AmericanMuscleFan

Great job on the grille Steve, it's not an easy task to do because the remaining bars are so fragile, you saved the furniture as they say around here! I think that despite the work involved, it is a modification that brings a lot of realism to any model car. The project is well underway and we see your influence with the very low position that you like so much (I also like it by the way) and with all respect I think that what you do is very similar to Roger's superb builds. It seems that several of us like your idea of a tribute my friend! 😊

We see that there is plenty of space between the hood and the engine. 👍 A small ball of Play-Doh or Silly Putty is very useful for checking or taking precise measurements when elements are closer together or interference is suspected. I have already tried this technique and it works quite well.

Excellent work (as usual) on the inner fenders Brian, the reinforcements seem perfectly credible, I really like them! 👌

Thanks Claude! You'll have to be patient to see it in rthe flesh, it's another build for which I don't see the end... I wonder why I'm still asking myself this question, it must be a trend with me after all...! 🙄 Francis

The hood lock pins are awesome Daniel, another great idea, a simple solution that would be possible and effective on a real car, that's all that matters! 👍

Thanks Terry your comments are greatly appreciated. It's very rewarding to be able to make your own parts and I can only encourage you to get started. However, it is not necessary to have all these expensive tools, I started with a Dremel and hand tools. With today's new technologies like 3D printing, it becomes less relevant to machine your parts but my goal is to have a good time even if sometimes it's a headache to find the method to achieve your goals. I'm not finished yet, so you'll still have plenty of opportunities to see other things being made between now and spring. Welcome whenever you want! Francis Thanks Trevor! I know one of your favorite parts is the engine, I hope to tackle that in the next few weeks. Francis

Nice job on the plating Tim, I think the Copy Chrome plating produces the perfect brightness or shine for a realistic effect on models of this scale. 👌

Nice paint job on the engine Jason, this thing looks mean, that's promising! 👍

This is the story of my life Brian but that's how it is when you invest in this kind of modification. My little finger tells me that you will find a solution! 😁 I never tire of seeing the quality and your attention to every little detail, needless to say you know your stuff! 👍

Thanks Tim, it's just a hobby of course and when the hours for it are limited you have to use them efficiently with lots of appreciation, I know you know what I'm talking about! Your work inspires me a lot, I always look forward to seeing the next piece of jewelry you will show us! 😊 Thanks Ian, I appreciate your sentiment my friend!

WOW, great work on the frame Ian, I wonder why I'm surprised, you're so talented! Good idea to put the oil filter on a dime, it puts everything into perspective! 😊

Great job on the seat frames Tim, they are just perfect as is everything else you do by the way! I hope you have better luck than me with the nickel plated option, my attempts turned black every time, the chrome copy is more forgiving and gave me nice results though. I look forward to seeing the results of your visit to the shop, it's a rare opportunity to have the chance to check out the real thing and be able to photograph it up close in all its nooks and crannies, I envy you my friend!

I'm on board Steve! Great idea to honor Roger's work, he was certainly one of the most talented builders, all his builds were tasteful and so well executed, a great communicator, generous with his innovations, many of us were able to benefit from his vision of the hobby. You are a very talented modeler yourself, I have no doubt your project will honor his legacy, the subject chosen could not be more appropriate! I have a weakness for pickups from this era, I'm hooked! 😊

Thanks for your kind comments Brian! There is no magic, it's all about tracking measurements for repeatability. I use a rotary table and an angle table, they are my favorite tools for this kind of work. There is no room for "approximately" when you are looking for precision and functional parts at this scale. It's not necessarily my goal but I tell myself why not do it when I feel I can do it! As for resistance soldering, there are better people than me to do a tutorial, I don't have much experience and I work more by intuition than by experience. Thanks Daniel, I don't have any specific knowledge in machining, if I manage to become a better machinist it is by gaining experience and learning from my mistakes. There is always room for improvement when you are a perfectionist, but I have learned to lower my expectations, otherwise there would be no end. I know you know what I'm talking about, you're a perfectionist yourself like the friends who regularly comment on my updates. Thanks Pierre, you do the same kind of work with styrene fabrications, the basic material is different but the desire to create is the same! I plan to paint or plate a lot of the parts to make them more realistic even if it will partly hide the welds that join all the elements together. Some elements would have benefited from being made of aluminum for its color but brass has the advantage of being weldable which often guides my decisions. Thanks again guys, I really appreciate your interaction and feedback! Francis

The box does not always need to be satin, it is the jewelry that matters and no matter the box the gemstone is well cut! 💎

You are on the right track Brian, the cab and hood modifications look great, the puzzle pieces are falling into place... thanks to your excellent work! It is a puzzle with a lot of pieces though! 😁

I'm starting to run out of words Charlie, your talent is incredible my friend. I'll save some vocabulary for the end, it'll be epic! 👌

WOW, that's a lot of filing and sanding to get to this point, perseverance overcomes everything! 👌

Hello everyone! Time for another update, the front brake calipers were the next parts to be made in my long to do list. I basically repeated the same technique I used for the rear ones with minimal modifications including adding extra bolts for assembly. Again, the order I chose to build the parts was more strategic than anything else, with the size of the brake rotors being a critical element for the proper functioning of the assembly. I used brass again for its soldering quality, the brake calipers will be plated or painted later in the build progression. I will then work on the rack (Mustang II type), another interesting and rather difficult piece to make. Do not hesitate if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them. See you soon, Francis I didn't take a picture of the first step, reducing the part to the desired size on the lathe. The small drilled holes correspond to the position of those already made in the caliper supports. Further cuts were made to determine the shape of the brake calipers. Further cuts to determine the opening needed for disc brake rotors. A little more refinement in the general appearance. Now at 45 degrees to make a bevel shape on the sides to make them look more realistic. The parts were cut on a lathe, the brake fluid reservoirs were welded to the back of the brake calipers. The front and rear parts are welded together to create a single piece. The fit with the bracket and clearance for the rotors are exactly as I calculated. At a different angle, the rotor spin freely. The clearance with the inside of the wheels is also very good IMHO. View from the other side through the wheel slots.

Nice job on the hood Brian, your preparation and organization is evident. 👍 As with most modelers, there must be a stage of the build that you enjoy the most and another that you enjoy less? I would be curious to know which ones because every aspect seems to me to be done with a lot of dedication.

Thanks Rich, I've done enough detail so far that will be mostly hidden after final assembly, I'll pass on the bearings LOL. 🤣 Thanks Daniel, for me, there are no state secrets in what I do, if what we do can inspire others, the mission is largely accomplished! Thanks Charlie, if you are referring to cutting tools and drill bits, I buy most of them on eBay, for equipment, everything is from Sherline.

Great job Pierre, I love all the added details, it's a pleasure to see them add up! 👌

I am jealous and envious! Very few have survived around here, so I have to rely on the postal system to replenish my inventory. 😭

The proof has been made once again, good leftovers make good dishes especially when the cook is talented! You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, but when you put the shells back together you certainly get something different and sometimes, as is the case here, the exercise is successful! Oddly enough, even the color supports my thoughts. 😁 Claude strikes again as many others have said or thought! Bravo encore une fois mon ami! 👍

Thanks Steve, trust me we are on the same planet, all your builds are so beautiful, tasteful and clean, your planet just spins faster than mine! Thanks Daniel my friend, I can't say it enough, that's what this forum is for and you too are an endless source of tips and help for other members, there is always something to learn about your threads. Thanks Pierre, maybe i will have to go back to the american dime depending on future events... but on the other hand, the dimension is not different! 🤔 Thanks Brian, beauty is in the eye of the beholder my friend, maybe i find the grass is greener on the neighbor's field but let's just say i find your production more substantial! Perhaps the scale of the work must have something to do with it? 🚚 Thanks again to all of you, I will be back on the build next week, my work week starts tomorrow morning.