29 replies to this topic

[One_Track_Mind]

John "the Motor Man" Havlicek had sent me a really nice motor awhile back. I tried and tried to find a bracket that would hold the large E/B ( Bob) What was finally used was an old Champion bracket for a 26-D with just a little more tweaking to make it fit properly.

This is my first attempt at a full fledge scratchbuilt Thingie with a superty-duperty motor,the body came from our friend down under, George Hawkins.

It's hinged like an iso, but will act like a drop arm. If it looks at all like I don't know what I'm doing, it's because I don't!











paint and final pics to come at a later time.

[Tex]

Looks great, Brian!

I, too, have a "Havlicek Special" which is ALSO destined for a Thingie-ride. Only two(or more) projects to be completed first, THEN build my first Thingie.

[Marty Stanley]

Brian,

Now I'm really impressed! Complete with a 5/32 rear axle tube! Talk about period correct! And a "La Cucaracha" in disguise!

Is that one of R-Geo's 'Jailhouse' motor brackets? That really looks interesting.

Without a doubt, I'm going to have to drag my recently acquired "Harvey Aluminum Special" body and build something just like this up. Kinda something different and lots of fun!

Keep up the creativity!

Good job!

[Cap Henry]

Very Cool Brian!

[One_Track_Mind]

Thanks Tex,and Cap.

Hey Marty!...Yes, you need to build one of these Thingies for sure. and SHOW the build right here in these very pages of Slotblog!...
The motor bracket is a vintage piece, that has the mounting holes modified to accomodate this super great motor.

I'm sure Edo, will be along and give a correct identification of the body,but as my memory tells me it's an Arrowhead? not a Cucaracha...Forgive me Kingie, If I'm wrong.

[Mr. Frank]

Thanks Tex,and Cap.

Hey Marty!...Yes, you need to build one of these Thingies for sure. and SHOW the build right here in these very pages of Slotblog!...
The motor bracket is a vintage piece, that has the mounting holes modified to accomodate this super great motor.

I'm sure Edo, will be along and give a correct identification of the body,but as my memory tells me it's an Arrowhead? not a Cucaracha...Forgive me Kingie, If I'm wrong.

HEY BRIAN; Need to know what that body is also. Have a racer that would like 2 of them.

Your build is looking GREAT !!!! We need to get togather and have a AMERICAN KING THINGIE RACE, here at RT 93

Good luck , keep it going , your almost done..

[One_Track_Mind]

We need to get togather and have a AMERICAN KING THINGIE RACE, here at RT 93

Hi Frank,
Sounds real good, what are the rules?
Run watcha Brung?
Will it be an open format to anybody? and run like a proxy race?

OR do you mean just a grudge match between ourselves to see whom got the better Havlicek motor?

[Mr. Frank]

Hi Frank,
Sounds real good, what are the rules?
Run watcha Brung?
Will it be an open format to anybody? and run like a proxy race?

OR do you mean just a grudge match between ourselves to see whom got the better Havlicek motor?

Just a grudge match between our selfs..and then we can talk about a race. Don't forget brian, I have 10 years on this track.



Mr. Frank

[havlicek]

I predict that the winner will be.....

































...the guy with the fastest car who's also the best driver

-john

[dc-65x]

Looks great Brian. Build on my man .

[Marty Stanley]

Havlicek,

Very intuitive and insightful my friend.

However I might want to make a small change in your prediction . . . . . . . .

"The car with the most laps at the end of the race will win!"

[havlicek]

ACK Marty! I knew there was something I was forgetting. That would have been the first thing I said if I had my Karnak turban on when I placed the envelope beside my head!

-john

[One_Track_Mind]

Here Yee,Here YEE

Stop the presses! read the news headlines

AMERICAN KING THINGIE RACE @ RT 93!

the tone has been set...let me git this 'thingie' finished,and we'll do a grudge match.
This won't be like a Pinks all out? Winner takes all?

[Mr. Frank]

HAY BRIAN;

CAR vs. CAR ,WINNER TAKES BOTH CARS HOME...What do you say..



Mr. Frank

[One_Track_Mind]

Hiya Frank,
I say NAH!...I must be a chicken sheet!

Actually,I have made my first mistake in the build when doing the front axle.I was so proud of the time and bends I spent making sure I ended up with the correct height for the Kai wheels which measured 3/4". Then after soldering the axle to the chassis,did I realize that I never subtracted the thickness of the wire I was placing the axle onto. As you can see by the picture,it's left the front wheels high and dry and not even close to where they should be.



This is going to be my quick fix for my goof-up instead of bending and re-soldering a new axle.

[havlicek]

Hey Brian...you don't have to cut the front axles. Just hold the upright portion of the axle sideways with a pair of pliers as close to the chassis as you can and grab the rest of the upright lengthwise with a second set and tweak those suckers down into submission Big strong guy like you should have no trouble teaching that chassis a lesson!

-john

[One_Track_Mind]

John,
I thought about that, but then I figured it would make them look too far forward, for the body cut-out in which the wheels should be placed?

[Marty Stanley]

B U M M E R ! ! !

Brian,

Hey, if that's the worst thing you ever do, not a problem. Let's NOT go into all the things I've learned through similar experiences! At least yours is a relatively easy problem to correct. Either sleeve the front axle you made or find larger diameters front wheels.

Overall the build is coming along just fine!

Following your suggestion, I'm busy putting an article together, getting all the parts thought out and getting ready to start an article.

I must say that you're a real man by telling us all about the mistake! I do have a copy of "Math for Dummies" that I've used to get through similar situations. Let me know and I'll send it along.

[havlicek]

I thought about that, but then I figured it would make them look too far forward, for the body cut-out in which the wheels should be placed?

...no problemo...then just tweak them straight down. The negative camber (or is it positive caster...or castor oil???) might give you just the handling advantage you need to get ahead of Frank (besides, it looks cool too!) I mean...it's his home track...heck...it's HIS track, you need something to even the odds!

-john

[One_Track_Mind]

Thank you Marty!

Math for Slot Car Dummies! I'll take a copy of that!

Mr.Pablo was kind enough years ago to sit me down and drill it into my feable brain of how to figure out all the math that was needed to build a slot car. I just never knew!
My mistake was soldering the front axle onto the chassis,without the front wheels in place, I was too over confident in my bends and measures of that axle, that I didn't need to follow this step in building 101

Maybe,it will still turn out ok, and If not I do another one till it's correct.

[Marty Stanley]

Brian,

You might as well just start bending. We're too much alike and I know what I would do.

For whatever reason, I don't like to see a "kludge" on any chassis I build.

Now I see the problem . . . . Pablo taught you the math!

[Edo]

I'm sure Edo, will be along and give a correct identification of the body,but as my memory tells me it's an Arrowhead? not a Cucaracha...Forgive me Kingie, If I'm wrong.

Dear Brian

you're totally wrong!

That is a Hammerhead not an Arrowhead!

To avoid stern punishment We see no other solution than sending that WONDERFUL toy you're masterfully building, immediately once finished, to the Kingiee Himself!

[One_Track_Mind]

ok, Edo you may have it!

BUT, not until after Frank and I have a grudge match race between us. Then it will be shipped to you either a hero or a zero status. A prince or a toad?
What colors would you like to see painted on the body?

Hi Marty,
Whatever a "kludge" is on a chassis it can't be good! so, it was onto just making another complete front axle, however I done the first one I could not say, but it took two more tries to end up with an axle that would look right and still make the .062 clearance.

Seeing how the bends changed my attachment point just a tad, I opted to fill in a small area with solder to give a little more strength, I don't want to loose the axle after a small mishap.

[One_Track_Mind]

This front axle gave the car the 1/16"inch clearance all around.



Added some more bracing to the rear axle area. Notice it's sporting a red vintage crown gear to match the lovely hand wound armature.



Motor has just enough downward tilt and still remain above clearance.




Top Overview




Motor box and gear area, 7/30 ratio

[Mr. Frank]

LOOKIN GOOD Brian; The race is soon to be on... You ,Me an THE AMERICAN KING





Mr. Frank