mattg Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 This is going to be a long project with slow progress because my time to spare on the hobby is quite limited since our kids were born in 2017... Anyway, here is what I'm planing to do: - A 3 scale inches chop. Not exciting for most of you, I'm sure, but it will be my first "chop job". I want to maintain the height of the rear window (or at least reduce it's height to a lesser extent), so it'll be a bit more involved than just making straight cuts all around. - Maybe channeling, but I'll make my decision about that later on. - Kitbashing a straight six engine into the Deuce, which will probably require a chassis extension and a scratch built hood (If I'm going to add one). - Cutting out the vinyl top section to add a folding sunroof (in the opened position). Everything else will most likely remain box-stock. Maybe I'll decide on aftermarket or kitbash wheels and tires, but that's about it. I thought it might be better to make the top cutout first (al least before the chop), when the body still has it's full stability. Also, I might have more likely broken or bent the A or B pillars if I had done this after the chop. So, using the dull side of a #11 blade, I carefully scraped my way along the inside of the rim, which fortunately acts as a nice guide for the blade. Just like when scraping panel lines, I always take my time with this kind of work, moving the blade slow but steady with little pressure. At the end I was rewarded with a nice clean cutout that required just a little bit of sanding to smooth the edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinkybritches Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 That's a nice clean cut. Looking forward to the rest of the build. I feel you on the little ones. My first was born at the end of 2018 and I'm lucky to get 2 hours a week to do anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Nice clean looking cots removing the roof insert. I'm admiring your blade handle, I don't think I have ever seen one like it and it looks sturdy as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 Thanks guys! 10 minutes ago, espo said: Nice clean looking cots removing the roof insert. I'm admiring your blade handle, I don't think I have ever seen one like it and it looks sturdy as well. It's from a German company called Bayha. They produce several grip styles, I think I have all but the longest one. https://www.bayha-skalpelle.de/produkte/griffe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Is you avatar the Vaillant bunny turned evil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 (edited) 4 minutes ago, afx said: Is you avatar the Vaillant bunny turned evil? Its Robbie the rabbit from the Silent Hill franchise: https://silenthill.fandom.com/wiki/Robbie_the_Rabbit Edited January 23, 2021 by mattg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 Today was chop day. I first marked the cuts around the rear window with masking tape, in order to be able to see how far I needed to cut the C pillars. I then did the C pillar cuts first, using a JLC razor saw with two blades and the spacer attachment adjusted to 3mm, which should correspond to about 3 scale inches in 1/25. After that was done, I worked my way around the rear window, again using the dull side of a scalpel blade. The A and B pillar cuts were quickly done, as I could just use the razor saw. I don't want to angle the A pillars back, so I'll need to extend the roof a bit. But this (and shaping it all back together) will be subject of the next sessions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedShift Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Looking good! Love the 5 W....watching with interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted February 6, 2021 Author Share Posted February 6, 2021 (edited) I made a bit of progress on the body. Cut the roof apart, glued everything back in place, rough-fit the rear window in the cutout and filled the gaps with some styrene. Then a first rough round of filling and sanding was done, several more to come, I'm sure... I also quickly threw together one of the Revell stock engines and the straight six that I', planning to use. Turns out that I need to extend the frame by about 7 to 8 scale inches, but I think I'll go with 8 to be on the safe side. And a quick comparison of the stock body and the current status: Edited February 6, 2021 by mattg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocking Rodney Rat Posted February 6, 2021 Share Posted February 6, 2021 Very clean work. Looking forward to seeing more..... -RRR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 Today I started with the frame extension. Luckily, I did a second measurement and it turned out that only 6 scale inches were needed.🙂 First action was to remove the engine mounts, as I can't use them with the new engine anyway. Then I filed a groove on both sides to provide a larger glueing surface for the extension piece. The chassis then went on the model car straightening bench to keep both sides in alignment after the extension, and to not alter the stance. After clamping it up, I made the cut, moved the front section forward and inserted a piece of 1mm thick sheet into both recesses. I'll let that dry thoroughly before filling the gap on the other sides with another piece of styrene. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullybeef Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 That update takes precision to a whole new level! 😳 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 It's not really a high precision jig, but it definitely helped. 🙂 I normally use it to fix larger sub-assemblies, bodies or even fully built models in various positions when I need to attach small parts or decals to them. This way they can't move and I habe both hands free. The clamping jaws are just some spare aluminum square rods, washers and a layer of foam rubber glued together. They are adjusted with knurled nuts on threaded rods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted February 16, 2021 Author Share Posted February 16, 2021 The chassis extension is done so far. A final round of filling and smoothing will be necessary before I transplant the engine mount of the donor kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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