Nostalgia Fuel Dragster--Blower Manifold (01/28/23)

[Straightliner59]

10 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Great work, it's coming along nicely.

Thanks, Ian. I got the third member installed, today! There are a couple of little things to do, before I install the axle stub ends, but, this is almost done! I made the nuts for the rear end mounts on the lathe, with .040" hex stock and painted them with Testors MM Jet Exhaust. I've since trimmed off the excess length of the bolts. I'll work my way out of the cockpit, installing cables and wiring, as I go. I think I have decided on a color combo, as well! As always...and, thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

Rear axle is installed, completely. I painted the spindles, so I could stand it back on its wheels. I may just go ahead and finish off the installation of the steering at the front axle, before doing the brakes. This is exciting! Thanks for looking!

[Ian McLaren]

Great to see it as a roller, onward.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

I love all the details Daniel, an amazing dragster in the making! ?

[Straightliner59]

17 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Great to see it as a roller, onward.

Yessir! That's always a big step in the process!

10 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

I love all the details Daniel, an amazing dragster in the making! ?

Thank you, Francis. I think it's going to look pretty cool!

[Pierre Rivard]

You have extraordinary fabrication skills.

This is breathtaking!

[Straightliner59]

16 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

You have extraordinary fabrication skills.

This is breathtaking!

Thank you, so much, Pierre! It's much appreciated. Scratchbuilding/fabrication is my favorite aspect of this avocation. I'm really beginning to think this will see the light of day!

Edited March 16, 2023 by Straightliner59

[Straightliner59]

6 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

I'm really beginning to think this will see the light of day!

Had this been virtually any other time in my modeling "career", those likely would have been famous last words. While I was installing the tie rod, I somehow managed to snap the right side spindle eye from the axle. That would have put it back on the shelf, in earlier times. This time, I cut a new eye, cleaned up the axle end and sanded off some of the paint, in order to create clean contact point for the electrodes. I then soldered the new eye on, cleaned up the axle again, and re-shot that corner of the chassis. I used kitchen plastic wrap to mask the tie rod, and the rest of the chassis, behind the axle. It worked well, because it clings without sticking. Within a couple of hours, I was repaired, and had the tie rod installed! I'd like to say it was fun, but...? I am happy with myself, for getting it fixed,, and not pushing it aside. Questions, comments and critiques are welcome. Thanks for looking!

[Joe Nunes]

Nice looking repair work.  Well done!  ?

Joe

[Ian McLaren]

Glad the repair worked out that well. Of the whole process I find that final assembly is my least favorite part of the process until it's done then ------  Happy Dance. 

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice save.  Mishaps in final assembly can really be a show stopper. Glad you were able to fix it so cleanly.

[Straightliner59]

16 hours ago, Joe Nunes said:

Nice looking repair work.  Well done!  ?

Joe

 

16 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Glad the repair worked out that well. Of the whole process I find that final assembly is my least favorite part of the process until it's done then ------  Happy Dance. 

 

14 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

Nice save.  Mishaps in final assembly can really be a show stopper. Glad you were able to fix it so cleanly.

Thanks, guys. Yeah, my heart sunk, when I heard that "snap"! At least I was able to get it fixed in one session!? Still a long way to go, but the chassis, itself, is done. I think I will finish the harness, next. Then I can get on to the rest of the cockpit details. Thanks again--I appreciate your kind words of support! 

[charlie libby]

Looking awesome.great fab work. Keep up the great work

[Straightliner59]

8 hours ago, charlie libby said:

Looking awesome.great fab work. Keep up the great work

Thank you, Charlie! I truly admire your accomplishments with the mill, especially. It's encouraging to have read you say that you're not an engineer or a math genius--that gives me some hope!?

[Straightliner59]

Harness installed! I usually use wine bottle foil to make my belts. The slots on Detail Master's harness sets are super-narrow, and persnickety. This time, I used strips of foil, cut from a disposable aluminum baking sheet. They fit through the slots, much easier, and don't look any differently. The Simpson decals came from a Slixx sheet. Viewing the photos, I can see some touchup that needs doing. Thanks for looking!

[Ian McLaren]

The seat and belts look great Daniel.

[Straightliner59]

2 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

The seat and belts look great Daniel.

Thank you, sir! I'll probably poke and prod them a little more, but, they don't look too bad!

[Straightliner59]

I made a new brake fluid reservoir, and installed it, and the master cylinder. The new reservoir is made from a white plastic coat hanger. The original part was too opaque, for my taste, and the coat hanger provides a more translucent look. It's hard to believe I'm doing some finish work on this thing! I think I've decided on a color. It's a mixture of Humbrol Brass, and Humbrol #55 which is a kind of bright copper colour. It will be paired with black. It really goes well with the wheels, too. As always, questions, critiques and comments are welcome. Thanks for looking!

[Ian McLaren]

The new reservoir is a real improvement, The color your showing for the body with Black should be a great combination.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

It's delicious as I've heard before.  The color is very nice, it gives a rich impression and it fits well with jewelry! ?

[Straightliner59]

13 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

The new reservoir is a real improvement, The color your showing for the body with Black should be a great combination.

Yes, I like this one, much better, too. Thank you, Ian!

5 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

It's delicious as I've heard before.  The color is very nice, it gives a rich impression and it fits well with jewelry! ?

Thank you, Francis! I am planning to do "panels" in the copper color, and may try some artistic tricks, over it. Over the next few weeks/months, as I work on other stuff, I'll experiment with ideas on scrap material. 

[dino246gt]

Amazing skills!

Great build!

 

[Straightliner59]

16 hours ago, dino246gt said:

Amazing skills!

Great build!

 

Thank you, Dennis! Very much appreciated!

[Tortuga Kustomz]

The details are now going to glow big time, love how the master cylinder looks 

[Straightliner59]

Thanks, man! I got some more work done to the brakes. I mounted the rotors. The dark center is based on a Strange catalog photo I found--this looks pretty much just like it! The "braided" lines are stranded bead wire. I'm working on the rest of the fittings. I should have these done in a couple of sessions. Then, I'll see what mischief I can get up to, next. As you can see, I didn't bother with doing proper "anchors", for the belts. They will never be seen, once the tail, body and floor are installed, so I could see no reason to spend that time, when it could be better spent, elsewhere on the project. Questions and comments are always welcome. Thanks for looking!