123 replies to this topic

[Shardik]

Pete,

     I like the innovative approach to the I-beam axle.  Also, very clever jig for the spindle mounts.  All in all, with respect to perfecting your artistry I would say you've got it in spades (or should that be Spads? ).

     Regarding the engine details; it sounds like I should be hitting you up for details  instead of of offering my two pfennigs worth .

(in fact, I may be hitting you with a p.m. before I start my next Albatross project )

     Again; Beautiful and inspirational work.

[Pete J.]

Hi guys!  Well I am back with an update.  So, what have I been up to for the last four weeks?  I have been working at my modeling desk.  Building models? No, working at my desk.  You see, years ago when I was building the modeling desk in my garage, I ran out of bucks for the plywood and drawer glides so it when unfinished.  I had some really nice drawers on the right side and an open hole on the left.  I had a tool chest that I made do with for all that time.  Here is what it looked like.

 

 

 

So, I retired a couple of month ago and was digging through the shop and found the drawer glides that I pickup on sale some time ago and got to thinking that I needed to straighten out the mess that I called my work bench.  So out came the table saw, router, chop saw, nail gun, glue and a host of other tools(my other passion is wood working) and several weeks and two sheets of plywood later, I now have a nicer place to work.  Amazing how much space 5 new drawers adds.  The old tool chest is now under the desk as a reserve space and the top of the desk is now a place for work, not storage.  Oh, the photos make the new drawers look almost white, but they are the same baltic birch plywood as the old ones.  They just don't have the patina of age.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Pete J., 18 March 2013 - 08:08 PM.

[Pete J.]

Ok, so back to the Black Knight.  As I think I mentioned, I am not really happy with the model.  I got my hands on another kit and after hours of careful cutting with photo etched saws, the frame in now separated from the bucket.  I am going to rebuild the model and do the frame in brass this time.  I will salvage most of the parts off the old model and this time I plan of having a bit of fun with some new parts.  Here is the start.

 

 

Edited by Pete J., 18 March 2013 - 08:05 PM.

[Scale-Master]

Can't wait to compare next month!  Solder on!

[Pro Wrench]

Hi guys!  Well I am back with an update.  So, what have I been up to for the last four weeks?  I have been working at my modeling desk.  Building models? No, working at my desk.  You see, years ago when I was building the modeling desk in my garage, I ran out of bucks for the plywood and drawer glides so it when unfinished.  I had some really nice drawers on the right side and an open hole on the left.  I had a tool chest that I made do with for all that time.  Here is what it looked like.

 

 

 

So, I retired a couple of month ago and was digging through the shop and found the drawer glides that I pickup on sale some time ago and got to thinking that I needed to straighten out the mess that I called my work bench.  So out came the table saw, router, chop saw, nail gun, glue and a host of other tools(my other passion is wood working) and several weeks and two sheets of plywood later, I now have a nicer place to work.  Amazing how much space 5 new drawers adds.  The old tool chest is now under the desk as a reserve space and the top of the desk is now a place for work, not storage.  Oh, the photos make the new drawers look almost white, but they are the same baltic birch plywood as the old ones.  They just don't have the patina of age.

 

 

 

 

 

Man, I am MAJOR jealous! I wish I had enough room SOMEWHERE in my crackerbox of a house to have someplace like this to build. Not jealous of that chair, though. I couldn't sit on that thing for more than about 20 minutes without my back screaming at me.

[Pete J.]

Curt - I have owned four houses since 1977 and this is the first one that I had space for a separate model building area.  Good things take time!  As to the chair, it is special even though it doesn't look it.  It has had many coats of paint on it.  The original owner was my grandfather.  The center of the front lip was carved out with a pocket knife by him to relieve his arthritic leg.  It is surprisingly comfortable.  I really should do something with it as I am sure it is probably 75 or more years old.

 

By the way two of the houses I owned were located at East 10918 26^th and South 2914 Bates Road in Spokane.  We lived there for 10 years.  I have been in California for the last 24 years.

Edited by Pete J., 20 March 2013 - 06:02 AM.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Interesting build and very nice machine work and fabrication. Also, thanks for pointing out that the engine is way underscale. I'd bought a couple of these as gluebombs to use the engines in fantasy dry-lakes streamliners, and it never occurred to me how tiny the engines were compared to the Mercedes F-1466 (D.III) I believe is represented. You saved me from a stupid mistake, prodded my research along. Thanks again.

 

Is that a real GT-40 in your avatar? Maybe an ERA or CAV car?

[Pete J.]

Interesting build and very nice machine work and fabrication. Also, thanks for pointing out that the engine is way underscale. I'd bought a couple of these as gluebombs to use the engines in fantasy dry-lakes streamliners, and it never occurred to me how tiny the engines were compared to the Mercedes F-1466 (D.III) I believe is represented. You saved me from a stupid mistake, prodded my research along. Thanks again.

 

Is that a real GT-40 in your avatar? Maybe an ERA or CAV car?

 

The GT 40 photo was taken at the Holman-Moody shop in Charlotte N.C. several years ago.  It is one of the few FIA sanctioned continuation cars that Lee Holman is building to original specs.  He owns the license and all the original plans and paper work for the Mk 2s. Interesting story about those cars.  I got to spend the day with him listening to all the history.  He is also had the original gulf car in the shop for restoration at the time. The owner was a little touchy so I didn't get any photos of that car. 

[Pete J.]

Just when you though this build was over, I am resurrecting it!  Well, I have been waiting for a part to get here so I could really get into the build.  I went out and bought the part today.  Here is a photo of it in the box.  I need to get it and all the other parts out.

 

 

Oh, yea!  Let the building begin!

 

I have the first part laid out and ready to go.  This is the chassis side rail.  It will be the first parts cut on the new mill. 

 

Edited by Pete J., 15 April 2013 - 02:10 PM.

[Pete J.]

Ok, the mill is set up and the chips are flying!  The first two pieces off the mill are frame rails.  There is some cleanup left to do but for my first try with the mill I am happy.  First thing I did was lay out the rail using the plastic piece as a pattern.  I used two pieces of .030 brass strip and glued them together with super glue.  I blued the top piece of brass and scratched the pattern into the blue with a diamond scriber. 

 

After I did the design work, I glued it to a piece of Plexiglas so I could hold it to the tool plate.  First operation was to bore the holes with a boring tool.  Then I cut the pieces with a 1/8" mill end and ran some acetone underneath to brake them free.  I left them glued togeather to clean up the shape so they would be mirror images.  Now I have to file them flat and sand them to get rid of the file marks.  Follow that with a little polish and I can start making cross members and engine and suspension mounts. 

 

 

 

This is going to be fun.  Love the mill!

 

Edited by Pete J., 21 April 2013 - 07:32 PM.

[jeffs396]

Great work going on here Pete!

 

Brass is looking sweeeeet!  

[Pete J.]

Ok, I have not posted in a while.  It took me this long and a lot of metal scrap to feel confidant enough with the mill to move on the this part.  This is the start of the new head for the new engine in brass.  First of all, I must state for the record, once again, this is not ment to replicate a Mercedes D III which was suppose to be what was in the original Red Barron.  It is no where close to the size of that engine in 1:24th scale.  This is much smaller.  For that reason I have decided to create a somewhat custom version of that engine, taking the inspiration from it and making it in a " of the style of" a 1900's aviation engine.  This is the head.  It is going to be a pushrod style with exposed valve rockers arms.  Having said this here is the basic machining that I have done so far. 

 

  I started with a .5" X .5" X 2" piece of brass and cut it down to the size I wanted and laid out the basic positions of the exposed pieces.  I then cut everything square but a lot thicker than the final piece will be when it is done.  I then used a 1/16" ball end mill to cut the grooves on either side of what would be the central supports for the rocker arms.

 

I then cut the ends of the supports.

 

Then I cut the sides of each of the supports.  I used a ball end to create a "cast" look.  I also milled the sides where the hold down bolts will go to hold the top of the supports.

 

I then drilled the hole for the .025" stainless steel tubing on which I will mount the rocker arms.

 

I included this last shot to give it some perspective.

 

As I mentioned before I am taking classes to get my certification to teach ground school to pilots so this project is going slower that I would like, but I do need to study but Tuesday is my last class for the summer.  Perhaps I can get a bit more done after that. 

 

I hope you enjoy the work. I certainly am.

Edited by Pete J., 18 May 2013 - 08:50 PM.

[BubbaJoe]

i'm always amazed by the quality of work done here....all i can say is WOW

[lower99]

Man........you are krazy!!!!!!

The best work I had ever seen!!!

[CrazyGirl]

^{very cool work , love it !!!}

[slowlylearning]

In awe of your skills mate, and your tools. Im gunna carry around a picture of a Sherline Mill and Lathe to keep me goin!

 

I just found the prices, eek! Theres tools are definitely a long-term goal!

Edited by slowlylearning, 19 May 2013 - 05:00 AM.

[Ognib]

Very nice work, Pete.

Watching you do your brass work just added another log to the fire of my desire to have a lathe & mill.

 

Best

[Alyn]

Cool stuff, Pete.

 

I like that you're modeling an open valve train engine. That will add some great detail.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Nice machine work, fun to watch.

[Randy D]

Hey Pete,      Just realized I have missed some progress on this one.   Like the cabinet work !!    Looks like you are having fun with your new mill  

 

           Really going to be cool watching you create this engine!!!

 

 

                         Randy