Did Someone Say "rat-rod"?

[Jairus]

Oh, one more thing, most of my rat rodding ideas (specially painting ideas) comes from the fact I am a big fan of Kow Yokoyama's work . . . the man who invented and designed the SFS-3, Nitto, and Maschinen Krieger . . .

If you are interested, you can get lost this morning at this site:

http://www.maschinenkrueger.com/

Darned you Virgil, I cannot stop clicking and cruising at that site!!! Holy Mackerel!!!

(And I need to get my work done....)

[Dr. Cranky]

Oh, that's nothing, my friend . . . I have several kits I bought here and there of some of these models, and you'd not believe how amazing they are. In fact, they are so overwhelming I've never build one . . . they make Tamiya look like preschoolers' work . . .

You know, it does bring up the issue of how we tend to influence each other as builders, and where your influence comes from . . . I mean, there's nothing new under the sun, but I like to think I can steal and borrow until I'm so darn fertile with good ideas I will explode.

Dub, I did not mean to cut into your thread here, but I think it's important to note how we keep egging each other to build more and better!

[dub]

Wow, talk about support! :)

I thank you all for the help, suggestions, and cheering, I definitely can't stop now.

Not a problem with the diversion, Virgil. Now I'm going to be spending too much time on that site!

Special thanks to Mike! I will do a Z stack on the rear today after I get some chores done. I'll probably do the front over with a variation of your #1 suggestion. I already did that with the deuce roadster you saw a couple weeks ago.

I am on vacation for most of the week, so that's why so much progress so quickly. I will be back with more pics later. I'm contemplating the firewall right now.

I will either A: cut it off and re-glue it higher up; B: cut most of it off; or C: cut it off and attach a new cross brace to the front.

Til later!

[dub]

I know I promised the induction for the next update, but I spent too much time on the engine mounts today. Last night I noticed the engine sat too low. The front exhaust port on each side was blocked by the Z. That's OK I thought, I'll just cut some short lengths of tubing for mount "bushings" and glue in locating pins. Lets just say it was incredibly fiddly to be nice about it! I also spent a little of that time getting the engine centered in the frame rails. I got there in the end, though, as you can see.

More to come....

[dub]

Here's the rear frame Z post!

I decided to do a mild Z here. I also was able to use the pins to actually assemble the joint.

There it is all glued up tight! I don't know if I should gusset the joint on top or not. It doesn't bother me, but I'm unsure whether to do it or not.

It doesn't look much lower here:

....but I think you can see an improvement here:

All right, now I really need to do the firewall next. The inner piece has been sawed off and awaits further action.... probably going to make a new one.

I'll be back later!

[Dr. Cranky]

That's it!!! That's looking mean and low . . . very cool. You are ablaze with a great build in progress. Keep it going. As the Boss says in his famous song: "You are heading for home!!!"

Glory Days . . .

[ramonesblues]

I would gusset both the top and bottom of the z. Then again, I have a tendency to over build stuff. Just my two sheckles

[Nick F40]

As the Boss says in his famous song: "You are heading for home!!!"

Glory Days . . .

ahh Bruce!

My dad had told me you were building this and I finally took a look at it and you are doing great! You have given me tips already in this thread so keep it up and I look forward to seeing it finished!

[dub]

The firewall was bothering me too much so I had to figure it out next. Rather than cut up one of the two in the kit, I fabricated a new one using the custom one from the kit as a guide.

Now I finally have the ride height where I want it!

Here's the other side: (oh ######, you can see the top of the engine....)

All right, here is what I'm doing for induction. Hillborn FI!

I hope this gets Jairus' attention, I think he lost interest when I mentioned "small block Chevy"

Don't worry, there's NO WAY I would put something like a single-carb smog 305 or anything else like it in a rat rod! Believe me, I am one of the people that walk around the large rod show here in York and complain under my breath about all the SBC's in too many of the cars. I wanted to do this one as one would build a real one; with scavenged parts. I will definitely build more of these (too fun not to!) and I will do many flatheads down the road.

Once again, thanks to all for following along. I'm still not decided on whether to gusset the rear of the frame.... Dennis was the only one to comment... I'm inclined to just move on with the build and call it strong enough with the pins reinforcing the joint.

More to come........

Edited November 22, 2007 by dub

[dub]

Next I did the floor. The radius arms had to go from the rear axle assembly. I couldn't get around them with the floor and keep four seats in it.

Had to put in a vertical plate under the back seat to close off the diff. You can also see the new firewall attached to the interior here.

I also decided to make a new floor from sheet styrene.

I used the original as a guide, but I didn't trace it out on the sheet.

Pretty darn good for eyeballing it!

Here's two more engine shots with the valve covers in place.

Now I gotta get back to work.....on the model that is!!!

Oh yeah, I came up with a name for this one. "The Bathtub"

Edited November 21, 2007 by dub

[dub]

I got some painting done today. Here are two pics of the floor in place before any primer or paint.

With the floor being scratchbuilt, why not try to get a "scrap sheet of steel lying around" look out of it?

This can be difficult for those of us without an airbrush to achieve the effect. This is my attempt at it with rattle-cans.

I think it came out pretty decent. It could be better, but I think it looks darn close. I used Model Master Aluminum Plate Metalizer with the same brand flat clear over it. I still need to fab up some side plates for the holes under the rear frame Z and shoot them too.

I have a couple more pics here........

[dub]

I painted the engine today too. I have to dig more parts out of the box to hang on it so I can dull coat it.....

Here's another floor shot:

......and two more mock-up shots:

It's coming together for me OK, I will probably put the stacks on the injection tonight before I crash....

I still am trying to decide what color to do the interior/ upholstery. I want to do the body in brown primer so I just don't know...... I'll think about it some more tonight and in the morning.

:lol:

[Dr. Cranky]

It's coming along really well, and you have made a world of progress . . . I think this one is going to fit on the WAY-COOL shelf . . . I can't wait to see more . . . maybe after you eat lots of turkey and take a 2-day nap, you'll have all the energy in the world!!!

[dub]

I got a little more done today. I painted the rear and the body. I spruced up the wheels a bit too. I wanted to paint them but I didn't have enough paint.

One more shot of it before primer:

.....and after:

OOOHHHH YYEEEAAAHHH!!! That's what I'm talking about!

I still need to choose a interior color.... thoughts?

I have to work the next two days so progress will slow a bit after tonight. I'm going to try some exhaust next. I have to hit the craft store for some grille mesh, but that is all I have needed to buy for this. Man, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Sunday should bring some more results......

....... and where are my manners? Happy Thanksgiving!

I do hope everybody is safe in their holiday travels. I was fortunate enough this year to not have to. I guess that's where everybody is..... I hope I didn't put all of you to sleep! :)

[Dr. Cranky]

Hey, you are making great progress . . . I think tan or sand color for the interior would look pretty good . . . keep it going, after you get back from work. Cheers.

[Jairus]

I like the look, the stance and the direction you are going. Very nice!

Maybe could I suggest a black wash on the motor? Would help to tone the brightness down and make it look heavier, after all it is a boat anchor....

Are you going to put a tarp cover over the rear seat? Might look cool.... just a thought.

Keep it up!

[dub]

Cool. Out of the paint I have, I was leaning that direction. I just don't want it to look too nice.... it is a rat after all!

That reminds me of another thing I need to pick up; artist pastels.... Any suggestions on colors?

[OldsklMike]

Hey Jonathan,

Looking good, and yes that motor is bright. I'd finish building it then do the black wash over the entire engine.

Cut the 40-50% off coupons out of the paper for AC Moore & Michaels and get the pastel packs there. Most of the time they are not on sale..

I picked up some last week. AC Moore is a little cheaper. (are local craft stores)

Now we need some one to do a HOW-TO on using pastels???

Later Mike

[dub]

Yeah, that engine makes me wanna put sunglasses on! I have the headers tacked on the engine now, all I have to do is knock down that sheen.... The tarp idea is cool, but I was picturing this to be a showground cruiser for someone and three of their friends.

Now we need some one to do a HOW-TO on using pastels???

As for the tutorial.... I can give it a try, but Virgil would be better if he's not too busy with the holidays. This will be my first try with it, but I'm not scared.....

Edited November 27, 2007 by dub

[Kyle]

Here are the pastel colours that I used on my Phaeton. Any earth tones would work. The darker ones are the ones I used the most, but the lighter ones come in handy too. Just grind them up into a fine dust and brush it on using any paint brush. I find that a stiffer paint brush lays it down a little "messier", so there are streaks, and a softer brush blends it really nicely. If you apply too much you can also blend it a little with your clean fingers. I applied it everywhere except for the tires. Make sure you weather the lines as well (fuel lines, ignition wire, etc.) I read somewhere that you can use dullcote over the pastel to seal it in, but I've never tried it.

[dub]

Excellent! Thanks for the info. I was pretty certain what colors I needed.... Just wanted to see if I forgot any important ones. I did do three years of art in high school, so I have an idea what I'm doing with them. Just have to break out the Marvel Mystery Oil for the 'ol memory!

[parki]

Looking real good Dub. Really learning a lot watching all these detailed Rat Rod build ups. Cant wait to see it finished.

[dub]

Thanks, Parki I appreciate it! I should get this done either by Sunday night or early in the week. For the locals, I will definitely bring it to the club meeting, in whatever shape it is in, next Saturday.

Here's where I stopped last night. I will post more later tonight after I get done running errands.

[Dr. Cranky]

Looking great . . . I love the way it is coming together. Keep it going.

[James W]

I read somewhere that you can use dullcote over the pastel to seal it in, but I've never tried it.

Don't try to put any type of clear paint over pastels. You will lose all your hard work. It just disappears.

I like to dullcote before application. Gives the chalk something to bite into.

There is a product to "set" pastels that artists use on canvas, but I've never tried it on a model.

Sharp looking tub by the way.

Edited November 24, 2007 by James W