's exhaust pipes. 3/16" (.188") outside diameter tube was a good fit for the Mack R pipes.
1:22 I like aluminum tube (instead of brass) for making these exhaust clamps because aluminum tube can be shaved out slightly with a hobby knife if needed to fit.
1:40 A 4" long band clamp scales out to .160" in 1/25 scale. Tube is easily cut by setting length with depth gauge on a vernier caliper, then placing a hobby knife blade on the tube and carefully rolling it along on a smooth surface while maintaining light pressure on the knife blade. Once the tube is cut to length, glue a piece of .040" x .040" styrene strip on to simulate the clamp portion.
2:12 Cut styrene strip off and file ends flush. Next, glue styrene rivet heads on one side and nut/bolt/washer castings on other side to simulate fasteners which clamp the pipes together.
2:28 Kit pipes are modified by sanding off the raised portions while keeping the D shaped stepped areas intact. This preserves overall length of each pipe.
2:45 Assembled with band clamp, joint is much more realistic and the gap on bottom part of right hand pipe is hidden inside clamp. This is a much easier connection to make on board the model during final assembly as well, and the band clamp strengthens the joint.
3:10 On the current Mack R project a short piece of tube was added between two band clamps to simulate a piece of flex pipe.
3:27 Joint between front and rear exhaust pipes on this AMT Kenworth W900 was done using a band clamp made in the same manner, again making the joint easier to assemble, stronger, and more realistic. A "win-win-win"!
3:44 Putting a Detroit Diesel "green leaker" V8 and dual exhaust in an AMT Kenworth cabover required some custom fitting of pipes. Just like on a real truck, this was done in subassemblies that could be fitted together and assembled with clamps.
4:07 They are small but they are also easy to construct, and scratch built band clamps like these can make exhaust system installations on your model trucks easier to do and more realistic as well.
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