AmericanMuscleFan

Again, the wheels are absolutely beautiful Charlie, maybe the black will make the spokes less visible, you'll see. This is your build, so your decision will be the right one, I'm sure! I don't think I'd be a good advisor on fenders, as I prefer cars with fenders. I love the hot rod versions of this era with wide tires and fenders in the back but not necessarily in the front, so you can see more easily all the details of the steering and suspension elements. I'm not familiar with the Indy style so maybe fenders are not common in this type of vehicle? Question: Do you use the degreaser method like Easy-Off or do you have another way to remove the anodization, I have never tried it?

Thank you so much for mentioning my name with such good machinists my friend. I am very honored if what I do has inspired you but I think what you do yourself inspires many... I always find something to add to my arsenal when I visit your threads. You've always been able to make amazing things in a conventional way, adding precision machinery only allows you to go even further! This is still great work you are presenting here, even if the word "work" is only used to describe things! You have fun doing what you do and it shows! ? Francis

Thanks again for your great suggestions Mike! I would not have thought that such a simple part would have brought all these suggestions or comments. I don't have a sandblasting system but I have already considered buying one because it produces a very interesting finish. I still have a lot to think about and it gives me motivation to continue this long project. Your advice is valuable and I take good note of it, your great talent and experience in the field are the reason for this forum. Sharing our knowledge and experience as well as the contribution of everyone is priceless! Francis PS: The attached image is the kind of look I had in mind.

Thanks for the nice comment Edgar! It puts gas in my tank! ? Francis

Great job Ray! I have to say I'm not a huge VW fan but this one is so cool... it's a drag car so how could I not love it.... ! ? The painting is gorgeous, as others have mentioned, the color transition is impeccable! ? I am not familiar with 3D printed parts, so what type of glue works best for this material, superglue or 2 part epoxy?

Wheels are absolutely superb Charles! I would keep them in bare aluminum because I think a black anodized center would give the wheels a more modern look and I don't think that's the direction you chose for your project?

Thanks Chris! Thanks Daniel! Thanks Jim! Thanks for your comments guys, I really appreciate your input and suggestions too! ? I'm still in reflection mode but my main concern is to get more color contrast, as most of the details in the box are already bare aluminum (battery holder and kill switch). The ring around the filler cap would remain bare aluminum and the brass strips would make a nice color contrast with the black. I still have a lot of work to do... but it's coming along! Francis

Hello everyone, Due to the bad weather lately, I've had more time for the truck, which isn't a bad thing because I want to pick up the pace and finish making the missing parts before I put some color on this long (very long...) project. I just finished the fuel cell and I offer you some pictures of the almost finished product, I'm going to paint the tank in satin black later to simulate as if it would be in plastic. The next pictures will be a bit of a surprise because the next pieces will be made according to the inspiration of the moment according to what I find I have left to make. I always think I am done but I am always missing something when I take the time to go through it all. I have to say that there are many parts in a vehicle when you think about it... ? See you soon, Francis Fuel cell in the milling vise at early stage. Grooves for the straps machined and hole for the filler cap drilled. Fuel cell in progress. It probably won't contain enough fuel to cross the country... ? Part of the filler cap in progress. Holes drilled for the mounting bolts. Brass filler cap in the rotary table. Most of the parts are machined, the brass straps are handmade of course. A small test assembly to check the fit (I am pretty happy... ?).

Hey thanks buddy! A lot of elbow grease to remove the end mill marks and yes, 12 volts it is... but the battery is not yet fully charged, so no big risks of accidental discharge... ? I am in the process of going around and identifying the last missing pieces to this puzzle... I have to finish this project this winter or before spring, I have a lot of ideas for my next subject and I hope I won't discourage my followers... I've been working on this project for a while now!!! ? Francis

Great job Tom! I really like these LO23 Hemi Dart and yours is very well done, the color is perfect for this car! ?

Thanks Dave! I am currently working on the fuel cell set-up. I'm finally done with the fall chores (there are still leaves in the oaks though...) so I think I'll be able to resume my model building season at a more consistent pace! ? Francis

It's true that the bumper fits the truck pretty well. It may be a bit massive but I agree that a bumper would make the front end more complete. I'm not helping you much but I must say that you did a great job on the body modification and that your weathering work is as usual in a class of its own! ?

Great project Joakim! It's a drag car so it's right up my alley!!! ? I assume that your parts are printed using SLA (photopolymer resin) and not FDM as they look very clean and accurate? I read somewhere that 3d parts are very sensitive to sunlight. Do you know if paint can protect the parts from distortion? Maybe an experienced modeler with 3d printed parts can answer this question? Anyway, I love 3d technology, it offers so many possibilities.

WOW! This is a great build Mike, the "trunk" as you call it is impressive and very well proportioned. ? What type of material was used on the real car? I'm just curious as I don't know much about this type of dragster but I really LOVE it!!!

Excellent work (again...) Steve!!! Your 2 door version of the Chrysler 300 is exactly as the real car should have been made. I really like what you are doing my friend, it is very inspiring and it gives ideas to many modelers including me... ?

Thanks Jerry! The next chapter will be for the fuel cell, this thing will be thirsty and not necessary in harmony with the Kyoto protocol...? However, I am a pretty environmentally friendly guy in real life... I'd say that's one of the good things about creating the cars of our dreams at scale!

Another fantastic build Steve! Everything was done with good taste and precise execution. You can be proud my friend, your record is impressive, your talent and enjoyment of this hobby is undeniable, you prove it once again! BRAVO!!! ?

Welcome to the forum Mario! I have already seen some of your builds and I must say that you are a very good builder (your Ford dump truck is just fantastic). I look forward to seeing more of your work! A Canadian neighbor, Francis ??

Absolutely stunning build Sergey! Most of us have followed you on your extremely well documented WIP thread and you have delivered an outstanding dump truck. You can be proud sir, it's a real feast for the eyes! ?

Superb job Mario! Your truck looks like the real thing and your diorama only adds to the realism.? As others have mentioned, your aging work is very well done. ? Welcome to the forum by the way, it looks like you have a lot to offer!

Thanks again for your kind words Jim! I have a busy fall and winter ahead of me, I really want to finish this truck before next spring. I'm at the stage where I'm starting to think about the next project and I have too many ideas and not enough time... I'm probably not the only one in this situation...? Francis

So well crafted!

Hello everyone, I'm on vacation this week, I usually take one in October to finish all the fall chores but the weather is terrible, it's raining every day, too bad, the last 2 weeks were like summer, I guess Mother Nature gave it all she had in store.... I had some time available so I made the battery holder, it will be mounted in the bed right next to the kill switch. I read that the NHRA does not accept standard "J" rods as a mount and that the bracket must be bolted to the body so I designed something that should meet their requirements. The main support is made of aluminum in 2 parts and the rods are brass tubes, the bolts pass through them and screw to the body. I will have to make the terminals and add a decal on the battery, I am still in the work in progress after all...? Comments and questions are always welcome. Francis Base of the support on the rotary table chuck. Base at a more advanced status. Top of the support on the rotary table chuck. Another one... In the process to separate the part from the rod. Battery terminals in progress. Most of the parts together. A little test fit, I am pretty happy with the results (sorry for the blurry picture, I think I am better on the lathe... ?).

Thanks Charlie! I don't have the patience (or the time...) to machine the bolts, in this case they are brass and come from Scale Hardware. Francis

Thanks Mike! I think the colored molded sprue is a good trick when you don't want to paint small parts and when you are a little bit lazy... ? To answer your question, all parts will be removed before painting the body, the kill switch is no exception, it is only mounted temporarily to check the fit. Francis