Straightliner59

A little fanfare, please? I have begun working on getting the body mounted! That's a BIG step!

I have all kinds of stuff on the way, now! Moebius Dyno Don Comet, I won an auction for a Johan Pinto Funny Car (under $50, shipping included!), carbon gouging rods (for a resistance soldering probe I am going to build), and a right angle mounting base for my Sherline rotary table.

Like me, you probably have projects without photos that go back even farther than that! I know I don't have anything that goes that far back, except an old engine from a Badman I built in '74 or '75. It has fishing line for plug wires, because I didn't like the fuzz, on thread.

Simply amazing workmanship, Tim! It makes me want to work that much harder. Thank you, sir!

I'm sure there have been others, but, the one I am working on, now doesn't seem to want to be finished. Earliest photos I have of it are time stamped 12/31/01. It's fought me almost every step of the way!

These guys:

You'd be fine with the electric pump. Mazmanian ran one in either the Austin or Willys, for sure. I remember seeing it in an old HRM or PHR article. Sorry that's all the help I can be!

Good idea! Makes perfect sense.

Thanks, Tim and Pete. I have both Wingrove books and Foran's book, so, I am good, there. I agree with you, both, that I may want to upgrade to a unit with more wattage, later. I first wanted to get my feet wet, and, for that, this cobbled-together system will definitely work. I'll check out AB's site for probes. Thanks for your input!

Here is what I have, so far. It works well, and it's pretty quick to heat a joint. I acquired the power unit, the tweezers and the foot switch, in separate transactions, for about $90. I used some 3/8" brass rod, to taper the plugs 2 degrees. The larger ends were then bored to create a solder cup, in each, for the cords. I will repeat that process, when I build the single electrode/probe, and the ground cord and clamp. I'll be replacing the electrical tape with heat shrink, as soon as I pick some up, in the right size. I found this site to have the most comprehensive, user-friendly, information, in regards to building your own system. They're the guidelines I'll use, building the aforementioned probe: https://technitoys.com/diy-resistance-soldering-outfit/

I have fixed the padding on the roll cage, and replaced the zip ties. Also mounted the 'chute. Installed the spark plugs--not that they'll be too visible--but, they create visual interest. I hd forgotten the pinion support, and have now made that. With the body on, and all the other "business" going on in the cockpit, it will be barely noticeable, but, it needs to be there! As always, questions and comments/critiques welcome

Okay! I got the cage padding fixed, along with replacing the melted zip ties. Got the 'chute mounted, as well. Soldiering on...

I hope to have pictures before morning. Just a quick update: I almost have the rollcage padding finally done/fixed. Installed spark plugs, yesterday. I think I am finally getting close to mounting the body...I think! It seems to be one step forward and one or two back, lately. I did take a couple of days off, from this project while I was installing the duct work for my spray booth (at long last!) and getting my resistance soldering unit up and running. Back on the dragster, now.

Thank you, Tim! I am happy that other modelers are getting some use out of it! Thank you,as well, for sharing this build--it's exceptional, and very inspirational, to me.

Nice job! I love those Chaparrals.

Looks very nice! I love these old Matchbox kits. I still need the 917 Porsche and the Surtees.

It scales out to about 1/22.5:1, if I remember correctly.

Beautiful work! Loving this car, JC!

Tim, there are no words! "Fantastic" is only a beginning.

Hey, Mike. I have Flex-I-File cement, now. I used Ambroid, as well. I like the Flex-I-File cement, just fine. When this bottle's gone, I will be using Weld On. I ordered mine online, but, I have heard Home Depot carries it. I've used the Plastruct cement, too. It works well, too. I am going to guess that many of these cements have the same solvents. Not sure this is any help!grin

Congratulations, John! I've been a few times. I can't recall seeing anyone making a haul, like that! Great job!

Agree with the above! Thanks, so much!

I'd like to see them, please! Cool thread, this!

Nice build of a very cool concept! Diggin' it!

A little update: This project likes to back me up a step, for every bit of progress, I make. Case in point; Initially, I had hoped to wrap the rollcage with narrow strips of electrical tape. In fact, I did. It was not uniform, no matter the effort I took to make it so. That had to come back off! So, I decided on short lengths of heat-shrink tubing, fastened with zip ties. No problem, there, until I decided I wanted "padding" to better conform to the cage. I waved a lighter past the heat-shrink, and the "padding" softened slightly, and conformed. Okay! That's all good! Except, in the process of that, the heat melted the ends of the zip ties, as you can see in these pics. I am in the process of replacing them all, now. I am using finer line, this time, as well. The harnesses are all installed. I will be working more on their finish, retouching some of the black, where the highlights got a little out of control, and reapplying some India ink wash. I also got paint on the puke tank, and a draincock, installed there, as well. I really want the cockpit done, so I can move on to getting the body mounted!