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

[Straightliner59]

I installed the steering box, and have begun working on the butterfly. I plan to "rivet" wooden grips to the aluminum frame. I feel like I'm back on track (no pun intended), again. I used the mill to open the butterfly, then used a file to finish the inside areas. The ring clamp is very handy, for this type of work. I'll get some of the outside shaped, before bed. I added bolts to the steering box ends, as well as a filler cap. The bolts are model railroad Hex nut/bolt/washer castings. The cap is a larger scale (O) square n/b/w casting. The spoon is the paint test using the actual paints I'll use in the same order. The orange is Tamiya clear orange lacquer. I'm now in the process of figuring out how I want to lay it out. It should be pretty striking. Comments, critiques and questions are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

I know that certain issues can make us juggle the idea of stopping a project at certain times, but your perseverance pays off and you will appreciate it even more once it is finished.  Each part is perfectly executed and thought out, all you have to do is cross the finish line which is looming on the horizon.  The painting however is one of the most stressful parts of the build (at least for me) and I hope everything goes well.  The pattern and the colors chosen are very beautiful and will give it a look that sticks with the time when these superb dragsters ruled the drag strips! ?

By the way, I'll have to buy one of these ring clamp, it might save my fingers! ?

[Straightliner59]

15 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

I know that certain issues can make us juggle the idea of stopping a project at certain times, but your perseverance pays off and you will appreciate it even more once it is finished.  Each part is perfectly executed and thought out, all you have to do is cross the finish line which is looming on the horizon.  The painting however is one of the most stressful parts of the build (at least for me) and I hope everything goes well.  The pattern and the colors chosen are very beautiful and will give it a look that sticks with the time when these superb dragsters ruled the drag strips! ?

By the way, I'll have to buy one of these ring clamp, it might save my fingers! ?

The thought that I might set it aside, again, lasted about as long as it took me to reach for the first tool, to begin repairing it! Perhaps I am maturing as a modeler!? I still have a way to go, but, I'm surely in to see it through. One of the things I'd hoped to achieve with this car is a modern N/TF car with a nod to its roots. I think the paint helps to convey that. I just need to figure out how I'm going to lay it out on the car.

I would recommend the ring clamp! They're inexpensive, non-marring, and they hold certain things like nothing else can, and leave it easily workable. It's one of those tools that looked like it might come in handy, that I use pretty frequently. I think you'll like it! Thanks, as always, for your comments, my friend. They are very much appreciated.

[Straightliner59]

Once the butterfly was cut out, and filed and sanded to shape, I drilled two holes in each of the grip areas. These were used to accommodate brass pins that will hold the wooden grips on the wheel. They'll look cool, too! I cut four small rectangles of cigar wrapper veneer to make the grips. Using superglue gel, I glued a rectangle to each end of one side of the wheel. I pressed the grips firmly to the butterfly, and let the glue set for a few minutes. I then flipped the assembly over, and, using the holes in the butterfly as a guide, drilled through the newly-installed grips. I repeated the process on the other side. 

Next, the brass pins were installed, again using superglue gel, then further cementing them with a more viscous superglue. The brass pins were nipped closely against the wood, and were then sanded smooth, and level with the wood using nail boards. The assembly was then place in the ring clamp, and using sanding boards again, the outer sides of the grips were shaped to match the wheel. The inner sides were shaped using the same round, straight diamond files I used to shape the metal "frame". Now, the grips will be finish-trimmed and polished, using a four-way polishing board. Lastly, it will be bent to shape.

I think this is my fourth wheel built using this technique, which is essentially a duplication of the 1:1 process. Two were round wheels with Delrin grips and nichrome pins. I hope someone finds this to be of use. Questions, comments and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

This thing won "Best Work In Progress" at a local contest, today!

[John B.]

I'm just absolutely blown away by the incredible workmanship on this project!

[bobthehobbyguy]

A well deserved award. Even unfinished it is stunning work.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Congratulations Daniel ! ?

I agree, it's well deserved and it's nice to see that this category exists to allow us to see and appreciate all the work invested in such a project.  This award while waiting for the "Best of Show" when it will be completed! ?

[Straightliner59]

21 hours ago, John B. said:

I'm just absolutely blown away by the incredible workmanship on this project!

Thank you, John. I appreciate that!

 

20 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

A well deserved award. Even unfinished it is stunning work.

Thanks, Bob. Now I've taken it back apart, and I'm trying to decide what I am going to do, next!?

 

19 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Congratulations Daniel ! ?

I agree, it's well deserved and it's nice to see that this category exists to allow us to see and appreciate all the work invested in such a project.  This award while waiting for the "Best of Show" when it will be completed! ?

Thank you, my friend! Yes, I thought it was a nice idea, them having a class, for that. I think there could be one of those, in its future. I think that would be some nice icing on the cake of finishing it!

[Ian McLaren]

Congratulations on a well deserved win Daniel, and I think Francis is correct about future awards

 

[Straightliner59]

2 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Congratulations on a well deserved win Daniel, and I think Francis is correct about future awards

 

Thank you, Ian. Even though we build as we do, because that's what we enjoy, a little recognition along the way is encouraging! 

[Straightliner59]

I apologize for not updating this thread. Basically, I've been wrestling fiercely with the transformer for the mag. None of the kit ones are right--not that there's an abundance of them. Anyway, as soon as I have something...

[Straightliner59]

I've made some progress on this transformer. I've actually made some, since these photos were taken. I used the mill to cut the angles on the bottom of the unit. I've since done some shaping to the fins. I'll need to build the mounting bracket, too, as it appears to be somewhat integral to the unit.

[iBorg]

Two thoughts.....I need a ring clamp. That steering wheel is amazing. I keep forgetting the scale of this. For the amount of detail, I'm thinking 1/16th but for some reason I'm thinking 1/25th which makes it even more impressive. 

I'm also reminded of something I was told a long time ago. The best way to build a detailed model is to take each individual part and make it an individual model and then join all the pieces together.  Hmmm........

[Straightliner59]

3 hours ago, iBorg said:

Two thoughts.....I need a ring clamp. That steering wheel is amazing. I keep forgetting the scale of this. For the amount of detail, I'm thinking 1/16th but for some reason I'm thinking 1/25th which makes it even more impressive. 

I'm also reminded of something I was told a long time ago. The best way to build a detailed model is to take each individual part and make it an individual model and then join all the pieces together.  Hmmm........

Thanks, Mike. Yessir, it's 1/25. ? I have heard that saw, many times. I figure that, if you make any given subassembly a finished component, in itself, nobody can say you haven't completed a model! The ring clamp is one of those tools that looked like it could be handy to have around. I had no idea, just how frequently I would use it.

[Straightliner59]

I'm hoping a wash will hide the boogers between the fins. If not, I'll have to go back to digging, in there! I need to make the aluminum frame/mounting bracket, next. I've posted a shot of my scratchbuilt transformer with some of the kit pieces--one of which I started modifying, before I decided scratching it was my best option, as well as a few photos of a real one. I think mine captures the shape, much better. The kit parts look elongated and thin, compared to the prototype. I have a couple of parts left to add, and a decal to print, for the top label, but, I'm pretty happy with it. Questions, comments and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

 

[Straightliner59]

I got some more work done on the transformer. I made the bracket from flashing. I still need to cut out the back part of the bracket. I'll glue it to the solid area on the "back" side of the transformer. It's the only way I could figure to get both the vertical and horizontal pieces of the bracket. I also have a couple of other small details to add to the box/bracket interface. The top section/cap needs a couple of screw heads, and I'm hoping to make a passable label for the cap, as well. So far, I'm pretty satisfied with it. Comments and stuff are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[absmiami]

Great stuff

[Straightliner59]

12 hours ago, absmiami said:

Great stuff

Thanks, Andy! Good luck in Salt Lake! Have a great time.

I got the rear plate fabricated and attached to the transformer. I think I am down to four pieces to add, now. Then, I'll have to figure out where/how to mount it. I'm leaning toward bolting it to the water outlet, alongside the mag. It's not perfect, but it looks the part (no pun intended).Comments, questions and critiques are always welcome. Thanks for looking!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

It's crazy sometimes how many hours you can spend on such a small piece but for me it's just a proof of total dedication to a project and obviously there is no lack of it here. Well done Daniel, the transformer is a great replica of the real thing! ?

[Ian McLaren]

Great work on the transformer, pieces like this consume a huge amount of time as Francis said, and that's why I made a mold of the last one I built.  It seems true for modeling as well as other endevours that the old 80/20 rule still applies.  20% of the parts take up 80% of the effort.  I also applaud your dedication to all of your models, a true modeler.

[Straightliner59]

19 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

It's crazy sometimes how many hours you can spend on such a small piece but for me it's just a proof of total dedication to a project and obviously there is no lack of it here. Well done Daniel, the transformer is a great replica of the real thing! ?

No doubt, Francis! Some of the smallest parts are the most complex assemblies. I think there are 20 bits of plastic, in this transformer. I found a label for the top of it on a Slixx sheet, and noticed it on several of their fuel car sheets. They also have the label for the Trick Titanium bellhousing, one for the mag and lettering for the blower belt. As always thank you for your support, in these endeavors! You're a man who understands my affliction.?

4 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Great work on the transformer, pieces like this consume a huge amount of time as Francis said, and that's why I made a mold of the last one I built.  It seems true for modeling as well as other endevours that the old 80/20 rule still applies.  20% of the parts take up 80% of the effort.  I also applaud your dedication to all of your models, a true modeler.

Ian, I will most certainly cast the next one I build! I wanted to make the fins thinner, but I just couldn't get anything less than .010" to stand on edge--it didn't have enough surface to really create a bond. Every time I'd try to work on them, one or two would fall off. After that happened the second time--waiting for cement to cure roughly 24 hours both times, I switched to the heavier material. I appreciate your kind words, my friend.

[iBorg]

On 4/29/2023 at 4:34 PM, Straightliner59 said:

Thanks, Mike. Yessir, it's 1/25. ? I have heard that saw, many times. I figure that, if you make any given subassembly a finished component, in itself, nobody can say you haven't completed a model! The ring clamp is one of those tools that looked like it could be handy to have around. I had no idea, just how frequently I would use it.

Actually its from YOU from the old SLM group.

[Mike Williams]

Fine work, Daniel.

[Straightliner59]

13 hours ago, iBorg said:

Actually its from YOU from the old SLM group.

It was something Don Fahrni, Mark Brown and myself often discussed. Mark and I weren't really completing any projects, at that time, so we started saying that if you build each sub-assembly as a model in its own right, then you didn't have to admit to not ever finishing anything!? The trick is building enough of those little models to make one big model.