’72 Dodge Demon Drag Racer 1/25 scale

[AmericanMuscleFan]

6 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

I'm speechless... 

I struggle to line up the corkscrew into the cork... yet you machined a very complex engine block measuring about half the size of the cork.

This is next next next level stuff.

I need a drink!

Thanks Pierre, your funny my friend.

However, what you are describing is supposed to happen only after the second bottle but you seem to have big bottles, maybe after the first one it would be normal... 🤣

Too bad I'm leaving for work, I would have loved to have a drink with you! 🍷

Francis

[NerdmanB]

Francis this absolutely amazing. Your skill and vision are incredible. I am thinking of trying to use metal in my builds. First will be a brass funny car frame. But I want to try machining some parts. My question is where do you get your end mills? Again amazing work. Brian 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/2/2025 at 7:17 PM, NerdmanB said:

Francis this absolutely amazing. Your skill and vision are incredible. I am thinking of trying to use metal in my builds. First will be a brass funny car frame. But I want to try machining some parts. My question is where do you get your end mills? Again amazing work. Brian 

Thanks Brian, I can only encourage you to start, it's addictive!   My only advice is to start by machining simpler parts and add challenges and complexity as you feel more confident.  As for end mills, I bought a lot of them on eBay, sometimes you can find auctions with lots of several sizes offered at the same time.  They are expensive despite their small size and they come in several sizes and shapes (straight and ball nose) to provide cutting and finishing options.  Don't hesitate if you have any questions, I will be happy to offer you my support.

I bought several at: https://drillbitsunlimited.com

Francis

[NerdmanB]

Thank you Francis I will check that sight. I’m sure I will have more questions. I will be watching all your builds. Brian 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

20 hours ago, NerdmanB said:

Thank you Francis I will check that sight. I’m sure I will have more questions. I will be watching all your builds. Brian 

The only thing I can add at the moment is to buy good quality, it's tempting to buy the cheapest but it's frustrating when those same tools don't cut well or lose their edge quickly.  Have fun, it's priceless! 😊

I may start to be less active in the coming weeks, as the summer break is fast approaching, but I will continue to visit the forum from time to time if you have any questions.

Francis

[Musclecarbuilder]

Wow that block is amazing! Great work Francis! 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/11/2025 at 12:58 PM, Musclecarbuilder said:

Wow that block is amazing! Great work Francis! 

Thanks Will, my modeling season is almost over but I'd like to make the heads and maybe the valve covers too before I put my tools away for the summer.  I fear the weather will decide all of this, the hobby will reluctantly give way to full-time outdoor summer work. 😔

Francis

[Ian McLaren]

The block is amazing and a testament to patience and carefull planning.  I'm not a machinest, although I did take a rudimentry course as part of my drafting technology program nearly fifty years ago. I was however the general manager of Davenport Racing for several years and we did race motor design and machining to a very high tolerance.  So I do have an appreciation for the efforts involved. To see you working on an item nearly 25 times smaller and achieving this type of accuracy is simply mind boggeling.  I cannot wait for the next batch of wonders that emerge for your very high performance race engine machine shop. Very well done indeed!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/14/2025 at 12:20 AM, Ian McLaren said:

The block is amazing and a testament to patience and carefull planning.  I'm not a machinest, although I did take a rudimentry course as part of my drafting technology program nearly fifty years ago. I was however the general manager of Davenport Racing for several years and we did race motor design and machining to a very high tolerance.  So I do have an appreciation for the efforts involved. To see you working on an item nearly 25 times smaller and achieving this type of accuracy is simply mind boggeling.  I cannot wait for the next batch of wonders that emerge for your very high performance race engine machine shop. Very well done indeed!

Thanks so much Ian!  Knowing your experience as a true drag racing car engine builder, your comments are quite an honor and add to my sense of accomplishment for what I have managed to do with my engine block.  Let's just say this wasn't my first attempt, but I tried to improve the recipe using the same technique I used to machine the one for my D100 pickup.  Although I was quite satisfied with my previous efforts, I was left a little hungry and I especially wanted to improve the front part of the engine block, more precisely the part where the timing gear and the water pump housing are installed.  This section is very distinctive and very difficult to reproduce but I had found all the measurements to recreate it.  I started machining the heads but was forced to put that aside for a bit to focus on outdoor work but would like to be able to finish them and maybe machine the valve covers before closing up shop for the summer.  Too bad, I'm in my favorite part of the project... 😔

Francis