Straightliner59

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!

You're right! I had a total brain fart. Yes, the Cammer car would be better, for sure. Sorry 'bout that. They're both awesome, but, there's no substitute for cubes!

Blown Rat! I'm not saying what's under the "terrible towel"!

When you get it finished, I'll match race you with my Chevy II!

Good points, Ray. I found these tweezers on Ebay. Got them for $36, shipping included! Micro Mark wants $159, for something comparable. I got a foot switch for $15, and the power unit for $39, shipping included. I can use my Dremel speed control for greater adjustability, as, several of the sites I've been reading suggest that. Once this stuff arrives, I should be good to go! When I build the probe, I will use copper-clad carbon "gouging" rods, as recommended due to cost-effectiveness, for the contact/tip. The "mad science meets modeling" was a play on the old Oakley drag racing campaign, "Mad science meets nitromethane".

Nice work, JC! This thing looks just right.

I've been soldering stuff, for years! I am interested in using it for 1/25 scale dragster chassis construction, especially in places where joints are close together. That's why I'm doing it inexpensively--It's an experiment. You know--mad science meets modeling!

Thanks, Ray. I kept eyeing Micro Mark's RSU, and even tried to order it, once. They didn't have one in stock, and were supposed to email me, when they resupplied. They never did. One of the hand built systems I read about, the guy used stainless steel welding rod for the contacts. I reckon that would be for the same reason. My investment is fairly minimal, anyway! I can take a little time to build the tweezers, and the probe should be a piece of cake. I've already ordered a foot switch and a ground cable/clamp. I am looking forward to trying it.

Right now, I'm thinking that, for the probe (I'll do that, first, and fabricate the tweezers, later, since the probe and a clamp, for the other "side" should be pretty easy), I'll use an old soldering iron. I'll replace the tip with a length of welding rod and replace the two-lead power cord with a single-conductor cable that I can attach to the power unit, opposite the ground clamp. That should get things rolling!

I picked up a Wassco resistance soldering power unit for $25. I am putting together the rest of the system. I am curious as to whether anyone else has put a system together. More specifically, I am interested in handpieces and probes, and, if anyone has fabricated them. I'd like to see what you did to construct them. I think I have enough info to build either, but, I am interested in ideas, and other approaches. Thanks!

You had me at "The Dungeon". Miss that place, since I left Minnesota! Never know just what you'll run across, there!

I've most of the rollcage padding installed. I originally had wrapped it in narrow strips of electrical tape. I didn't like it,because it wasn't uniform, and it was lumpy. I ended up using slit lengths of heat-shrink tubing, bound in place with zip-ties. Looks much better! I need to replace one set of zip-ties, because the line I used to make them was a tad too heavy. It seems like this dragster wants to fight me, at every step!

No doubt! It was cool to see the letter in my mailbox, and even cooler, when I found this inside!

When Kenny Youngblood was doing his time at Seal Beach Detention Center, for his tax problems, I wrote him a letter, describing one Sunday at the Mile High Nationals, back in the mid-'80s. A few days later, I received a letter from him. Enclosed was this drawing! It's one of my most cherished pieces of memorabilia.

Looks great, Bernard! Been thinking about picking one up, myself.

Tim, that means a lot, to me. I am always happy when I can share something I've learned, or figured out, with other modelers! When a man of your skills can put it to use, that's just flattering. :-) Thank you!

I grew up in Browning. After I moved out of the house, my dad was the minister at First United Methodist Church, in Great Falls. I remember shopping at Holiday Village and the Import Depot, when I was a kid. I think you'll love the Polyglas tires!

You might consider the AMT parts pack Goodyear Polyglas tires. They're beautiful, and should look right at home on the Camaro. Have you lived in Great Falls, for long? Just curious. I spent a pretty fair amount of time there, as a kid.

I've gotten a few things done. Will get the roll cage wrapped, next, with an eye toward mounting the body. 'Chute is just hnging out, in these pics. I will be building a new manifold, as well...

Okay, here's where I am, now. The harness is installed. 'Chute is mostly painted, and is hanging on its mount, in these photos. I got the puke tank painted, and its draincock installed. Next up, I'll be installing the eye for the 'chute release cable and 'd'-ring, and wrapping the roll cage with thin strips of electrical tape. I dry-brushed some steel on the diff, since the driver's legs will be riding over it. Getting closer to working on mounting the body...

Still flogging away, here. Hope to complete the cockpit over the weekend. I have the harness installed. I also got the "puke tank" painted. I have an old brass model railroad casting of a draincock that I will be installing in that. Once the cockpit is done, I can move on to installing the body. I have also begun work on another (third? fourth?) manifold. I've figured out a couple of things, regarding it, that made me realize just what an idiot I can be, sometimes!

Tim, the fuel lines--oh, hell, everything looks great! The hard injection lines are perfect, man. Excellent work, sir!

I'm with you! If it's the color I want/need, I'm using it!

Outstanding, sir! I am continually amazed and inspired by your work. Enjoying watching this come together.