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Vintage FED, 1:25, brass WIP, driveline


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On 3/18/2020 at 2:13 PM, echo said:

Nice work. I like that era FED, even a bit earlier with the weed burner headers and chute pack aluminum bodies, will be looking for any updates. Stay well.

Thanks Ed,  North Coast, Jax here. There are indeed excellent cars to be built, restorations with weed burners.

This one will be with zoomies and the then newly introduced 426 Hemi,  just not supercharged.  We've seen enough of these.

A nice and clean stack injection might be nice on a shorter dragster.

 

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5 hours ago, PappyD340 said:

Very nice work!

Hi Larry, thanks!  When I see NC, your area.... I think you boys know what to do with a motor.  Read NASCAR.

Special attention will be given to this build, which will be stack injected, not a blower motor.  We want something different here.

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@Bainford, many thanks.  I feel the motor choice is a good one.  Still a Hemi though, without a hat.

UPDATE:  Driveline setup.

Short block and the rearend housing all lined up, with an 8° motor dump.  The firewall is 23.5" out from the axles.

The rear wheels are Comp Resins, cast in a nickel alloy.

 

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Edited by Mike Williams
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Hello Mike!

Superb job on the frame and nice progress on the drive train. I always loved models made with a blend of styrene and brass/aluminum. Furthermore, it has a HEMI so it can't be nothing but a great build!!!  Question: Did you weld the brass frame using a small torch or a resistance solder unit; the joints are very clean?

Take care, Francis

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Hello CT, I'm happy you enjoy the progress, much appreciated.

Greetings Francis, yes a Hemi is a must, I do believe they model the best.  Concerning the soldering, I have a simple $50 analog soldering station, with high, medium and low temperature settings, and two different tips for the "pencil iron".   The main tip is a 2.5mm wide spatula, and a very thin "pencil" shape for ultra tiny parts.  My opinion, I don't need anything other soldering method.  The joints are only reduced and smoothed up with small diamonds or burs, then rubber points to reduce the grinding marks.  A clean solder joint is more pleasing to the eye.  I'm at these silly joints all of the time, getting them smaller and smaller.

Hi Carl, I'm pleased with the progress.  This build is going quickly.  Just last November another FED was finished, so the momentum is still moving forward.

Mike..

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Things are closed down everywhere, lots of modeling time now.

The aluminum seat was bent and fitted, the header pipes have been roughly bent, and the front axle fabricated. Also a nice and easy method for making scale banjo fittings figured out.

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Stay safe.  Mike..

 

Edited by Mike Williams
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UPDATE;  wire wheel lacing.

This time around I thought to try a revised method for lacing the front wire wheels.  They were made to fit the Revell Tony Nancy dragster tires, which are a scale 19", just right for a scratch build.

First off, we need a sturdy station to attach the studs for the wires to be wrapped around, here a nice block of hardwood flooring, with a "clock" showing at first 8 studs.  This will make a 32 spoke wheel.

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Here the rims being prepped.  Since the wheels will be soldered, copper tubing from a plumber supply shop will be perfect., here 18mm with a 1mm wall thickness;

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Here two slices cut off, making rims which should be no larger than 1mm thickness.  There will be two rims coming together, which will fit perfectly inside the Revell tires;

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Then a silver plated copper wire from a 100yd. roll....Amazon.  At first 0.25mm was used, later on for a 40 spoke wheel, 0.20mm is the preference.  Cheap too, about $5;

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Now, returning to the clock, start by numbering the studs.  This clock will be for a 40 spoke wheel, 10 studs.  Wrap wire around securely and do around the middle post, then choose a number directly across, then minus two.  In this case this would be stud number 10 at the top, go around and wrap the 1st wire counterclockwise being number  4;

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Then from #4 straight across then 1 counterclockwise, this would be number 8.  And so on....;

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After the last wrap, the final single wire leftover would be wrapped around just exactly where you started.  Secure tightly, then solder each wire to the rim. When all wires are attached securely to the rim, cut off the excess and lift the rim off the "axle stud".

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Here the outside, visible surface;

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One rim with 10 studs,  makes for 20 spokes.  Important now to trim off the excess, right down to the rim itself.  If using solder, the spokes must be flush with the outside surface of the rim, or a floating of the wires during the process of soldering two rims together might happen!  Catastrophe!  You can use other rim material, like hard plastic, and with a good CA you can use fly-fishing line!!  Also very realistic!

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Here the period correct 40 spoke laced wire wheel on 17", 18" or 19"" tires, with super thin spokes.  Then compared to the 1:25 kit wheels. Your choice. which is better?;

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Left the 32 spoke wheel, right the 40 spoke;

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Finally, another view of the 32 spoke wheel, I like the 40 deal better though;

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Thanks for looking, hopefully maybe someone can use the method.

Mike..

 

Edited by Mike Williams
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5 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

WOW!!! These spoked wheels are gorgeous!  Very ingenious trick...  Thanks so much for sharing the technique!  Cheers, Francis

Well thank you Francis, much appreciated.  I believe many fellows might be interested in this technique.  After several attempts a while ago, this seems to be the easiest method.

Mike..

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UPDATE:

Today the cowl is finished, and the fuel tank,  plus a few more shots of the 40 spoke fronts.  The axle isn't attached yet, this will be done when all other units are installed.

This car will keep the unpainted aluminum body.  This one is a natural.

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Next up are the side panels and a few other needful things.

Mike..

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Mike, what a great build. I'm looking forward to more. You would love seeing Bruce Larson's dragfest here in PA. It is every November and quite a few vintage drag cars show up. I think I might have posted pics on here. Keep up the good work.

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