Diecast Masters Revives Norscot Tooling

[cfritschle]

I posted this on the N Scale Vehicle Association's Group.io discussion group, and while this may be old news to most of you, I learned just last October that Diecast Masters had released several models that appear to use the old Norscot Construction Minis tooling as part of their Micro Constructor Series.  For a little background, in 2006 Norscot released the first four Construction Minis.  And, Bill Cawthon was able to measure and calculate the scale of those four models to determine which, if any, would be suitable for use with 1:160 scale models.  Here are the results of those measurements/calculations that Bill published in the May 2007 issue of Model Railroad News:

Cat 315C L excavator = 1/141
Cat D5G XL dozer = 1/95
Cat 906 wheel loader = 1/101
Cat 420E backhoe and loader = 1/130

In 2008, Norscot added a 793D mining truck and a Cat 272C skid steer to the line, neither of which appeared suitable for use with N scale models.  Norscot added a Cat D7E dozer in 2010, but that model appeared to be larger than N scale.

Back to the Diecast Master models.  Here is the link to the Diecast Masters November 2020 YouTube video that was posted on TrainBoard last October.  https://youtu.be/-0StT25Am3o

If you watch the video, you will see five Micro Constructor models that appear to be made with the same tooling Norscot used.  Those five models are the:

Cat 315D L excavator
Cat D5G XL track-type tractor
Cat 906 wheel loader
Cat 420E backhoe loader
Cat 272C skid steer loader

The sixth model, a Cat 320 excavator, appears to be new tooling.  Also, the Cat 320 excavator can be purchased from DM-Toys.  https://www.dm-toys.de/en/product-details/DM-Toys_6006.html

However, I found the key chain version of the Cat 320 excavator available at Action Toys, so I purchased one just to see how close it was to N scale.  https://actionfarmtoys.com/products/85981-micro-caterpillar-320-hydraulic-excavator-key-chain

The photo below shows a GHQ Komatsu PC400-LC excavator, the Diecast Masters Cat 320 excavator, and a Norscot Cat 315C L excavator.


The height and size of the cab is probably the best indicator for telling how close the model is to 1:160 scale without taking specific measurements.  In this case, the GHQ Komatsu PC400-LC excavator and the Diecast Masters Cat 320 excavator have very similar sized cabs, while the Norscot Cat 315C L excavator has an overall larger (and especially taller) cab.  And after making some “rough” measurements with a scale ruler, the Cat 320 scales out very close to 1:160 for most dimensions. 

And finally, this link shows that a Cat D8T key chain will also be available.  https://diecastmastersamerica.com/collections/micro-constructor-series

[wazzou]

I can’t imagine having that Cat D8 in my pocket.   

[cfritschle]

I can’t imagine having that Cat D8 in my pocket.   

Especially with the ripper!   

[BCR751]

The website says the two keychain items come in packs of 50.  Is anybody going to make them available as single units I wonder?

Doug

[sundowner]

Do this size match the Komatsu keychain loader and excavator?

[cfritschle]

The website says the two keychain items come in packs of 50.  Is anybody going to make them available as single units I wonder?

Doug

Doug,

The Cat 320 keychain can be purchased from Action Farm Toys as single units.  https://actionfarmtoys.com/products/85981-micro-caterpillar-320-hydraulic-excavator-key-chain

I also found the Cat 320 keychain on Amazon, but it was significantly more than $4.95.

Edit:  The Cat D8T keychain is available at 3000Toys.  https://www.3000toys.com/Diecast-Masters-Caterpillar-D8T-Track-Type-Tractor-Dozer-Key/sku/DIECAST%20MASTERS85984

And, at Action Farm Toys.  https://actionfarmtoys.com/products/85984-micro-caterpillar-d8t-track-type-tractor-key-chain

I searched for it a few days ago, and only found it on the Diecast Masters website.   

[cfritschle]

Do this size match the Komatsu keychain loader and excavator?

I haven't purchased the Komatsu loader and excavator keychains because I have better detailed 1:150 scale models from Maruka, Fujimoto, TomyTec and F-Toys.  But I would think they would be similar in size.

Here is a comparison photo of the GHQ and TomyTec Komatsu excavators.


And here is a comparison photo of a GHQ Cat IT 18F wheel loader, a Fujimoto Hitachi wheel loader, Maruka Komatsu Komatsu wheel loader.


However, I did purchase the Ertl Tomy John Deere K Series keychain from Action Farm Toys, and it is very close to N scale.  This comparison photo shows the GHQ Cat IT 18F, the John Deere K series, and the Wiking Hanomag B11.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

The Komatsu W470 and PC210 scale pit very close to N. The W470 is dead on as far as I can tell (height, bucket width). I think the PC210 scales to be about 1/155, which is still better than the Japanese models. Because the model is diecast and not articulated, the arm and shovel actually look quite a bit more scale.

The models have opaque windows, but the model is painted in gloss colors. I masked off the window area before weathering and it looks passible as tinted glass.

[cfritschle]

I received the Diecast Masters Cat D8T keychain I ordered from Action Farm Toys today, and at first glance, it appears very close to 1:160 scale.  Shown below in a GHQ Cat D8, the Diecast Masters Cat D8T, and a TomyTec 1:150 scale Komatsu D 155AX.



I will get measurements with my digital caliper to confirm the scale later this weekend.  And I agree with Bryan, I don't think I would want to carry this around in my pocket!   

[cfritschle]

It looks like the Diecast Masters Cat 320 and Cat D8T are closer to 1:150 scale than 1:160 scale.   

However, I am not sure if most viewers will be able to perceive the difference since we have so few 1:160 scale models of modern construction equipment.   

[samusi01]

One of the recent uploads to railpictures.net includes some bulldozers that look reasonably similar -

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/792977/

Is disassembly for repainting possible?

[cfritschle]

One of the recent uploads to railpictures.net includes some bulldozers that look reasonably similar -

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/792977/

Is disassembly for repainting possible?

Some disassembly is possible.  While the body is diecast metal, the dozer blade and ripper are plastic, and the blade can be easily removed.  (The tracks/frame would also need to be removed as described below to remove the ripper and be able to reinstall it.)  The hydraulic cylinders, air intake and exhaust pipe also appear to be separate parts, but they are very securely attached to the body of the model.  However, those parts may not need to be removed if you are painting the whole model desert sand because the exhaust pipe could be easily masked.  The model also has a wider blade than the dozers on the flatcars.  But being plastic, it should not be too difficult to reduce the blade to the width of the blades on the dozers on the flatcars.

Edit:  The tracks/frame are also plastic, but they are "riveted" to the diecast body much like the chassis on some of the diecast Classic Metal Works automobiles.  The rivet/post can probably drilled out and replaced with a 00-90 screw.  Here is how I did that with some of my CMW cars.  http://nscalevehicles.org/tips_n_tricks/cmw_die-cast.php

[cfritschle]

The Diecast Emporium has added the video for the Cat D8T keychain.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kauu0CVUNlY

It sounds like Tommy (the narrator) models in N scale.