AmericanMuscleFan

Super nice Tim, 20 bolts just for the top, that's hard on a hardware inventory if you didn't make them yourself! 👍

Very cool Tim, your cap is probably not perfect if we use a microscope to analyze it, you are a very harsh judge my friend, I would not have liked to have you as a school teacher! I am not very familiar with the dry sump system, but it seems that the system brings several advantages in the world of drag racing cars, it is interesting, I will listen to my teacher with interest! 😁

Hi Claude, we're there, or at least we're heading in that direction! I don't know whether to laugh or cry, but it seems that even some manufacturers have swapped the good old internal combustion engine for the electric battery. Fortunately, some high-performance vehicles have kept their original lines and your Ferrari is part of this line, hoping that we can keep a certain pleasure in driving your idea pleases me, the virility of the curves are still there! Well done my friend, your boots are walking the talk: Hours of fun with Styrene! 😉

Great simple and effective idea for making the frame with precision Ian! I'm keeping this in the bank in case one day I decide to make this kind of frame, however the technique can be applied to any brass element that requires welding, it's simple and clever. 👍

Thanks so much Ian! Knowing your experience as a true drag racing car engine builder, your comments are quite an honor and add to my sense of accomplishment for what I have managed to do with my engine block. Let's just say this wasn't my first attempt, but I tried to improve the recipe using the same technique I used to machine the one for my D100 pickup. Although I was quite satisfied with my previous efforts, I was left a little hungry and I especially wanted to improve the front part of the engine block, more precisely the part where the timing gear and the water pump housing are installed. This section is very distinctive and very difficult to reproduce but I had found all the measurements to recreate it. I started machining the heads but was forced to put that aside for a bit to focus on outdoor work but would like to be able to finish them and maybe machine the valve covers before closing up shop for the summer. Too bad, I'm in my favorite part of the project... 😔 Francis

It's hard to believe you can improve on something that's already so well done Brian, but I admit the smaller bolts are an improvement indeed. I guess there are several of us in the same boat, summer is not the best season for modeling, life's priorities take over! 😢

Thanks Will, my modeling season is almost over but I'd like to make the heads and maybe the valve covers too before I put my tools away for the summer. I fear the weather will decide all of this, the hobby will reluctantly give way to full-time outdoor summer work. 😔 Francis

Glad they're not perfect Tim... you're a ruthless critic, it's hard for a layperson to understand all the work that goes into achieving this! Perfection is not of this world but...........😉

Welcome on board Steve! A good start and an ambitious project as Anton said. It's a wonderful hobby and it seems that we all come back to it at one time or another when we did it at a young age, it takes us back to our childhood! The quality of tools and accessories has evolved a lot in recent years, there is something for all tastes and all levels of detail. Your project is very interesting and in my favorite category, I will definitely come back to see your progress! 👍

Congratulations on the awards Steve, they are well deserved, it has nothing to do with luck but with talent! The end result is so you and Roger at the same time, it's as if he guided your hands during the build, it's a tribute of great quality that you paid him and I'm sure he would be honored! 👌🏆

Well, I'm late to the party again! Another stunning concept car in your favorite car brand and color scheme I might add! It's pure Claude, starting with your hood hinge system which is now your trademark, so to speak. I notice the minimalism of the tire sidewall which could make the ride a little less pleasant with the state of our roads. On the other hand, a real one remains a real one and I am certain that your driving skills will ensure that you will know how to avoid the hazards of the road, in any case you will not lack engine power to make up for lost time! Well done my friend! 👍

Great job Steve, that's called turning bad luck into good luck, the adjustments were minor but well worth it, the final product will only look better. 👍

They look great Tim, it's always hard to do them justice with the camera, focusing is often an issue but the quality of the work is evident! A lot of effort for such small parts but it fits perfectly with the objective of your project. 👌

The only thing I can add at the moment is to buy good quality, it's tempting to buy the cheapest but it's frustrating when those same tools don't cut well or lose their edge quickly. Have fun, it's priceless! 😊 I may start to be less active in the coming weeks, as the summer break is fast approaching, but I will continue to visit the forum from time to time if you have any questions. Francis

Nothing is left to chance, everything is always so well organized and prepared, an example to follow my friend! 👍

Thanks Brian, I can only encourage you to start, it's addictive! My only advice is to start by machining simpler parts and add challenges and complexity as you feel more confident. As for end mills, I bought a lot of them on eBay, sometimes you can find auctions with lots of several sizes offered at the same time. They are expensive despite their small size and they come in several sizes and shapes (straight and ball nose) to provide cutting and finishing options. Don't hesitate if you have any questions, I will be happy to offer you my support. I bought several at: https://drillbitsunlimited.com Francis

This is awesome Brian, who said a snowplow can't be sexy and manly at the same time? 😊 I don't know if you use some kind of filter on your camera, but AGAIN, it's confusing with a real one... but in fact, yours looks even better! 😁

I see the big rigs world has many nice detail kits to offer for most situations, the latches are fantastic. Plus, when you have your fabricator talent, there is no limit to the wonder! Two thumbs up!!! 👍👍

I think that this is a good explanation, but perhaps in a less classic way we could cite: "You Can Do Magic" America 1982 View from the ground album Track 1 .... 😁

Thanks Pierre, your funny my friend. However, what you are describing is supposed to happen only after the second bottle but you seem to have big bottles, maybe after the first one it would be normal... 🤣 Too bad I'm leaving for work, I would have loved to have a drink with you! 🍷 Francis

Thanks Mike, I really appreciate your comments! What would be crazy would be to have invested in a CNC to make model parts just to satisfy your precision madness. 😁There's really no limit to what you can do when you're motivated, it's just a longer road when you do it the traditional way with good old cranks! As a bonus, it's good for the neurons to figure out how to get there! To answer your question, I have a photo, it's very easy to do and it amuses me a little to see that what is probably the most simplistic detail is what produces the most reaction. I calculated 1 5/8 inch for the plugs, so I reduced a 0.080" brass rod to 0.065" and used a 0.050" end mill to make the depression. They are pressed all the way into the side of the engine block, no glue or epoxy was used. I hope that answers your question. Francis

There won't be much of the original kit left when you cross the finish line Andrew, can we call that improvements or is it attention to detail? Maybe it's love, it makes you do crazy things! 😁

Thanks Bob, I didn't write down the exact time I spent on it (I never do that for any piece) but it's in that range. My approach is to work slowly and plan the next operations so as not to remove material that will form subsequent details, I don't have a technical plan, it's all in my head so to speak.. Measure twice, cut once as they say! 😉 I'll be working on engine heads and valve covers next, hopefully I'll have a bit more time before I close up shop for the summer, I'm into what I love most at the moment! Francis

You're keeping busy Charlie, this is another project that's off to a great start, I have a feeling we're going to have a lot more fun following your updates. 👍

Amazing that this all started with aluminum/brass rods and flat brass sheets. You are a magician my friend, the paint is superb as is the color choice! 👍