Codi

Pete, you've gotta be kidding me. That's looking very cool already. When you have it to your satisfaction, be sure to share maybe the setup and steps you performed, I'm always interested in learning something. So far as machining or modeling abilities go, I just stare at the engine turning you did on the engine already and just drool. That's why I've been buggin' you to start this thread back up as I know we'll be treated to a whole lot more. Cheers, Sir!

Pete, you mean keep up with Randy, he's in a league all his own. So, a gas cap is useless unless it has a tank to plug. Originally I fabricated a brass tear drop style tank for the build but after doing more than a few mock-ups, I just didn't care for the "cyclops" effect and was concerned that it might take away from the front of the car. So the new design was a traditional radiator grille with a tank built into it. The polished aluminum piece is the tank with a corner radius on the top & sides and front and back. The tank is 5.0mm wide and the grille is 3.4mm. I wanted the tank to protrude front and rear for effect and I thought the radius on the corners would add something too. I didn't have any 3.4mm brass strip so you'll see in the first pick that I machined some to proper width. The top portion of the grill I machined in brass and drilled the hole for the fuel neck. Soldered & cleaned it up up. I'll leave the tank polished aluminum and the grill (in brass) I'll paint to match the body which will be Kandy Red & Gold as per the pics I posted earlier. I think that adding some color to the front end of the chassis will give some "balance" too. So, if anyone has a need for a copper fuel tank, let me know. Cheers, Tim

Thank you everyone. Pete, I tapped / drilled it with 1-72. The tank neck is 3/32" brass as an fyi. Started work on the grille / tank. cheers, tim

Lucky you Brad, we're just going to have to wait patiently for some more of Paul's progress pics but I'm not complaining that's for sure. Nicely done Paul. cheers, tim

Annnnnddddd, another one is off the list. Nice job on those Chris, is there anything you can't draw / print? I'm starting to wonder. Nice to see you back at the bench sir! cheers, tim

Thank you Peter and for following along too. Today I took a little time at the bench and made a functioning gas cap. Don't ask me why cause i have no reason other than I wanted to see if I could. There were 3 pieces I made. The cap itself, the threaded cap neck which I drilled out in the center & soldered it to the cap. Lastly the filler tube was tapped to accept the cap. I'll solder the filler tube into the tank but that's for next week. I added a micro rubber gasket which does a suitable job of replicating a gasket. cheers, Tim

Hi John, it was nice speaking with you yesterday and I just know we'll get a killer update in the next few days. I know you have some more things up your sleeve for this car. cheers, tim

Hi John, it was nice speaking with you yesterday and I just know we'll get a killer update in the next few days. I know you have some more things up your sleeve for this car. cheers, tim

Hello Joe, so whatcha been doin'? It's been 3 weeks now and I was really looking forward to a new posting by now. You know I like those rear engine funny cars and like what you're doing here. How about some new pics man. cheers, tim

Whoa. Thanks to each of you that have, or haven't posted comments on the build but continue following along. Your interest in the car means a lot as your comments make clear how much you appreciate what I'm trying to create with this car. My original goal was to complete it around Labor Day but it's obvious that has slipped by 8 months or so as best as I can figure right now. I'll push towards completion so I can get back on & finish the "Henry" project. Sincerely, Tim

Thanks so much for the positive comments guys. I owe a pic of the small clamping device that I use from time to time to bend certain tubing & rod. They have one for sale on MicroMark as well as Rio Grande Jewelry supply. Prices are around $18. for the cheapest and more than $299. for the best of the rest. I didn't spend even $40. if memory serves. It can expand by using the knob on the side and has steel dowel pins to set the bends wherever you want to. You can even set them up at different angles, you just have to be creative with it. A pic of the brake calipers with a bit of color on them too. The nuts/bolts & fittings will really set them off I believe. cheers, tim

Stunning chrome work Peter and the paint & baremetal foil work are even more spectacular. That is some talent right there. cheers, tim

Okay Randy, since you said it so nicely, I'll wait........patiently.............you have until November 1st to post though. tee-hee. tim

That's shaping up really nicely Brad. I like those bomber seats too. Nice work. Tim

Hey there Pete, nice to see an update. To be fair though, even though I admire the build in desk (of which I wouldn't ever contemplate making) I really like the engine parts you're doing. Don't forget to post pics of your "in progress" pics too. Cheers, Tim

Hey Leonard, nice to hear from you, how about some posts on what you've been working on. Love your work sir. Chris, I'll count you as a fan. This forum has quite a few outstanding builders and for those just visiting the site, well, I think they're going to be staring at their computer screen for a long long time getting caught up on previous posts throughout the site. You HAVE to start that new thread now on the dragster planning you're doing. Talk to you soon I'm sure. Today I spent time assembling my "Frankenstein" magneto. As I posted above, I media blasted the bottom portion of the body and painted it flat black. The distributor cap is semi-gloss black from Tamiya. I modified the knurled part for the "coil" wire as it enters the body. The smallest, trickiest thing to make were the twin distributor "straps". I really wanted to add that particular detail and I believe they're pretty close to accurate. They're only .5mm wide and 1.5mm in overall length. I'll either go with red or blue plug wires I believe and add ProTech distributor boots. Cheers, Tim

Morning everyone, I'd like to acknowledge your replies individually. Dave, I don't know about the "best" but I'm proud of it. A lot of effort and hours but it will be "front & center" that's for sure. Thanks again for the insights and knowledge you've imparted to help me get it this far. Brad & Randy D. must agree with you both as it's taken forever to get here with the build. But it's the fun part seeing it come together like this now. It's keeping me moving forward, some days fast, others slow. Thanks again for following along. Bill, thank you sir. John, thanks man, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to pick your brains too. I've met some truly awesome people on the forum and it's been helpful to say the least when I can turn to others for insights or guidance on a step or process. I've learned a lot! Paint is the one step that I consider "voo-doo", so why not turn to the one that seems to have mastered it right? Paul, I use various sized metal dowels to get the bends desired & on some of the tighter radii, I'll use a small jewelers adjustable bending jig. Hand held device that I clamp in a vice, insert the steel dowel pins where desired and bend accordingly. I bought it from Rio Grande Jewelers supply and it's got a decent range of adjustability which helps when a piece has two bends that need to match like the front axle I'll see if I can take a quick pic of it and post it later for you if you're interested. I used it quite a bit on the front axle & steering bits. Nice work again on your build too! Cheers, Tim

So, NOW he draws up a 9 rib............. Looks nice Chris. cheers, tim

Chris, unlike RandyD. my butterflies will not be operational. I'm just not that talented. Thanks all the same for the comments however. Thanks John, before I spray the actual car body, expect a call at some point for a few questions I'd like to cover with you. I've no doubt your answers will give me better results. I did clear the practice body last week and it did make it pop. That was encouraging and I had NO orange peal. YEAH! Art & Dave, thanks guys. It's s-l-o-w progress as I'm into the tedious planning stages with an eye towards final assembly. I've been working on coming up with particular methods to do things and paint etc. With that in mind................ These few pics are a quick mock-up of some of the parts I painted yesterday. I didn't even remove some of the masking tape, of some of them. Now I can move forward with engine assembly & detailing. I'm happy with the mock-ups I've done and the colors. You should see it with the fuel lines & butterflies on the Crower 8. I media blasted the bottom half of the magneto and sprayed it flat black and the cap itself is semi-gloss black. When detailed with plug wires & fittings, it should really be a nice addition to the engine. I did add water neck fittings to each front header tube to run hard lines to dump into. Trans is painted as well, more on that later. Some weathering in some places should add to it when I get it assembled. Cheers everyone!

Annndddd, we're off and running. The info you shared on how you've drawn up that beautiful blower hat makes my head hurt. I could never do what you do and admire those of you that can. Awesome stuff and should be something that the younger, more computer savvy kids should find intriguing. I hope your efforts inspire many others to take up the hobby Paul. Nice to see you beginning the brass work too. Cheers, Tim

What a difference Dave when you look at pics with and without the body work. Still asking the same ol' question, is there anything you CAN'T do? I wouldn't know what you would do differently to the body as it looks perfect just the way you fabricated it. cheers, tim

Randy, please tell me that the Colt is still in the family. If not, I'm willing to bet that you wish it was. Just spent time gawking over your GT40 thread again and my attempts are "close" but yours are just truly spot on. You've got the benchmark set and retired. Brad, if I never see another plastic spoon in my life, it will be fine with me. Colors are now set and I'm getting parts prepped for paint in the coming days. Finally. Joe, thanks, I'm going to start a separate spoon thread. Wait till you see the awesome scratch-building involved. I have gotten quite proficient in changing paint colors and learned a lot more about using a dual action air brush. Dave, thanks sir.......I've said before, it won't compare to your altered builds (or any others you've done for that matter) but it's been a fun and rewarding build so far. Getting a practice body in color and putting it over the frame was a bit of encouragement for me. Made another punch-list for this one and I'm getting much closer than I realize. The hard stuff is wrapped for the most part I think. Cheers everyone!

So I was pondering about the fuel tank etc. and realized I didn't have a suitable cap for it. I remembered seeing one that knocked my socks off and of course, I found it here on Randy's build. (page 4 btw) I had to look at virtually every page to find it, not complaining, it was actually a treat. This thread proves that just about anything IS feasible when it comes to scratch-building. I know Randy is working on several impressive builds at once with some "top secret" fabrication that will amaze everyone, but if I might impose Randy, would you find a wee bit of time for this one. It's one of my personal favorites. Cheers Sir!

Too cool John. Too cool!

Download that file and get it to someone that can CNC that blower AND especially the rotors. I just love it Paul. This thing will be just sick!!!! cheers, Tim