Straightliner59

That is beautifully stated.

Without question, it would have! ? Thank you for your kind words. I think I have reached the point at which I no longer have a say as to what details I'm adding. The dragster is running the shop!?

Thank you, my friend! More often than not, this stuff keeps me from sleeping!? But, it's the good kind of staying awake!

The dragster's 1/25th scale. The chassis is brass, body is aluminum step flashing and the nose and tail section are hammered and soldered tin sheet. There's a WIP thread in the drag racing section, if you're interested. The zip-ties are nylon monofilament from Clover House, essentially black fishing line. I also use 4# test fly leader just to mix it up. I flatten a length in the vise, then melt a ball on the end, using a lighter. I flatten that with tweezers, and poke a hole through it with a sewing needle mounted in a section of wooden dowel. Then, it's just a matter of locating it, looping it and pulling it tight with a pair of tweezers, and hitting it with a tiny drop of CA adhesive. I agree about the aftermarket stuff--it all comes from some other industry. The trick is locating the source! Your engines look fantastic! I'm always up for learning new techniques, so, by all means, please share about the hoses. I've used this stuff to make the cockpit skirting for my Monogram Midget project, as well. I use the tissue (kitchen parchment, in my case) and white glue, as well. The "lead" foil from wine bottles is absolutely my favorite seat belt material! I can't recall the last time I used anything else for them. For the garbage bags, when I did these sheaths, I folded it to the size I wanted, then, leaving the two edges exposed, I laid a steel rule across it, and sealed the edges using a quick pass with a lighter. I enjoy experimentation--the "mad science meets modeling" thing!?

You'll love the photographs you'll be able to shoot!

You're not alone, around here! I will always be more impressed by fine hand work, than I ever will by any work done by a machine controlled by a computer! It's art. There's a warmth to craftsmanship, while "manufactured art" has a certain coldness, to it. Guys like us are different than others. For us, an important aspect of what we're doing is the journey--the path is as important, and satisfying, as the goal. I've seen hundreds of guys, over the years who've spent thousands of dollars, buying aftermarket parts, just to arrive at the destination. Neil Peart once wrote: "The point of a journey; Is not to arrive"

Sherline's tools are perfectly suited to this pursuit. Over the past three or four years, I have really begun to use them, much more frequently--especially the mill. That part, is thanks to inspiration from you, Francis, and from Tim, Charlie--the usual suspects, around here! I've been using the lathe, for years, to bore hex stock to make fittings. I'm using the mill and lathe in conjunction with one another to machine aluminum fittings for the dragster. The mill makes it very simple to accurately space holes, as well. Like those in a fuel block. It might take four or five attempts to "get happy" with one, drilling by hand. Of course, it also helps to use the mill more frequently, now that I have all the crucial accessories to go with it. You really want to have a rotary table!?

Port lines and manifold installed!

Generally, it's recommended to use an f-stop of 18 or higher. That's (18) what I use for my workbench shots, for those, I just use the camera's flash, so I don't have to get the tripod, every time I want to shoot WIP. When I set up for glamor shots ?, I use f-24, and the tripod, and a longer exposure. The higher that f-stop number, the greater the depth-of-field. And that exhausts my knowledge of model photography!?

Your tank lakester looks fantastic! Beauty of a Flattie. Very nice work.

I just got a couple of lengths of it, yesterday, based on your recommendation. Now, I just have to figure out how to get the outer insulation off. I actually really like the texture of it, too! What I can see of the shielding looks excellent--especially given its tiny size! I appreciate the heads-up. Like you, I'll use material from any source. Aluminum step flashing is a favorite! I've used sections of material cut from black plastic garbage bags. I recently used that material to make the sheathing for the canopy lines for parachutes. Whatever it takes to achieve the look I need! A long time ago, I decided that I wanted to be able to do as much of this stuff, as possible, in-shop. Through that, I discovered that fabrication gives me the greatest joy and satisfaction!

Still plugging away on the parts for the zoom juice! I have the fittings made, along with the port injectors and hoses. I got one side of the manifold plumbed. It went much easier than I'd expected, so I don't foresee not being able to finish the manifold, before bedtime. Heck, I may even get it installed! Comments, questions and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Absolutely! It's looking good, so far!

Just trying to make a little progress, every day. I made more fittings and installed some of them. Both return line fittings are installed. I made the line from the barrel valve to the port fuel block--it's just sitting kind of in-place, right now. I made a couple of zip ties for the returns, and attached the fitting for the main fuel line into the barrel valve. Next, I'll make the fuel block and line for the hat injectors. I am really leaning toward rubber injector lines. They're perfectly legit, and I like the old-school look of them. Once I have those installed on the manifold, I can mount it to the engine. This is getting exciting!

It's looking good! One note about the wheels: I don't recall seeing Centerlines until at least a couple of years after Cragar's Super Trick wheels. I don't think those showed up until '71 or '72? So, if you're going for the '60s look, you might want to use the Cragar S/S wheels. It was right around that same time the old Gas classes were moved into the Modified Eliminator classes.

Love that truck! I know most folks favor lots of chrome and lights, but, I just love a down and dirty working truck. Nice job!

Ah, yes! The good old MPC '71 Wild/Mild boxes! I've had three or four of them over the years, but the only one I have now is the Vega. They're pretty silly.

One of my favorite Chevy IIs! Last I heard, Steve was on the mend. I hope he's getting back to 100%.

Thank you, Francis! There is no doubt, about that! I don't even like to think about drilling that stuff, without it. I also milled the popoff plate on the manifold. I am putting it to further use, today, as you will see! Thank you, my friend. I appreciate that, very much! It's getting very close to done! I was planning to work on the injectors for the ports tonight, but decided to experiment with a couple of different sizes of aluminum armature wire, to make fittings for the fuel lines. It's very soft, so I wasn't sure I'd be able to mill the flats on it. It worked! I have the armature wire in both .040" and .052" (maybe 14 and 16 ga.?). I need fittings for the braided fishing line, so I thought I would see if I can make them from aluminum. Looks like a go! The "anodized" fitting is cut from 1/16" tubing.

Nice top end! That's what I am working on, as well. It's coming along, nicely, Ian. Enjoying your progress, my friend.

That, my friend, is some amazing work! Like Ian said, it may look like a simple piece, but the curves and contours, and the fact that it has to match up with another piece. Magnificent work, Francis--it looks better than a kit part!

I got more work done on the blower manifold, and on the barrel valve. I found these square nuts with large washers in the drawer. The real nuts are eight-pointed star nuts, and the washers a tad large, but, hidden back there, behind fuel lines, a blower belt, etc. , they will barely be visible, anyway. I found some tiny springs in a drawer full of miscellaneous metal bits and pieces. I shot them with some Krylon Satin Black. I also mounted the port distribution block. I mostly detail painted the barrel valve components, and assembled them. The linkage arm is an old Garage Scenes part. That's secured with a nut made from Plastruct hex rod. Thanks for looking!

Work is continuing on the fuel and induction systems. I made a new fuel block for the port lines. For anyone who is interested, I brush painted it with Humbrol Metal Cote #20004. Not sure what it is, because I can't find that nomenclature on the tin. I mention it, because I just picked it up a week ago, from a local shop. It's very similar in behavior to Testors metalizers, for any others who like to use it for brush painting details. Setting up the mill for drilling the manifold made that operation very easy, and very accurate. With the setup blocks, all I had to do was turn the manifold around, re-set it, and align the holes along the side of the manifold, they were already centered along that axis, and at 45 degrees. It looks like I'll be making aluminum fittings for the fuel system, to match my (ahem) "custom-sized" lines. I just shot the manifold with Testors Metalizer Aluminum Plate (Buffing). Next up, I'll get the port injectors/lines installed, and figure out exactly how i am going to make and assemble the fuel lines. Thanks for looking!

MPC funny cars had Denmans. You're right--there are a bunch of different ones.

Frontrunners are early '80s. The reissued Piranha has decent ones, but, they're plastic. Revell's Miss Deal has a really nice pair! ? No pun intended, but I wasn't going to run from it, either. AMT's Ohio George Willys too, would be worth consideration.