BSteinIPMS Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 (edited) I'm building the Gabriel (former Hubley) metal kit of the Duesenberg SJ LeBaron Dual-cowl sweep panel phaeton. After viewing the kit parts I began the process of wondering what had possessed me to build this flash-ridden kit. I found normal modeling tools such as files, chisels, bench grinders, and sledge hammers worked well. One of the many items requiring correction are the wire wheels. The six wheels come in two halves, meaning 12 pieces total. The spokes are not round and are waaaaay overscale. I was filled with dismay. Not being very bright, I began the laborious process of de-chroming the wheels in bleach, scrubbing the residue off with a toothbrush (an old one, mind), and replacing the spokes one-by-one. All 468 of 'em. I began by clipping out 4 spokes at a time, drilling .016" holes at the proper angle from the outside of the rim into the hub, then inserting lengths of .015" steel wire from the hobby shop. Years later, well, maybe not years, but at least a month or two, I was done. The wheels were airbrushed with Alclad II Gloss Black base, allowed to cure and harden for a week, then airbrushed with Alclad II Chrome. This stuff is fantastic. The photos show the "series of unfortunate events", as the movie and book title go, and I hope you all approve. My wife thinks all is not well with me........ Edited March 5, 2014 by BSteinIPMS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkennerley Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 A lot of work but they do look so much better, well done Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belugawrx Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Wow Very nicely done so far Lovin' it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astroracer Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Very nice! Did you build any jigs for the drilling? I would like to see them if you did. I like seeing how guys do things like this. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 What a difference ! Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Beautiful! That was a lot of very tedious work, but the end result is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Fantastic result-worth all the effort. I built this as a Hubley 100 years ago and loved the finished product. I did a black with maroon in the cove 2 tone. But I had no skills to improve those wheels. They 'make' the car. Please post the whole build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjordan2 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 (edited) You're apparently turning a very good kit into a masterpiece. Those wheels will make a very big difference, and if you approach the rest of the kit with that spirit, you'll have the best one ever. Engine is amazing. Kudos. You're new to this forum, but obviously a highly skilled and experienced modeler. Is there a place where we can see some of your other work? Edited March 5, 2014 by sjordan2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalper Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Wow the wheels look so real.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeroman Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 well worth the effort!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Great Wheels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Great job. Those wheels look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSteinIPMS Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 Very nice! Did you build any jigs for the drilling? I would like to see them if you did. I like seeing how guys do things like this. Mark Hi Mark, No jigs, sorry. I did all this by hand by just clipping out four plastic spokes at a time then sighting along the marks I made in the rim and the hub to drill holes through the rim and into the hub. Then I'd CA-glue the .015" steel wire spokes in place. By doing only four spokes at a time as I worked my way around the rim I was able to keep the hub centered within the rim and the spokes parallel to each other. If a person had an indexing head for their Sherline lathe (I don't) this would be somewhat easier and more precise. Still, having said that, I'm happy with the result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSteinIPMS Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 You're apparently turning a very good kit into a masterpiece. Those wheels will make a very big difference, and if you approach the rest of the kit with that spirit, you'll have the best one ever. Engine is amazing. Kudos. You're new to this forum, but obviously a highly skilled and experienced modeler. Is there a place where we can see some of your other work? Hi Skip, Thanks for the kind words and your astute observation: I've been an airplane modeler for years and have written over 50 articles for FineScale Modeler, Ships in Scale magazine, the IPMS/USA Journal, and the Nautical Research Journal. I've written two books which you can see here if you have the interest: http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Scrapbook-Pilots-Squadron-specials/dp/8974756552 http://www.amazon.com/Large-Scale-Armor-Modeling-Building/dp/0764339532 One example of my work can be found here: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/dd/dd-661/192-bs/dd661-index.html If you want to spend a little money, you can download some other stuff here: http://www.kalmbachstore.com/fspdf018.html All that notwithstanding, this is my first serious car model and I must admit to some feeling my way around in the dark. This forum is a great place to learn new methods and techniques and to meet other modelers, all of whom I have found to be positive, upbeat, clear-eyed buoyant extroverts. Cheers! --Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gman Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 As well you should be- artfully done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjordan2 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 (edited) Hi Skip, Thanks for the kind words and your astute observation: I've been an airplane modeler for years and have written over 50 articles for FineScale Modeler, Ships in Scale magazine, the IPMS/USA Journal, and the Nautical Research Journal. I've written two books which you can see here if you have the interest: http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Scrapbook-Pilots-Squadron-specials/dp/8974756552 http://www.amazon.com/Large-Scale-Armor-Modeling-Building/dp/0764339532 One example of my work can be found here: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/dd/dd-661/192-bs/dd661-index.html If you want to spend a little money, you can download some other stuff here: http://www.kalmbachstore.com/fspdf018.html All that notwithstanding, this is my first serious car model and I must admit to some feeling my way around in the dark. This forum is a great place to learn new methods and techniques and to meet other modelers, all of whom I have found to be positive, upbeat, clear-eyed buoyant extroverts. Cheers! --Bob Stunning stuff -- especially the USS Kidd, with its opening hatch doors. Bummer about the damage. Edited March 6, 2014 by sjordan2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyrichard Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 thats just to much ..... way to much eye candy stunning !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell C Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 .......... My wife thinks all is not well with me........ Good chance that all of us here are seriously demented. Fabulous work, and one more among the ways of wiring wheels. I've bookmarked your before 'n after photo as an inspiration for a Jo-Han '31 Cadillac idea I have rattling around in my head. That one seems like a nice kit, except for the wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ningoth4 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I have so often thought about using this exact method on a smaller scale wheel but never got brave enough to try it. Now I might have to do just that at some point. You did a fantastic job and the wheels turned out beautifully!!! Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930fordpickup Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 WOW these are great wheels ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Wheels are very impressive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Stunning! You ARE crazy, just like most of us! Awesome work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewaskew Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 That's some great detailing there, looks very nice. God Bless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skypower Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Beautiful work you do, very talented we are blessed to now have another exceptional builder in our mist. I love learning from builds like yours thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58 Impala Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 (edited) Nice job on your build, the wheels look great. They make the whole model really pop. I would be the type of person to try doing the wheels like that. I find doing tedious details relaxing. Edited March 8, 2014 by 58 Impala Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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