Codi

Joe, you've taught us all a valuable lesson. TEST first, then move on when it comes to paint and chemicals of ANY sort. Plastics / resin etc. just don't seem to play well with each other sometimes. I'm not trying to diminish the pain you're feeling over this one. I learned on my first build back to the hobby (my 66' Mustang) when I stripped it the first time it ate all my body filler and caused me hours of extra work....learned my lesson then and there. Anyways, I commend you for your attitude above all else as this just sucks. Won't even attempt to make a "funny" at this time. Chin up, head down. I know you'll make your next build that much better. Cheers my friend. Tim

Thanks Guys. Dave, the decals were from Scale Motorsport. Part # 1020. They were 1/20th scale, the 1/25 (24th) scale patterns were so small that I don't believe you would have seen much if anything of the pattern. I don't think anyone will notice. Cheers

A personal thanks to each of you that took the time to comment and your encouraging input. Wheelie bars and the final back brass portion of the chassis are next. I also want to answer Randys question about the wing brackets (the drilled out small pieces underneath the wing that attach to the strut itself) yes, they're detail master hood hinges that were slightly modified and polished. I always check my parts stash (don't we all) and found these. I had taken a lot of time to make 4 individual units but I just wasn't thrilled with them as they were a tad too large in my estimation. I thought these with the drilled holes in them complimented the struts themselves in a much better fashion. Cheers

Thanks Steve. Seems all the advice I've gotten is to go with 2 part urethane. So what did I do you ask. Well, Testors Wet look clear. Decanted it and thinned it 40%. Took 2 1/2 hours to apply 2 mist, 1 med. and 1 wet coat. Shot it at 20psi and the weather was perfect. Turned out very well even though the pics don't do it justice. And thankfully I won't even have to polish and there's only 1 tiny dust bunny on the very underside of the wing. Made a simple stand for it to assist in assembling it which will help for future mock-ups when I finish the back of the chassis. Cheers, Tim

Looks sharp Scott. It's obvious that you're as fussy as anybody can/could be. It truly shows. Now you've got to go hit the lottery so that you can quit your job and get this build finished!! Cheers, Tim

Hey Chris, just want to acknowledge those little details you keep finding and massaging to get it 100%. Nice catch. It can be maddening trying to discover the culprit to an ill fitting body or whatever...and then when you find it, it's like "sheesh". Better to have discovered it now my friend, I'm sure you would agree. Like everyone else, getting anxious to see it in paint in the coming few months. Cheers and good luck! Tim

Joe, I'm so sorry that the end came at the "pond". We've all been there and we all share your pain on that decision. UGH! On the other side of the coin however, that foil pic you've shared is very very cool. I know you'll keep us posted on the results of the stripping and where you take it next. Again, sorry to hear of your headaches with this. Cheers(?) Tim

Thanks Chris and Dave for the info/insights. I'll do a little more research and test some out. This weekend I'll spray the testor clears on some test panels. The CF is on the wing and looks pretty sharp. The reason I want to clear primarily is to bring out the weave pattern.....just make sit "pop". In the meantime I'm working on the wheelie bars and then I finish the very end of the brass of the brass chassis where the batteries go, chutes and wing are attached etc. This part of the build is getting much closer to being done. Happy Memorial Day ! Tim

Thanks Tyrone....always appreciated! Mark - the price of "education" is steep for me when it comes to time on the build. But I'm learning a new skill (machining) and the time invested is well spent as I'm enjoying the process AND the results so far. Thanks for posting. OKAY - QUICK QUESTION for everyone following along. I've done my bing/google other search ( the forum) homework and I'm looking for recommended clear coats to put over the CF decals I'm laying down on the wing now. I'm going to do a quick experiment with Testors wet look clear (lacquer) and their "High Gloss" 2780 enamel. I'll cut em' 50/50 with thinner and shoot them at 30 psi with several mist coats as a starter. I know Future is a safe one to use but it puddles up too frequently on me and I'm looking for other alternatives. The data I've found is dated to around 2012 and now that CF is more prevelant, I thought I'd seek out other ideas from you guys. Appreciate any insights you'd like to share. Cheers, Tim

Thanks to each of you that posted a comment and for following along. Joe - You don't miss a trick do ya'? Yeah, that "jig" was one of my better efforts. Took me all of 3 minutes to make. I just had to throw it up there to get a "visual" of how the wing was coming along as compared to vision / goal of what I want it to be. So far, so good. And thanks too. Randy - Thank you. After seeing your pedal box for your GT40 in the WIP section, I'm suitably humbled. Truly gives one inspiration and insights as to what CAN be achieved. Go check it out fellas. It's scratchbuilding at the extreme. Cheers everyone!

N-I-C-E Randy! That is just about the wildest thing I've seen on the forum to date. I HAD some ideas for the pedals on the Henry but they seem downright juvenile compared to what you've achieved here. Just superb. Cheers, Tim

Clayton, Scott , Tom AND of Chris...thank you for checking it out. I've been working on making a proper wing for the car and I'm almost done I think. I want to nickel plate the wing brackets (on the bottom of the wing that connect the strut to the wing itself) and CF the wing itself including the wing plates. The pics are missing the link that ties the strut to the backhalf of the wing that allows for height / angle adjustment of the wing. I also polished the alum. strut brackets and added some additional "lightening" holes that were machined earlier. Cheers Sorry for the lousy pics.

Hi Ray.....great pics of that build that the "kids" were doing on that Ferrari. But remeber, THEY had to start somewhere too. We all do. I respect what you're attempting AND accomplishing. Keep going dude! Cheers, Tim

Ron, you're to be commended for taking on this project. Wild movie, wild plane. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Cheers, Tim

Not my normal "cup o' tea" but it must be said how cool and well done this was executed. Great great job. Cheers, Tim

Mike, THAT is pretty cool to say the least. Nice job. Cheers, Tim

Just fascinating Ray is all I got for you. Appreciate the pics and excellent explaination along the way of what you're doing. Can't wait to see how this turns out. I know now why Wingrove and others use brass and copper (Wingrove was big on copper for parts like this one based upon his two books I bought) to do this in aluminum is just insane. My best wishes for success on this build...........you truly deserve it. Cheers, Tim

Appreciate each and everyone of your comments I assure you. This was a busy week. Machinists have all my respect in the world as I've come to realize how much pure concentration and effort goes into machining a given component let alone having to make a twin. I've got 25 hours at least in these brackets but they were worth it to me. I have a vision for the entire wing assembly and I'm on the way to getting it come to life (so to speak). I MUST call out Joe however......that last post of his was WAY too over the top with puns and laughs. I'll keep making and posting Joe if you keep making funnies....deal? Anyways, here are the "twins". Cheers

hi fellas, been at the bench cutting my teeth learning more about how to machine. this part has been every bit the challenge I thought it would be. Looks simple enough when you look at it but trust me...for a fairly new student of the art of machining, it was challenging. I must thank my friend Dave (comp1839) for his excellent drawings that he did for this part AND for his encouragement when I shared my initial (lackluster) attempt. He would have made an excellent teacher in academics. In the 2nd pic I've posted it with the wing and you'll see it with a carbon fiber extension. I'm going to make some cool brackets in brass and nickel plate em'. I'll add CF decals to the support rods (which I have to make clevis hardware too) and then redesign the wing as the side plates are fine but the angle is all wrong. The wing you see is for a top fuel car and a Top Sportsman car would have a very different, low drag design. THANKS TO DAVE FOR THAT INFO TOO! Oh, and I have to make its twin.......but I have tons of experience now and NOTES so I'm hopeful to get it done it done in a morning. Cheers and thanks for peeking. Tim

Every time you post an update Ray it affirms why I've been following along with your build. I love this stuff. Glad to see you back at it again now that time has permitted. Will be sure to keep checking in of course and thanks for posting. Cheers, Tim

Congratulations John on your amazing accomplishments at the GSL. You're going to need a bigger suitcase my friend to get that haul of trophies home in the future! Truly deserved. Tim

I want to acknowledge the comments posted in reply to my recent pics. Scott- I took the ice off and the "blue" finally left my hand. Joe - "man up"........man you are TOUGH. Can't wait to meet you someday, I'm sure I'll be laughing for a week. Jason- No minions or lilliputians here. If you took a peek at my first pass of the bracket, you'll see I can make some pretty bad stuff too. Dave (GoatGuy) - Thank you very much for your continued interest and positive comments. I DO appreciate them. Mike (Foxer) - I think Joe is going to have some competition at the "Laugh Factory", that was funny. ClayK - Thank you Clay. I recently visited your site again and took a moment to look at your Jeff Gordon "superdetailed" nascar build. Guys, if you've not looked in on it, you should, it's just so impressive. I must have spent 25 / 30 minutes going over and over the pics and the detail you put into it. Can't wait to see what you decide to tackle next. John (Mr. Teresi) - At the rate I'm going it will take me a century to complete it. And thanks too for your continued support and interest. I took a look at the GSL and the cars you've been showing....unbelievable how fast and creative you are at the same time. Darren, thanks for peeking at the build and your comment. Chris (mooneyz) Appreciate the comment on the bracket. The walls at the top of the machined recess are only .5mm (half of a millimeter) wide. I drew them up that way and I made sure the mill was dialed in as best as I could. There is nothing more satisfying than making that cut and seeing it come out the way you hoped & planned for. I can't wait to see your next Vega Funny updates. I'll check out your GSL dragster later today. I'm sure its quite impressive. Cheers to all, Tim

Appreciate the comments fellas. I want to answer the questions that Chris asked and share pics of the new 4 link axle bracket I made today. Chris, Caswell has sooo many options it's a bit confusing. I emailed them and they suggested a simple $49. kit that uses a low voltage power supply and anodes. What I learned on this session was "less is more". Don't put the parts too close to the anodes, don't use too much of the nickel solution, move the parts around in the solution while they're in process AND the biggest difference was heating the solution for 20 seconds in the microwave before plating each part. The pinion yoke was immersed for only 30 seconds and it came out as you see it. No polishing or anything other than a dip in soapy water and a rinse afterwards. It's definitely something that you have to experiment with and I'm sure that anyone that tries it will get better with each attempt. The new bracket was one that I saw on a real 1:1 10.5 outlaw car. Always liked it so I thought I'd try to replicate it. It's VERY close and I can't deny that it looks much better than my earlier attempt. Comments welcome and thanks for checking it out. Ignore the glove in the pic please...it's to keep goop out of the stitches.

Tyrone, sharp looking for sure. That red and your black wheels and other accents (the decals come to mind) really set it off. Nice job. Tim

Trying to ease back into it and got the driveshaft done with the CF decals and the nickel plating I wanted to put on the yokes. I tried some different techniques on the nickel and I think it came out better than my first pass at this. Cheers