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Post by Dennis on Feb 3, 2017 16:02:38 GMT -5
Fantastic restoration so far, looking forward to seeing it finished. I don't think I've ever seen this version built before.
There was also an issue between the couple of yellow versions and the Blue Bandito. The box model was silver/gray with orange stripe graphics and ZZ Top style wheels. It was molded in gray metallic plastic. Had one as a young teen. No different from the Early Iron version save for wheels, tires and decals.
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Post by kpnuts on Feb 5, 2017 4:57:43 GMT -5
That's very impressive.
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Post by TooOld on Feb 20, 2017 11:16:52 GMT -5
Finally back at it !! Time to work on the suspension , starting with front poseable steering . The backing plate on the right was still glued to the axle , but a little persuasion with an xacto and it came right off without breaking !  These parts are the same as the Blue Bandit (and Bandito) so it's just a matter of drilling some holes .  The last step is to use a small file and shape the ends of the axle so there's no interference when the wheels are turned .  Finished axle . All that's left is to cut the pins to length .  In the rear I decided to glue the broken spring back to the axle and paint it as a unit . I also drilled and glued some round rod to locate the backing plates .  The only other mods I made are drilling out the horn and the sidepipes .  I also sanded the tires . As is normal they're a bit out of shape , I think shrinkage over the years is what causes this .  About all that's left is to prep the parts and paint them . Stay tuned ! |
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Post by fordrodnkustom on Feb 20, 2017 17:18:42 GMT -5
Sharp work as always Bob....can't believe you got that backing plate off without snapping the axle!
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Post by TooOld on Feb 20, 2017 17:56:15 GMT -5
Sharp work as always Bob....can't believe you got that backing plate off without snapping the axle! Yeah that never happens . . . kind of shocked the heck out of me when it popped off , thought for sure it was broken ! |
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Post by kpnuts on Feb 21, 2017 16:29:03 GMT -5
That's some great work on such a small scale.
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Post by TooOld on Feb 22, 2017 13:53:50 GMT -5
That's some great work on such a small scale. Thanks ! |
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Post by TooOld on Feb 22, 2017 14:15:34 GMT -5
It's raining this morning so no painting today , time to deal with a couple of small items . First is the top . Somebody did a real number gluing in that rear window ! It came out but it's still a mess .  I cleaned up the window opening then taped off the rear panel so it could be sanded without damaging the sides of the top .  After sanding and polishing it looks good . Luckily the top was molded without any grain or texture , it's just smooth plastic . It will get a coat of clear so it all matches then a coat of Dull-Cote for the look of vinyl .  I was going to use epoxy this time to make headlight lenses but decided to try the casting resin again . 8 drops of catalyst in 1/4 ounce of resin (give or take) , and I heated the mold for 2 minutes in a microwave . An hour later they appear to be hardened , not sticky at all . I'm still going to wait until morning to take the lenses out of the mold just to make sure .  I found the old windshield in my parts box to use as a template for making a new one . |
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Post by TooOld on Feb 23, 2017 8:43:50 GMT -5
Next morning and the lenses are rock hard . The last ones I cast were a bit flexible , I think heating the mold is the answer . They are a bit cloudy but it was raining when I cast them (?) .  |
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jwrass
Snaptite
Mechcanical Engineer. Custom Painter- 45 yrs. Pinstriping, Lettering, Airbrush, Exotic Finishes
Posts: 34 
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Post by jwrass on Feb 24, 2017 16:49:32 GMT -5
Bob,
Excellent tutorial, The process of filling with plastic and MEK is the work of a true restoration at the hands of a craftsman. Thanks for sharing this awesome restoration!
Jimmy "RASS"
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Post by TooOld on Mar 4, 2017 9:31:02 GMT -5
Bob, Excellent tutorial, The process of filling with plastic and MEK is the work of a true restoration at the hands of a craftsman. Thanks for sharing this awesome restoration! Jimmy "RASS" Thanks much Jimmy . To be honest using the MEK was just an experiment that happened to work better than I thought it would . . . I got lucky . |
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Post by TooOld on Mar 4, 2017 9:35:09 GMT -5
I managed to get a lot done the last week , between painting the trim parts and some assembly it's getting really close . I should have finished photos posted this weekend . Thanks for watching !    |
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Post by kpnuts on Mar 5, 2017 3:29:48 GMT -5
Looking really great.
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Post by TooOld on Mar 5, 2017 10:31:31 GMT -5
Thanks ! One more photo from last night . . . The simple task of installing the headers and sidepipes turned into a nightmare ! The sidepipes have pins that locate them to the running boards , and I was sure the engine was mounted correctly , but with a trial fit of the exhaust the engine appeared to be about 3/32" too high . How could this be ? Everything fit before and now this . I accepted the fact that I did something wrong and donned some latex gloves to handle the almost finished model . I cut loose the front wishbone and the engine from it's mounts , then did some trimming of the mounts so the engine would sit lower . A test fit showed that the headers now lined up properly so I glued everything back together . Even the radiator hose fit perfectly ! What's strange is a closer look revealed that the engine mounts would have worked without being trimmed , huh ? Here's everything installed and ready for the final assembly .  |
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Post by kpnuts on Mar 5, 2017 13:10:22 GMT -5
Looking amazing, brilliant work
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It's an interweb thing.....