OldNYJim

Thanks fellas! Did a little more the last couple of nights and days… The Tweedy Pie has a distinctive dash with a radiused top, so I scratchbuilt something inspired by that…still not going for a REPLICA, but trying to take some of the main details I like and remix them into something of my own… The steering wheel will be much more upright than that, but it’s just putty’d in there right now…next chore was the floor - got a rough ‘sketch’ of that made: Did some of the fiddly work with spacers and shims and whatnot to get the wheels fitted to the tires nicely and getting it up on it’s wheels: And final little bits of fabrication I needed to do was just making some interior panels and find a seat. Went though a bunch of seats before I found one I liked…funnily enough, ended up with one from an AMT T kit ?? Not a single part here is ready to primer yet…but everything’s far enough that I can start finishing each part up nicely now, drill and pin where needed and actually start making all these mismatched parts look pretty! Thanks for looking - more soon, soon as I’ve done more!!

What's really impressive about that build, is that it isn't THAT far away from being box stock either. Some beautiful 3d printed parts and some masterful building - but really inspiring to see what someone can do with a relatively simple kit to make it SO lifelike! Martin does GREAT work - and is a really nice guy...I thoroughly recommend checking out more of his work here: https://www.instagram.com/stokemodels/?hl=en

That shade, in your photos at least, also looks pretty close to Createx dark blue, when applied over a white primer base. Easily found at most Hobby Lobbys - and easily mixed with a little white or black to get it dead-on...

Good tip to find the really 'juicy' threads is to open up one of the forums and sort the threads by number of replies. The REALLY in depth projects tend to have a lot more replies and content to them than some of the simpler builds.

Huh! Sounds simple and difficult all at the same time! I bet One Shot sign paint would be good for this technique - that often tends to make 'stringies' because it's somewhat gloopy...another fun technique to mess with! Thank you for taking the time to explain! Bob - AWESOME, thank you!! I'm already thinking of cool ways to utilize these tricks!

Me too, I get it! Not on the forum, but this guy’s videos are incredible - I’m working through this build of a Tamiya Mini (but he has a bunch of other cool projects too): Opened doors, scratchbuilt stuff, brass, some unusual materials and techniques…this series scratched the itch for me when I was looking for some amazing craftsmanship. Back on this site - John Teresi has DOZENS of incredible builds documented step by step with extensive scratchbuilding and a wide array of techniques and skills used: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/profile/5046-john-teresi/content/?type=forums_topic&change_section=1

I loved reading this ‘feature’ Tim - thanks for sharing. Question, seeing as I was born twenty years too late to read the article on scale cobwebbed paint effects…do you recall how that was done? Looks great!

I like using a mix of ‘traditional’ building techniques (modifying kit parts, kitbashing, resin casting, scratchbuilding from styrene etc etc)…but I like 3D printing too. Designing parts in CAD and 3D printing them is a skill in itself - same way using an ALPS printer to print decals is a whole art form compared to masking and airbrushing, or brush painting. They all have their place. The skill in ANY technique in this hobby is knowing when to use it, and HOW to use it. Though not on the scale of some of the amazing build threads shown here, the project I’m working on right now has kitbashed and modified kit parts, soldered brass, resin cast bits, lathe-turned parts…AND 3d printed stuff. I’m each case, I just used the technique that gave the best results for the thing I was trying to achieve…

And as if by magic, Bill found himself with another project in the queue ?

Post printed and slipped inside the book for future reference ? I see MGBs and Triumphs for sale around here semi regularly, ALWAYS with completely rotted out bodies...something like that might be a good parts source perhaps too. Good advise, thank you Bill!

I’ve driven two different variations of these - both times at the NY auto show in their demo area where they have some actual hands on activities. First time was an autocross type deal around a little course (although the one I drove had a throttle stop that brought it down to kiddy-ride speeds), and second time I dropped $100 for the chance to learn to prescision-donut one around a cone with an instructor. MUCH more satisfying, and well worth the money. I’m a Miata fan and I’d always thought they were the best handling car I ever drove, but MAN these 7s are fun, and they made my Miata feel like a box-truck by comparison! I’d love to run one on a track and actually get to throw one around properly. I too picked up this book, suitably inspired - I wasn’t familiar with some of the vehicle parts referenced (obviously, what with it being an English book) and I seem to remember they recommend just finding a flat garage floor or a sheet of wood or something as a ‘jig’ for the frame which seemed a little TOO low budget maybe, but I’d still love to build one. I’m sure there’s a decent RWD ‘Merican car that a lot of the running gear could be sourced from for a novice 1:1 builder like myself

My local store had either been cleaned out of all the new stuff, or they hadn’t filled the shelves with it yet. About all I saw that was new was one of the new 911 kit, the Supra and the T-bird - and only one each of those. Lots of empty spots:

Also in Revell’s defense, somewhat - they have listed the parts count on their boxes for 20+ years now AND usually had photos of a built-up on the box too: Not like they’re hiding the fact that it’s a low-parts-count build just because they have the ‘nerve’ to put it in a box with nice art. I don’t disagree that it doesn’t seem like the best kit ever; but I’m another one who doesn’t mind the plastic tires. Like said already in this thread, well painted plastic tires almost always look better than vinyl ones anyway to me

Hit the Lobby of Hobby this morning to look for the 36 Ford truck kit - but the spot marked for them was empty. They DID have some new stuff, but nothing I desperately wanted. Did pick up this MPC 34 kit so I can try fitting the front of it’s roof to this AMT sedan I’ve been messing with to improve that lumpy curve: Plus a marked-down display case, some glue, K&S brass and a clear ornament for when I get the urge to build a couple of bubble-tops

Thanks Bob! I made a start on that windshield today, along with a bunch of other stuff… First up, shortened some Revell 29 Ford linkages for the front axle, and scratchbuilt some for the rear: All of these parts will need further fettling and detailing - I’m just kinda ‘sketching’ this for now to get the major components locked in… Stance check: What’s really missing from this picture is that windshield though…the kit part is necessarily blocky and too ‘heavy’ looking, and since I widened the body it doesn’t fit anyway….so, I dug out the new soldering setup I picked up earlier in the year… And made this: It’s sitting higher than it will when mounted for good here - but I added about 5 scale inches compared to the kit piece to give it a more cartoony look…I want this thing to look cute! Looks better than the kit part I think… And then, back to the frame, I had the 3D printer running, making some brake drums and got that handled… And tomorrow’s project will be messing with the wheels and tires some more: Also on the cards for tomorrow will be trying to figure out an interior, and once I know the steering wheel position I can work on the steering too. Thanks for looking - more soon, soon as I’ve done more!

I think you’d be best returning it to Hobby Lobby and going about your day - I’m sure Revell won’t be able to help you much

It's just their old snap kit, reissued right? Looks like it contains about what I'd expect...

I blinked and missed this thread - but you do beautiful work! Love that candy red!

And mine arrived today in Cornland today too - a GREAT issue. REALLY. A @tim boyd article is usually worth the price of admission for me, but that beautiful amazing Model A - AND an article by @Dennis Lacy and all kinds of hot-roddy goodness…you guys are knocking it out of the park in a way that the other mag hadn’t for YEARS. Great job!!!

Thanks buddy! I’d love to see that! I’m on a real T-bucket kick right now - so many cool ways to build one! Speaking of building one…a little more progress… Made some crossmembers - not quite done with them but good enough for mocking-up: Printed some Vette valve covers, just as another little nod to the Tweedy Pie - the script is REALLY fine on those, so I’ll need to be careful when painting them… And tonight I spent some time messing with getting the engine located. Well, there’s not too much CHOICE in how far back or forwards to locate it in a car this small, but it took some fiddling…and about a 12 scale-inch reduction in the length of the torque tube: Just roughly mocked up here with some tacky glue and some temporary mounting blocks - it actually needed to move back some more before I was done but I got it about right after a couple of tries… Incidentally, this view demonstrates something I wanted to achieve in cleaning up the view of this car from the back somewhat by hiding the spring in front of the axle rather than behind it - it’ll make more sense when I start work on some of the smaller details. And another mock-up to see how we’re looking… Trying to make sure I can have a flat firewall and but not have the front pulleys hit the radiator - luckily the grill shell is pretty deep with that extra lip on it so I should be ok… Plenty still to do - gotta figure out a way to build a windshield frame at some point - might have to break out the brass and the soldering iron Thanks for looking - more soon!

Ah yeah, that was it...I ignored the recommendations printed a little Rat Fink for my test print ?

What an ingenious way to use an X-acto - I never thought of doing that!! I love your threads Bill, I always learn SOMETHING. And yes, those wheels and tires are really cool

And he now has a Patreon page with additional videos for a few bucks a month: https://www.patreon.com/modelcarmuse I too like A4's videos, and also Donn Yost's channel is informative and educational: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScaleModelTechniques

I'd be interested in seeing that too Am I right in thinking you tried the test piece (the little boat model) and that didn't work either Les?

No ? GREAT looking build - love everything about it! Great color, sits nice, good engine choice - great work!