mnagatani

All good ideas. I'll do some research on that. I actually saw some toys at Toys R Us with that era trailer.

Good idea...Do you have a kit in mind? There was a Ford guy that mentioned something similar to the bump kits that came out last year. Sort of that old school style camper right? Mike

Some of you might have been aware on the "Big Scale" board of me posting some images of some 1:8 bodies I'm making. Hot off the press are these "Topper" shells for the MPC Datsun kit that just came out. There will be a full and window version soon to be a 3d print. Plan is to clean them up and cast them in resin. Any other trucks needing a camper top? Thoughts welcome!

My attendance at the "Model car guys" show turned out to be a great experience. I got a lot of feedback regarding the 3d work and spoke with Pete "Freight Train" builder. He mentioned doing a 1:8 scale of the 41 Willys. I said why not! This is an early phase mock up image that I put together some ideas on wheels, engine(Hemi), stance ideas. Lots of work to do before it actually becomes a print, but I do this to inspire me on future projects.

Yea...Great show and turnout. The setting was perfect at the NHRA museum as well.

You and another person on instagram would like to see it in 1/16. Scale is not an issue in the print world. I am curious in how popular the 1/16 scale is? Mike

The E100 has been on my radar to make as a 3D print. I got started on this and wanted to throw out some images--- 1/8, 1/12, or 1/16 is my thoughts. This one would be for the scratch builder of course. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

The going plan right now with the "eyes" is to make the the print of the eye just a bit smaller in scale and have them vacuum formed. I spoke with a vendor about making these and its really just a matter of getting him the print which have to be smoothed out and then he can run some sets of bubbles. I'll let you know as soon I get them done! Mike

The Roach engine is a Granatelli Indy Car. I don't have all the details on hand, but it's out there. Building the body is the hard part for me. Finishing it will depend on the skill level. Is it possible to finish it up by scratch building it? Of course, but most of the general model building community can't finish it. It's my job to determine how much more I should make to cross that line to allow a builder to finish it. The roach and Stiletto were never made which poses a big challenge for any builder. Listening to feedback on what's needed past the body and listen to you guys. It's open for discussion on what else should be made for this one. I know one thing, the hard part is over which is to make the body and hopefully others agree. The body is the hardest thing to make especially this one. I have created many bodies from all makes and this one takes the cake! It's Alien! Mike

This one caught my eye! How is the progress on this one?

Update to the current work! Maybe a week away from completion.

Some WIP of the Cuda body that will go to print in 1:16 and 1:8

Mark The resin direction is the most cost effective for the consumer. I get that and we are working on getting those costs worked out. The margins would be slim on some of these body's if we stick to print only. The inception of bringing to market a body presents a huge challenge for a non scratch builder or one that would be challenged to finish it via kit donor. It was never my intention to 3D print a whole kit, but to allow a builder to use his imagination and skill set to finish off the model. To determine that line of creating the essential parts and not doing everything is what is left to be determined. This is where feedback comes in. Right? Its really early on for my brother and I to really get a grasp on whats going to happen and I'm so looking forward to creating products that otherwise we just wouldn't see otherwise. If its been made I'm not making it is my thinking. I may start a "If I could only have....." thread. Its all possible now! Which is why I'm super excited about this venture. I'm not sold yet on the tech as the surface issues need to get better, but we are dealing with what we have. The model community is talented enough to work around that issue and its going to get better. Thanks for the feedback either way.

Good Good question... for my brother and I we are concerned about making a quality product. As many of you know the "Roach" and "Sitletto" are at round one when it comes to quality check. We have already done a second version on the Stiletto based on feedback and the Roach will have another round of some adjustments. Shapeways right now is at minimum seven day turn around. Both versions will be at the show Nov 5th and I think from there we should have a pretty good idea when we will have ready to go for sale. Hope that answers your question. So a long story short early to mid November. Maybe earlier. I'll let you know without getting in trouble here on the board!

Thanks Mark, Feedback is important as this was the first one printed. We will take the initial "test" run and determine whats too shallow or not enough. We are still learning and this is why the forums help to get responses like yours. Regarding the price point...add another 100.00 to the already expensive WSF. So we are considering making resin versions depending on the demand. As this was a never made model like the Roach Coach we will get a gauge if others want it....at what cost. A resin version will much more affordable. For now we see what the demand is.

Yea...The key is to get a decent filler primer. I prefer the true automotive types as they are thicker. Good point!

For the WSF I didn't seal anything as I went from dry sand to wet sand to primer..color....clear! Mike

My approach has been to sand the surface down starting with a 180 ish grit and move up to 1200-1500. Once you have sanded down the "grit" you are safe to go to a filler primer. From there the process is same as in body prep. I'll post up some pics tonight I did of the latest print that came out nice. Keep an eye out! So yes...a step by step process will important. For those attending the model car show on Nov 5th you can see the actual models at the table. I wanted to bring a finished print to show how it really looks feels. Mike

The material we use for the smaller 1:25-1:18 kits go under the "White Strong & Flexible Polish" which has a very fine grain texture. I have worked with this material which does sand and with some basic painting "prep" skills can get you the surface needed for a correct paint job. 1:8-1:12 kits have to go under the "White Strong & Flexible" material due to the size restrictions. I would love to have have the print material come out as smooth as production kits. We just are not there ----Yet! The surface quality has come a long ways so we just have to wait and work with what we have now. I'll DM you regarding your other questions. Thanks Mike

The Stiletto Show rod arrived in the mail today from Shapeways! So excited to show these off to you guys. The model will be available to be seen at the Nov. 5th "Spirit of Speed" show at the 3d scale parts table. This is the only one every made and will continue to make one off bodies. Enjoy! Suggestions welcome.

Just arrived today from Shapeway's is the Roach Coach in 1:25 and 1:18. With regard to the bubble I made one version for the larger one and will make a couple adjustments. Currently the plan is to have them vacuum formed. So now we have the print set its a matter of shrinking down the bubble a bit so the vacuum will form to the correct tolerance. Hard part is over, now it just a matter of some tweeking! I will have these available to see at the Nov 5th "Spirit of Speed" show in Pomona along with the 1:8 Topolino and 1:24 Stilettto Show Rod.

This is just amazing! New to board and truly appreciate the skills you have! I look forward to seeing more pics. Mike

Sounds good!

I did an inventory of the wheels I have made for the 1:8 scale hot rods. Smaller scales available also. Showing what I have available for 3d print deep and shallow versions. Shown here are the deep versions with the top row being front wheels only. Mike

Hosted by "The Model Car Guys" this will be held at the NHRA Motor Sports Museum in Pomona CA November 5th 2017. Check out the flyer! I'll be attending there as a vendor with the 3d printed bodies and parts. Im also bringing my workstation to give a little insight on how all this 3d stuff gets created.