15 replies to this topic

[M0par Jim]

Hi you all, I'm starting to work on this project for a family member that doesn't or not aware of it yet. I'm not really going box stock with it. It will have opening doors and trunk lid. I have already cutting the driver side door open. It will also have interior lights plus a dom light too that will work. So far the model will have a vinyl top, met blue for the body, and a either white interior or a golden color one. I will post photos soon. 

[M0par Jim]

Okay these photos are afew months old, I have afew project going on right now like all us model car builders probably does LOL.

 

[M0par Jim]

More from a month ago, just testing afew things out to see what issues I might have before I get really into the project.

 

So far the light goes all the way through the plastic.. not good LOL.

 

 

 

The LED itself

 

Here is where I started the routing work for wires. I want them hid and also for the light to site flesh with the interior roof as well an the dom light base to fit over top of it.

 

OOPs.. but no big deal, I can fix this easy.

 

Will have some newer and more recent photos either tonight or in the next few days.

[M0par Jim]

Hi you all, well I been working here on this project as well as on my friend's semi truck one as well, things on that project has slowed down alittled. Anyways on this project I'm replacing the kit frame with a hand made brass one.I plan to do alot of brass work on this project.

 

 

Here is one rocker panel piece

[M0par Jim]

I'm not shure yet about this rocker, it was my 1st attemp. 

 

original kit frame

 

 

the kit original piece that I cut out of junk frame I had on hand and then I corrected the frame rail to make a jig

[M0par Jim]

 

[Dragfreak]

Very nice brass work!

[vintagedragfan]

nice work Jim, looking forward to more

[M0par Jim]

Thanks you two! Working on the 2nd frame rail. There wis plans to have alot of brass work done on this one.  

 

Bill, I love your build thread as well man, I been monitoring it and following along on your project as well. Keep up the great work man. 

 

I hope to have an updated posted by tomorrow. 

[jaydar]

Please remember i have never done this myself but, i think most LEDs are put under a piece of foil to protect the plastic from heat and serve as a reflector.

Are you concerned about heat???

joe.

[freakshow12]

In my experience LED lighting gives off very little heat. May I ask why you are doing a brass chassis when this particular kit has a very nice one already? Seems like alot of wasted work.

[M0par Jim]

Please remember i have never done this myself but, i think most LEDs are put under a piece of foil to protect the plastic from heat and serve as a reflector.

Are you concerned about heat???

joe.

 

Hi Joe, very good question you ask, the LEDs I use don't as I am aware of generate heat at all, But I'm guessing there is kinds that does? The only heat I am concern for is the heat that my hands get while soldering LOL. But no I'm not concern about the heat at this point yet but I will keep it in mind though. 

[M0par Jim]

In my experience LED lighting gives off very little heat. May I ask why you are doing a brass chassis when this particular kit has a very nice one already? Seems like alot of wasted work.

 

Hi, well you also ask a good question. While you are correct that the kit frame is very nicly done, there is places on it that is not so great and not well done. I will point them out so you all can understand what I am talking about and why I decided to go a brass frame rount. On the real chargers the rear frame does not go out like the kit ones does ( I own a real 2nd generation 1968 charger 1:1), the rear shock cross member in the kit is not correct, it's missing the sides where it attaches to the frame at, it' more like just hanging in place by the trunk floor pan in the kit frame. Now on the rear frame rails in front of the tires where the frame bends up, it's not straight up on the 1:1 charger either, there is afew bends in the real 1:1 charger rails. Plus one thing I have notice and sticks out to me is the rear leaf hangers, they look nothing like the rear ones as I mean the outer parts the arms bracing off the frame sides does look very very great and I like, it's just the outer part that holds the leafs an what they mount to that turn't me off on them, revell could have went alittle more on that area as well. So I'm kinda building the brass chassis like they did with the real cars. Plus my family member asked me to correct the shock cross member and rear leaf hanger arms. I thought like you did at first about the work being wasted but after alot of thinking, it's what seems like what alot of work wasted really is not but really worth the work in the long run.

[freakshow12]

very good answer Jim. Being a mostly ford guy I never paid much attention to that stuff on the caharger kit. So are you still using the floor pans and correcting just the rails with brass? I hear what you are saying about the rear spring mounts as most kits are not done properly but in plastic I think it would be a tough thing to mold and still be strong. I want to learn how to use brass so I will be following this.  As for your light on the inside, I think once its primed and the headliner painted I dont think it will be an issue with the glowing you have on bare plastic

[M0par Jim]

very good answer Jim. Being a mostly ford guy I never paid much attention to that stuff on the caharger kit. So are you still using the floor pans and correcting just the rails with brass? I hear what you are saying about the rear spring mounts as most kits are not done properly but in plastic I think it would be a tough thing to mold and still be strong. I want to learn how to use brass so I will be following this.  As for your light on the inside, I think once its primed and the headliner painted I dont think it will be an issue with the glowing you have on bare plastic

 

You ask yet another good question, the floor pans part is still up in the air yet. I might take an try to make a floor pan piece(s) to see if I can do it. I really want to push the box on this project and see what I can do with brass. I agree with you about most kits and there rear leaf spring mounts. but I think with all the kit parts being on the trees I think they could also take alittle more time and add afew extra parts that could be glued onto the chassis like the rear cross members for the rear shocks. So far I am really starting to enjoy working with brass and soldier. You learn as you go along, we all develop our own ways of skills with the stuff. Talking about light coming through after plastic has been primed.. I tried using primer on the semi truck cab (in the truck area under Mack Superliner) that will have over 50+ LEDs on. Just one led light and the light came through the plastic with at least 3 coats of primer on. But then again with the charger project here  with both sides the exterior and interior being covered, the light might not though. Then again I could have a lighted/glowing model LOL. 

[M0par Jim]

Working on the rear frame rails jig.