July 5, 2024

Don Campbell , Gaylord , Michigan Toy Builder looks over the 1/12th scale Liebherr R9800 Mining Excavator Model as it nears completion.

Liebherr Mining and Construction Equipment Inc. in Newport News, Va. workers might enjoy seeing Don Campbell’s one of a kind ,1/12th scale all steel Liebherr R9800 Mass Excavator Model. In fact Leon, the collector who purchased this model used to live in Va. Beach just a few miles from the Liebherr Factory in New Port News, Va. Todays picture shows the final assembly being done. Top railings still need painted grey, lots of work on the cab yet, and dozens of hydraulic lines have to be attached yet and decals. But this picture Deb took of me this morning gives a good idea of how it is taking shape. I am very pleased this latest piece of metal sculpture .
I am no engineer and not familier with these machines, but I am able to hand shape hundreds of pieces of steel to get a shape out of metal that very much resembles real machines.
But the best thing is , I love doing it. Each new one of a kind model is a brand new challenge and just as exciting to build.
Cold and Rainy in Gaylord Today – It has been cold much of May and I have not even mowed my lawn yet this year. It is getting close now that I put fertilizer on it the other day.
WEIGHT ISSUES- We are feeling better already getting back to lots of raw veggies and raw fruit . Deb and I are lucky we both have weight problems together and we both work at it to lose weight equally. So many problems people have these days and the only problem Deb and I have is our weight , so we feel very lucky. (:>).
RISING GAS PRICES IN GAYLORD – This weekend will start the summer tourist season and that means all the Gaylord Gas Stations will be sure to bump up their prices at least 10 to 15 cents a gallon to take advantage of the tourists. Gaylord is known for some of the highest gas prices in Northern Michigan . Many Gaylord residents say they actually buy gas 20 miles from Gaylord because it is always cheaper.
Have a Great Tues.