edboys
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Posts posted by edboys
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Chris, the earlier posts stating that the body was too narrow pointed out the only flaw I noticed. You made a great first attempt and a second try will correct the problem. Just wondering? - with the amount of time you have invested doing the drawing, and then waiting for TDR to return product to you, how many times could you redo these parts before you get what you want? I run into that problem all the time. I so want to do a master set of those myself. You get a real good idea on how wide/tall the body should be by comparing them sitting on the valve covers. The spacing between the spark plug holes gives you great relationship to observe for size. Your build looks great by the way!
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Shove the end of a tapered toothpick into the black tubing and twist to create enough friction to heat it up and expanding the end, then insert the yellow wire. This trick works for other types of wire in different colors. Hope it helps.
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It was indeed a real treat to meet with Brad. I really do need to get back on the Jewel T project. I'm very busy with engine orders right now as well as trying to finish up some new & modified parts. Some of those parts are going towards Chris Sobak's order. Scott Popham and I are collaborating on some photoetch pieces that will fit with some of the parts I offer too. Here I thought my summer would be less busy.
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I don't know the exact cost between a new tooled large scale kit and that of a smaller scaled kit. Regardless of size that figure is still in the 6-figure range. One cost that can kill a kit quick is licensing. Payment for licensing fees can be higher for race subject matter because of all the sponsors that may be on the car. If you haven't noticed there aren't any tires being done anymore with manufacturer names on them because of licensing fees. Import fees play a role too, as they can increase the cost of kits compared to domestic manufacturers. The bottom line is that large scale kits just don't sell as well as smaller kits. The emphasis should be on pushing the manufacturers to include updated parts/features into existing tooling whenever possible. Better than good sales must prevail to justify the expense of even doing new wheels for instance. Cutting new wheels and tires into the existing molding is still $$$ tooling.
One example would be the newly re-released AMT 1/16th 64 1/2 Mustang hardtop kit; just how much of an effort would it have taken to re-cut the mold to make the car a fastback '65 with some killer wheels? I already have 4 of the kits from various issues and would have purchased more had there been some updating. Another straight re-issue doesn't interest me and I hope the kit does well for Round 2's sake.
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David - I've had some input with Ed Sexton at Revell with some of the 1/16th drag racing subjects in the past 10 years and had many conversations with him as well. I do know that any new tool can cost in the 6-figure category no matter what scale. So, that means there has to be a positive return on investment. Model companies do produce a dog kit once in a while, but can't afford to do so in this economy. That is why we see so many re-issues. Tried and true sellers help their bottom line as they go forward with any new tooling.
Jeff - you mentioned the 1/32 Tamiya Corsair kit and there are many other aircraft kits that have been released in the past 5 years that have so much more detail than has been seen previously, not to mention that most of these new kits are all in 1/32nd scale. Airplanes in 1/32nd scale are large kits. The 1/12th scale Camaro kit is great example of how a re-issue with new parts would be a great place to start. I would agree with you that if the 1/12th Mustang kit would have been vintage fast back version it would have been a better seller. Overall, the most subject matter exists in 1/16th, then 1/12th and finally 1/8th so with that in mind I generally discuss 1/16th scale with Ed Sexton.
As for anyone who would want to pursue the effort to send info to the manufacturers about producing new large scale subject matter it will be a long process that may appear to have little if no result. I remember the first time I met Ed Sexton and began down that road trying to bend his ear. I felt like my requests fell on deaf ears for a long time, but continued to be congenial whenever we would meet/talk and now he contacts me for some questions concerning those drag race cars that Revell did back in the early-mid seventies. I continue to push him towards doing something new in that series, either a new body for the existing kit tooling or an entirely new tool. I'm still waiting, but he does listen. I had real input with the new tires and wheels when Revell re-released the 1/16th Hawaiian FC kit recently, sending him some of my resin products for review.
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So far the list of desired kits is as varied as the people on this forum. What I haven't seen is any mention of a writing campaign to the manufacturers to express the need for new subject matter in large scale(s). Without any input from us modelers stating our wants in subject matter this thread is nothing more than wishful thinking. Unless we tell the manufacturers what we want they will continue to think that their marketing information is correct in assuming that all is well.
Of course there is the financial aspect of tooling up any new kit these days and I hate to say this but large scale kits do not sell as well as the regular (1/25) scale market does, so it is a very hard sell to convince the manufacturers to any new subjects in larger scales. Price of a large scale kit is getting prohibitive as well no matter what kind of car it may be. Hope is still out there for us modelers though, if anyone has noticed, there has been an ever increasing interest in making larger kits in other model venues such as aircraft/military models and some sci-fi. The manufacturers know that most active modeling enthusiasts are getting older and our eyes are following that trend.
The best bet at the moment is to get them to re-release some of the existing tooled kits with some new parts. Even then, the sales will have to be strong in order to convince them to continue on with the possibility of a newly tooled kit. In my honest opinion, we should center on an existing kit series that has seen great success and that is the 32 Ford from Revell. If that kit was tooled in 1/16th it would sell very well and with that said I hope cynacism doesn't squash the thought I have placed forth here on the forum.
So, who wants to start an effort to influence the manufacturers to listen to us large scale modelers? Not a one time email or letter, but an ongoing barrage of shouts until we are heard.
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I will be attending. I'm going to bring some resin 1/16th scale drag engines in case anyone is interested - look forward to seeing friends in attendance.
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So glad I ventured over here at MCM to look at your build. So far you have made a lot of great progress and I look forward to keeping tabs on this one.
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Chris, great to see how you are dealing with the engine. All the refinements you have made makes me want to re-think the product a bit. Look forward to seeing the engine in completed form.
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It was nice to visit with friends again at the Heartland Nats as well as meet new ones too. Had a great time as always, lots of great looking entries and as always not enough money to purchase more of what I wanted.
Brad and Chris - all you have to do is give me shout out for some parts. Anyone who visits here on the site can inquire into what I have available.
Bill - again, good to talk to you, I always learn things from fellow modelers at these events. Our talks always get me that much closer to entertaining the thought of purchasing a lathe/mill. Your cuda is going to be killer when done!
Scott - Our discussions are always enlightening and the parts you are producing will keep me looking at your website regularly. I will be putting the parts I got from you to good use. The brackets we talked about will become a priority to me in order to get the info back to you.
In general, thanks for all the kind words from everyone who has commented.
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The mold for the 12-spoke wheels was successful and this is what they look like in completed form. Two halves together, twisted for the offset and these are fitted in the Revell tire without any mount surface adjustment. Some minor sanding may be done before they are glued together though.
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Scott, I'm planning on being there, but this project will only be on display in-progress form. I'm trying to get it on wheels as a rolling chassis at least. If time permits I will have the driveline together and in place too, but don't count on it. See you there on Sunday.
Dave and Michael - Thanks for the kind words.
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Working up the 12-spoke wheels and have the first half completed. Created a master spoke, then did a mold to get six exact copies and prepped a Revell dragster front wheel rim to accept the spokes. I still have to cut off the back side of the rim and then size the half wheel before doing yet another mold. Putting two halves together will yield the 12-spoke I'm after.
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More progress getting the rear end assembly done. Once the rod ends were complete the mount plates could be developed. I wanted the rear end mount brackets to be folded or supported and this is how they look, done on one side. Next pix will show the rear end in position.
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Molds are complete and here are the resin parts for the rear end. Also included are the wheels I developed and with some mods will be using them for this build. Next step is to add the attachment ears to the rear end so the ladder bars can be properly placed on the frame. This will help me locate the rest of the uprights for the frame.
Drum & backing plate placed in the wheel.
Fit up of the wheels to rear end assembly.
Wheels and rear end assembly
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Chris, your build is incredible and I must say you are a brave man to have so many parts in primer and paint while still creating additional pieces. I would be afraid of scratching something while the process continues. Kudos to your efforts!
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Brad, any of my parts are available for those that are interested. Once I pull a few from the mold and make sure they meet expectation I begin to put together a stash. I want to be able to put together a package that will include the rear ends as well as individual caliper/drum sets. Hopefully, that won't take too long.
Chris, Thanks for your encouragement. Everytime I look at your page I get all kinds of ideas, just don't have enough time to get to all of them. Your build is intense.
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When I started out disc brakes seemed like the proper parts that would be used on the Jewel T Altered, but late found out that in fact drum brakes were used instead. So, just for grins and giggles I am showing what will not appear on the build. Too bad as these would have look very nice. All is not lost as I usually make molds of everything I do and will find another build for these later.
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Probably micro managing here by showing small parts, but here is the manual overide for the Torqueflite trans and where it is located on the tail piece.
Mold that was made for both the Mopar and Olds rear ends. Soon I have all the parts I need to get the Jewel's rear put together.
This is the mold for the various brake parts that I have done and the brake drum parts are included here as well as disc brake parts.
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Casey, Being that the parts had been glued together by a previous builder, I soaked them in brake fluid for about 5 days and this not only will help remove paint but also seems to crystalize the left over glue, making it easier to get glue parts separated. I was able to get the parts clean of the glue residue and then proceeded to soak them again in Bleach White for an additional 6 days. Bleach White will eliminate the chrome finish in just a few minutes, but it takes a much longer time to get the carrier film (brown stuff) off. I use these two processes all the time to save old builds as well as my regular builds.
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Thanks guys for the kind words. I have a long way to go with this build and would like to have it done by June. I just did a Google search for how the Torqueflite is joined to a BBC and now I have to create an adapter plate. I realized there was a problem with the fit as the starter is on the wrong side for the Torqueflite and the adapter puts it on the correct side for the BBC. Important as the Jewel T employed the starter. Story told by owner is that when opponent would play games on the starting line, Jim Davis would shut off the engine, wait for them to stage, restart the engine and not suffer from over-heating.
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Got the opportunity to center the trans and engine today. I will need this in order to line up the drive train in the frame. Having the 1/16" (.062) aluminum rod running through the whole assembly will help to place it in the frame rails and make connection with the rear end.
These are still the master parts for the transmission and as soon as some more minor tweaks are complete then a mold will be made.
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Jumping around with parts development, so here are the brake drum, backing plate and axle pieces. The drum and backing plate come from an old Pyro T-N-Tee kit. Acquired the kit in built condition, but the parts are re-storable and in this case a must have for the Jewel T build. I don't know if I will complete the brake shoe assembly yet as I haven't made a decision to display that much detail.
The parts as well as the bolt pattern are done to accommodate the Revell wheels. This wheel was used for testing and assembly of the parts created.
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With such a long list of vehicles it makes me wonder why there hasn't been more re-issues of the subject matter.
1/16 Scale Army Vega Funny Car - Finished 10/14/2018
in WIP: Drag Racing Models
Posted
That would be great. Just send them over once you get 'em. I'm finally getting your new 417 manifold done and then a new mold can be completed. This summer has been so busy I look forward to the fall and colder weather. You can take the credit for my effort to work with Scott on the photoetch pieces as it was Scott who informed me that he worked with you to size the butterflies for the Enderle bugcatcher on your request. Once I get the new bugcatcher finished I wanted to send you the new part to use. Your build is the ultimate inspiration to anyone who follows the progress. I'm just glad that you chose to use one of my engines for the build.