’72 Dodge Demon Drag Racer 1/25 scale

[Straightliner59]

Excellent work, Francis. As always, I appreciate seeing your process. It's very helpful, and inspirational.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

21 hours ago, Scott8950 said:

Wow....Francis you never disappoint with your updates it just keeps getting better..

Thanks Scott, I'm very happy to know that I didn't disappoint, I'll try to keep it up! ?

Francis

21 hours ago, Moparman18064 said:

Do you sleep next to that machine Francis? You just keep us all in awe of the product you put into your builds. Are they going to have the Wilwood script on them too? It should be able to stop on that dime!

Thanks Rich, I don't sleep at all, that's my trick!

As for the Wilwood logo, I don't know, I would have to paint them red, I wanted to keep them unpainted because I like the gold color of the brass.  Braking is important but I intend to make sure that its primary quality is accelerating in a straight line! ?

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

15 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

Excellent work, Francis. As always, I appreciate seeing your process. It's very helpful, and inspirational.

Thank you Daniel, your work with brass inspires me a lot so we can say that there is a little bit of you in my brake calipers! ?

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone,

Just to follow up on yesterday's update, I'm posting some photos of the assembly test to give you an idea of what it will look like on the finished product.  I'm relieved, my calculations were correct and everything fits as expected.  Calculation is worth the work as my math teacher said! ?

I didn't add any comments, one (or more) photos are worth a thousand words, I'm very happy with the results!

Francis

[Moparman18064]

Phenomenal!

[Lee Yoder]

Damn close clearance on the rim!  I like!

Later,

Lee

[Straightliner59]

Nailed it! Beautifully, too, I might add!

[Ian McLaren]

Running out of superlatives, just know I'm following and remian awe struck.   The brake assemblies are next level!

[Tony Coomer]

On 4/19/2024 at 4:03 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Hello James Anthony, thank you for your kind comments and question!

I used slices of 0.015" flexible aluminum sheet (K&S) that I purchased several years ago but should be easily found at your local hobby store.  In order to have a nice eyelet, I choose to make these by wrapping the end around a drill bit of the same size as the brass sleeve that I had determined.  This way, the folding or rolling is less aggressive if I can put it that way and the aluminum has no recall so it does not require glue to hold it in place.  I think the result is quite realistic but unfortunately the leaf springs don't have a rebound effect but that wasn't necessarily the goal even if I would have liked that.

Sorry for the delay in responding, I'm working nights this week.

Do not hesitate if you need more info,

Francis

Thank you very much for the information. I will be using this technique on my next build…

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 4/23/2024 at 8:38 PM, Moparman18064 said:

Phenomenal!

Thanks Rich !

On 4/23/2024 at 10:11 PM, Lee Yoder said:

Damn close clearance on the rim!  I like!

Later,

Lee

Thanks Lee, I wouldn't put my fingers between the rim and the caliper if it was 1:1 scale ! ?

On 4/24/2024 at 6:08 AM, Straightliner59 said:

Nailed it! Beautifully, too, I might add!

Thanks Daniel !

On 4/24/2024 at 4:35 PM, Ian McLaren said:

Running out of superlatives, just know I'm following and remian awe struck.   The brake assemblies are next level!

Thanks Ian, I appreciate your comments !

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 4/24/2024 at 9:16 PM, Tony Coomer said:

Thank you very much for the information. I will be using this technique on my next build…

Thanks James Anthony, everything I post is there for those who want to try doing the same thing!

Francis

[Straightliner59]

On 4/24/2024 at 2:35 PM, Ian McLaren said:

Running out of superlatives, just know I'm following and remian awe struck.   The brake assemblies are next level!

I hear that!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hell everyone,

I've been seeing the warmer days slowly creep in lately, it's a sign that the hours available for hobbies will soon decrease and summer work will inevitably take over.  I will try to advance the project as much as possible but the updates will undoubtedly be more spaced out.

After finishing the rear brake calipers, I decided to overcome my fear and tried chrome plating the brass axles and the parts I had welded that are part of the rear axle assembly.  I didn't want to paint over the bare metal so I tried not to over polish the brass in order to get as little chrome finish as possible, more of a metallic tint to hide the brass. The result is quite good and the plating went well so that will give me confidence for the other brass parts that I want to change the color.  I also took the opportunity to drill the holes for the differential cover bolts, it will be held in place with small brass bolts from T2M.  The differential cover is not permanently installed, I will wait until final assembly to do it.  Anyway, let me know what you think, I think the result is acceptable.

Francis

[Lee Yoder]

1 hour ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

…I think the result is acceptable.

I think the result is far more than acceptable!  
 

Later,

Lee

1 hour ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Edited May 1, 2024 by Lee Yoder

[Straightliner59]

That worked out, very well! Did you use a kit, or just research, and buy your own supplies? Plating is something I've been somewhat interested in, for years. I'd be interested in your experience, with it--when you have the time!?

[Moparman18064]

Absolutely stellar again. I keep looking for the ring and pinion with 5.56:1 in there!? Seriously though, what holds the axles in, the calipers on the rotors? Incredible job Francis.

[foghorn62]

On 3/7/2024 at 4:42 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

 

Francis, how did you machine the radius that would cover the ring gear?  Are you able to tilt your rotary table with the part chucked in, make several passes, and then finish by hand?  Just a guess on my part.  I’m really trying to learn from the master ?.

TS

TCOTT

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 4/30/2024 at 10:26 PM, Lee Yoder said:

I think the result is far more than acceptable!  
 

Later,

Lee

Thanks Lee! ?

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/1/2024 at 2:03 AM, Straightliner59 said:

That worked out, very well! Did you use a kit, or just research, and buy your own supplies? Plating is something I've been somewhat interested in, for years. I'd be interested in your experience, with it--when you have the time!?

Thanks Daniel, I did the plating using a small kit (Plug N' Plate Copy Chrome Kit) that I purchased a few years ago on the Caswell Canada website.  It is very easy to use, inexpensive and there are two different techniques that are possible if you follow the instructions.  As usual, success is in the preparation and I bought this kit in order to chrome the bumpers but I have never tried, but it is certain that it will work very well.

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/1/2024 at 4:00 PM, Moparman18064 said:

Absolutely stellar again. I keep looking for the ring and pinion with 5.56:1 in there!? Seriously though, what holds the axles in, the calipers on the rotors? Incredible job Francis.

Thanks Rich!  There is a brass axle (0.063") that goes through the axle housing and both ends are epoxy glued into the wheel hubs, I did several test fits to be sure the clearance was optimal before gluing them permanently.  You can see the hole I made where the axle goes in if you go back and look at the photos on page 22 when I machined the wheel hubs.

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

3 hours ago, foghorn62 said:

Francis, how did you machine the radius that would cover the ring gear?  Are you able to tilt your rotary table with the part chucked in, make several passes, and then finish by hand?  Just a guess on my part.  I’m really trying to learn from the master ?.

TS

TCOTT

Hello Tim and thanks for your question!  That's exactly it, I made several passes adjusting the tilting plate at different increments and finished the rough surface by hand.  It was a lot of trial and error but I wanted to make the cover in one piece to avoid the use of glue if I had made it in 2 parts or having to weld if I had made it in brass.  It's more of a personal challenge than logic because I probably would have had less difficulty doing this one in 2 parts. ?

There is no master here, just a stubborn one who goes through winding paths but the point is to have fun, right? ?

Francis

[Straightliner59]

12 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Thanks Daniel, I did the plating using a small kit (Plug N' Plate Copy Chrome Kit) that I purchased a few years ago on the Caswell Canada website.  It is very easy to use, inexpensive and there are two different techniques that are possible if you follow the instructions.  As usual, success is in the preparation and I bought this kit in order to chrome the bumpers but I have never tried, but it is certain that it will work very well.

Francis

Thank you, kindly! I think I would like it for dragster front axles. The kit is less than $50, direct from Caswell! However, I'm also considering a right-angle tailstock, for my mill. I truly enjoy watching your work come together! You're a fine craftsman, my friend!

Edited May 3, 2024 by Straightliner59

[foghorn62]

On 5/2/2024 at 4:47 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Hello Tim and thanks for your question!  That's exactly it, I made several passes adjusting the tilting plate at different increments and finished the rough surface by hand.  It was a lot of trial and error but I wanted to make the cover in one piece to avoid the use of glue if I had made it in 2 parts or having to weld if I had made it in brass.  It's more of a personal challenge than logic because I probably would have had less difficulty doing this one in 2 parts. ?

There is no master here, just a stubborn one who goes through winding paths but the point is to have fun, right? ?

Francis

Your technique looks like it worked perfectly Francis.  The piece reflects your determination for excellence.  
I read your answer about the chrome plating using the Caswell Copy Chrome system.  I’ve used that system as well, with some limited success.  I understand that you were not really looking for a bright chrome finish, and your parts look great.   If you ever do decide to go for a shiny bright chrome finish, I have some other suggestions for you.  I used the transformer that came with the Caswell set, and bought a couple of nickel anodes online.  I looked up some YouTube videos on how to do it, and in a very short time, I was getting pretty good results.  I’m attaching a picture of some parts that I did.  The wire wheels didn’t come out as good as the mufflers and drive shaft, because I wasn’t able to get them as clean prior to plating, but I was happy with the other pieces.  
Tim

[AmericanMuscleFan]

20 hours ago, foghorn62 said:

Your technique looks like it worked perfectly Francis.  The piece reflects your determination for excellence.  
I read your answer about the chrome plating using the Caswell Copy Chrome system.  I’ve used that system as well, with some limited success.  I understand that you were not really looking for a bright chrome finish, and your parts look great.   If you ever do decide to go for a shiny bright chrome finish, I have some other suggestions for you.  I used the transformer that came with the Caswell set, and bought a couple of nickel anodes online.  I looked up some YouTube videos on how to do it, and in a very short time, I was getting pretty good results.  I’m attaching a picture of some parts that I did.  The wire wheels didn’t come out as good as the mufflers and drive shaft, because I wasn’t able to get them as clean prior to plating, but I was happy with the other pieces.  
Tim

Thanks for the info Tim, I think I've already seen something on YouTube regarding what you're telling me about.  I saw on the Caswell website that they now offer a new product (Nickel & Copy Chrome Brightener) to improve the brightness of plating, I will probably try it as it is not very expensive.  As with most of the options for generating a beautiful chrome effect, it's all in the preparation and it's not always easy to polish certain corners and complex areas, which is often what produces different results.

Your results are very beautiful by the way and what I like about the plating is that the finish is durable and resistant compared to a chrome finish produced with spray paint or chrome powders.  Spray chrome options have been surprising in recent years compared to what was offered not long ago where the finish was more aluminum-like than chrome.  Spray cans are getting expensive though, just thinking about what Revell offers on this point, the results are there but the bill comes with it, especially on this side of the border! ???

Thank you again for your intervention my friend, I really appreciate it!

Francis

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Tim!

Your chrome technique is very good, I know of some chrome shops that can hardly meet the shine on your mufflers. Bravo!

CT