Straightliner59

Ron, this is looking great--really coming along! It's so nice to be able to cast your own parts--it can save us a ton of money! ?Keep up the fine work. Enjoying watching it come along!

Thanks, my friend! It felt good, to get the wheels on it! I really like the look of those Firestone Supremes, on the front. I have a bit more work to do, under there, but, should be on to the interior in the next few days. Those headers for the FC are looking great!

Thanks, Bob! Glad the stance is good! The rear suspension is glued, now, so I can't adjust the height, any more. Appreciate it, Dan! I really enjoy doing little details--mostly because I have always liked that kind of stuff. As a kid, I remember just studying model train layouts, in hobby shops because I liked to find the little things that just added a bit more realism. Visual interest, I guess!?

I have seen some model RR radiator grilles/screens that look pretty dang nice. I couldn't tell you which ones, but I've seen 'em!?

Thanks, Trevor! I appreciate it! It should go together fairly easily, as the different assemblies are done. At least, it has, so far--we'll see if that holds!?

All this stuff is stuck together, now!? I have some details, and detail painting to do, then some light washes and dust. Then, I should be on to the interior! It's coming along...

Well-built and well-researched is always a winner. Even better when it looks this good!

Yes, sir, my friend. It looks like it belongs! Thank you for those kind words! It's always nice when someone gets some good use from something we've shared!

Beautiful work, Pierre! The fuel cap is absolutely exquisite!

Thank you, Terry! It's much appreciated. I may be able to get it on the wheels, tomorrow night. That always feels like a big step! Thanks for looking in!

Brass makes for excellent headers! Once they're aligned and soldered, they aren't moving. That durability really helps with test fitting, etc.

Thanks, Tony! Here you go! I'll probably shoot another coat of paint on the chassis, before I mount everything, I have a few things I want to tidy up, and a few that I want to dirty up (light dust). I'll go over the springs with India Ink wash, once the axles and springs are installed. I made the driveshaft loop from thin brass strip, and soldered it together. Shouldn't be too long, before it's on the wheels! Questions, critiques and comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

That is better than good news! Especially if we will see the parts packs, again.

I have the Murphey's Rule III, and another one, made of thin (~.015"), clear strip, by Ivarule. I haven't even looked for one, in years. A quick search turns up these: https://excelblades.com/products/scalereferenceruler https://www.amazon.com/IIVVERR-Plastic-Triangular-Measure-Scale/dp/B08JK4TG89 https://www.printable-ruler.net/scale-rulers/ The last one has free downloads for printing. Unfortunately no sign of any Murphey's rules, although, they likely turn up on Ebay, from time to time.

Thanks, Elliot! I'm pretty happy with it! Should look better, soon.

Okay! The front suspension is overall painted and assembled. Still some detail painting and touchup, to do. I'm going to nap a while, then see if I can't get the chassis ready and painted, today. Just as I was getting the camera, I had visitors at my front window! Thanks for looking!

Ver' nice!

Thanks, Tony! I'm hoping to get it assembled before bed--I got it all painted, so, if all goes well...

Glad you're here, now! I try!?

That looks good!

I think that little four-banger is a gem! Thanks for sharing this, Les. Good work!

I agree with Roger. That shouldn't be too difficult to scratch. You certainly have the abilities to make it happen!

Thanks, David! They would, but I used aluminum duct tape for the binders, because I wanted to add some stiffness, without having to cement the leaves completely together. I wanted to keep the ends of the leaves free, because I think it looks better that way. Otherwise I'd just stick with the molded kit springs.? I'm pretty sure that using wire to bind them would let them slip against each other, a little. Thanks again! Thank you, Pierre! I try to find enough information to build them, correctly. My friend--that part is a thousand times easier than it was 30 years ago, I am sure you are aware!?

Steve--At the time, it was easy! I just shot Model Master metallizer on it first. I would probably use Alclad, now. The silver just stopped the red pigment, in its tracks. In a development I couldn't believe, this thing actually placed in Salt Lake City! I still don't know why or how it did. It's a very basic build.

I made the front shocks from a couple of threaded watch shafts (they'll barely be visible, with double nuts on top, but they'll convey the threads), some 3/64" brass tube for the cylinders, and a different style of handrail stanchions for the piston rods. I decided the brass tube looked kind of thin, so, I added a layer of heat-shrink tubing (shrunk!), to bolster it, and painted it from a jar of red Pactra RC body paint. It dried quickly and properly on the vinyl, and laid down pretty nicely from a brush. Also seen are the steering box and mount (mount subject to change), and the down tubes with the upper shock mounts. I made a simple, static u-joint from 1/16" aluminum tubing for the steering column shaft. It's getting ever closer to paint. I have a bit of work to do on the bottom side, yet, and I need to add means to hold the fuel tank, and overflow tank. Anyway... As always, your comments are appreciated. Thanks for looking!