Pocher F40 WIP

[bmwmech1]

Originally Posted by Robi J

...I'm just silently admiring your incredible craftmanship...

Robi

Thanks Robi, I'm enjoying the build as much as everyone seems to be enjoying watching, but the compliments are appreciated! Taking a break tonight, should have more to post tomorrow evening... Thanks for watching!

BM1

[bmwmech1]

Originally Posted by Twowheelsrule

I love the work you are doing! I was wondering how much of this is kit and how much is your own scratch building? This thing is amazingly detailed!



Mark

Mark...
Here is a comparison photo of the kit frame in black plastic on the left and the brass frame I made on the right. Actually, there is no comparison, as you can see.



Now my earlier post about the kit being very mediocre should make more sense.

BM1

[Twowheelsrule]

I understand now. Basically a Pocher is just a BIG model rather than some super detail million piece kit. I have noticed similar things with some Revell and Tamiya offerings that have only been inlarged to make a bigger version of the subject.

I now realize that you had to do a ton of work to get all of your parts made to look so nice!

Keep it up,
Mark

[bmwmech1]

Originally Posted by Twowheelsrule

Basically a Pocher is just a BIG model rather than some super detail million piece kit.

Mark,
Yes and no... the older Pocher kits had parts counts in the 1500-2500 range, so they were million pats kits. They are called the classic series, but the newer, exotics series, the Testarossa, F40 and Carrera 993, are all in the 400-600 parts count range. Huge difference in the two, both in numbers and effective detail level. More stuff about Pocher you never wanted to know, right?

BM1

[CrateCruncher]

Nice fabrication work BMW! Great progress too. I've been quietly watching this thread with much interest. Are you using soft solder? Would you be willing to discuss your process? I'm particularly impressed with how you maintain alignment of all these parts in three dimensions while not disturbing previous work.

I agree with your general comments regarding Pocher kits. I built the F40 box-stock in about six intense weekend sessions without much drama. It was one of the first kits I built after returning to car modeling as an adult. My next project was the Pocher Bugatti 50T that took over a year of work at a casual yet consistent pace! I am about 80% on a Alfa 8C2300 Monza that has been on again off again for years now because of the level of detail I'm doing and the poor engineering associated with the kit. The great thing about Pocher's is that you can use them as a foundation for a project that comes about as close as one can get to the real thing.

[bmwmech1]

Originally Posted by CrateCruncher

Nice fabrication work BMW! Great progress too. I've been quietly watching this thread with much interest. Are you using soft solder? Would you be willing to discuss your process? I'm particularly impressed with how you maintain alignment of all these parts in three dimensions while not disturbing previous work.

I agree with your general comments regarding Pocher kits. I built the F40 box-stock in about six intense weekend sessions without much drama. It was one of the first kits I built after returning to car modeling as an adult. My next project was the Pocher Bugatti 50T that took over a year of work at a casual yet consistent pace! I am about 80% on a Alfa 8C2300 Monza that has been on again off again for years now because of the level of detail I'm doing and the poor engineering associated with the kit. The great thing about Pocher's is that you can use them as a foundation for a project that comes about as close as one can get to the real thing.

Thanks CrateCruncher, my "process" is not top secret...lol, I use an Amercian Beauty resistance soldering rig, which if you don't know much about it, uses the resistance across the joint being soldered to create heat at the point of contact. It heats up very quickly and the heat is very localized to only the joint area, which means you can solder a piece right next to a previously soldered piece and not run the risk of de-soldering the first joint. It works kind of like arc welding, only with solder. That's how I can maintain alignment without affecting adjacent areas.

Your comments on the Pochers are right on, as well. I have a K74 Mercedes, that is about 1/2 complete and it's on a completely different level than the F40. Excluding the inherent kit problems, of course. Thanks for watching this thread, it should get more fun to watch, once the frame is painted and the real building/detailing starts...

BM1

[Twowheelsrule]

Originally Posted by bmwmech1

Mark,
Yes and no... the older Pocher kits had parts counts in the 1500-2500 range, so they were million pats kits. They are called the classic series, but the newer, exotics series, the Testarossa, F40 and Carrera 993, are all in the 400-600 parts count range. Huge difference in the two, both in numbers and effective detail level. More stuff about Pocher you never wanted to know, right?

BM1

Good information! I may want to build one some day if I found the right subject to get me going.
Mark

[cinqster]

Originally Posted by Twowheelsrule

Good information! I may want to build one some day if I found the right subject to get me going.
Mark

Have you seen the prices of the old kits recently. Too many saddo's are snapping them up, never to build them!

Really nice work BM, shame you've got to paint it!

Out of interest, does anyone know why the old 1/8th kits have never been re-released? I know the company and all their tooling was bought up years ago.

[gp-models]

A real amazing work !!!

I enjoy your brass work everytime i`ve been watching it and i agree with all other comments: A SUPERB JOB !!!

I have the Autograph Kit and the Motorkit too and maybe one day i will start it, everytime i`m watching your updates i`m thinking of starting mine as well, but at moment there is no time left to do so.

Looking forward to see how you will go on with the body works !

Till now i leave 12 from 10 possible for an impressing job !

[bmwmech1]

Originally Posted by gp-models

A real amazing work !!!

I enjoy your brass work everytime i`ve been watching it and i agree with all other comments: A SUPERB JOB !!!

I have the Autograph Kit and the Motorkit too and maybe one day i will start it, everytime i`m watching your updates i`m thinking of starting mine as well, but at moment there is no time left to do so.

Looking forward to see how you will go on with the body works !

Till now i leave 12 from 10 possible for an impressing job !

Thank you much for the "12 from 10 possible" compliment! Right now I am diligently working, trying to finish up all the small bits on the frame so I might be able to get it in primer tonight! I will update at some point tomorrow! Thanks to all for watching!!!

BM1

[bmwmech1]

At last, an update! Unless I have missed something, I believe the frame is finished!!! I still have many hours of prep before the main frame goes to primer, but some of the sub-assemblies are ready and I even got some pieces prepped and primed tonight! I also received my Brummel decal set from Manfred at m-tec, today, so I snapped a picture of them also. Enjoy!!!











As always, thanks for following!!!

BM1

[tuned.by.twenty]

That frame is art! I can't wait to see it primered.

[AustinMartin]

Awesome!

[bmwmech1]

I'm traveling this weekend, but I couldn't leave everyone without the latest photos to look at. Got the frame prepped and shot with 1 coat of primer last night. Still some thin spots and there will be some filling/sanding to do before color, but hey, at least it's grey now! There was alot of real estate to cover with primer... I realized that this frame is big, once I started to paint it! Enjoy!!!





Thanks for looking and have a great weekend!!!

BM1

[Robi J]

This is absolutely fantastic...

R