’72 Dodge Demon Drag Racer 1/25 scale

[charlie libby]

I always learn so much from you francis.your work is amazing.i wish i could learn patients from you.i am always in a hurry. As i get older i am getting a little better.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 3/4/2025 at 5:34 AM, dragcarz said:

I have No words Francis, just thought I  would check in let you know I’m still here watching in amazement! 

Thanks Roger, I always appreciate your kind words and support, I hope to dive into the heart of the subject (engine and transmission) in the coming weeks, I know that for many it is their favorite part.  It is also the case for me but I would like to have more free time to progress in a more coherent and regular way.  Thank you for continuing to follow me my friend! 😊

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 3/4/2025 at 3:47 PM, charlie libby said:

I always learn so much from you francis.your work is amazing.i wish i could learn patients from you.i am always in a hurry. As i get older i am getting a little better.

Thanks Charlie,it's mutual, I'm always amazed by your talent and your know-how, each time I visit your threads I delight in seeing everything you make!

Getting old is a bit like good wine when your health and cognitive side are still there, I think this wonderful hobby can only help in this sense!

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone,

I haven't had much time at the workbench last weekend, but I was still able to make a few detail parts before venturing into more complex machining parts (the engine).  To complete the cooling system I made a small overflow tank, I found this picture of a nice Moroso tank which I thought would make a good companion to the radiator.  Also, I made an Optima battery, I used gray styrene from an old MPC kit and a piece of yellow styrene of the perfect color that also came from the leftovers of a kit for the fabrication, it saves me from painting and I think the color is rather realistic.  I still have to make the battery tray and female terminals to complete the assembly.

See you next week with more fabrication.

Francis

The target.

I started by machining the neck on the lathe and then on the milling machine to machine the tank itself.

I drilled holes for the mounting tabs.

I made 45 degree bevel cuts on the corners to make them look more rounded.

Not the most difficult part to make but I like it!

I drilled a hole on the side like the target and on the neck for the hose that connects to the radiator (not visible in the photo, it's on the right side, sorry).

The newest addition next to the radiator.

I started the Optima battery by gluing together several flat pieces of gray styrene and half-round pieces salvaged from the frame that held parts from an old MPC kit.

View from a different angle.

The main body after some filing and sanding.  You can see that my fingers get less dirty when sanding styrene than aluminum. 😁

In the milling vise to add some details on the base and making vertical grooves on the sides.

I machined male terminals from aluminum, I had no lead...😁

Another fairly simple but rather fun piece to make.

[BK9300]

Wonderful job on your latest creations, Francis - the closeups always bring the scale back into focus, to remind us just how small these works are!

[rv1963]

Nice work as always Francis, I like those little mounting tabs on the overflow tank.

[Moparman18064]

Incredible work Francis! I have been away for a while, so did not see your progress for a couple months. All I can say is WOW,WOW , WOW! Between the brakes, suspension, radiator and styrene work, all amazing!

[Codi]

Hi Francis,  nice progress.  I want to say thanks again for the way you document and share via pics your processes and of course the results.  Inspirational and educational for scratch-builders of any level of experience.   Cheers, tim

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 3/11/2025 at 11:35 PM, BK9300 said:

Wonderful job on your latest creations, Francis - the closeups always bring the scale back into focus, to remind us just how small these works are!

Thanks Brian, I will have even smaller things and details to make when I get to the engine accessories.

It's certain that including an element of everyday life (like my fingers 😁) helps to give a good idea of the real size of the finished product.  By the way, there are artists on this forum who do much smaller things than me! 😉

On 3/12/2025 at 7:56 AM, rv1963 said:

Nice work as always Francis, I like those little mounting tabs on the overflow tank.

Thanks Robert, I tried to keep them as thin as possible, but I think they will be sturdy enough to do the job.

On 3/12/2025 at 11:09 AM, Moparman18064 said:

Incredible work Francis! I have been away for a while, so did not see your progress for a couple months. All I can say is WOW,WOW , WOW! Between the brakes, suspension, radiator and styrene work, all amazing!

Thanks Rich, As with the Smarties, I saved the best for last. I hope to start machining the engine block soon. Come by from time to time. I hope to continue for a few more weeks before the nice weather forces me to close up shop...

On 3/12/2025 at 12:52 PM, Codi said:

Hi Francis,  nice progress.  I want to say thanks again for the way you document and share via pics your processes and of course the results.  Inspirational and educational for scratch-builders of any level of experience.   Cheers, tim

Thanks Tim, your comments are always very appreciated, and I hope that your latest mishap won't deprive us for too long of updates to the little gems you make.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself, you have to give your body time to heal, your project will be waiting for you and so will we! 😉

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to visit and comment, your support is priceless!

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone,

I've spent the last few days working on the battery tray and female terminals, this is a first for these and I'm quite happy with the result as the photo-etched ones are a bit too thin to say the least.  I again used reference photos found on the web (model sold specially for this brand of battery) for the battery tray fabrication knowing that the tray must be secured (bolted) to the trunk floor to be legal for drag racing (no "J" rods allowed according to the NHRA rule book if I read correctly).

The fuel cell remains to be fabricated as a significant part (before moving on to the engine), which is what I will do in the next few days that will be available to me for the hobby.  Questions and comments are welcome if you have any.

Francis

The target (or something like that...)

The base at early stage in the rotary table.

I opened the bottom and drilled holes for the installation.

The top support at early stage in the rotary table.

The final part. I decided to not make the openings to keep it more rigid.

Tailor made to fit the Optima battery I made last week.

I added small bolts to simulate the bracket installation.

One of the female terminal in the milling chuck.

After a bit of finishing, I mocked up the clamping bolt and provided a hole to insert the cable.

I think they will be more realistic than the photo-etched ones. One done, another to go.

To give you an idea of the finished product.

[Bainford]

Splendid work, and very entertaining, too, Francis. I always enjoy your updates.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

19 minutes ago, Bainford said:

Splendid work, and very entertaining, too, Francis. I always enjoy your updates.

Thanks Trevor, I know (if I remember correctly) that you have a soft spot for machined parts.  I hope to be able to start machining the engine block before the summer season arrives, the months fly by like weeks... 🙄

Francis

[Moparman18064]

Awesome work on the tray Francis. I love the terminal ends, much better than the photo etched I used.

[Pierre Rivard]

Message from the MCM board of directors. AI generated photos of a fake model build are not allowed, per rule 117.14. In response to multiple board members inquiries we have completed a full audit of Mr Laflamme's work and can certify that these are indeed genuine 1/25 scale fabricated components. This investigation is closed.

Edited March 19 by Pierre Rivard

[BK9300]

Genuine fabrication, indeed!  It will be interesting to try and find all these goodies once the project is completed.  Marvelous, as always!

[rv1963]

Beautiful work Francis on that battery tray and hold down, those battery cable ends are so tiny very cool detail.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Amazing work as always.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 3/19/2025 at 3:06 PM, Moparman18064 said:

Awesome work on the tray Francis. I love the terminal ends, much better than the photo etched I used.

Thanks Rich, The terminals may be a bit far-fetched as they say, but I've already tried to improve the realism of the photo-etched ones (which are also superb details), but I couldn't resist!😉  Glad to know you like them!

23 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Message from the MCM board of directors. AI generated photos of a fake model build are not allowed, per rule 117.14. In response to multiple board members inquiries we have completed a full audit of Mr Laflamme's work and can certify that these are indeed genuine 1/25 scale fabricated components. This investigation is closed.

Thanks Pierre, I see that you are not only a great modeler but also a friendly and talented man with a great imagination, it is reflected in what you do, your pen is not bad either as I can see! 😁

19 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Genuine fabrication, indeed!  It will be interesting to try and find all these goodies once the project is completed.  Marvelous, as always!

Thanks Brian, you know how it is, a lot of these things will barely be visible on the final product. That's kind of the reason for this WIP thread, I myself find things I didn't remember making when I look at one of my completed models after a while... 🙄

5 hours ago, rv1963 said:

Beautiful work Francis on that battery tray and hold down, those battery cable ends are so tiny very cool detail.

Thanks Robert, I would have needed to make a cut at the end so that the bolt could close the terminal (simulate...) but I didn't have a cutting tool thin enough. You have to know where to stop and my tool kit brought me back to reality!

4 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

Amazing work as always.

Thanks Bob, If you come back in a few weeks, I will hopefully be starting the long process of machining the powertrain. I can't wait to get started; it's one of my favorite parts of the project. 😊

Thanks again everyone,

Francis

[Steve H]

Absolutely spectacular. The battery, and all the associated components made me smile. First class as always Francis. It really is a treat to pop in here and catch up on your latest creations. Thanks for sharing the process.

[absmiami]

BATTERY terminals drive me nuts - these are great ...

[AmericanMuscleFan]

20 hours ago, Steve H said:

Absolutely spectacular. The battery, and all the associated components made me smile. First class as always Francis. It really is a treat to pop in here and catch up on your latest creations. Thanks for sharing the process.

Thanks Steve, this is more than just a fun hobby, sharing my crazy excesses is part of it and I appreciate that it can motivate others or at least get them to express their approval! 😊

Francis

1 hour ago, absmiami said:

BATTERY terminals drive me nuts - these are great ...

Thanks Andrew, that is to say, sometimes it is the simplest things that have the greatest effect, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! 😉

Francis

[Ian McLaren]

Now that I am at loose ends (modeling at least) I got a chance to go back and review your progress made to this point.  I was struck by the notion that if the photos had the rulers,coins and fingers removed there would be no way to determine the scale of the subjet.   1:1,  1/12, 1/16th or 1/25. I wager most people would pick one of the three larger scales if asked, and 1:1 would likely be the goto guess on a lot of the photos.  I was also struck by the diversity of your talents (again)  it maters not, be it sheet metal,mechanical components, or trim pieces being replicated, the final result is always exceptional.  Then the  materials used in the construction aluminum, brass, plastic and others are all crafted into the proper form with the same precision. Your attention to scale fidelity is among the best I have seen.  I guess what I am saying is that on a day to day basis your individual parts are impressive, but when taken as a whole the project rises to another level entirely.  It is a priviledge to watch and learn from you.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 3/22/2025 at 6:27 PM, Ian McLaren said:

Now that I am at loose ends (modeling at least) I got a chance to go back and review your progress made to this point.  I was struck by the notion that if the photos had the rulers,coins and fingers removed there would be no way to determine the scale of the subjet.   1:1,  1/12, 1/16th or 1/25. I wager most people would pick one of the three larger scales if asked, and 1:1 would likely be the goto guess on a lot of the photos.  I was also struck by the diversity of your talents (again)  it maters not, be it sheet metal,mechanical components, or trim pieces being replicated, the final result is always exceptional.  Then the  materials used in the construction aluminum, brass, plastic and others are all crafted into the proper form with the same precision. Your attention to scale fidelity is among the best I have seen.  I guess what I am saying is that on a day to day basis your individual parts are impressive, but when taken as a whole the project rises to another level entirely.  It is a priviledge to watch and learn from you.

So, if I touched you with my appreciation of your latest effort, I can make the same comment to you my friend!

The goal is not to try to say better, I will end by telling you that by taking the time to write these words of encouragement (because it is!) you make me realize that all these hours making them and taking pictures of them were worth it! 👍

Francis

[Codi]

Engine, Engine, Engine, Engine................🙂            Can't wait Francis!  Hope it snows there so you have at least another solid month of bench time.    cheers, tim

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 3/24/2025 at 5:41 PM, Codi said:

Engine, Engine, Engine, Engine................🙂            Can't wait Francis!  Hope it snows there so you have at least another solid month of bench time.    cheers, tim

That would be nice Tim but we have to think of the others, those who hate winter, anyway, it's mother nature who will decide!

I can't wait to start making the aluminum shavings fly!  The only hint: RB block...........😁