futurattraction

Hey guys. I want to get back onto this. Was out sick last week and have been playing catch-up ever since. I've got a general idea of what I think I'd lean toward making. From a practical standpoint, the initial sets of parts should fit the most universal application. For instance, Dzus fasteners and chassis/suspension mounting brackets can be used on anything, from drag to dirt track and even, to some degree, street-type applications. On the subject of Dzus fasteners, there are a number of different styles of Dzus spring mounting plates. I'm attaching a sample of the types I've drawn up, but I'd like feedback as to which version(s) would be most desireable. Hand brake and chute release/door handle levers are another set of parts that would seem to have more appeal, especially since it sounds like 1/16th is being resurrected to some degree. A question I would like some feedback on is this: what axle housing diameters are the popular ones in 1/16th and possibly even 1/12th. Is there a need or desire for 1/8th scale 4-link brackets in PE? On a related and yet totally separate thought, has anyone seen any pictures of the front side of the Strange Ultra 4-Link rear end housing? I have only seen pics and drawings of it from the side, rear and quartering rear angles. Thoughts???

That is IM-PRES-SIVE. Wow! Look at the size of that monster. And as we've all already said, the workmanship is incredible...

They're gonna be yours - so just wanted to check...

Hey Dan, I've got a question for you. I don't have any envelopes that are the correct size to fit the entire decal sheet in, in one piece. Are you opposed to me carefully cutting the sheet so I can fit it in a regular business size envelope? Please let me know. Scott

I've got a set that I don't plan to use. If you want to send me your address I can drop them in the mail to you.

It's looking great, Jeff. Super clean build. BTW, while I'm thinking about it, thanks for your service to our country. I'm a big WWII history nut and am reading a book about reflections of the Greatest Generation. A segment I recently read was about a fellow who was killed near Bastogne. He was with the 101st. Liberty DeVito was his name...

Congrats Dan! Great find and great price! Have you turned up any Carpenter decals yet? I saw you were looking for some on a different site...

Fantabulous work, Dave... Of course I would expect nothing else from you!!!

That is a cool direct overhead shot! I agree completely with Dave...

It's looking absolutely fantastic, Rick. I love your work!

Yes it is, Rick. You can e-mail me at scott@futurattraction.com.

Thanks Jack. No need to apologize for wordiness. I'm the same way. LOL This sort of thing is what we need to talk about. I have tried to incorporate many of the same thought processes in my 1/25th parts design. I've made brake caliper brackets that are slotted so they can fold around the rotor. The brackets then provide a base for resin calipers to attach, which makes for a reasonably convincing looking setup in that scale. I completely agree that stuff that is designed must be compatible with already-existing products on the market, be they RB Motion, Scale Hardware, etc., fasteners, or kit/resin parts, which of course presents a potential challenge. If I'm designing a part for a 426 Hemi, which manufacturer do I design to fit? You're correct in that a thicker piece can be made by attaching multiple pieces together or adding styrene sheet, etc. I'm gonna go to be for tonight but will try to pick up on more of this soon. Keep the thoughts coming!

OK. Jack - What type of material thicknesses in 1:1 are we talking? I'm a car guy so can make some logical guesses based on my on experience with 1:1, but chime in if you think I'm off-base. Suspension mounts/D tabs are going to be in the 1/8" to 3/16" thick range. Rear frame mounts, which I'm assuming you're meaning 4-link chassis mounts (or?), which are customarily 1/4" for the HD ones. If you're talking something else, i.e., F/C or T/F mounts let me know. Throttle linkage is probably 1/8" or lighter, unless it's billet, then it would probably be 1/4"; wheelie bar wheel mounts are probably 1/8", timing strips, for what I'd be doing are going to be thin, in order to easily wrap around a damper. Window trim strips and templates for spacing holes could be made fairly light-weight. I have no idea about blower pulley starter mount thickness. Header flanges would be 1/4"-3/8" under most circumstances. Any thoughts or suggestions (or corrections) are welcome to help fill out this piece of the puzzle. Rommell - I think Dzus fasteners are a natural thing to make. I'm not sure if the SS is the way to go or not. If those are the only item I would be having etched in SS, it's probably not the material I'd use. Nickel-silver can have a nice finish that's very similar in appearance to SS if polished up. You're talking about the button and receiver as two separate pieces, is that correct? Or are you talking about a self-ejecting Dzus that has the built-in mount, then a separate mounting plate as the second part? Just wanting to clarify. Ken - I've got a whole different set of things I will talk about, but I'm going to devote a separate reply to that, which I'll post later.

Wow, Jack. Did you take a breath anywhere during your list recitation??? In all sincerity, that is exactly the type of stuff I info I was looking for. I'll continue the conversation by asking a question that you or other 1/16th builders should be able to answer. For tube chassis suspension brackets, etc., is there a preferred size of tubing/plastic frame rail material that I should size brackets to fit when I draw the fishmouthed part of the bracket? I'm sure I'll have other questions, but this is a simple start. According to my math, a 1-5/8" diameter frame rail tubing member should be ~.102 in 1/16th scale... SP

My goal is to expand my photo etch choices to include 1/16th scale drag racing parts, be it doorslammers or open cockpit. This will take several months to accomplish as the cost to get new images produced through my photo etcher is not an inexpensive proposition, plus I’m hoping to start getting my 1/25th-scale Fairmont bodies in to sell before too much longer. Most material thickness will fall between .008” (.128” in 1:1) and .020” (.032” in 1:1). My goal is to have as much of it done rubber backed as possible, for the sake of “clean” parts, but there are limits to rubber backing thicker materials. Materials choices are brass, nickel-silver and stainless steel. My question is this: What are some of the most popular or universally needed pieces that would enhance detail in models of this scale? Please try to think in terms of 1:1 parts that would fall into the .125” to .035” thick range, to maintain a level of scale realism. 3D is possible as long as bends are not complicated. Parts that I’ve already drawn up include: drilled brake rotors, NOS upright-mounted bottle brackets and handles, hand brake lever with separate grips, window bezels, and 4-link brackets with anti-roll ears. Other suggested pieces include butterfly steering wheels, door hinges and blower restraint hold-down plate/bracket. Oh, there’s one other catch. If you suggest something, I will probably ask you to provide either a picture of what you have in mind, and/or dimensions. This project will a WIP. I’m curious what kinds of thoughts or suggestions you all have…

That's a good suggestion, Jack. I doubt Joe will be too concerned about this rabbit trail in his thread. We've had some passing conversations about trying to get more 1/16th scale stuff out there and I'm working in that direction. Hey Joe! Where are you when we need you??? LOL

I'll chime in with Charlie. I have seen some of Mark's work in person and he does fantastic work. I can't recall what all he has. I know he's done at least one 427 Ford (I think Cammer) and he has some other Chrysler-based engines. I know I've read somewhere what some of his offerings are but don't recall now where I saw it.

Seeing your pics, Joe, makes me wonder - is there a way I could design some photo etch door hinges that would lend themselves well to 1/24-25th and 1/16th scale builds? I'm already working on expanding my PE offerings and this seems to be something that might be a possibility. Anybody got any suggestions on what would work that could be easily adjustable and look "correct"? If anybody's got any ideas, let me know.

That's a nice, simple design that should work real easily and could easily be adapted to other configurations. Thanks for sharing!

Congrats on your new job, Chris! I'll look forward to updates soon...

I'm having symptoms of withdrawl not seeing any pics or updates on your Vega Project recently, Chris. LOL I hope you'll have some soon...

Rick, I'm pleased to see that you've resurrected this project from months past... I'll look forward to more updates!

Looking great, as always, Tyrone!

That's looking really nice, Cole! Keep up the great work...

I'm all the more impressed, Bill. My hat goes off to you. You do fantastic work!