A Kirkham, only smaller... - Page 2

bmwmech1 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider701

You need to talk the Kirkham boys into milling you a tiny body out of billet

You may have hit on an avenue worth pursuing... although milling a body would not be my first choice, I might contact them about CNC milling me a scale wood buck... then I could use that to hammer out a metal body(s). I don't know that aluminum would be my first choice, since TIG'ing that thin of aluminum might be dicey, but a copper body could be done with relative ease and soldered together, then filed and finished as per usual. This is something worth looking into... I must say thanks for the idea! I'll keep everybody posted...

Garey

RedBarchetta · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 09:03 AM

For me personally, this build has me as captivated as the Kirkham billet car did.

I'm impressed with the master model making skills of others. I elevated my abilities to adding plug wires and steel braid plumbing to Revell models and using actual automotive paint to the exteriors (color sanding, polishing and all). Discovered it was MUCH EASIER to do all this on the real thing.

-Dean

bmwmech1 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

For me personally, this build has me as captivated as the Kirkham billet car did.

I'm impressed with the master model making skills of others. I elevated my abilities to adding plug wires and steel braid plumbing to Revell models and using actual automotive paint to the exteriors (color sanding, polishing and all). Discovered it was MUCH EASIER to do all this on the real thing.

-Dean

Thanks for your kind words, Dean. I have found the same to be true, although there seems to be a challenge for me mentally to see if I can duplicate 1:1 things in a smaller scale. Don't know why and I'm sure most people find it strange that I still "build models", but most don't have a clue the amount of time that goes into one. Maybe if they did, they might think I'm even more strange to spend that kind of time and energy on a model... Oh well, I enjoy it, my wife doesn't hate it and most of my friends just accept it... and if you guys like watching the build progress, then I'm happy to share that with you...

Garey

SFcobra65 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-15-2010, 04:36 AM

Garey...
Thanks alot for sharing this amazing build.I feel like i am watching someone build a Real one back in the day...You are a true artist..

Frank

bmwmech1 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-15-2010, 10:46 PM

So, I got all the brackets done, except the emergency brake bracket and 2 little tabs for the brake lines at the rear. Got the rest done, so I'm declaring the chassis finished! Whew!!! Now for some cleanup and then its time to plan the next stage of the build. Also, I couldn't resist bending up a rollbar hoop and bolting it to the chassis, since I got the inboard rollbar bracket done. Oh, and it is sitting a 15 degrees rearward lean angle and it bolts in, just like the real deal, just in case you guys were wondering just how accurate I am, Lol!

Enjoy...

Thanks for following,

Garey

SFcobra65 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 06:42 AM

I just cant say it enough.... WOW!!! the accuracy in your build is truly a work of art... Thank-you so much for sharing it..

Frank

bmwmech1 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFcobra65

I just cant say it enough.... WOW!!! the accuracy in your build is truly a work of art... Thank-you so much for sharing it..

Frank

Thanks Frank, it's fun to get some stuff completed and then post the pictures for everyone to enjoy. I'm excited to start the birdcage assembly, it should be somewhat easier than all of the frame brackets and mounts. It's funny how reaching a waypoint in the assembly motivates me to start the next challenge. Plus, I'm constantly thinking about potential pitfalls and ways around them when I'm not actually building, so it really is almost non-stop engineering in my head, Lol! I'm still trying to sort out the best way to do the engine/transmission, but that's a ways off yet. Next up, after the birdcage, will be the suspension, which will be daunting, since I am trying to duplicate the Kirkhams milled aluminum control arms/uprights and Penske coilovers.

Thanks for the kind words,

Garey

A98Coupe · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-2010, 04:51 PM

Garey,

Hate to tell you, but your inner roll bar mounting is incorrect. The mounting bracket is much higher than the outboard position. I can attach some pics from my car if it would help?

bmwmech1 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A98Coupe

Garey,

Hate to tell you, but your inner roll bar mounting is incorrect. The mounting bracket is much higher than the outboard position. I can attach some pics from my car if it would help?

I appreciate the input, but, actually, it's the other way around. The inner is mounted to the rearmost main crosstube and the outer is much higher and mounted to the birdcage framework. There are quite a few pictures in the Kirkham galleries where this can be verified, as well. The rollbar in the picture was just a quickie one I bent up and drilled and tapped to attach for the picture. That's why both downtubes are the same length, which may be what threw you off. If you look closely, there is no outer mount, the end of the tube is just kind of hanging there. The final version one will be the correct style. I have a set of prints I'm working from and have been very discerning about getting it as right as possible. Tough to put pictures up here and not have it be "right", Lol! In the next group of pictures, maybe tonight or tomorrow, I have the rollbar mounts completed, along with most of the rear birdcage structure, so check back to see it more completed...

Nice Coupe, by the way... love those bodies!

Thanks,

Garey

am9648 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 03:48 PM

If you need an engine, may want this guy to build one for you.

www.moyermade.com/chevyV8. html

bmwmech1 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by am9648

If you need an engine, may want this guy to build one for you.

www.moyermade.com/chevyV8. html

Yeah, I've seen his work before... incredible stuff! I remember the flathead he did in that RC T bucket. For this build, I think I'll stick to the static display design... it scares me to think of all my work wrecked by some half-lit mouse, who stole the keys to my project and went joy-riding with his girl, Lol!

Thanks for the link,

Garey

A98Coupe · #12 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 04:26 PM

Garey,
Sorry, had a little too much wine last night and got my rollbar mounts the wrong way round. I have to say you have my utmost respect for paying meticulous attention to detail - to the point of being able to hold your own against a Kirkham owner!
Keep up the good work.
Stuart

bmwmech1 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A98Coupe

Garey,
Sorry, had a little too much wine last night and got my rollbar mounts the wrong way round. I have to say you have my utmost respect for paying meticulous attention to detail - to the point of being able to hold your own against a Kirkham owner!
Keep up the good work.
Stuart

Thanks Stuart,
I was a little tentative in my reply to your post, but I was also pretty confident that the downtubes had thrown you off. Didn't realize there was a little vino in the mix as well, but hey, I feel better about it now, Lol! Thanks for the kind words, also. I hope to not disappoint as the build continues... I have set the bar quite high!

Garey

bmwmech1 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 06:51 PM

It was a little while between posts, this week... had a touch of a cold, I was fighting with. Got a lot done today, though. The wife went to IKEA with the baby, so it was a nice, relaxing, productive day, Lol! I was able to get all of the square, support tubing in the rear finished, got the floor/seat supports done, the main hoop and supports done and the lower side tubes done. The lower side tubes still need to be tucked up against the bottom of the main hoop a little more and the rollbar hoop is a temporary one. The real one still has to be bent up and the rear support tied into the rear structure, but that's another day. The solder joints are not dressed, yet, but the frame is getting closer... Enjoy the pics, everybody!

Thanks for watching!!!

Garey

Kit Cars Mexico · #15 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 08:09 PM

Wowwwwwww !

bmwmech1 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-13-2010, 10:57 PM

Okay, sorry for the long time between posts, but I had caught a bit of a cold and then work got really busy, so not any time in the workshop. I did get some time in tonight, then watched qualifying for Bahrain, then snapped some photos to post, then I'm off to bed. Hope you enjoy the progress, it's really coming along...

I think I will start working on the engine block now, so I should have some photos of that progress up soon... stay tuned and thanks for watching

Garey

LMH · #17 (**permalink**) 03-13-2010, 11:29 PM

This is so interesting to watch this come together! Nice work!
Larry

marcalan · #18 (**permalink**) 03-14-2010, 05:53 AM

just caught this thread, all I can say is AWESOME!

M-A

SFcobra65 · #19 (**permalink**) 03-14-2010, 07:59 AM

This is one of the most amazing builds i have ever seen.It truly is like watching the 1:1's being built back in the day.... Always a pleasure and a thrill to see the progress....

Frank

bmwmech1 · #20 (**permalink**) 03-14-2010, 03:18 PM

Got a good start on the engine block today. I turned a piece of 1/2" brass rod as the starting point, made the endplates and drilled them to slide onto the rod for integrity and a solid place to drill for the pulleys on the front and a strong mount for the bellhousing and transmission, on the rear. The biggest pain of constructing this was the cylinder bank offsets. It all came out alright, though. The last photo is the obligatory motor-in-frame shot. Enjoy...

Thanks again for watching...

Garey