NOBLNG Posted March 22 Author Posted March 22 (edited) Well I can’t let you wait.🤪 I did a little work on the rad cap and since we can’t post pics at the moment, I will try my best to describe it. This kit comes with a 3 piece setup. It consists of a chrome radiator cap, a very elegant looking set of spread wings and they are topped off with a Boyce Motometer temperature indicator. It is an exquisite combination that I feel would greatly benefit from a little detailing. The cap itself has the mounting hole off center, so I made a new one from a piece of 1/8” evergreen. I first rolled it over a file to get a knurled edge, then domed it slightly and cut it to length. It then got the Molotow treatment. Next, the wings themselves are quite nice, so I only trimmed the sprue attachment points and touched them up with Molotow. Now the Motometer unit needed the most work. I started by drilling a small hole through it and gradually enlarged it until finally sizing it with a #44 drill bit (0.086”). While doing it I broke the little mounting stub, so I drilled it for a new 0.020” brass mounting rod. I then took a piece of clear sprue chucked in my drill and filed it down to approximately 0.0860123” for a nice press fit.😬 I used a razor saw to slice off a piece which happened to be exactly (give or take a bit) 0.032” thick. I polished it with my micromesh pads until it was smooth and crystal clear. Then came the tricky part….I used a #80 (0.0135”) drill bit to drill a hole edgewise exactly (give or take a bit) through the center of the disc. I used a piece of 0.010” rod to push a little Tamiya clear yellow paint into the hole. I carefully pushed the disc into the hole of the Motometer temperature indicator. After a few trial attempts (give or take a couple) I got it installed with the hole aligned vertically. I then slid the wings and the new cap onto the previously installed brass rod and fixed them with a touch of CA. Thank you all for sharing this endeavour with me. I can only hope that the photos to follow eventually will do this description justice.😞 Edited March 22 by NOBLNG 1
bobthehobbyguy Posted March 22 Posted March 22 What a great project. Great choice on the wheels. The red really looks great. 1
NOBLNG Posted March 22 Author Posted March 22 (edited) Can post pics now.🙂 These were not a factory ford item I believe, but an option that was available to a number of manufacturers. It was patented by Boyce in 1912 and was pretty much obsolete by 1930 or so due to dash mounted guages. But it looks cool so I’m using it.😎 Edited March 22 by NOBLNG 2
customline Posted March 22 Posted March 22 That's pretty amazing detail work, Greg. You earned a double Bourbon after that. 🥴 1 1
LennyB Posted March 22 Posted March 22 Nice added touch there Greg. And yes, that was an aftermarket item, I have seen some that were quite elaborate. I would imagine you would need to have pretty good eyes to read some of the from behind the wheel. 1
NOBLNG Posted March 22 Author Posted March 22 (edited) 1 hour ago, LennyB said: Nice added touch there Greg. And yes, that was an aftermarket item, I have seen some that were quite elaborate. I would imagine you would need to have pretty good eyes to read some of the from behind the wheel. Yes. Apparently the hole in the front plate was to allow the light from oncoming traffic to illuminate the thermometer tube. It the driver sees red he knows the engine is too hot. I am currently recharging mine with the proper red fluid.🙄 I’m not going to bother with the disc though, it’s just too tiny to see. Edited March 22 by NOBLNG 6
BK9300 Posted March 23 Posted March 23 Really excellent handiwork, Greg - very delicate work you've accomplished here! 1
Spex84 Posted March 23 Posted March 23 Epic build! I've really been enjoying watching this project come together. Rad cap looks amazing, I'm not sure I've ever seen someone detail one out like that before 2
Steve H Posted March 23 Posted March 23 Spectacular scratch building Greg! Nicest scale rad cap I’ve ever seen by a lot. Drilling the hole lengthwise through the lens…..😳 verrrrrrrrry nice. I think I have one of those rad caps in my stash somewhere, I had no idea that it was replicating a real piece. Thanks for sharing the story, photos, and your beautiful craftsmanship. 2
NOBLNG Posted March 24 Author Posted March 24 I got the steering gear connected and a side mirror installed, so this one is pretty much done. I just need to install the door handles, a license plate and a couple of paint touch ups. 6
LennyB Posted March 24 Posted March 24 Just now, NOBLNG said: I just need to install the door handles, a license plate and a couple of paint touch ups. I can't wait to see what your license plate says Greg. 1
customline Posted March 25 Posted March 25 58 minutes ago, LennyB said: I can't wait to see what your license plate says Greg. How about "KINKY 6" ? 1
NOBLNG Posted March 25 Author Posted March 25 (edited) 1 hour ago, LennyB said: I can't wait to see what your license plate says Greg. I got nothing clever yet.🤔 Edit: STV BLT, GMC SIX, FISHER, BIG SIX, 302 SIX, INJTD6, I like 12PORT🙂?? 19 minutes ago, customline said: How about "KINKY 6" ? Not bad.😳 Edited March 25 by NOBLNG
David G. Posted March 25 Posted March 25 Greg, that radiator cap is awesome! 😮 It looks like it's running a little hot though. For the vanity plate how about "6 SHOT" or "6 GUN"? David G. 1
LennyB Posted March 25 Posted March 25 12 hours ago, customline said: How about "KINKY 6" ? Maybe "SEXY 6" 1
NOBLNG Posted April 1 Author Posted April 1 I’m calling this one done.🙂 I could do a lot more on it, but I’m not really into the plumbing and secondary wiring stuff. It’s just too fiddley and frustrating for me.🥴 Anyways…thanks for following along folks! I appreciate your support, encouragement and opinions.👍😎 More pics under glass here: https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/199849-1931-model-a/ 8
RW033 Posted April 1 Posted April 1 Awesome job, will definitely be using this as a tutorial when I start mine! 1
Modelbuilder Mark Posted April 2 Posted April 2 That turned out really cool, a fine Hot Rod! Your work really paid off. 1
David G. Posted April 3 Posted April 3 That came out great! I'll have a look for it in the Under Glass section. David G. 1
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now