430 replies to this topic

[Scale-Master]

I decided the time has come for me to build yet another 1/12 scale Super Seven, (it has been almost six years since I finished my last one), the only “problem” is I don’t have any more kits of them. 

If I counted correctly, this will be my 7^th 1/12 scale Seven.

So instead of shopping for one, I grabbed a sheet of brass and started cutting, beating and bending.

I am not sure why I started with the hood first, it just seemed like a good idea.

Edited by Scale-Master, 18 March 2013 - 10:35 AM.

[Harry P.]

How did you cut out the hood?

[Scale-Master]

I used the "Big Ruler" shown in the last frame along with a not-so-new X-Acto knife (#11 blade).  More like scribing it out than really cutting it out.  I also used a PE saw to cut the notches in the corners.

[LDO]

You gonna scratchbuild the whole thing?

Do you have a real Lotus 7?

[Chas SCR]

Thought you had every thing in molds from the last ones you did? Still can't wait to see this as it's being made by hand wise then kit.

[drball]

Soon as I read the subject line, i started to wonder how you could top the other builds-now I know.

[Crazy Ed]

   Ok, you're going to build another 7. Given the progression of the past builds I'm guessing this one is going to run, Right

[Scale-Master]

I cast very few parts for the last one, most of what I made was used as parts, not patterns.  I think the seats and the wheel centers are the only cast parts on the Blue one.  And I don't want this one to look like the others, so those 7 spoke rims will not be used on this one.

Since I don't have and am not building a kit, it could very well end up as a scratch-built model.  It will not run, at least not on purpose...

I do not have a real Seven.  I thought about it, but went with a Corvette instead.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Beautiful brass fab work. I too have seen some of your other 7s, all spectacular. Imagine I'll learn a lot watching this build.

[crazyrichard]

this make sme very curious about the rest

[ll Brandon ll]

I remember one of yours, not sure which, but it was beautiful. I have no doubt this will be a work of art. Great start!

[Pete J.]

I cast very few parts for the last one, most of what I made was used as parts, not patterns.  I think the seats and the wheel centers are the only cast parts on the Blue one.  And I don't want this one to look like the others, so those 7 spoke rims will not be used on this one.

Since I don't have and am not building a kit, it could very well end up as a scratch-built model.  It will not run, at least not on purpose...

I do not have a real Seven.  I thought about it, but went with a Corvette instead.

Since this is #8 is that going to be a recurring theme in the part? 8 spokes?

[Scale-Master]

I think the 1/12 scale Blue "Superb" Seven was the 7th Seven if I count the 1/24 and 1/12 scales (Caterham and Lotus) I had done up to that time.

This one is the 7th 1/12 scale Seven, but it may not be a true Caterham or a Lotus although it will be based on Super Seven principles to a certain degree.

 

Confused yet?

 

The short answer to your question Pete is no, it will not have a theme as an "Eight" or a "Seven" or even a "Ten or Eleven"...

 

 

OK, so next I figured I’d make a wheel for it.

I have a hood, and a leftover tire to fit a rim to.  All I need to do is make a wheel and then just fill in the stuff between them, right?

 

I started off with a chunk of 6061 aluminum rod stock, (actually two like this):

Using the lathe, I turned out two parts like this.  The basic shape of the face of the spokes/spider is cut in at this point.

Front:

Back:

I made sure they nested together with a positive fit:

Next I cut out everything that wasn’t the spider part of the wheel on the mill and added lug holes:

Here is the dry assembled rim:

I used a 195/50R15 tire.  The standard Tamiya kit provided a 15X6 rim.  I wanted more.  So my rim is 15X8.  Any wider (in my mockups) and the tread bowed in like it was underinflated.  8 inches wide is pushing it for this tire, but I like the way the sidewall looks now.

A stock Tamiya (a spare tire from a previous build) is on the right for comparison:

The almost finished wheel; it needs a little surface fine tuning before making a mold:

[MrObsessive]

 

Man! I can tell already Mark that this is going to be one MIND BLOWING project!!

[Ace-Garageguy]

Scale-Master : ".....but it may not be a true Caterham or a Lotus although it will be based on Super Seven principles to a certain degree."

 

Just out of curiosity, are you familiar with the Donkervoort takeoffs on the '7' concept ?

[Pete J.]

Mark - You mentioned larger tires bowing in.  I used R/C foam inserts to over come this on the two 935's   They were soft enough to let the tires sit down on the contact patch but gave them enough support so the centers didn't go concave.

[scalemodelworld]

Those wheels are insane! Awesome work

[Scale-Master]

Yes, I am familiar with the Donkervoort's.  But I'll stick to the more traditional 4 cylinder and lightweight balance of Colin Chapman's Lotus and subsequent Caterham mentality.  But since I am not using a kit I'll refer to the basic plans described in the "how-to build a Seven in your garage" tyoe books I have read.  Lots of room for personal modifications and still have the spirit of a Seven.

 

The Tamiya tires do work on the new 8 inch wide rims, and going any wider would not be logical on a real car.  But I am exploring making new tires too. Maybe go to a 225/50R15?

 

And thanks!

[Modelmartin]

So what kind of "traditional four cylinder" motor are you going to use?

Edited by Modelmartin, 28 December 2012 - 04:49 PM.

[Scale-Master]

Andy, the answer to your question is contained in the text below...

 

 

I was enjoying the mill work so much I decided to make a cam cover, something custom to contain a bit rowdier pair of cams.  The bolt pattern is the same as what would mount to a BDR Cosworth head.  I milled this out of 7075 aluminum.  This is the top:

And this is the underside cut to fit the head (I still need to make) positively:

Here I have added the fittings for the PCV line and a made a “710 cap”…