’72 Dodge Demon Drag Racer 1/25 scale

[dragcarz]

Amazing, Beautiful craftsmanship !

[Musclecarbuilder]

On 4/30/2024 at 8:05 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

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

Holy moly thats awesome! I love the details!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/5/2024 at 8:27 AM, dragcarz said:

Amazing, Beautiful craftsmanship !

Thanks Roger!  By building a generic drag car I certainly have less constraints than if it were a tribute car but I'm quite satisfied with the results so far.

Francis

 

On 5/5/2024 at 6:19 PM, Musclecarbuilder said:

Holy moly thats awesome! I love the details!

Thanks Will,  I still have a few details to integrate into the differential (the leaf springs among others) but I'm short on time at this period of the year, so I hope I can continue to move forward from time to time.

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone,

It's time for another little update and I don't know when the next one will be because the low season for my favorite hobby is fast approaching.  I will definitely try to work on the project when the weather permits and when the chores and housework on the schedule are done.  For the moment, I have been able to install the leaf springs, this allowed me to confirm the correct alignment of the rear axle and the suspension in the body.  Some elements including the two fins of the Dana are not glued and will require some minor adjustments when it is done but overall it will look like this as they say!  When the front suspension is done I will be able to take some photos with the wheels to assess the stance of the car.  I don't have to tell you that this is a long-term project, you are able to see it progress slowly from one week and/or month to the next.  Don't hesitate if you have any comments, I will continue to stop by the forum on a regular basis as much as possible.

I hope to see you again soon,

Francis

I used 0.020" brass rod to make the U-bolts and RB Motion aluminum nuts with photo-etch washers to hold them in place.

[foghorn62]

53 minutes ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Hello everyone,

It's time for another little update and I don't know when the next one will be because the low season for my favorite hobby is fast approaching.  I will definitely try to work on the project when the weather permits and when the chores and housework on the schedule are done.  For the moment, I have been able to install the leaf springs, this allowed me to confirm the correct alignment of the rear axle and the suspension in the body.  Some elements including the two fins of the Dana are not glued and will require some minor adjustments when it is done but overall it will look like this as they say!  When the front suspension is done I will be able to take some photos with the wheels to assess the stance of the car.  I don't have to tell you that this is a long-term project, you are able to see it progress slowly from one week and/or month to the next.  Don't hesitate if you have any comments, I will continue to stop by the forum on a regular basis as much as possible.

I hope to see you again soon,

Francis

I used 0.020" brass rod to make the U-bolts and RB Motion aluminum nuts with photo-etch washers to hold them in place.

Absolutely beautiful Francis!  Showing it as a complete assembly really brings out the intricacy of it all.  You’ve set a new bar for me to reach for.

TS

TCOTT

[Straightliner59]

Excellent fabrication, Francis! That's a real gem, my friend! Will be looking forward to updates, as your time allows. 

[absmiami]

Yup

[Moparman18064]

Beautiful! I’ll take one in 8 3/4 version, you are taking orders, right?? I can’t wait to see what is next. Keep it up Francis, there is so much more for us to learn from your expertise!

[Musclecarbuilder]

absolutely amazing! I love the bolts on the spring brackets! Did you you make those?

[GoatGuy]

Francis, again and again I'm blown away by your results. Thank you for showing us what you do and inspiring us.

Dave

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/7/2024 at 9:38 PM, foghorn62 said:

Absolutely beautiful Francis!  Showing it as a complete assembly really brings out the intricacy of it all.  You’ve set a new bar for me to reach for.

TS

TCOTT

Thanks Tim, I'm just trying to improve on what I've done before by learning from my mistakes and watching what the best in this field are doing! ?

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/8/2024 at 2:03 AM, Straightliner59 said:

Excellent fabrication, Francis! That's a real gem, my friend! Will be looking forward to updates, as your time allows. 

Thanks Daniel, I'll do my best to get this thing going as often as possible when the bad weather allows! ?

Francis

On 5/8/2024 at 7:37 AM, absmiami said:

Yup

Thanks Andrew!

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/8/2024 at 8:20 AM, Moparman18064 said:

Beautiful! I’ll take one in 8 3/4 version, you are taking orders, right?? I can’t wait to see what is next. Keep it up Francis, there is so much more for us to learn from your expertise!

Thanks Rich, an 8 3/4 would be a good challenge to make, maybe I would have to make it in styrene! ?

Francis

On 5/8/2024 at 10:19 AM, Musclecarbuilder said:

absolutely amazing! I love the bolts on the spring brackets! Did you you make those?

Thanks Will, no I didn't make them myself and I won't take the credit, if you read the note above the first photo I mentioned that I used aluminum bolts from RB Motion.  It would take way too long to start machining the bolts, there are experts for that and the quality of RB Motion's products are incredible!  It's not cheap (especially with the exchange rate) but time is worth money, right?

Francis

[Straightliner59]

15 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

maybe I would have to make it in styrene! ?

I enjoy machining plastic! I've played around with some Delrin, too. It really turns, beautifully. I was making 1/43 scale tires, with it.

[Ian McLaren]

On 5/7/2024 at 6:40 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Hello everyone,

 

  I will definitely try to work on the project when the weather permits and when the chores and housework on the schedule are done.  For the moment, I have been able to install the leaf springs, this allowed me to confirm the correct alignment of the rear axle and the suspension in the body.  Some elements including the two fins of the Dana are not glued and will require some minor adjustments when it is done but overall it will look like this as they say!  When the front suspension is done I will be able to take some photos with the wheels to assess the stance of the car.  I don't have to tell you that this is a long-term project, you are able to see it progress slowly from one week and/or month to the next.  Don't hesitate if you have any comments, I will continue to stop by the forum on a regular basis as much as possible.

I hope to see you again soon,

Francis

I used 0.020" brass rod to make the U-bolts and RB Motion aluminum nuts with photo-etch washers to hold them in place.

On 5/7/2024 at 6:40 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Hello everyone,

It's time for another little update and I don't know when the next one will be because the low season for my favorite hobby is fast approaching.  I will definitely try to work on the project when the weather permits and when the chores and housework on the schedule are done.  For the moment, I have been able to install the leaf springs, this allowed me to confirm the correct alignment of the rear axle and the suspension in the body.  Some elements including the two fins of the Dana are not glued and will require some minor adjustments when it is done but overall it will look like this as they say!  When the front suspension is done I will be able to take some photos with the wheels to assess the stance of the car.  I don't have to tell you that this is a long-term project, you are able to see it progress slowly from one week and/or month to the next.  Don't hesitate if you have any comments, I will continue to stop by the forum on a regular basis as much as possible.

I hope to see you again soon,

Francis

I used 0.020" brass rod to make the U-bolts and RB Motion aluminum nuts with photo-etch washers to hold them in place.

It's time for another little update and I don't know when the next one will be because the low season for my favorite hobby is fast approaching.

Francis your updates never disappoint and this one is no exception, other than the part about life intruding on your modeling time, which is very much a reality for most of us.   Looking forward to your next update.  The rear suspension assembly is amazing!

 

[Ian McLaren]

Some of your best work yet

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/10/2024 at 6:04 PM, GoatGuy said:

Francis, again and again I'm blown away by your results. Thank you for showing us what you do and inspiring us.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I missed your comment but I really appreciate your visit, it's always a pleasure to share, I just wish I had more time available and could show more...!

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/13/2024 at 3:28 AM, Straightliner59 said:

I enjoy machining plastic! I've played around with some Delrin, too. It really turns, beautifully. I was making 1/43 scale tires, with it.

Thanks Daniel, I love machining aluminum and brass, but my goal is to try to make the best parts possible, so if Styrene (or any kind of plastic) can create something more precise and detailed, I don't see why I wouldn't use it.  You know too well what I'm talking about, I know it's your physiology too! ?

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

19 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

It's time for another little update and I don't know when the next one will be because the low season for my favorite hobby is fast approaching.

Francis your updates never disappoint and this one is no exception, other than the part about life intruding on your modeling time, which is very much a reality for most of us.   Looking forward to your next update.  The rear suspension assembly is amazing!

19 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Some of your best work yet

Thanks Ian, Forced to admit that you are right about life's priorities... and I also think that my differential is a step in the right direction in terms of improvement, I learn from the good work and motivation of my peers! ?

The months of May and June have often been rainy in recent years in my region, so I might have some time for my favorite hobby!

Francis

[Straightliner59]

17 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Thanks Daniel, I love machining aluminum and brass, but my goal is to try to make the best parts possible, so if Styrene (or any kind of plastic) can create something more precise and detailed, I don't see why I wouldn't use it.  You know too well what I'm talking about, I know it's your physiology too! ?

Francis

Exactly--whatever works!?

[bluestringer]

How am I just finding this. I remember your awesome D-100 build. Really enjoyed following it, and I will enjoy following this one. Now to go back and catch up.

[charlie libby]

you continue to get better everyday.gives us something to strive for

[Nitro330]

Absolutely fantastic Francis!  That rear end assembly is amazing!  Love seeing you continually take it to the next level. 

[Codi]

Such "clean" work as always Francis....look forward to the Fall season when you're back at her!   cheers, tim

[Tony Coomer]

Wow. More excellent work.