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Corvette GS-II, a how to carve a balsa plug with contours


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#1 Gene/ZR1

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Posted 01 June 2008 - 05:59 PM

Well, here we go again.

The start of the Corvette GS-II, a how-to carve a balsa plug with contours.

This post will show a different method for carving a balsa plug. I would suggest this method for any hobby person wanting to try to carve a plug. The biggest problem for the new carver is matching right and left sides, this method should work well.

Study the photos and I will post as the progress continues.

Any questions are welcome.

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Body sides rails with wheel openings.

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Body sides rails, notice drawn centerline.

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Table saw will rip this down the centerline.

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Now we have two sides rails.

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Side rail with layers shown, not fixed with glue.

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Bondo will be used as glue, and will give color rings when carved.

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Spread the Bondo quickly for all layers. Bondo allows easier carving through layers than wood glues.

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Stack all layers quickly and use two hard boards and squeeze into a OLD vise, wipe away excess squeezed-out Bondo.

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Contour stack has been sawed true to all four sides and side rails glue in place.

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Front view of contour and side rails. As this plug is carved the Bondo contour rings will appear.

The next step will be to add X-Y control lines so the plug can be controlled when carved.

Gene Adams AKA Gene/ZR1
ZR1 Corvette owner
Hand-carved balsa bodies, resin body plugs, silicone molds, vacuum bodies
Genes_World@ymail.com





#2 Jairus

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Posted 01 June 2008 - 06:07 PM

WOW! :shok:

Excellent tutorial!!! I look forward to the next installment.

Thanks, Gene.

J

Jairus H Watson - Artist
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#3 Prof. Fate

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Posted 02 June 2008 - 12:50 PM

Hi,

Ahhhh, the memories! Thanks, Gene.

I first did this as a kid living in the Philippines in late '61 or early '62. In the day I also flew model airplanes and the airplane guys showed me this as the way to produce bucks for canopies and various cowl and spat pieces. My first slot body was done by overlaying the mold with nylon cloth cross grained and fused solid using butyrate lacquer.

My mom had just tossed some nylons with a run in them, and got suspicious about the empty trash. Found me busily laying up the shell and calmed down.

Fate
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Requiescat in Pace

#4 Gene/ZR1

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Posted 03 June 2008 - 07:56 PM

PROGRESS POST NO.2

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The nose has been trimmed down

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Now you can see the bondo lines,known as contours,when the lines match left to right both sides are equal.

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Now we are knocking down the nose and the contour lines are stating to match.

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A little more work and the contour lines are smooth.

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A simple comparison look, starting to look like a GS-2

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Front look, next step will be to bring the body into true shape to form.

Remember this body will have modifications so it will adapt to a simple slot car chassis.
The body will have a 4 inch c/c on the axles and the width will be 3-1/4 inch.

Gene Adams AKA Gene/ZR1
ZR1 Corvette owner
Hand-carved balsa bodies, resin body plugs, silicone molds, vacuum bodies
Genes_World@ymail.com


#5 Gene/ZR1

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Posted 06 June 2008 - 04:05 PM

Progress Post no.3

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General overall photo.

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Close up of nose, notice all the contour lines and how each side is the same. The nose section has been added to the plug.

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From the end of wind screen to the nose a ridge line is added. The nose intake will be added a little later.

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A front view showing rounded front fenders.

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Close up front view and bondo contour lines easy to see. Notice inner filler of bondo on fenders.

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A side view shown a correction to side is needed.

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Rear view to front, the rear filler panel will be added next.

The next steps will be to bring in the wind screen and rear deck area.
Also the rounding of all body lines and the in-fill of wheel wells.

Gene Adams AKA Gene/ZR1
ZR1 Corvette owner
Hand-carved balsa bodies, resin body plugs, silicone molds, vacuum bodies
Genes_World@ymail.com


#6 Gene/ZR1

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Posted 08 June 2008 - 11:45 AM

PROGRESS Post no.4

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Overall with primer and spot putty sanded out.

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Windshield filled in, messed up.

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Side view.

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Rear showing spoiler.

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Rear view, inset has not been completed yet.

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Primer coat sanded down.

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Side view with 2nd primer coat.

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Rear 1/4 view. I noticed the windshield is incorrect and will have to be corrected.
Wheel wells are next, will install cut outs from sides, and recess inward approx 1/16 inch along with front intake scoop.

Gene Adams AKA Gene/ZR1
ZR1 Corvette owner
Hand-carved balsa bodies, resin body plugs, silicone molds, vacuum bodies
Genes_World@ymail.com


#7 Gene/ZR1

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Posted 08 June 2008 - 05:36 PM

JUSTME;
Per you request.
Here are the tools I use to carve the balsa plugs :shok: ,just simple tools :D

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Gene Adams AKA Gene/ZR1
ZR1 Corvette owner
Hand-carved balsa bodies, resin body plugs, silicone molds, vacuum bodies
Genes_World@ymail.com


#8 Gene/ZR1

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Posted 10 June 2008 - 04:40 PM

PROGRESS Post no.5


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Comparison view with photo.

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Front view,notice that the front air inlet is instaled and the wheel well have been packed out.

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Side view, headlight outlines will be next and the rear end recess will be done.

I need to clean up the shop, it gets messy,remember:always work on an old towel,it catches the sanding dust pretty good. :)

Gene Adams AKA Gene/ZR1
ZR1 Corvette owner
Hand-carved balsa bodies, resin body plugs, silicone molds, vacuum bodies
Genes_World@ymail.com


#9 Gene/ZR1

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Posted 15 June 2008 - 04:09 PM

PROGREES Post no.6

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General view with paint test shot.

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Side view with intake tubes and plate.

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Front 3/4 view

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Side view with comparison view.

The rear detail is yet to be completed.
The nose has been raised to allow for guide flag.

Gene Adams AKA Gene/ZR1
ZR1 Corvette owner
Hand-carved balsa bodies, resin body plugs, silicone molds, vacuum bodies
Genes_World@ymail.com


#10 Jairus

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Posted 15 June 2008 - 04:14 PM

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Excellent Gene, just excellent! :bb:

Jairus H Watson - Artist
Need something painted, soldered, carved, or killed? - jairuswtsn@aol.com

www.slotcarsmag.com

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http://www.ratholecustoms.com
Check out some of the cool stuff on my Fotki!


#11 mdiv

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Posted 16 June 2008 - 07:42 PM

Oh my goodness!

:shok:

:wub: Gene!

Mike DiVuolo

 

C.A.R.S. Vintage Slot Car Club

"Prosecutors will be violated"


#12 Gene/ZR1

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Posted 22 June 2008 - 05:23 PM

PROGRESS Post no.7

This is the completed plug, next will be a silicone mold,then a resin vacuum plug then the first body.

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Final paint ,side profile is pretty close,with [sort of] matching color.

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Front view

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9 coats of paint,need about one week of cure on the paint before a silicone mold can be cast.

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Rear to front profile.

Well thats all for now,until the next steps,onward we shall go.
The Thingie version is pretty neat looking and should fit in well into the others.
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Gene Adams AKA Gene/ZR1
ZR1 Corvette owner
Hand-carved balsa bodies, resin body plugs, silicone molds, vacuum bodies
Genes_World@ymail.com






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