Codi

Very sharp my friend. I like the way the cage soldered up around the seat too. Always fun to see you back at the table too! cheers

I lied, couldn't help myself after parting it off and cleaning it up. 2 pics of what I'm shooting for..... It's so close now and now I've got to start its twin. cheers

Ray, thanks for the sentiments. Immersed now in this one and the Falcon. Chris, looking forward to it and Dave....thanks too the compliment. Today was productive even though what you see today is not parted off yet and the axle "braces" need to be tapered / shaped after they're off the mill. This was satisfying as i have a tremendous amount of planning before I could even start. I'm limited by the scale and the size of the end mills to do certain operations. I have to get creative to be able to make certain parts and I know it takes me a LOT more time to make them because of it. I have to make the twin but when done, the rear will be just about complete. Here's a pic of a 1:1 showing the "bells and the axle braces. It would have been too difficult to make / shape 16 separate braces and then soldered them on in perfect alignment, so I wanted to machine them instead. This pic shows the drilled ring setting on top to give you an idea. The entire piece when parted off will be just over 7mm in overall length. And with the bell resting in the "cradle"........I'll solder all of this together when competed. I'll share later this week when they're both done and shaped. cheers

Some truly fantastic builds here. Appreciate your sharing the pictures Pauloe. cheers, tim

My first build since returning to the hobby.

Who'd a thunk it possible but you actually made a Pinto wagon cool Brian. Can't wait to see how it comes along. cheers, tim

Tom, Bob and Tony, sincerely appreciate your following the thread and for taking the time to comment. Glad you like it so far. Chris, like where you are on the Vega, ready for another update though. Dave (comp1839) - I got nothing on the rear you did for my Henry build. Having fun doing this though but still so much to learn yet. I'll give you a call soon! btw, anything new on your dragster to share? Joe, last but not least...........thanks for the chuckle and the sentiment. Yup, just gotta get on with it. After the rear is finished on this one, I'll be jumping back to opening up the Falcon so I can keep it moving forward too. cheers fellas!

She's coming together nicely Tyrone. What colors you have in mind for this build? cheers, tim

Thank you everyone. Tony, that's a bit over the top but appreciated none the less. Got the "bells" done with the drilled rings. Had to make them this way as I didn't have a particular tool to make them the way I wanted to. More work but the result was the same. Couple more things to make for it and then solder it all up. The mock-up is not soldered as an fyi. I'll have to show it next to a penny for scale next time. Truly small. cheers, tim

Wow Brad, didn't know you enjoyed dioramas. That one is one of the best garage dioramas I've seen. Like the light under the car you put in too. Nice touch. cheers

AHA, found ya' John. That is one s-w-o-o-p-y bike and a great subject. Looking forward to your next post. What color John? Green?

Thank you guys. Wasn't sure if this thread would hold much interest because of the subject but it's apparent the drag fans are strong at the forum. MIke, (iborg) no cnc here. All free hand. Chris, you should just get started with the "essentials" to get started with machining. You can always add to the tooling later as the $ becomes available. You'll enjoy it. Here's an update on the rear. Got it soldered and 97% of the clean up is done on this portion. I have another week I think on this unit but I'm waiting on a particular end mill this week to get onto the next few pieces. I'll nickel plate it when done and then get back to the engine. cheers, tim I still have to add the 6 tubes and bolts to the rear cover.

Worked on the center spool today by machining the "spine and ribs". The pic you see with the aluminum "bell" was a quick test to proof out that I could do what I wanted to. It is NOT correct however in that the flange isn't drilled for the 11 bolts to secure it and more importantly, the "bell" itself is 2mm too tall. The curvature of the bell will actually end flush with the flange. But now I know I can do it and what I have to do. Some tricky pieces yet to fabricate but I can envision it already and I think it will be a very reasonable facsimile. Cheers, tim In this pic you can clearly see the part of the bell that has to be narrowed. Just experimenting, machined it in about 15 minutes. I hope to get the bells done early next week and then start the pinion flange and the tricky rear flange that joins the finned rear portion to the spool. I have a plan for that piece and hope it works out.

Chris, yes sir, .22mm on the fin width. It was time consuming. As an fyi, I elmer glued my piece to the back of a resin Halibrand casting because I just wanted a quick visualization of it. The Frankland and Halibrand are noticeably different in their appearance from that era and my pic is not accurate as it would be simply too long. Tom and Manfred, thank you gentlemen and for following this new thread too. Many pieces yet to make on this one but its a good start. Art, I was inspired by the early 70's funnys like the dunn & reath car that ran a halibrand and some others that ran the Frankland. I just liked the look of the Frankland due to the fins on the top AND bottom of the rear cover/housing that were fairly long in length. I agree it's a bit different from the norm, but as you know, I like different. It is period correct however. Cheers fellas, tim

Thank you Chris & Dave.....promise not to drop this one. Today I went forward with machining the quick change rear end. I was trying to choose between the typical Halibrand or a Frankland. I really liked the rear gear cover back in the day on the Frankland but I wasn't sure if I could machine it. The tricky part was continuing the fins on the back of the cover up and over the top and bottom like the original. Took a day to get it done but it's the most visual piece on the rear and I wanted to get it as correct as I could. It's a shade over 1 cm. I've got about a dozen more pieces to make for the rear to call it done. The grooves you see on the side of the rear end are for .8mm brass tubes that I'll solder in to replicate the real one. The fins are .22mm thick as an fyi. cheers, tim

REALLY nice start Eric. Very clean. cheers, tim

Yeah, too much on the brain John. My apologies Art...........you know I meant you I hope. Cheers

A hearty CONGRATULATIONS Chris!

That red is a "poppin" Dave.

Thanks everyone for following. I have a "favor" to ask at this point regarding this new thread. Let's leave the history of drag racing out of it. It's not that I don't mind the info and sharing but I'm just building a phantom funny from what would be 71 or 72' as a "coulda' been. Not trying to start up a debate on front v. rear driven cars. I appreciate your consideration in advance. I DO appreciate your interest in the subject and realize that you simply wanted to share info, especially when it came to Harry's original questions. But the thread has gotten side tracked. Going to experiment on machining some things for the quick change rear end today. It will be either a Halibrand or Frankland depending on how I make out today. Cheers

I certainly agree with your comments guys. I like it a lot better too. Got the trunk cut out of the new body and the A pillars glassed in for strength so I can cut out the doors and trunk lid. Thanks for following along and sharing your thoughts. cheers

Chris, always interested in something new. I'll be sure to check out your jig when you're ready to share. Re-chopped the top. No clean-up as I'm opening the trunk and doors next, but it represents a scale 2" chop at the front and rear pillars.

Nice to tick another off the punch list Chris. With your wood grips that's going to look fantastic. cheers, tim

I applaud your willingness to tackle such a decal job. Can't get my head around even attempting such a project and you pulled it off nicely. cheers, tim

You have to be pleased Art. I like the subtle details you're addressing, truly add to the build. Cheers