AmericanMuscleFan

There's no harm in combining fun with pleasure as we say around here (I don't know if it translates well in English...). Another good tip from you by reusing an everyday product, just don't overuse the good stuff... ?

Hello everyone, I have finally finished the last parts for the parachute system. Today's update focuses on the in-cab release lever that will be installed near the driver's seat. I did use brass for the bracket and aluminum for the lever. The lever is mounted on the bracket with a tiny brass rivet and remain functional. I added black ABS plastic plates on the lever and everything was shaped by hand with a small file and sandpaper. The black wire will run between the frame and the bed and the other end will be attached to the pin on the parachute. There may be a few details left to work out, but I can say that it's done and focus on the items that need to be added to the bed, including the fuel tank, the battery and its holder, and the kill switch. Comments and questions are welcome. Francis The wire retainer was made with a brass band and a small brass tube from Albion. The brass tube was welded and filed to the desired shape. The bracket was handcrafted from brass and shaped to fit the cabin floor. The lever was hand made with thin aluminum sheet. Black plastic handle added. Another view. Another one. Final product. Handle installed on the bracket. Both the handle and the wire bracket are adjustable. Test adjustment to its final position. All components together.

Simply the nicest 1/25 brake calipers I have ever seen! ?

I really like what I see Ian! It seems to me that brass is trending lately.... ? Another one of your great builds in progress!!! ?

Sad to hear about your latest mishap with the resin clutch can but there's no harm in adding more brass to this nice dragster.... ?

Thanks for your kind comment Anton, I really appreciate it! ? Thanks Ron! I don't know how many times I installed and uninstalled it in the frame to get the right fit but I'm quite happy with the result. I am glad to know that you are still working on your pickup and I will definitely check out your next updates.

This is far from bad Mike! I don't know anyone who can do this by hand...! I should have said I didn't know anyone... now I do!!! There is no machine that can replace talent... ?

Good job separating the hood from the cabin Pat. It must have been pretty tough just looking at the thickness of the walls. What did you use, a panel scriber or the back of an X-Acto blade? Sad that you have to give up the engine, I knew you on this forum as Mr. Engine! ?

The finish on the grille is very nice and shiny Charlie, it looks like your homemade nickel plating solution recipe is a success... ?

You can't see it of course but there is a big smile on my face... The workmanship and soldering of the small brass parts is very high quality, it's very inspiring for detail lovers! ? Tell me, did you make the grooves on the crankshaft pulley by hand...? ?

Nice work Jim! The '70 GTX & Road Runner is one of my favorite Mopar body and you paid it a beautiful tribute. The color (and the paint job) is superb and brings out the beautiful lines of the body.

Thanks Charlie, I'm a little embarrassed of what I can present compared to your amazing updates! Colder days are coming soon in our part of the world, so more time for the hobby to come... ?

Thanks Joe! I'm not very productive lately but I'm trying not to lose my touch I would say. I haven't forgotten you by the way, I just have very little free time these days... ?

Thanks Trevor! Not my biggest piece, but it was fun to make... ?

Thanks for the comments Edgar! I am not an expert in this field as I have never had a drag car that requires a parachute installed for competition. I made the parachute by referring to pictures on the internet and I planned to attach the release cable (that goes from the cab) to the pin. It will be a manual deployment system, does it make a difference on how to attach the pin? Don't hesitate to get back to me on this if I am in "left field" as we say in my part of the country. ?

Fantastic precision work (as usual) Tim, the brake calipers will be nothing less than jewels! I have a couple of these 0.010" end mill and it's always very intimidating to work with them, as you say so well, they can last a very long time or break on the first cut. Yours did quite a job...! ?

Thanks Ian, If the parachute deploys for no reason, I will have the difficult task of putting it back in place with my small pliers...LOL ?

Thanks for your kind words Jerry! Delrin is just another kind of polymer (acetal homopolymer) but it is harder than styrene and machinate beautifully. Another reasons I used it is because it is already black and didn't need to be painted. If you make so research on internet you can find this: Delrin works as an excellent replacement for metal because of its high-tensile strength, low-friction and high-wear resistance, creep and warp resistance, and overall durability and toughness. Hope this helps, Francis

I hope to see a second life to this great project Tom. These old Dodge trucks are probably not unanimous in their design but I have a soft spot for these good old workhorses... and yours makes me salivate! There is still room on my shelf by the way... ?

Great work as usual Daniel, there are always something to lean from your great techniques, I feel like I am in school but in a fun way... ?

Thanks Marcos, I would have preferred to make a fixed version but I would have lost the access to the tailgate which is functional. I think the removable version makes more sense in this context. I don't know if there are any special rules (except the 150mph on the quarter mile) but I imagine this type of parachute would be legal for my truck. Anyway, as a good friend of mine once told me, there are no rules in the wonderful world of model building... ?

I really love all those brass added details on the engine Mike, you always make me want to add more of this beautiful metal to my own projects... your fabrication techniques are very inspiring! Another masterpiece in the making! ?

This is great work Jim! You've made us used to beautiful constructions and paintings of exceptional quality and this is no exception. By the way, I like the good advice of patience printed on the packaging, however, I don't think you have many problems on this side...! All the details you add are first class and will make the difference at the finish line! ?

Hey, thanks Claude! I didn't know about the restrictions on Delrin but I hope it won't "hold me back" in my future progress... I will try to limit myself to Styrene in the future so that I don't get hit by the wrath of the modeling gods... ? Francis Thanks Jim, I'm glad you still like it my friend but I'm pretty sure you must find my pace of progress less impressive... ? Thank you Tim, for the inspirational side I must admit I have a lot of that essential food with your current and past topics sir! ? Thank you Brian, I am always happy to read your kind comments and hope to fulfill your expectations in the coming weeks or months... ?

Pure beauty, Tim! Gosh, I love this stuff and you are hard to beat in this area sir, I am always ready for more and you consistently deliver! Addictive!!! ?