1/8 Fiat Fuel Altered 3D printed!

[mnagatani]

Hello all,

New to the forum, but building for a long time this will be a 1/8 Fiat 60's-70's altered.  This model could potentially be 100% 3D printed and then using the traditional hand skills to refine the print issues.  What I mean by that is the body and larger parts  will need to be massaged via auto primers and sanding.  Not sure on the motor setup, but figure I throw in an early Hillborn intake I have done.  This is a project that I've just started and will learn a lot from.  Working on the body and will then go to the frame and suspension.   Been doing the 3D stuff  by trade and  I am finally putting that skill set to my interest in models.  Sample link of my current ebay offerings.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141935323482?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

Images of the body(WIP) and some other parts ready to go!

 

 

Will update as I go!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[comp1839]

interesting  build mike. i do a lot of 1/8 stuff myself.  will the body be an accurate representation or are you just eyeballing it?  i ask because, if you are going to sell this. i would definately be interested in buying one, if it's an accurate copy.  the wheels and tires look great. good luck with the rest of the build!

[RAT-T]

HEY MIKE,

GOOD TO SEE YOU JOINED THE FORUM, ANY 1/16 STUFF YET?

[mnagatani]

Great question...The body is not based on a scan.  For many years I built 3D car bodies for the video game industry.  I take pride in the craft of 3D modeling and try to achieve the highest degree of accuracy.  The most accurate representation of a car body comes from a scan.  I don't have the financial means to purchase one of these.   My practice and skills come from as many photo references as I can get a hold of.  Blueprints are the method I go about my base body creation and then its my years of experience to judge the surfaces from reference material.  Its not easy, but the challenge is so rewarding.  

[mnagatani]

No 1/16 stuff, but why the heck not?  Not a problem to scale down or up in the print world!

[Daddyfink]

Yes, definitely would want a couple in 1/16th! Maybe a Bantam and a T body as well 

[mnagatani]

Currently using Shapeways for my printing.  I once used a higher end print service for a test wheel, but the cost was too high to justify it....  About three times as much.  So for now I'll go with Shapeways and prep the body like a 1:1.   Make a mold and cast in resin.  The body will be broken up in two parts (body and hood).  The surface quality is just not there yet.  

Mike 

[Nytrozilla]

You've convinced me. I'm in.

[Church Key]

I have a full size Fiat altered that I always wanted to do an 1/8th scale model of it...I would be interested when you start making resin bodies for sale.

[mnagatani]

As I was building my 1/8 stuff back a few  years ago I wanted to have the wheels the 1:1 world had access to.  Long story short I ended up making what I wanted on the computer.  I also wanted others to have it also so I started selling them on eBay.  As I have progressed more wheels parts have been made and I'll sell anything I make.  I want all to have access to my creations.  Here we are now as I have always wanted the fiat in 1/8.  Big question for me is the time and money commitment to creating a body.  Will it sell?  What I think is cool may not to others.  I'm hoping the fiat will be a good bet it will.  We have never seen a fiat in 1/8 or 1/12.  Once it's done it's for sale!  Thanks for the comment.

Mike

[drummerdad]

Do you have a link to some of the wheels you sell? The 1/8 scale world has a huge hole in the aftermarket wheel section. 

[mnagatani]

Here is a pic of some of the wheels I have.  I'll be selling a new batch next week.