ULTIMATE SCRATCHBUILD: 1:12 Hot Rod-Updated 03/12/06

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by willimo

Hey, I just read through the entire thread. I let it get long while on my own spring break and finally had a chance to read it.

First, this project is GREAT. I love the ambition, scope, and all the design, construction, and technical aspects it encompases. Your metal work skill is great.

A couple things though... I would go back to 1:8 scale. Why? Because of this.. You could totally lift the engine and wheels from it if you were so inclined. The engine especially. Also, before you start up on this next one, really sit down and try to make a list of every construction challenge you will meet along the way. Now, I know this is impossible, but try. Think about the doors, the hinges, how you are going to transfer drawing to metal, etc. Go sit in a car, look at every aspect of it and make notes. Inspect things like hinges... is there any hardware you can use in its place, something you could find at Home Depot or somewhere? Are the doors going to latch, how? Oh! Look at a real car door, how the skin sticks out about 1/2 beyond the door itself so the shut lines can line up and the door can open smoothly (I was wondering about that earlier in construction, before your post about the minor setbacks). If you need, take pictures of everything you can. Nothing sucks worse than wondering about something and not being able to find out about it 'till later. A project like this takes an enormous amount of research and planning. Any sort of scratchbuilding or fabricating does. I'd venture to say research time = planning time = construction time on a project like this.

This post isn't to harass you, just some things I noticed and wondered about throughout the thread. The door sill/jamb bit did end up biting you in the ass, and I hate to say it but it was almost expected. I really think you have plenty of skill, talent, and drive to do this model. I think if you plan it, extensively, before hand you'll come out with a winner that just falls together. Almost. But you get what I mean.

Plan plan plan, is all I can say. I spend many a class hour planing my models instead of paying the prof attention. It's actually my favorite part, building is just execution of the plan, the plan is the opus.

Good luck, I can't wait to see you start it up again. Your skills are incredible and your subject choice impeccable. Just fantasmagorique.

Thanks for the comments, I was hoping to hear from you. You are definately one of the major people I look up because your work is implicable.

1/8 scale? As a matter of fact I was looking at that kit last night, the only problem with that is the price tag.

I know what you mean with planning. I knew right from the start the doors were going to be what killed me. This time I will have the sking stick out from the door so its a nice clean closing. I also would like to have a latch, but that might get really complicated.

Planning, the last one I just shot at in the dark. I made a drawing and kind of shot from there, no measuring. Thats probably what ruined the project.

However, for this project I am going through extensive planning. As a matter of fact Im here at school, working on dimensions, measuring, etc. Scaling conversions, problems changing between scales, numerous sketches (actual 1/6, 1/8, 1/5 scale).

I have been making a list of everything that will have to be built:
Brakes Rotors
Brake Calipers
Fuel Lines
Brake Lines
Mounting brackets
and more, Ill make a complete list later.

[StephenDeli]

If you want to try to save money maybe a curbside Roadster could help out.

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by StephenDeli

If you want to try to save money maybe a curbside Roadster could help out.

That is most likely what I will do, the engine I have found in kits are expensive, or hard to find.

[Ferrari TR]

Yowz!
I haven't looked in on this in a while. A very ambitous project.
I think a much more 'do-able' project would be a re-body of the "big Duce" kit.

I don't doubt your skills, but I do think a smaller more manageable project would be more fulfilling. You could also scratch build a replacement frame, engine and wheels as time and money allowed, yet you would have a model on the shelf.

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by Ferrari TR

Yowz!
I haven't looked in on this in a while. A very ambitous project.
I think a much more 'do-able' project would be a re-body of the "big Duce" kit.

I don't doubt your skills, but I do think a smaller more manageable project would be more fulfilling. You could also scratch build a replacement frame, engine and wheels as time and money allowed, yet you would have a model on the shelf.

Smaller more managble project...I dont like easy things. I also like big things, and scratchbuilding. I have done work with real hot rods and scratchbuilding a few things isnt pleaseable.

I know small project would probably be the best, but I am enjoying this one.

[StephenDeli]

You could just pop an RC engine in and it could be a scratchbuild fully operable Roadster!!!!!!!

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by StephenDeli

You could just pop an RC engine in and it could be a scratchbuild fully operable Roadster!!!!!!!

Do you have any idea how pissed I would be if I wrecked the thing?

_______________________

Whats new?

Drawing, drafting, scaling, measuring, converting, sketching, designing, and frustration.

That about sums it up.

[mike@af]

Whats new?

Roughly 36hours of designing, drafting, measuring, scaling, and agonizing frustration the body design is done (this include top, and side views). I just need to dimension it, even thought its full 1/6scale.

Tommorrow I will start drafting the design for the frame. I am looking for a large pice of translucent paper to lay over the body drawings to draw the frane like a cross section.

I'll try to get pictures of the body design tommorrow morning before I start the frame design.

[mike@af]

UPDATES:

Here are some pictures of the design so far. Sorry if the pictures dont work, both AF and my other image host are being screwy, so I have to use Tripod.

Heres the design for the body, both top and side view (also a picture of the materials used).

Materials List:
Compass
Dividers
Mechanical Pencil
Aluminum Ruler
Tamiya Masking Tape (A million and one uses for)
Multiple Erasers (I have gone through 1 1/2 erasers so far)
Depth Gauge (Good because it measures in 1/32's" and 1/64's")
30-60-90 Triangle
Circle Template
Large Steel Square (Not Shown)



Top View (AKA Royal Pain, but so is everything else about this project)


Begining of frame design. Starting with the top since thats the major view. First thing I did was cut a 26" sheet of Crayola Paper (126'x11"). After that I tacked it in place right over the car with some Tamiya Masking tape. This paper is semi transparent so it works perfectly to draw the frame right on top of the car.



EDIT-Many thanks to Andrew (BlownCivic1320) for getting my picture problem straightened out!

[supermod04]

Mike the pics dont work, load them to AF

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by supermod04

Mike the pics dont work, load them to AF

I have been trying to. But I keep getting errors, everytime I get "Sorry, this image type (6) is not supported yet. "

[mike@af]

IMAGE PROBLEM FIXED!

Now the pictures work for everyone to enjoy. Sorry for the delay.

Many thanks to BlownCivic1320 for sorting my image problem out!

[86_SR5]

Mike..that looks awesome dude! Alot better than I can draw...and hopefully...it'll turn out better than that plastic one revell is selling online for 100 and my lhs has for like 75 or so.

[StephenDeli]

That looks very sexy GTmike. I love old roadsters. I got plans for a sweet lime green '32 Deuce Coupe.

[mike@af]

Thanks for the comments guys! Thats definately a lot of motivation to work on it. Thanks for the confidence.

I really like this plan. A lot more than the old roadster. This one looks a lot sleeker than the last one too.

I have almost finished drawing and designing the chassis. I will be running to Home Depot or Lowes to get some 1/4" x 1/2" steel and some 1/8" round bar. But first I need to get a 1-1/2" wood dowl to make a mock differential.