Homemade RC excavator from PVC [video]

Source: something very like this was my father second job from the '60's to the '90's, while the largest part was architectural models (buildings) he made also quite a few "mechanical" models (not in PVC, mainly in wood and/or tin/metal, though perspex/plexiglass was also largely used).

Comparably complex/detailed projects were only a few ones that I can remember, because the cost (number of hours needed for this kind of builds) was rarely affordable by the customer.

I remember (in the late 70's or maybe early 80's!) a model of a set of solar panels mounted on a circular rail that could tilt and rotate to follow the sun, fully working (a strong lamp was used to simulate the position of the sun and the model "followed" it).

Still all he had in his workshop were three or four small table saws, a couple alternating ones, three or four electric drills, a small electric router, more files, planers, pliers and manual tools than you can imagine, some soldering irons and little more.

I often helped him after school, I was usually tasked to make "repetitive" (simple) pieces, he would prepare a sort of template and/or show me how to make the specific little component and I would then make them or help him with assembling the more complex ones.