Ace-Garageguy Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 (edited) After seeing Harry's I had to get one for myself, especially seein' as how I'm starting on a traditional channeled 1:8 '32 Ford roadster too (finally amassed enough of a 1:8 parts stash to build the Big Deuce-based model pretty far out of the box). The Alfa just came in today and needs a complete teardown, strip, respray, and entire rebuild. Poor little car was poorly packed too, some shipping damage. Everything is wonky, wrong, broken, forced...typical of everything I get...but this big ol' girl will be worth the effort. And I got her pretty cheap. Though she's not really a gluebomb, the workmanship is no better than average, and it's apparent the builder wasn't anything particularly special. Lotsa runs in the paint, lotsa trash, and kinda gives the impression it never really fit together very well. Still, it seems to be pretty much complete...and boy, is it big. Most definitely has that bare-bones European hot-rod look I love, plentiful exposed mechanical bits Anybody have instructions for this? (NOTE: This is NOT mine. The photo I had posted was from the auction site where I bought the thing, and it's disappeared. This gives a fair impression of the condition mine was in when it came in, though mine also had a couple of semi-destroyed wheels, bent spokes, etc.) Edited December 18, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy
Roncla Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 http://www.pocher.net/pictures/K71/manual/manualk71.htmlAnd manuals for other Pochershttp://www.pocher.net/english/modelmanual.html
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 16, 2016 Author Posted June 16, 2016 http://www.pocher.net/pictures/K71/manual/manualk71.html And manuals for other Pochers http://www.pocher.net/english/modelmanual.html Thank you sir. The PDF format is most helpful.
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 16, 2016 Author Posted June 16, 2016 Hmmmmm...looks like I'm going to need a jig to build the wheels on too. They're ALL bent and wonky, way out of round; more shipping damage apparently.
Harry P. Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 Geez, Bill... that's in pretty rough shape. You definitely have a lot of work ahead of you.
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 16, 2016 Author Posted June 16, 2016 Geez, Bill... that's in pretty rough shape. You definitely have a lot of work ahead of you.Well, since I'm going to do it pretty much straight, and as a lot of it looks like it comes apart fairly easily, I think I can get it to go fairly quickly (for me). No entire re-engineering of anything, just take it apart, make it nice, and put it back together. I'm shooting for early November completion.Speaking of which...do you have the particular wheel jig for this one you'd be willing to part with, loan or measure so I can make one up on the lathe?
plastic-mechanic Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 ....the workmanship is no better than average, and it's apparent the builder wasn't anything particularly special.... it may have been the best he could do. perhaps physical challenges prevented a "better" job, but it may have been his best build ever.
Twokidsnosleep Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 (edited) You will be surprised how easy they come apart..... if no glue was used that isI am interested, what kind of $ are we into for this girl, if you don't mind my asking. Prices were silly and have gone even crazier now.I have two Pocher Alfa's one a bomb and one new in box kit..I think the latter was in the $600 CAD range and the bomb came in at $380 CAD in late 2014/ early2015Don't ask how much I paid for my Bugatti Pocher...I will never tell!!!!! Edited June 16, 2016 by Twokidsnosleep
Harry P. Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 ...do you have the particular wheel jig for this one you'd be willing to part with, loan or measure so I can make one up on the lathe?Sorry, no. Once the model was built I had no reason to keep the jig, so it was tossed along with all the sprues and the box.You can download the manual for free here...http://www.modelmotorcars.com/manuels/Alfa_K71.pdfand you will see that the jig is nothing more than a plastic ring that the wheel rims sit in, and a center post to hold the wheel hub in place as you string the spokes. I think the illustrations in the manual will be all you need to make your own jig.
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 16, 2016 Author Posted June 16, 2016 (edited) it may have been the best he could do. perhaps physical challenges prevented a "better" job, but it may have been his best build ever. That may well be the case, and I don't believe I was being critical of the builder...simply stating the truth in unvarnished terms about the condition of the model. What has got me somewhat chapped is that supposedly, the 3 wheels on it were true, and all the instruments were in place with the panel intact. The less-than-right packing apparently allowed the model to take a heavy hit, bending most of the spokes and pulling many of them out of the rims, bending both rear stub axles, and also dislodging the body from the frame and twisting it so hard the instrument panel cracked and several of the instruments fell out...and continued on their way out of the non-sealed box. Both headlight lenses are glue-ruined too, not mentioned in the description. Insurmountable challenges apparently abound. I would have GLADLY paid for a decent crate to ship the thing in, which would have been cheap insurance assuming the additional damage occurred in shipping and was not a misleading auction description. I got a pretty good price and had intended to do a full disassembly and rebuild anyway, but I didn't expect to have to rebuild all 4 wheels, buy multiple parts, and straighten and/or repair many others. Even a $75 crate would have been acceptable. The packaging was a joke. The flip side is that I've been in contact with the seller and he's offered a partial refund. I countered with a LOWER dollar amount than he offered just to show there are no hard feelings and to try to reassure him I'm not just trying to get something for nothing. Everybody should be happy shortly, and I WILL restore this beautiful model. Edited June 16, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 16, 2016 Author Posted June 16, 2016 ...and you will see that the jig is nothing more than a plastic ring that the wheel rims sit in, and a center post to hold the wheel hub in place as you string the spokes. I think the illustrations in the manual will be all you need to make your own jig.I believe you're right. I was a little concerned about the depth of the center relative to the rim, but from the wheels I have that are relatively intact, I should be able to figure an average dimension that should work well enough.
Cato Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 I don't have Alfa parts to help you Bill. But here's a tip; whether you get the Pocher jig or make your own, anchor it down to a board. You have to exert a fair amount of force to get the nipples into the rims. I had to heat them with 1/8 solder tip and melt them in because the plastic jig is so brittle. If you have bent spokes you'll have to buy replacements. I suggest Paul Koo to get his CD (guides you through the trouble areas) and ask him if he has Alfa spokes in stock.
Harry P. Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 Bent spokes can easily be bent back to shape by hand. And yes, the nipples are a tight fit into the rims. I used a small screwdriver to push them down flush into the plastic rims, no heat needed. The wheel rims are actually a fairly soft plastic, and nestle down right into place with just a little push with the screwdriver blade. And besides, if the wheel had already been assembled as the photo suggests, the nipples will already be in place, and any that have fallen off can easily be put back into their places.
Twokidsnosleep Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 This is just the start of the many "Pocher Beatings" as Cato call them
Cato Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 This is just the start of the many "Pocher Beatings" as Cato call them Not for Bill; he doesn't need any beatings. He's a pro mechanic. Not a dentist.
Twokidsnosleep Posted June 17, 2016 Posted June 17, 2016 Not for Bill; he doesn't need any beatings. He's a pro mechanic. Not a dentist. Ohh I call foul, that is totally BS, nothing worse than an antiDentite just ask Seinfeld Good thing I build them like I want anyways
Cato Posted June 17, 2016 Posted June 17, 2016 Ohh I call foul, that is totally BS, nothing worse than an antiDentite just ask Seinfeld Good thing I build them like I want anyways Knew i get a 'bite' out of you....!
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 17, 2016 Author Posted June 17, 2016 (edited) I am interested, what kind of $ are we into for this girl, if you don't mind my asking. Prices were silly and have gone even crazier now. Seller had a $150 buy-it-now price, plus $20 shipping. I didn't hesitate. After the partial refund I'm into her for a little less than $150 total. There seems to be WAY more damage now than shows in the seller's photo above, but it's still a pretty good deal even if i were to only look at her as a parts car. Having to do extra work will only make me appreciate the thing more, and after seeing Harry's job on his, I think this kit is my favorite of all the Pochers. Like I said, she has that old-time Euro hot-rod look that really appeals to me. I think having to rebuild the wheels will make it easier for me to jump into lacing some custom wires for the smaller scales too. I know it's an entirely different procedure, but that's OK. Part of my brain will see more similarities than differences. I'm also leaning towards re-building her stripped for racing too, as it's even more of the look I particularly love. Edited June 17, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy
Harry P. Posted June 17, 2016 Posted June 17, 2016 Pocher actually released a version of this kit without the fenders...http://www.scalemotorcars.com/forum/images/imported/2012/04/287.jpg
Twokidsnosleep Posted June 17, 2016 Posted June 17, 2016 Wow, build her stripped for sure, that looks great!!!! I might just do the same, was thinking going Muletto, but your pic looks better! That is a good deal for the shell, especially if you have the wearwithall to build, make and modify stuff yourself...which it sounds like you do. Lots of parts from online retailers and E Bay as well. Just post up what you are thinking about getting or need and someone will direct you the right way Sorry about the silliness we shall bring to your thread, I personally blame Cato; watch out for him, just saying
Harry P. Posted June 17, 2016 Posted June 17, 2016 Bill... not sure how much of a stickler for detail you are, but the fender mounting braces on the model are completely inaccurate. They are made of flat, 2-dimensional steel, whereas the real car had round (tubular) braces, and the mounting method is completely different on the real car vs. the kit. So maybe building it sans fenders is a good idea.
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 17, 2016 Author Posted June 17, 2016 Bill... not sure how much of a stickler for detail you are, but the fender mounting braces on the model are completely inaccurate. They are made of flat, 2-dimensional steel, whereas the real car had round (tubular) braces, and the mounting method is completely different on the real car vs. the kit. So maybe building it sans fenders is a good idea. Thanks Harry. That was part of the reason, as they look kinda cheesy and flat pieces couldn't really work well in reality. I'd like to do them correctly at some point, but as I'm kinda trying to have her ready for the November ACME-sponsored NNL event here, eliminating things I need to work on will be helpful in hitting the deadline. The steering is bound up, but it's only bent linkage from apparently having been dropped on the RH front wheel at some point. One piece of brake linkage is broken, but I can probably silver-solder it back together and sand / polish it to look like the other one. I've found a wheel jig and a bunch of other loose parts she needs, plus a pair of virgin headlight lenses...all for not too much money. Having the right wheel jig will save me at least a couple of hours of figgerin' and machine work. It's a shame about the runs and trash in the paint. It has a nice patina that would be quite in keeping with an older race car that's deteriorated a little over the years. Maybe I'll see if there's any hope of sanding and polishing just the problem areas. Hard to keep the finish uniform though. This thing is so much more like working on a little real car, maybe it will spur me on to building my long-planned next real hot-rod too.
Harry P. Posted June 17, 2016 Posted June 17, 2016 This thing is so much more like working on a little real car... Yep, that's the feeling of building a Pocher. Like working on the real thing, only smaller.
Ognib Posted June 17, 2016 Posted June 17, 2016 (edited) And, that's where it's at...the "juice"...the feeling that you're actually doing something mechanical. I've never encountered a pocher in person, but I know from the pics I see, I'm most impressed with the wire wheels they produce. That lil red car, above, is a good looking ride. Bill, you mentioned a deuce in the op...just gonna leave us hanging on that...?? Edited June 17, 2016 by Ognib
bbowser Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 For that kind of money seems to me you got a deal, especially on a Pocher. I'll be following with interest for sure!
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now