MADD FABRICATOR

Mike, you're right. I meant to say " sulfur free" not " oil based". My mistake. I guess it's back to the whipping post and 40 lashes again. As for using " Bondo" for the master pattern for the mold, it works great and is realitively easy to shape,carve, and sand. I've used it many times. just make sure you seal it, before applying the RTV to it. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!!!!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

You didn't say what brand of RTV you plan on using to make the mold, but most manufactures recommend that you don't use regular modeling clay, which I believe is oil based, as the silicone RTV will not cure properly. I recommnend that you create the modifications out of Sculpy clay which needs to be baked after the modeling is done. Make it so the modification pieces can be removed from the plastic model, then baked as per the Sculpy instructions, and then reattached to the model before making the mold. ( Oil based clay and silicone RTV just don't work together. That is why Smooth-on, Alumilite, and other manufactures of casting products sell their own brand of clay. Hope this answers your question. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Is there anything in particular that you are looking for?? CHEERZZZZZ !!!!!!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Plastruct makes plastic letters in 4 different sizes, part number ( P/N 96001 code PABT-2 which are 1/16" in height; P/N 96002 code PABT-4 , which are 1/8" in height; P/N 96003, code PABT-6 which are 15/64" in height; and P/N 96004 code PABT-10, which are 25/64" in height.) Most hobby shops do not carry the full line of Plastruct products, as they number in the hundreds. Their products can be bought through the internet, but I believe there is a minimum order. You might also ask your local hobby shop to special order them for you, or you might try locating them at a model train store. Hope this helps. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Lee, I know I still have the molds for the sidewall portion of the tires, but I'm not sure if I still have the slick portion. I created the molds a few years ago, and I'll have to search through my molds to see if the steam roller portion mold is still useable. If not I could probably be talked into making a new mold. You say you want two sets?. I'll let you know in a couple of days what I can do for you. Drop me a PM. and we'll take this off group. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Rick, just wanted to say, it's looking good. Great idea on the mounting plate instead of the mounts. It will dfinitely make a much stronger assembly. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Dave, GREAT looking work. I've never worked with Renshape before, but I have heard of it. Looks like a nice material to use. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

In reply to Don's " UNLEASHES the BEAST" posting, rest assured that the "BEAST" is in reference, only in the fact that this kit will definitely turn lose those untamed builders who like a challenge of the hunt, ( build in this case). The product is and will always be offically known as the "TDR Roadster" and will be marketed , as will any components associated with it, by it's official title. Hope this clears up any misunderstanding that the group had. CHEERZZZ !!!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

"The buck looks awesome. Knowing your quality, I assume there's going to be a lot more work to get the panel lines on doors, hood, trunk smoother."

Just celebrated year number 45. She's a sweet Scottish lass that I imported back in 1965 while serving with the USAF in Scotland. She has been very kind and understanding about my hobby of being a gearhead, both in 1:1 and model cars. Although I'm starting to get a bit worried as she has finally decided to join me in the hobby craze and has taken over ( actually I gave up part of my hobby workshop ), so she can do her stained glass mosaics. Why, I even was generous enough to buy her some of her own tools. We even work in the hobby workshop at the same time and haven't had an argument yet. Life is GOOD !!!! CHEERZZZZ !!!!!! Dick Zimmerman ( aka MADD FABRICATOR )

Rick, thanks for the kind words on the quality of the fiberglass bodies. As you well know, these are not done in a SLAM-BAM way. I take my time hand laying up the gel coat, cloth, and polyester resin with the intent of giving the modeler the best body available. As a side note, at the present time I do not keep an inventory of bodies on hand, but produce each one on an as ordered basis, thus the intended 2-3 week time period between ordering and shipping. This lead time also allows me to communicate with the buyer as to any special needs on how they want the body , ie; firewall installed, stock opening hood or a tilt style front clip, gasser style, on the Willy's and soon to be Anglia. That's something you don't get with the big time plastic kit manufactures. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!!! Dick Zimmerman, (aka MF )

Quote-I earned the nose flat trackin' Harley's on a dirt track." Don, that's what happens when you " flat trackers" ride with you nose to close to the handle bars or tank and bad things happen. At least you still have a nose. LOL. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!! MF

Rick, as you know Tim ( Daytona Tim )and I ( MADD FABRICATOR ) had a couple of tables set up in the vendors area to promote the TDR " goodies" and a few of the 1/8th scale fiberglass which the MADD FABRICATOR produces and sells through TDR. The response from those who stopped at our tables was very overwhelming to say the least. Most of the modelers weren't familiar with the Rapid Prototype processes we use to create the parts or the way in which the fiberglass bodies are produced. Lots of time was spent informing the modelers of these two distinct processes. We got great reviews from all who saw what we are doing to help the " biggie" modelers of the universe. Lots of great information was exchanged in regards to future products that may be in the offering as well as ideas on how we can improve upon what we have already created. It looks like from all the feedback which we received, TDR is headed in the right direction. Many of the modelers we talked to expressed much disatisfaction with todays manufactures in that they don't seem to want to listen to new ideas for new and different kits in large scale. They just seem to want to keep reissuing the same stuff year after year, and wonder why the factory "bean counters" are unhappy about lack of sales. Thankfully we at TDR are not tied to a " bean counters" apron string, but are able to create products that the modelers really want. Although the interest in big scale is alive and well, the size of these models and the amount of work required to detail a large scale model to competition quality is more than many modelers are willing to spend time on. We at TDR are working diligently to ensure that new and exciting products continue to be made available for those wishing to work in the larger scales. Thanks to all who stopped by our tables and expressed an interest in our products. I've attached a couple of photos of our vendors tables for your viewing pleasure. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!

Tim, great photos of the roadster chassis. That is absolutely awesome looking. I'm still plugging away on the body and still not quite ready to post photos. It still has a case of acne in a few spots, but it's nearing completion. Hopefully I'll have time to post some photos of not only the TDR 427 Roadster prototype body, but also the MADD FABRICATOR's latest body the Anglia gasser, before I head for Toledo. That will make those modelers who can't make it to the NNL feel as though they are not left out of the debut of both projects. CHEERZZZ !!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Dave, and just what parts might those be ? I need something to think about at night while I'm trying to sleep.( LOL ) CHEERZZZZZ !!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Remember Christmas is just around the corner. CHEERZZZZZ !!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Just to keep the ball rolling forward for those of you who like building the " BIGGIES" the MADD FABRCATOR is also announcing a pre-release statement about two new 1/8th scale bodies which will be sold through TDR. While I'm in the process of also completing the TDR Roadster I am also putting the finishing touches on a Gasser Wars style Anglia. This body will be a companion body to the MF Willys body and will only be available in hand laid fiberglass resin and cloth as is the Willys. I will not be taking any pre orders as again with the TDR 427 Roadster I need to finalize the form, fit , and function process of the prototype body. I hope to be able to post photos of the Willys and Anglia by the end of the week CHEERZZZZZ !!!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Reading all the posts on the TDR 427 Roadster pretty much requires the MADD FABRICATOR to chime in with the status of the body. I'm presently putting the finishing touches on the prototype body and where as there are a few " ugly " spots that still require tweeking,I'm not prepared to post any photos. The game plan is to either have a fiberglass proof of concept body all molded up in time for the Toledo NNL, or at least have the finished prototype master finshed to display along with the chassis and motor. If things go well I may have photos to post by next week. CHEERZZZ !!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Gregg, actually the sanding part isn't all that hard, just a bit time consuming. Just think what kind of a project you'd be under taking if it was just a large block of hard foam board. TDR did all the hard work for you. ( LOL ). Good luck with the build, and keep us informed as to it's progress. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

In regards to the availability of the Willy's body, I do plan to go back into production with it. I've been doing some experimenting with two part epoxy resin to use with the fiberglass cloth, instead of the polyester resin that I've been working with for almost 50 years . The epoxy resin has a couple of benefits over the polyester resin, which I don't need to elaborate on here. I've also got a couple of other bodies in the works for which I'm just about ready to create the molds for. Stay tuned to this site for future updates on the current status of the MADD FABRICATOR series of bodies. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Grandpa, glad to see you're about to start slinging some 'glass. Please keep us informed as to the mold making progress. And yes Rick, glass is the only way to go when doing a body of any size. I just finished experimenting with using a two part epoxy process to make a body of my dry lakes/ Bonneville style belly tanker in 1/8th scale. The body before doing the final trimming came out at just under 7 ounces. That same body cast in resin would have weighed just about a full pound, plus the cast resin tends to be very brittle, and going thinner on the cast resin would have created even more stress problems. So, be it polyester resin or two part epoxy resin with some 'glass cloth is by far the best method. Looking forward to seeing the Cuda in 'glass. CHEERZZZZZ !!!!!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Rick, thanks for the compliments on the M.F. bodies. As you know I do not produce any body in cast resin, and I do not sell any seconds, as there are none. Every body that leaves my workshop is 1st class because each body is individually hand laid fiberglass. I have complete control over the quality of the product. This hand lay up of a body also allows me to fine tune each body to any of the customers specific requests, where as with a resin cast body, to do any deviations from the mold is impossible without modifying the mold. CHEERZZZZZ !!!! MADD FABRICATOR

Here are a couple of pictures of the M.F. track nose "T". Please send any inquiries as to pricing and availability to: rdzandnz@chriscakes.com. CHEERZZZZ !!!!!! M.F.