StrangerBandFan

Hi folks, I found an image on the internet that refers to an article in Model Cars Magazine about someone who scratch built a set of gauges. I can't find anything in this forum using those search terms. Maybe it was an article in the magazine? Can anyone help me with methods to create gauge faces with bezels? Thanks!

Hi folks, I found an image on the internet that refers to an article in Model Cars Magazine about someone who scratch built a set of gauges. I can't find anything in this forum using those search terms. Maybe it was an article in the magazine? Can anyone help me with methods to create gauge faces with bezels? Thanks!

Thanks for checking into it for me, Daddyfink.

Hi Daddyfink, I'm doing 1/6". I found enough engine parts to put together most of it on Shapeways by TDR Innovations today. I think I'll go with that as a start, but if you have any suggestions on other parts, I'd be happy to hear. Thanks for your reply.

Hi Lownslow, I'd like to try your media blasting approach. What type of media and blaster do you use?

Hi guys, I'm using some Shapeways 3D 1/12 flat louvered panels printed in frosted extreme detail material. Life size, they're 1" x 3/4" with 18 louvers. They were still a tad rough, so here's some of the things I've done to smooth them out. Not sure if any of this would work on curved surfaces as well: 1. Swabbed with lacquer thinner (LT) then polished with an electric toothbrush and coarse Tamiya polishing compound (TB/PC), about 2 toothbrush cycles per piece on the louver side. Washed away compound with LT. Helped a little bit. 2. Mixed two part Locktite epoxy cement (cement mixed 50-50) then mixed 1:1 with lacquer thinner and quickly brushed on a very light coat with a fine flat 3/16" wide brush. 3. Believe it or not, I immediately put them in the microwave for three sets of 10 seconds each and it noticeably smoothed out the epoxy without melting the part! 4. Did the TB/PC thing again and let them set a few hours to semi-cure. Helped out quite a bit. 5. Brushed on a light coat of Alclad II grey filling primer, did the microwave thing (it even levels paint on a flat surface), let set an hour, TB/PC'd again. 6. Brushed on a wet coat of primer, smoothed it as it tacked, microwaved, TB/PC'd. That got it almost perfect without losing much of the sharpness of the louvers. Final coats of primer and polishing will finish it off.

Hi folks, has anyone used the 3D printed 1/12 weber carbs from TDR Innovations? I just started using 3D parts and the first couple are a little rough, even though they were printed using the Shapeways frosted extreme detail material that's supposed to be their smoothest. I'd hate to try and smooth a quad of webers!

Hi folks, I'm just getting back into modeling since I was a kid, I'm now 58. I'm starting out on a Tamiya 1/12 Ford GT40, my dream car. I'm very meticulous and detail oriented and see I have about 6 weeks of body work alone to get this thing past the guide coat primer stage. My next project will be the Aoshima Yamaha V-Max. Hopefully by that time, I'll have collected the knowledge and skills for my most ambitious project, a 1/6 top fuel dragster made "somewhat from scratch". Some of the things I'm adding to the GT40 that the kit doesn't come with are detailed wiring to all lights and real life engine sensors and full brake line plumbing. I'm also replacing the chicken wire on the back of the engine cowl with molded in louvered panels and getting rid of the snorkels on top of the cowl. I look forward to being a valued member of this forum and gleaning the knowledge and experience of all of you.

Hi folks, I'm colleting resources and knowledge to build a 1/6 "somewhat from scratch" top fueler. I'm having a hard time finding an engine kit and rubber tires. I see Revell made a blown hemi back in the 60's (?), but can't find any kits on Ebay or elsewhere. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to this forum and model building. I'm currently doing the Tamiya 1/12 Ford GT40 and it's coming along as I learn a lot.