15 replies to this topic

[Gor]

 

 

For example, the car I've just started has a body that I'm making from scrap materials, and it is a typical mess. I have experience with making a mess. So I'm calm, in the moment.

 

But the chassis is a kit chassis. I have no experience with this. It doesn't behave the same way as a chassis that I make myself. But if I remain mindful, I'll make it work, instead of chucking it into the trash can in a moment of frustration 

 

Please consider starting a thread on your new project for all of us to enjoy.

 

I'm sure everyone would enjoy viewing the progress pix - especially pix of the scrap of parts you will be using to build from - now that would be exciting!

Ernie

 

From Alchemist's "Meditation/mindfulness in slot car scratchbuilding" thread. Ernie, you may regret asking me to start a thread on my scrap car 

 

Unfortunately, I do use a lot of scrap materials to build my cars. Actually, scrap is being generous. Let's call it what it really is - trash. So a "Junk Formula" 1935 Miller-Ford Indy 500 car is a good match for my building style.

 

It starts with discarded plastic placards and off-cuts of plumber's pvc pipe

 

Tinning a length of wire for the grill - a real hack job!

 

Add scrap. Cut away scrap. Add scrap again because you cut away too much scrap

 

Most of my cars have junk in the chassis, but ironically this "Junk Formula" car has a legitimate kit chassis

 

An embarrassment of riches 

 

More booty

 

The pop rivet - a real workhorse of the junk builder

 

Nail-gun brads. These can be found littering better constructions sites nationwide

 

SS wire scrounged from the kitchen sundry drawer is turned into rivets

 

Uh Oh! Time to go out and scour the streets in the local industrial park for some more rivets

 

Even the people involved with this project are trash!

 

All the best engine turners use beer cans for their instrument panels. Don't they?

 

Junk Formula? Maybe. And in the case of this car - definitely yes. But the Indy 500...

 

...is still...

 

...the greatest race in the world!

 

Thanks for looking,

Matt

 

  

 

  

[Tim Neja]

WOW--absolutely amazing work--a very nice piece of art!  Thanks for sharing your obsession! 

[Pablo]

Bad to the Bone rock star cool     

[Phil Smith]

I'm reading this and looking at the piles of true junk and thinking, this guy is a nut job. And then I see the completed car and think, this guy is a genius!

 

Fantastic craftsmanship!

[Dave Crevie]

Well done! And true to the spirit of Indy. So many of the early cars were "back yard specials", made up of what ever the owner could afford. 

[Tim Neja]

I'm reading this and looking at the piles of true junk and thinking, this guy is a nut job. And then I see the completed car and think, this guy is a genius!

 

Fantastic craftsmanship!

Hahahah-- I think you've accurately described both genius and insanity!!    

[Gor]

I'm reading this and looking at the piles of true junk and thinking, this guy is a nut job. And then I see the completed car and think, this guy is a genius!

 

 

LOL, you shoulda stopped at your first thought 

 

Thanks for looking guys. I'm pleased to say that it runs ok, better than some of the other junkers I've made.

 

Matt

[MattD]

What did you  use for wire wheels/inserts?   I have not  built any Miller Fords but have thought of paying out big $100+ for a resin kit from one of the Indy resin casters, just so I could use the body to make a mold and do a slot car for myself.   Silver City makes a great kit of this car.

[Alchemist]

Gor/Matt,

 

 

Unfortunately, I do use a lot of scrap materials to build my cars. Actually, scrap is being generous. Let's call it what it really is - trash. So a "Junk Formula" 1935 Miller-Ford Indy 500 car is a good match for my building style.

 

From my perspective, I'd call it  "from trash to unbelievable treasure".

 

 

I'm glad you decided to share your build.

 

It is unequivocally pulchritudinous!

 

 

All the best engine turners use beer cans for their instrument panels. Don't they?

I've had the privilege to learn from a few exceptional craftsmen, that said they do their best work "after a six pack of beer" -  LOL

 

 

I'm really fascinated and admire how you are able to craft all the details - at such a small scale - to make it look as though it's the actual car!

 

That's craftsmanship I so admire!

 

Wow!

 

Thanks again for sharing - and I'm glad "I looked"!  LOL

 

Ernie

[Alchemist]

Phil,

 

I absolutely concur with your statement: 

I'm reading this and looking at the piles of true junk and thinking, this guy is a nut job. And then I see the completed car and think, this guy is a genius! 

 

Ernie

[Rotorranch]

https://www.mecum.co...ecial-indy-car/

[Half Fast]

From Wikipedia on the "junk formula" at Indianapolis:

 

"The 1930 race ushered in a series of substantially new engine rules and specifications. The allotted displacement was increased from 91​¹⁄₂ cu. in. (1.5 L) to 366 cu. in. (6.0 L). Superchargers were banned with the exception of two-cycle engines, and riding mechanics were made mandatory once again. In addition, the traditional mandate of a maximum 33-car field was lifted. This rules package would be in place through 1937.

Contrary to popular belief, the rule changes were not made in response to the stock market crash of 1929. The rules package is sometimes referred to disparagingly as the "Junk Formula" or the "Junkyard," and a common misconception is that it was implemented in order to dumb down the cars and maintain full fields during the Great Depression.

Speedway president Eddie Rickenbacker had decided to make the changes in order to lure back the passenger car manufacturers, and make the cars on the track more resemble those sold to the motoring public. Rickenbacker's desire was to move away from the supercharged, specialized racing machines that had taken over the Speedway through the 1920s. It was his vision at the time to bring the Speedway back to its origins and roots as a "proving ground" for the passenger car industry. Upon announcing the rule changes, he was quoted as saying, "Even a Model T can win." The rule changes were in fact being laid out as early as 1928, and were approved by the AAA Contest Board in early January 1929.^"

 

^Cheers

[Rotorranch]

[Phil Smith]

https://www.mecum.co...ecial-indy-car/

 

That is a cool car. If I was a well to do car collector, I'd exclusively collect vintage racing cars. To heck with everything else.

[Eddie Fleming]

I saw this build on the SlotForum.

 

Beautiful work and an outstanding model of a beautiful car.

[Gor]

What did you  use for wire wheels/inserts?   I have not  built any Miller Fords but have thought of paying out big $100+ for a resin kit from one of the Indy resin casters, just so I could use the body to make a mold and do a slot car for myself.   Silver City makes a great kit of this car.

 

Hi Matt,

 

I used a wheel/tire set from Pendle Slot Racing in the UK. These are 1/32 scale wheels. The set includes the wheels, tires, inserts, and spinners. When purchased as a set, the inserts are already installed in the wheels.

 

PCS Vintage 23'' Spokes Alloy Wheel Set-6 Ref : PCS-WTP06.

https://www.pendlesl...heel-set-6.html

 

As you may notice, these wheels have the 1930's Grand Prix style inboard stepped brake covers, which were not present on the Miller-Ford. I just used these wheels because I already had them in my possession. However, this extra detail complicated the construction of the wheel/axle setup, adding some unwanted width to the wheel.

 

Pendles also sells some other vintage wheels that do not have this inboard brake cover detail. Instead, the wheels have a simple hub boss. If I had my choice, I would have used those wheels instead. 

 

Thanks for the heads up about Silver City. I found their shop on ebay but didn't see the Miller-Ford. Looks like some very nice kits there.

 

Matt