Ian McLaren Posted July 11 Share Posted July 11 Hello Francis. I hope you are having a good and prosperous summer, we are all patiently awaiting your next update, be well my friend 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Oh WOW!! Here I am missing these great updates that you've been putting forth Francis. Looking forward to seeing you back at it bro. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 Francis hoping you are well. Looking forward to your next update. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 14 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said: Francis hoping you are well. Looking forward to your next update. I'm sure he's just busy as all get-out. It's that time of year, for him 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragcarz Posted August 23 Share Posted August 23 I still don’t have words, Amazing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie libby Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Hi francis,that rear is so nice. I hope to get to your level.my next car is 1/16 scale,we will be looking at your car alot for insperation and technique.hope you are doing well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codi Posted September 3 Share Posted September 3 Francis, come out come out wherever you are...........seriously though, I'm only repeating what others have said. cheers, tim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted September 18 Author Share Posted September 18 Hello Everyone! I'm not dead guys...sorry for my extended absence from the forum, I think you know by now that summer has never been my most productive season for the hobby! This summer, I have even more reasons to be so discreet, I tried to help as much as possible two of my elderly neighbours on my street who have maintenance work for which they have less of the physical capacity to accomplish them. I have good relationships with my neighbours and I like to see elderly people stay in their homes as long as possible, I think it is the best choice when possible and health permits. Furthermore my father is over 93 years old now and we live together under the same roof, I see him losing a little more of his mobility every day in addition to some signs of cognitive decline, it is certain that his respectable age is beginning to have its effects on him. All this to tell you that I will try to get back on the bench as quickly as possible, there will be the exhibition of scale models in Quebec next October but despite the fact that I have nothing new to offer for the exhibition, it's always a good source of motivation to go see all our friends and their latest creations. I certainly won't have time to catch up and comment on all your projects for a few days or weeks, but I hope to be able to come back from time to time and pick up somewhere in the fall where I left off last spring. Dust and a thin layer of surface rust cover my tools, I will have some cleaning to do before resuming my project!!! ? In the meantime, I would like to thank everyone who was concerned about my absence and I apologize to everyone who follows me and comments on my threads for not having responded sooner, I hope you won't mind too much because I really appreciate your support. I hope to come back soon, I'm really starting to miss the action! Francis 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moparman18064 Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 Great to hear from you again, Francis! We are looking forward to you wowing us again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK9300 Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 Starting posting on the forum in August, but have been through a few of your builds prior to that. As everyone else has noted, your work is incredible, to say the least, and very inspirational. Your attention to your father and neighbours is something to aspire to as well! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted September 18 Author Share Posted September 18 1 hour ago, Moparman18064 said: Great to hear from you again, Francis! We are looking forward to you wowing us again. Thank you Rich, I missed you all so much and our shared hobby, I hope to see you again soon. Here, it's more beautiful and warmer than in July, it seems that the seasons have moved! My work week starts this evening but I will be thinking of you all, thank you for continuing to follow me! ? Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted September 18 Author Share Posted September 18 16 minutes ago, BK9300 said: Starting posting on the forum in August, but have been through a few of your builds prior to that. As everyone else has noted, your work is incredible, to say the least, and very inspirational. Your attention to your father and neighbours is something to aspire to as well! Thanks Brian and a belated welcome from me to the forum. Thank you also for your kind comments on my current project and my past achievements, it's really motivating to know that we can inspire others. As for the attention I give to those close to me, I was raised with good values and my sense of responsibility takes precedence over my projects, the person first as they say. I hope to be able to do both, help and dedicate time to my passion in the coming weeks, winter is a better time for me to materialize my passion for scale models. Come back and see me whenever you want, you will always be welcome! Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codi Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 Darn, I thought I'd be the first to welcome you back Francis.......but hey, it's just nice to hear from you again. Certainly your plate has been VERY full and has been shared, you're a good man for all that you do for others. We'll smile when you come back and post your updates, but again, it's nice to hear from you again. cheers, tim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absmiami Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 Just a shot, Francis - did your Dad build airplane models ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 Francis thanks for the update. You definitely have a full plate. Take care of your dad. You know we will all be here when you get back to the bench 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted September 22 Author Share Posted September 22 On 9/18/2024 at 1:40 PM, Codi said: Darn, I thought I'd be the first to welcome you back Francis.......but hey, it's just nice to hear from you again. Certainly your plate has been VERY full and has been shared, you're a good man for all that you do for others. We'll smile when you come back and post your updates, but again, it's nice to hear from you again. cheers, tim Thanks Tim, I can't wait to be back in action, your drooling updates have always inspired me a lot, so I will continue to fill my mind with the inspiration you are giving me (and our other friends) right now while I wait to get back in the saddle. ? Francis On 9/18/2024 at 11:21 PM, absmiami said: Just a shot, Francis - did your Dad build airplane models ? Hello Andrew, my father was a carpenter (a very good one) but I don't think he was ever interested in the world of scale models, however given his advanced age, perhaps a wooden scale replica of the Wright brothers' plane could have been in his field of interest? ? Francis On 9/19/2024 at 11:14 AM, bobthehobbyguy said: Francis thanks for the update. You definitely have a full plate. Take care of your dad. You know we will all be here when you get back to the bench Thanks Bob, you lose nothing by waiting, I will come back in force because I have lots of ideas and from what I can see, our friends have not been idle during the last few months. I'm going to try to join the parade soon to do my part to support the forum, the camaraderie is also part of the fun of this hobby, it's one of the aspects I appreciate most about this site, a bunch of enthusiasts who share their passion and experience for the common good. ? Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dust collectors Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 This build is wild, thank you for sharing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ybsluos Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 On 5/3/2024 at 10:39 PM, 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 On 5/4/2024 at 8:04 PM, Claude Thibodeau said: 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 I agree Claude. Tim the results are fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ybsluos Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 Francis your skills are astounding! Happy building. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted November 18 Author Share Posted November 18 Hello everyone! Finally the building season is back, it was my longest break so far, the priorities of my life and tasks of the summer and fall season took all the place, I'm sorry not to have had time to comment on your superb projects guys. I began by cleaning my workspace of cobwebs, dust and surface rust from my precious machining tools. Before diving into the more complex machined parts, I decided to start with something simpler to get myself back on track. It's a bit like riding a bike, it seems you can't get lost! ? I started by sculpting and sanding the inside of the rear bumper to make it thinner in order to make bumper brackets like those used on the real car, the bumper will be mounted with carriage bolts as I had done for the D100 and my other previous builds. I used thin aluminum instead of brass because it is easier to bend and no soldering was necessary since they are made from one piece. It's not much to sink your teeth into but you have to start somewhere and as they say, there's a lot to do so it's a step in the right direction! I'm going to tackle the wheelie bars before tackling the steering and front suspension, that could be a great challenge! The little horned demon is back! ? Francis The hardest part was thinning the inside of the bumper enough to make room for the brackets. I modified the area where the license plate is mounted to replicate the bumper opening of the real car. As you can see, I tried to locate the carriage bolts holes as positioned on the real bumper. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK9300 Posted November 18 Share Posted November 18 It's exciting to know you're getting back at this project - so much amazing work has been put in so far - looking forward to seeing what you accomplish this fall/winter! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 18 Share Posted November 18 Francis, my friend, it is wonderful to know you're finally able to get back to the workbench! Stellar work on the bumper, sir. Looking forward...? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moparman18064 Posted November 18 Share Posted November 18 Happy to see you back Francis! Stellar details as always! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted November 20 Author Share Posted November 20 On 11/18/2024 at 12:24 PM, BK9300 said: It's exciting to know you're getting back at this project - so much amazing work has been put in so far - looking forward to seeing what you accomplish this fall/winter! Thanks Brian, I feel a little lost at the moment, having been away from the project for so long seems like I have to make a new start. Give me some time and I should get back to my cruising speed (very slow...). ? Francis On 11/18/2024 at 3:19 PM, Straightliner59 said: Francis, my friend, it is wonderful to know you're finally able to get back to the workbench! Stellar work on the bumper, sir. Looking forward...? Thanks Daniel, I missed most of the last 6 months of your excellent work my friend but I hope to return with more diligence during the coming months, winter is a good time for my favorite hobby. Thanks for stopping by! Francis On 11/18/2024 at 3:32 PM, Moparman18064 said: Happy to see you back Francis! Stellar details as always! Thanks Rich, I have a lot of work to do and I hope to come back soon with more substantial things! I'm going to have to divide my time between catching up on all the thread that I missed and making progress on mine, that's going to keep me busy for a while! Francis 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted November 27 Author Share Posted November 27 Hello everyone, After the big dust and rust removal, I decided to work wit some aluminum and brass parts to fabricate the wheelie bars. I have to say it's a great feeling to be back on the bench and working with my favorite tools after such a long hiatus. I've made these for all the previous builds, so I just tried to improve the recipe and make it even more believable. They are not finally assembled, I will do it when the model is in the final assembly mode but you can still see all the components in the last photo. Let's say I'm not at my cruising speed yet, I'm just coming back slowly and the hours available to work on my project are still a little limited, the coming winter should give me more free time. I will soon move on to the most difficult part of the build in my opinion, the front suspension and steering system. I have reference photos of what I want to make but the margin for error is almost non-existent for it to be successful, hours of fun in perspective! 😁 Francis Main bracket at early stage of machining in the rotary table. The part is now oriented at 90 degrees for more cuts, the angle cuts were made previously (sorry I forgot to take a picture of the process). Back at 0 degrees, I have made the openings for the wheels and am in the process of drilling holes for the bolts that will attach the leaf springs. Machining the rod ends attachments for the upper bars. Now oriented at 90 degrees to create flat surfaces and mounting holes. Now on the lathe to machinate the shaft. In this photo you can see the bottom clips made from small resistance welded brass tubes and the compression springs made from steel wire that I wrapped around the brass rod. The rest of the main rods are aluminum tubes that the brass rods slip into. All the main components, the wheels are black Delrin that I turned to the desired size and the wheel centers are turned aluminum. The mounting hardware is not pictured, but will be mostly nuts and bolts from RB Motion and Scale Hardware. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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