147 replies to this topic

[Gene/ZR1]

  Appreciate the information. Humidity is a buzz kill on bodies. I have always wondered and, should probably try, to see if a static matt could help cut down on the static electricity the plastic gets with the protective film. 

Scott

I use this and a microfiber cloth to wipe down the plastic film before removing it. Anything cotton stay away and never use to wipe anything down. Tack cloth the mold only.

• Ammonia-free formula enables safe polishing with a fresh scent
• For streak-free shine on windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces
• Ready-to-use, professional strength aerosol for easy cleaning

 

Sprayway 23 oz. Glass Cleaner SW056R - The Home Depot

[macwest]

Scott

I use this and a microfiber cloth to wipe down the plastic film before removing it. Anything cotton stay away and never use to wipe anything down. Tack cloth the mold only.

• Ammonia-free formula enables safe polishing with a fresh scent
• For streak-free shine on windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces
• Ready-to-use, professional strength aerosol for easy cleaning

 

Sprayway 23 oz. Glass Cleaner SW056R - The Home Depot

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it. 

[Mark Onofri]

I seem to pick up more things that cause scratches when I use a micro fiber cloth than with gauze pads. Maybe it's time to sweep the floor?
I've seen a liquid by Tamiya to control static but,I've never tried it. Might make the taping easier.

[Bill Breck]

I seem to pick up more things that cause scratches when I use a micro fiber cloth than with gauze pads. Maybe it's time to sweep the floor?
I've seen a liquid by Tamiya to control static but,I've never tried it. Might make the taping easier.

 

Tamiya Model Cleaning Brush # 74078.

 

https://www.tamiyaus...cleaning-brush/

 

Watch this video. 

 

[Gene/ZR1]

A fun look back

 

This was done a few years ago, but interesting steps to create a clear body, other words spend the time.

 

All the steps to recreate a mess to a nice body.

 

This was the worst one I ever done, but it can be done.

 

Very, very ugly wanna-be thingie - Thingies - Slotblog

[pn6]

Simply amazing!!!
I tried making a body once when I was a kid. I took my Russkit Carrera sidewinder chassis with old crusty tires on it and my Dynamic Ferrari body that Id removed most of the paint and put em in the oven! The body melted over the chassis! It was really ugly and smelly;)

[Martin]

This is a  repo of the Lancer Ford GT MKII body that is being sold on eBay for $14.95 + tax + $5.95 shipping 

 

The second pics are from my collection of originals of the same Lancer body made 60 years ago for comparison. 

 

 

 

 

[pn6]

Those Lancers are so nice!!! I wonder why the eBay version is using dimpled plastic?

[pn6]

These are the only 2 Lancer bodies I have. The 2E will go on my Dad's Russkit with the working wing. I'll show it off someday when I get to it!!

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[Flathead]

Those Lancers are so nice!!! I wonder why the eBay version is using dimpled plastic?

Not dimpled sheet it's where the material has been pulled into the air holes on the platen.

[Bill from NH]

Paul, is this one of Dom's bodies from Cream Ridge, NJ?

[pn6]

Maybe he should plug those holes so the vacuum will be stronger on the mold. Get some better details.

Bill the bodies are Lancer but the 2E interior is from Doms. I’ve had real good luck with Dom’s bodies. Nice clear and clean pulls and vinyl window masks included.

[Martin]

Just thought I would mention and show here that Lancer even did a dedicated interior for some of the more popular bodies. I know there is one for the 2E, 906, Lotus 56 and many others also.

Quite a big investment in time and tooling.

 

Here are some pics for the MKII and the P4.

 

Really nice trim job also, not something we will ever see again. 

 

 

 

[Bill from NH]

Russkit also made a dedicated interior for the Porsche 906. I have one I got in '67. It has chrome intakes.it fits Lancer's Porsche nicely & someday I'll have it in another 906 when I restore the Russkit Carrera chassis.

[Mark Onofri]

Martin, I wish you hadn't posted the P-4. This gives me yet another reason to lose sleep over not having it.

[pn6]

It's amazing how nice these bodies/interiors are.

[Bill from NH]

Ten or twelve years ago, we had a former Lancer pattern maker named Dave Susan post on Slotblog. IIRC, he was an acquaintance of Jairus Watson from either CA, OR, or WA.  He hasn't been online since before Covid.

[pn6]

The Ferrari went for 1490.00!!! It would be really nice to have those molds and a good machine for pulling. The Lola coupe is up along with a GT40. I had a couple of those Lola’s. Beautiful cars. Not great handlers but then they were on Russkit Carrera chassis which I could never get to really go well.

[Dave Crevie]

When the Russkit Carrera first came out, it was unbeatable. Fortunately, my local track threw kits, RTRs, and scratch builts all in the same race. I was always up front with my Chicago style pan cars. As the entries got bigger, they started breaking cars down into classes.

When the Russkit Carrera first came out, it was unbeatable. Fortunately, my local track threw kits, RTRs, and d scratch builts all in the same race. I was always up front with my Chicago style pan cars. As the entries got bigger, they started breaking cars down into classes.

[macwest]

The Ferrari went for 1490.00!!! It would be really nice to have those molds and a good machine for pulling. The Lola coupe is up along with a GT40. I had a couple of those Lola’s. Beautiful cars. Not great handlers but then they were on Russkit Carrera chassis which I could never get to really go well.

 There should be another 6 out there since Lancer normally had more molds when they ran the bodies. 

[Dave Crevie]

 There should be another 6 out there since Lancer normally had more molds when they ran the bodies. 

 

Makes sense, for several reasons. First, you can run multiple molds at  time to fill big orders faster. Second, you have spares if one breaks. Third, you can save on the clear material by spacing the molds closer together to reduce the waste around the pull. I'm seeing more interest these days in restoring old slot cars. I believe there is a market for new bodies pulled from original molds, or at least from perfect copies of the originals. But no one will make them for $5.00 each. I can see $12.00 to $15.00 being more attractive to someone thinking of re-introducing them. IMHO, slot racing is one of the cheapest of the "hold it in your hand" hobbies. What do you get from video games? A score floating around in the ethernet someplace? In slot racing you get to interact face-to-face with the other participants.

[Martin]

You made some good points Dave. 

....and not just about price, very few (only two I know) can match or come close to the quality of an original Lancer.

I know the material is different now so that has a lot to do with it.

 

What I think makes this hobby of recreating vintage slot cars so great is the fact there is tons of original parts to be had, bodies included.

So much stuff got stashed when the hobby faded. Just do a search, lots of original bodies at prices that, for a 50-60 year mint body, I think there are some good deals out there.

[Dave Crevie]

NOS parts are always cool to have. But as we both know, some of the hottest bodies from 50 years ago are no where to be found. But with today's technology, it is easy to replicate the quality of back in the day. 5 axis CNC allows molds to made of aluminum. They can be water cooled. The material is better. The processes much improved.

[Martin]

Dave said, 

"But with today's technology, it is easy to replicate the quality of back in the day. 5 axis CNC allows molds to made of aluminum. They can be water cooled. The material is better. The processes much improved."

 

You would think that is the case, just not seeing it Dave.  

[Mark Onofri]

In a broader sense, ther are people who are fanatical about their favorite marquee. They have to have anything and everything to do with it. I'm not sure how it's going to go for commercial tracks,in my area anyway but,during the covid nonsense, when people were stuck at home, it reawaken the fun of slot cars. I know Martin will be shaking his head at this but, 1/32 & HO might save this hobby/sport. It's happened before. I have no idea what is going on in other countries but, slot cars have to be alive somewhere else.