"Simple" Revell 30 Model A Coupe. finished 4/11/2022

[Andrew McD]

What an inspirational thread.  I’ll continue out-of-the-box builds as I try to develop some craftsmanship and maybe someday I’ll have the confidence to attempt some of the detail that you have demonstrated so well.  Do you use any particular type of pin for pinning parts?

[Mr. Metallic]

10 hours ago, Andrew McD said:

What an inspirational thread.  I’ll continue out-of-the-box builds as I try to develop some craftsmanship and maybe someday I’ll have the confidence to attempt some of the detail that you have demonstrated so well.  Do you use any particular type of pin for pinning parts?

Thank you for the interest.

The pins I use are found in the sewing section of any store. They are used to pin pieces of fabric together to hold them while sewing or preparing for alterations. You get a small container of them for less than a couple bucks. I have purchased one size that is just over and inch long for general purpose, and a package of shorter/smaller diameter ones for pinning really small items. Once you buy a package take a few small drill bit s and drill test holes in scrap plastic to find the correct size for the pins to fit in snug. Since i pin stuff constantly I have a dedicated pin vise with the correct size bit in it all the time on my bench so it's ready to go any time I want to pin something.

Also, save the pin heads when you cut them off, as they can be used to simulate bolt heads and such. They also make great approximations of the old "drawer pull" type grille inserts for 50s/60s rod and customs.

 

[Mr. Metallic]

Looking back over all the posts I've made on this project I guess I left out a couple things. So I'll address those before I get into the paint stages.

First, the K member. The Model A kit provides a nicely done tubular crossmember to support the tail of the transmission and provide a mounting point for the suspension arms. But it's too modern for this build, so I decided to swap in a modified K member from a Revell 32 kit. The top member in the pic is straight out of the 32 kit. I cut off the suspension bracketry at the back, and slightly opened up the underside to help avoid any clearance issues with the exhaust and trans. Otherwise this member slips right between the frame rails as it should since they are both 32 Ford parts.

A critical point to address is the front suspension arm pivot points. I am not a perfect person, and forgot a key issue, so I apologize to anyone following along and actually using this build as a blueprint for their own build. But, being a hot rodder is often about improvisation, so I had to improvise a fix. Despite having performed this alteration a few times before I didn't usually use the molded notches in the frame. When I moved the front axle in front of the spring this made the suspension arms too short to use the molded in notches in the frame that accept the bracket. Unfortunately I thinned my brackets down too much when I molded them into the frame, so salvaging them  was not an option. Instead I cut them off and sanded the area smooth in preparation for making my own.

I used .030 x .100 Evergreen for the new brackets. First, mock up your front end, including the arms, and mark where you need your new brackets to be. Then take your plastic strip and drill a hole near the end to accept the pin in the arm. Sand a gentle radius in the end, and then cut the strip, leaving it long enough for trimming later. 

After you let the glue set fully, trim the upper part of the strip flush with the top of the frame. Now we're ready from priming and paint. 

[Johnny99]

A closeup on the radius rods?

The spring is now attached where they should be.

[Mr. Metallic]

36 minutes ago, Johnny99 said:

A closeup on the radius rods?

The spring is now attached where they should be.

The arms are now slightly outboard of their original mounting point. Holes highlighted in red

edit- thank you for mentioning that. I took a pic but forgot to add that step to the front end mods. I have gone back and added it now. 

Edited March 3, 2022 by Mr. Metallic

[Johnny99]

On 3/1/2022 at 7:19 PM, Kit Karson said:

Not one of my favorite threads... this IS my FAVORITE THREAD!  To be watching over your shoulder and seeing the krispness and attention to detail down to the most minute/nth degree!  Even to the eventual unseen parts that none of us will ever see again after it's up on it's rubber side!  I know how much fun it is being a teacher... but being a student here, under the tutelage of Professor Stansfield, feels more like a privilege!  -KK

My favorite as well!!!

[Mr. Metallic]

1 hour ago, Johnny99 said:

My favorite as well!!!

Thank you. I guess it's time for me to bring it on home as they say. Once I get to the point where I'm ready for paint is when I start losing interest in my projects it seems. But since it has developed a following that may be what it takes to keep this moving forward. 

Squirrel! ?

[Kit Karson]

14 minutes ago, Mr. Metallic said:

Thank you. I guess it's time for me to bring it on home as they say. Once I get to the point where I'm ready for paint is when I start losing interest in my projects it seems. But since it has developed a following that may be what it takes to keep this moving forward. 

Squirrel! ?

You best! -KK

[Mr. Metallic]

Finally had a chance to do some sample spoons. The color will be Model Master Dark Cherry metallic. This color apparently has a good amount of pigment because there's not much difference between the three colors of primer. The top one is red, and that skews a little warmer than I want for this build, so looks like I'll be spraying everything with grey primer since there is virtually no difference between the grey and black.

[Mr. Metallic]

Primed and ready-

Finally got everything necessary into primer last night after much procrastinating. The holdup was I was mostly worried about burying the louvers in paint, so whether to try to mask them off and prime the body. But then i feared i would mask it and pull the louvers off. I decided to just wing it. And happily, so far so good.

[Mr. Metallic]

It's officially in color. First coat is on and in the dehydrator.

[Phildaupho]

This is going to be one great looking hot rod. The trunk louvers are looking especially awesome.

[herbertb]

I think it was Car Craft that at the end of the build they would list all the parts they used. Be nice to have it in one place. Have enjoy folling along great teaching.

[Mr. Metallic]

Live and in color

The louver experiment was successful. Archer smartly molded them in black to give them a look of a natural shadow line, so that helps sell the 3D effect, even though they aren't very tall. I'm quite happy with how they came out.

And of course, fresh out of the dehydrator I couldn't help but do a quick mockup. I love the color. It's Testors Dark Cherry Metallic lacquer.

[Mr. Metallic]

Painting mishap while doing the interior side panels, so I'll be stripping and repainting those. Heading on vacation tomorrow so hope to hit this one hard when i get back. 

[Mr. Metallic]

Paint update...

As I stated earlier, I had to strip the paint off the interior side panels due to an issue with the paint. However, the do-over is just an opportunity to do it better the second time. I let the parts sit in alcohol while I was on vacation and when I got back they were ready to go. So I went ahead with painting the rest of the interior items. At the suggestion of my friend Randy I went with a warmer off white rather than straight white, and I love the way it warmed up the dark cherry body color. The off white is Tamiya Racing White, and the roll and pleat areas are Tamiya Champagne Metallic. Parts are in the dehydrator, and then I'll finish off the side panels with the dark cherry upper section. Hoping to start assembly this weekend.

[bobthehobbyguy]

A great project. Love the detailed step by step photos.

[Mr. Metallic]

Couldn't help myself, needed to see a mockup with more parts now that paint is complete. This will probably be the last update until after it's all done.

[Mr. Metallic]

This build is now complete. Thanks for following along for the ride.

 

[Mr. Metallic]

On 2/18/2022 at 4:33 PM, Dave72 said:

The rims and tires are from “3D Model Specialists”   Yes, very nice stuff from R&M. The blower from 3D on Shapeways as well comes with the Ardun head intake suited for their Arden head V8 or, I believe, will work with the one in the Revell 50 Ford F1

BTW, got my most recent Shapeways order and got the wheels/tires. They are stunning in person. Now just need to find something cool to put them on.