Codi

Great update Randy. Was just thinking about this build and sure enough, we get some really cool pics from you. Nicely done on each part! Cheers, Tim

Ray, thanks for the info....you'll note that i left out a very important word (now in bold) in my earlier post........and appreciate the very quick reply. I can appreciate all the planning you've done. Has to be rewarding to be underway and to make such quick progress. I know you'll keep us apprised to your progress, can't wait to see what you do next with it. Cheers, Tim

Thank you Ray. I did buy an assortment of new Fretz hammers, a leather sandbag and some other basic "beating" tools, but I'm NOT certainly ready to take on a project such as yours. Like you, I have the same admiration for those that have the skills to do what you're tackling. I'll have to take time to check out the links you've provided as well. That wheel you have is something that I would like to get as well when the time is right. It has to be a real handy tool and I'll be watching your results as you get to that phase. You're off to an excellent start. One question, have you frequently annealed the aluminum as you're working it or have you skipped that completely? Cheers, Tim

Ray, you are correct sir. I think I ended up using 4 different mill ends (different sizes and 1 ball end) to make it. The one accessory that Sherline sells that I want to get next is a vertical plate for the rotary table then I can do some things that I've wanted to but haven't just yet. And I read your comments on your "Big Boyz" build. Thanks for the comments. For all of you builders that haven't checked it out, you really should. Ray is doing some REALLY cool panel beating. Cheers

Wow Ray. If there is one "skill" I want to learn someday, it's panel beating like you're doing. As an acknowledged "newbie" to it, it's great to see how you're progressing and the lessons you're learning. I'll be sure to follow along as I'm sure they'll be MANY lessons I can learn when I pick up the hammer too. The efforts and results I've achieved to date can't compare to what you've achieved. Just fantastic!!! Cheers, Tim

Kerry and Dave, THANKS GUYS, I've been spending time prepping some parts / things so I can finally start soldering some back-half brass. I've done some quick mock-ups with the rear in place and I have to say it's looking pretty good. John, thank you as well......now aren't we due for an update by YOU? Anxious to see how you're doing. Cheers

Tim, "a Ford in a Ford" put a big ol' smile on my face. This a cool build and I especially like the uniqueness of the car in the overall. Cheers, Tim

NIce solution to the plunger issue Chris and the combination of materials on your blanket. You're really moving along now and it continues to get better and better. Cheers, Tim

I commend you Tyrone for going to turbos on the stang. I like the way you integrated the bumper to the front end and hood. Sharp. Cheers, Tim

Hope the weather breaks your way Chris. Granted, I am being selfish because I want to see it painted too. The housing & trans are really coming along nicely. Cheers, Tim

Brad, no meaning on the 55' on the penny. I just like the old coins and the wheat stalks on the opposite of the coin. Silly huh? Bob, thank you again. Scott, I'll have to share that with my kids, they'll think you're nuts. Thanks much. Michael, I agree, don't wear jewelry of any kind when machining right? ! Chris.....you gotta break down and raid the piggy bank and get a mill. You'll never look back. As always I appreciate your interest and kind words. Cheers, Tim

Hey Art....big thanks for your comment. Greatly appreciated. I got the anti-roll bar completed. Only took me 30 minutes to machine the twin. They match perfectly (to my eye anyways) Couple of bolts and they're done. The most time consuming part in completing them was slicing the ends for the RB Motion rod end to slide into so I can bolt them up using .5mm nuts/bolts. Cheers, Tim

Brad, I'm using 7075 and 6061. This part was 7075. I have learned that if your drawings are solid and the setup of your machine is accurate, then you can pull tolerances that simply amaze. And the more talent you have, the better (see Comp1839) . Oh, and Dave taught me how important it is to have your pen and tablet ready and to take down notes and calculations during the entire process. Thank goodness I did that when making this little guy, otherwise it would be next to impossible to make another. I'm fairly confident that I can get the 2nd one done fairly quickly and finish them both off with a few minor details and clean-up. Thank you for the compliment too! Scott, you're correct about the duplication process and metal v. plastic. But the mill gives you the opportunity to make truly matching parts that you'll rarely ever achieve doing them by hand/eye alone. I'm enjoying the learning curve in machining as I can see for myself that the more you do it, the better it gets. When I look at Clay's engine blocks and heads or Dave's entire builds it is truly something to marvel at what they can achieve with a lathe and mill. Which is just about anything. And yes, it is tiny. Took me a few hours afterwards for my eyes to re-adjust. Thank you Mike. Tyrone, appreciate your following along and YOUR comments. Your builds are always cleanly executed and anyone can see your progression on each build as you get better and better. Painting doesn't go down quick and easy for me it seems and requires a bunch of polishing to get finishes like you got on the Camaro. Especially in black. Again, thanks. Joe, I applied to Rolex but all they wanted me to make was sillly watches so I declined. Allen, thank you as well. Cheers fellas and I'll post a pic later today of the "twins" if all goes as planned. Tim

Got 1 of the anti-roll bar brackets done. It's 8.3mm long. 3.2mm at its widest point. I was pleased that I could machine the small "chamfer" (it's 2.4mm in length at a depth of .40mm) down the middle between the large hole you see and the mark for the small hole that I've yet to drill on the narrow end. Have to round the edges and drill for the bolt in the end that secures it to the actual bar. Oh, and make another one that matches. Learned ALOT today in machining this little bugger. I had a great starting point with info that Dave shared with me again. When working this small though, I did have to make some small adjustments along the way. But I won't complain as I do like it. Comments welcome as always. Cheers, Tim

Really taking her shape now Bill. It's a stunning car to say the least. Cheers, Tim

Nice update Art. That rear body panel sure looks different when the paints stripped off. And it's nice to see I'm not the only one who is so "liberal" with bondo. Cheers to you. Tim

Derrick, Randy, Scott and Martin.....appreciate the sentiments. Next pics I have will be of the anti-roll bar. I'll share a shot of the "goodies" that will comprise the rear suspension before I begin fabricating the entire thing. Couple of days yet. Cheers, Tim

Michael...glad you like the finish, the photos don't do them justice. I think they actually look better than the pics. Bob....I've given some thought on what I might build next even though I'm a long way from completing this car. 1/12th scale maybe. Thanks for compliment too. Chris, I just checked out your build, sweetness man. And if you're going to take up doll collecting I'll swap some of my daughters for you Army car. Dave, can't thank YOU enough for all of your support. Your comments mean a lot as your a master machinist and I'm such a newbie. I am lucky to have become acquainted and make a new friend. Everytime I start to do something new on the mill, I think of what you're making and doing with your 37' engine. Keeps my perspective on what I'm doing as I think to myself "if Dave can do THAT then surely I can make this." Joe, you're very very generous. I heard an instructor describing an accident to another instructor that a beginning racer had just had. When asked what happened, he simply said "he ran out of talent".....kinda stuck with me as it made the point about knowing ones limitations. Thanks again for following. Gene, thank you as well and for your interest.

Chris.....I hope you're getting as excited as I am about the progress you're making. Those bottles and brackets are SWEET and of course your engine mock-up looks fantastic. You have a keen eye for realism. Your build deserves to be in a museum and is a real tribute to all of drag racing. Cheers, Tim

Well, they're done. Penske dual adjustable shocks with reservoir cylinder. 21 pieces per shock. The coils are from RB Motion and the tab bracket that I soldered to connect the main shock to the reservoir is from DirtModeler. Everything else is scratch. Overall length center to center of the eyelets is 18mm....was targeting 16 but didn't get there. The piston bodies are threaded and the collars at the bottom are tapped. So they function as well. The top collars I machined from 5/32" brass rod. Learned some new things on using ball end mills which will come in handy in the near term. The dimensions are VERY close to accurate to the real thing. As good as I could get them. Next is the anti-roll bar. Cheers everyone and thanks in advance for checking in on my progress. Tim The first pick is of the original shock I was planning on using. The new ones....the polished brass bodies btw replicate the finish VERY nicely to the Penske images I pulled from the web. The threaded collars as a point of reference are 1.2mm in thickness as is the top cap to the shock. I didn't dare to try to go smaller....I'd have run out of talent.

Hmmmm, let me see....no.......uh........nope.......can't think of anything...............STILL LOVING THIS BUILD AND THE POSTS! Superb craftsmanship Mark. Cheers, Tim

Mike, those are outstanding wheels and will add to what is already a great build..........Tim

Gentlemen, appreciate your comments as always. I've spent a lot of time making all new shocks for the car. I should have them done in a few days. I like what I see so far and its encouraged me to keep chipping away at them even though they're taking longer than I anticipated. A lathe would have been helpful and is one tool that I hope to get later this year. Then I have to make the anti-roll bar and all of the parts (except for the wheelie bars and rear wing bracket) will be at hand. Then I can begin the rear suspension. Finally. Cheers guys. Tim

Just fantastic Randy. I love every bit of it. Thanks for posting. btw, where did you source the brass screen if I may ask? Cheers, Tim

Chris, great job sir and thanks so much on behalf of all builders on the whats and howfors of the Alclad you sprayed. Worth trying the "Teresi" way based upon those results. Cheers, Tim