Page 8 • July 21, 2021 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT GUIDE
Retired Heavy Equipment Operator Turns Artist
The rear view of the Caterpillar D10 dozer reflects the amount of detail that Don Weisel puts into every scale model he builds. Seen here with the Caterpillar PL87 pipelayer he handcrafted, retired heavy equipment operator Don Weisel converts his passion for construction equipment into scale models of the machines he operated.
This Caterpillar Challenger, the only machine Don Weisel built with rubber tracks, is a 1/10 scale model and is built with exacting detail.
“I decided to combine those two interests [heavy equipment operation and shop class] and set about building my first scale model, a Caterpillar D9 crawler dozer.” Don Weisel Artist
This scale model of a Caterpillar 345 excavator is one of the most popular pieces constructed by Don Weisel.
When Don Weisel retired from his job as a heavy equipAll the scale models he has built are amazingly detailed ment operator in 2000, he relaxed for two weeks and then and have maneuverable tracks and functioning hydraulic concluded that he’d had enough down time and needed to components. Getting each moving part to work correctly tackle a project to keep himself occupied. can be a challenge and on many occasions, he has had to Weisel began as an operator at age 15, working at his construct parts more than once. father’s gravel pit in Louisville, Ohio. He worked the final “My goal with every machine I build is to make sure 12 years of his career at The Ruhlin Company. He enjoyed they work like the real machines,” he said. his work and also recalled enjoying shop class in high Weisel has eight grandsons, and he has given or will give school. each of them two of his scale models when they turn 25. He “I decided to combine those two interests and set about also has been displaying models at shows for the past five building my first scale model, a Caterpillar D9 crawler years and at one event that gives out awards, he displayed dozer,” he said. seven pieces and took home seven first-place ribbons. What started out as a minor diversion has become an Weisel said the most popular models he has built are the annual endeavor. Weisel has built one piece of construction equipment every year for the past 21 years. Weighing in at 30 to 45 lbs., the models are built to 1/10 scale and take a month or more, working seven hours a day to construct. He’s chosen to build the machines he ran as an operator, which were primarily Caterpillar machines, but he also has built a John Deere tractor; a Gradall model 1000 wheeled excavator; a Link-Belt crane; and a Peterbilt tractor and lowboy to haul his Caterpillar equipment. Weisel constructs his scale models of oak and walnut as the two materials offer a nice contrast to the finished product. Weisel builds each machine freehand, working without blueprints or a pattern. He carefully studies product brochures and relies on his 46 years of experience operating the machines. “Knowing first hand where the levers should go This Caterpillar 992D wheel loader is on display in Don Weisel’s workshop. has been extremely helpful,” Weisel said.
When displayed at local area shows, this Caterpillar D10 dozer attracts a great deal of attention.
Caterpillar D-10 dozers; the Caterpillar PL-87 pipelayer; and the Caterpillar 345 excavator. At 81 years old, Weisel has no plans to slow down on his annual construction projects. “I’ll need another 20 years to build every machine that I operated during the span of my career,” he said. Weisel plans to sell a handful of the duplicate scale models he has built. Interested parties can reach him by phone at 330/904-7395. (All photographs in this article are Copyright 2021 Construction Equipment Guide. All Rights Reserved.) CEG
