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Post by garydavis on Jan 26, 2010 23:27:37 GMT -8
Man Fletch.....you have really done some nice work on that body. It looks good in that paint too...Can't wait to see the chassis for this puppy!!
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Post by Fletch on Feb 23, 2010 23:45:42 GMT -8
I figured being the PNW NNL Model Car Fest is 5 weeks away I might as well get this thing finished. The biggest obstacle to getting this project completed is getting started on the frame. As can be seen in the original photo the chassis is far from the stock Model 'A' frame. The frame rails for this build are .080X.125 Evergreen Styrene rectangular stock, which is aprox 2"X3" in scale. The front cross member is .156 Evergreen "C" channel stacked back to back to produce a shallow "H" beam. Any bracing has been done using .060 Evergreen Angle. The frame out riggers are .020X.125 (still need to be cut to length) which will support .040 square stock which the floor will be attached to. The Monogram rear spring hanger was retained for use in the build, it is mounted in the frame so the rear end will mount in front of the spring as in later model Ford products. Hosted on FotkiStay Tuned.
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davem
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by davem on Feb 24, 2010 20:26:12 GMT -8
Looking good so far Dave, you gonna dave it done in time???
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Post by Fletch on Feb 24, 2010 22:31:27 GMT -8
Dave, I'm hoping to have it completed by the Spring Classic NNL down in Coburg. If it isn't finished by then it will indeed be ready for the PNW NNL on March 27th.
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Post by brizio on Feb 25, 2010 9:09:15 GMT -8
Love that chassis!!! Looking forward!
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Post by Fletch on Feb 26, 2010 0:03:42 GMT -8
Got the remainder of the work on the chassis completed today. Added the stringers for the floor, the center X-Member and the motor and transmission mounts in place. The rear end for this build is from the Revell '50 Ford Pickup. It was chosen for a couple of reasons the first being it has the track width needed for the build and second because there are probably 20 of those kits floating around the garage, so 1 missing a rear end wasn't going to be the end of the world. The tires and wheels are a combination of slicks from an AMT '40 Ford Sedan, wheels from the Revell '50 Ford Pickup. The front tires and wheels are from the '50 Ford Pickup. So here it is the long awaited first official mock-up of the Shadow Box Coupe. Hosted on FotkiFor mock-up purposes the drop axle from a Revell '32 was used, but it will give way to the poseable steering drop axle from a Revell '29 pickup or '31 Sedan. Major tasks yet to be completed, build the front fenders and mounts, convert and trim down the '37 pickup grille to that of a '35/'36 pickup. Seeing how I have no idea what dash may have been in the coupe when the original photo was taken, I'm going to take a bit of artistic license and trim down a '40 Ford dash. I'm planning on using K&S sheet Aluminum for the floor boards, transmission hump and drive shaft tunnel. The interior panels from the Monogram kit will be cut down and used to complete the interior. Stay Tuned, more to come soon.
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davem
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by davem on Feb 26, 2010 22:59:04 GMT -8
I like your frame work Dave. I like the mockup, it looks great.
Dave
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Post by brizio on Mar 1, 2010 11:34:41 GMT -8
Looks very nice!!! Chassis AWESOME!!! Love this kind of build!
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Post by garydavis on Mar 1, 2010 13:23:58 GMT -8
Man Dave...you're doing some mighty fine scratch building. That mock-up put a huge smile on the 'ol face. Your work is very clean and it's getting my CREATIVE juices flowing!! If I keep coming back here on the forum....I just might get that 49 Merc finished...maybe...possibly... ;D
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Post by Fletch on Mar 3, 2010 2:14:04 GMT -8
Not a productive weekend for the Shadowbox Coupe Project. Better know as nothing got accomplished. Today however, back to working on the build. The drop axle from a Revell '31 Sedan was added to the Coupe's frame. The spring hanger was reduced in height by aprox .060 or a scale 1.5 inches. The next bit of upgrade in the axle was to replace the plastic nubs (king pins) that allows this axle to have poseable steering. The centers of the nubs were located then opened up with a #73 drill bit. Pieces of .022" brass wire were then added to the axle to provide years of steering without failure. The spindle/backing plate assy were epoxied to the steering arms with the tie-rod then attached. The assembly was set aside to cure for the better part of an hour. Attention was then turned to the interior panels and seat. The door panels were shortened by aprox 1/8th of an inch using the bottom of the center cast in panel. The upper is the modified while the lower is a stock kit piece. The bench seat also had a similar 1/8 inch piece removed from the bottom of it as well. Once the interior floor pans, transmission cover and driveshaft tunnel are in place, couple of the ribs in the center of the seat will be removed and the back of the seat will be cut to match the driveshaft tunnel contour. Poseable steering in place, it does clear the Hemi's oil pan when turned full left or right. If I have time before the NNL, I will most likely replace the plastic tie-rod with one made from brass. Since the last post the wheels from the Revell '50 Ford Pickup have given way to those from the AMT '62 Catalina as well as the rear tires. The Catalina wheels have better depth and the caps for the front sit better in the wheels as well. Hosted on FotkiThat's it for today, come on the way soon. Thanks for looking.
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Post by brizio on Mar 3, 2010 6:02:54 GMT -8
COOL!!! The working steering wheels it's a great choice!!! It gives more attitude a the model! :-) Agree with you for replacing the tie rod with a brass or other metal made ones.
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davem
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by davem on Mar 3, 2010 23:16:24 GMT -8
I second that, it's looking great Dave
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Post by Fletch on Mar 4, 2010 0:20:20 GMT -8
Thanks Guys, for all the encouragement on the build of the coupe. It's turning into one of those spread your wings kind of projects. I've often avoided using the Revell pose able steering axles because of their fragile nature. Replacing the plastic nubs with wire was no big deal at all, just a matter of doing it. Same thing with the chassis, toughest part was getting started. No fancy tools required just a 3"X4" square, a scalpel, a few sanding sticks and Evergreen Styrene. Very good chance the engine and wheels will get painted later today. I'm going to paint them using House of Kolor SG105 Blue Blood Red: Hosted on FotkiHopefully, weather permitting there will be photos of them up later.
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Post by Fletch on Mar 4, 2010 22:00:40 GMT -8
Today was relatively productive with the '$0 Ford Dash modified to fit in place to the stock '30 unit. Got the initial cuts made in the seat bottom to accommodate the drive shaft tunnel. The seat and interior panels were painted with Krylon Make it Suede, I'll go back and do some highlight work prior to final assembly. The Engine block, wheels and dashboard got painted with HoK SG105 Blue Blood Red. The still need a coat of clear as most HoK paints are Base Coat -> Clear Coat operations with the HoK base coat being flat when dried. So here in photos is the progress for the day: The fabrication that still needs completed is to convert the '37 Pickup grille and surround into that of a '35/'36 pickup grille. Fabricate the new floor boards from K&S Aluminum sheet. Most of this should or will be completed over the weekend which will allow next week for detail work and we should be good to go for the Spring Classic NNL on the 13th. I was hoping that with the addition of the other colors that the black hole effect of the Tamiya Matte Black would not be so noticeable but not the case. So, it's time to consider some other color over the Matter Black. The colors that I am considering to use as the base coat over the Matte Black as ground coat are: HoK BC03 Galaxy Grey Tamiya TS40 Metallic Black Hosted on FotkiBoth are Greyish Black with graphite metal flake, both would lighten up the overall color of the build. The HoK Galaxy Grey is sitting on the bench the Tamiya Metallic Black wil require a trip to the LHS (how could that be a bad thing?).
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Post by brizio on Mar 5, 2010 20:33:36 GMT -8
Looks great!!!
Where they sell HOK paint around here?
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