’72 Dodge Demon Drag Racer 1/25 scale

[AmericanMuscleFan]

21 hours ago, Steve H said:

It’s always fascinating to check in with your progress Francis. A completely different planet than the one I build models on… Extraordinary stuff. Thanks for sharing. 

Thanks Steve, trust me we are on the same planet, all your builds are so beautiful, tasteful and clean, your planet just spins faster than mine!

16 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

I pick up so many machining tips through your threads, Francis! It's been a big help in my inspiration, and in the progression of my skills. Thank you, my friend.

Thanks Daniel my friend, I can't say it enough, that's what this forum is for and you too are an endless source of tips and help for other members, there is always something to learn about your threads.

11 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Is it me? something wrong here.... yes that dime is really really BIG!

Superlative fabrication. Next, next level stuff.

Thanks Pierre, maybe i will have to go back to the american dime depending on future events... but on the other hand, the dimension is not different! 🤔

9 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Francis, you made mention about an artist - comparatively, then, ‘old world master’ is a fitting description of what we’re seeing here!  Again, such a pleasure to observe (and learn from).

Thanks Brian, beauty is in the eye of the beholder my friend, maybe i find the grass is greener on the neighbor's field but let's just say i find your production more substantial!  Perhaps the scale of the work must have something to do with it? 🚚

Thanks again to all of you, I will be back on the build next week, my work week starts tomorrow morning.

[Moparman18064]

Wow, Francis!! It looks like you are ready to pack the bearings. Superb!!

[Straightliner59]

6 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Thanks Daniel my friend, I can't say it enough, that's what this forum is for and you too are an endless source of tips and help for other members, there is always something to learn about your threads.

I do appreciate that! I hope to reciprocate with all the guys who inspire and educate me, as well! I pretty highly value the relationships I've developed with a few of the other modelers, here!

[charlie libby]

Looks perfect. Where do you buy your toolng francis? Looking at yours and tims post i need more practice.WOW

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 1/15/2025 at 12:46 AM, Moparman18064 said:

Wow, Francis!! It looks like you are ready to pack the bearings. Superb!!

Thanks Rich, I've done enough detail so far that will be mostly hidden after final assembly, I'll pass on the bearings LOL. 🤣

On 1/15/2025 at 3:24 AM, Straightliner59 said:

I do appreciate that! I hope to reciprocate with all the guys who inspire and educate me, as well! I pretty highly value the relationships I've developed with a few of the other modelers, here!

Thanks Daniel, for me, there are no state secrets in what I do, if what we do can inspire others, the mission is largely accomplished!

On 1/16/2025 at 9:49 PM, charlie libby said:

Looks perfect. Where do you buy your toolng francis? Looking at yours and tims post i need more practice.WOW

Thanks Charlie, if you are referring to cutting tools and drill bits, I buy most of them on eBay, for equipment, everything is from Sherline.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone!

Time for another update, the front brake calipers were the next parts to be made in my long to do list.  I basically repeated the same technique I used for the rear ones with minimal modifications including adding extra bolts for assembly.  Again, the order I chose to build the parts was more strategic than anything else, with the size of the brake rotors being a critical element for the proper functioning of the assembly.  I used brass again for its soldering quality, the brake calipers will be plated or painted later in the build progression.  I will then work on the rack (Mustang II type), another interesting and rather difficult piece to make.  Do not hesitate if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them.

See you soon, Francis

I didn't take a picture of the first step, reducing the part to the desired size on the lathe.  The small drilled holes correspond to the position of those already made in the caliper supports.

Further cuts were made to determine the shape of the brake calipers.

Further cuts to determine the opening needed for disc brake rotors.

A little more refinement in the general appearance.

Now at 45 degrees to make a bevel shape on the sides to make them look more realistic.

The parts were cut on a lathe, the brake fluid reservoirs were welded to the back of the brake calipers.

The front and rear parts are welded together to create a single piece.

The fit with the bracket and clearance for the rotors are exactly as I calculated.

At a different angle, the rotor spin freely.

The clearance with the inside of the wheels is also very good IMHO.

View from the other side through the wheel slots.

[BK9300]

I really enjoy watching the precision on display in creating your parts, Francis!  When drilling holes in your calipers or wheels, is your chuck able to be rotated in specific degrees or are you determining new drill locations by hand?  And, maybe its been done on elsewhere on this forum, but a tutorial on resistance soldering such small items would be very interesting!

[Straightliner59]

As Brian said, it's an utter joy to watch you make these parts. You're a skilled machinist, to be sure! Something to aspire to! Thank you for sharing.

[Pierre Rivard]

Now that's dedication, putting so much into components that are not very visible after the model is fully assembled. Superb machining as always.

Do you plan to maintain the metal finishes natural or paint some of the components? 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 1/22/2025 at 12:49 PM, BK9300 said:

I really enjoy watching the precision on display in creating your parts, Francis!  When drilling holes in your calipers or wheels, is your chuck able to be rotated in specific degrees or are you determining new drill locations by hand?  And, maybe its been done on elsewhere on this forum, but a tutorial on resistance soldering such small items would be very interesting!

Thanks for your kind comments Brian!  There is no magic, it's all about tracking measurements for repeatability.  I use a rotary table and an angle table, they are my favorite tools for this kind of work.  There is no room for "approximately" when you are looking for precision and functional parts at this scale.  It's not necessarily my goal but I tell myself why not do it when I feel I can do it!  As for resistance soldering, there are better people than me to do a tutorial, I don't have much experience and I work more by intuition than by experience.

14 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

As Brian said, it's an utter joy to watch you make these parts. You're a skilled machinist, to be sure! Something to aspire to! Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Daniel, I don't have any specific knowledge in machining, if I manage to become a better machinist it is by gaining experience and learning from my mistakes. There is always room for improvement when you are a perfectionist, but I have learned to lower my expectations, otherwise there would be no end.  I know you know what I'm talking about, you're a perfectionist yourself like the friends who regularly comment on my updates.

8 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Now that's dedication, putting so much into components that are not very visible after the model is fully assembled. Superb machining as always.

Do you plan to maintain the metal finishes natural or paint some of the components? 

Thanks Pierre, you do the same kind of work with styrene fabrications, the basic material is different but the desire to create is the same!  I plan to paint or plate a lot of the parts to make them more realistic even if it will partly hide the welds that join all the elements together.  Some elements would have benefited from being made of aluminum for its color but brass has the advantage of being weldable which often guides my decisions.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate your interaction and feedback!

Francis

[Straightliner59]

12 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Thanks Daniel, I don't have any specific knowledge in machining, if I manage to become a better machinist it is by gaining experience and learning from my mistakes. There is always room for improvement when you are a perfectionist, but I have learned to lower my expectations, otherwise there would be no end.  I know you know what I'm talking about, you're a perfectionist yourself like the friends who regularly comment on my updates.

Perhaps you started with no specific knowledge of machining, but, clearly you've acquired a pretty fair amount of it!🙂 I know exactly what you're talking about. I'm getting a little more comfortable with the mill, and with using the handwheels to locate holes, but, I'm still a bit more comfortable with "drawing" them on my stock, then drilling them. Anyway, your work is fantastic, and very inspiring, to me. I thank you, for that!

[Codi]

Oh Francis.......you might not be getting all of the bench time you'd like but you DO make the most of what you get.   Well done as usual sir!  cheers, tim

[Ian McLaren]

Just WOW!!!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 1/25/2025 at 10:19 AM, Codi said:

Oh Francis.......you might not be getting all of the bench time you'd like but you DO make the most of what you get.   Well done as usual sir!  cheers, tim

Thanks Tim, it's just a hobby of course and when the hours for it are limited you have to use them efficiently with lots of appreciation, I know you know what I'm talking about!  Your work inspires me a lot, I always look forward to seeing the next piece of jewelry you will show us! 😊

16 hours ago, Ian McLaren said:

Just WOW!!!

Thanks Ian, I appreciate your sentiment my friend!

[Nitro330]

There's almost nothing to say that hasn't already been said about your incredible work.  I just want to say thanks for taking us along!  It is always a joy to see your amazing updates.  The rotor, spindle, caliper is phenomenol as usual.  I would love to some day get into machining parts, but I am happy for now watching your craftsmanship on display.

[Bainford]

Stellar!!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 1/26/2025 at 2:46 PM, Nitro330 said:

There's almost nothing to say that hasn't already been said about your incredible work.  I just want to say thanks for taking us along!  It is always a joy to see your amazing updates.  The rotor, spindle, caliper is phenomenol as usual.  I would love to some day get into machining parts, but I am happy for now watching your craftsmanship on display.

Thanks Terry your comments are greatly appreciated.

It's very rewarding to be able to make your own parts and I can only encourage you to get started.  However, it is not necessary to have all these expensive tools, I started with a Dremel and hand tools.  With today's new technologies like 3D printing, it becomes less relevant to machine your parts but my goal is to have a good time even if sometimes it's a headache to find the method to achieve your goals.  I'm not finished yet, so you'll still have plenty of opportunities to see other things being made between now and spring.  Welcome whenever you want!

Francis

On 1/27/2025 at 12:58 PM, Bainford said:

Stellar!!

Thanks Trevor!  I know one of your favorite parts is the engine, I hope to tackle that in the next few weeks.

Francis

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Francis!

The only word that comes to mind looking at those calipers is... WHOA! No pun intended! 

Great work as usual. Can't wait to see it in the flesh!

CT 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 1/28/2025 at 8:50 PM, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi Francis!

The only word that comes to mind looking at those calipers is... WHOA! No pun intended! 

Great work as usual. Can't wait to see it in the flesh!

CT 

Thanks Claude!  You'll have to be patient to see it in rthe flesh, it's another build for which I don't see the end... I wonder why I'm still asking myself this question, it must be a trend with me after all...! 🙄

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

OK, it's frustrating but I tried twice to post my update this morning and it doesn't work, it's the first time this has happened to me! 🤬

When I click on the post button I am redirected to a page with the forum logo and a message that basically says: Oops, the page cannot be found. I'm going to try again in the evening.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

I know I'm not the only person having this problem and there is a thread about it, but I can't seem to get my update posted no matter how I try. I always do it from my Macbook Pro, I've never had any problems in the past.

I'm uploading a screenshot of the message I get every time to see if it could be caused by my photos!?

This is not the photo I planned to show you by the way!

Edited February 9 by AmericanMuscleFan
Reduces screenshot size

[Scott Eriksen]

................I think the forum got overloaded with your genius, Francis ! lol  Again,,,incredible workmanship!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

12 minutes ago, Scott Eriksen said:

................I think the forum got overloaded with your genius, Francis ! lol  Again,,,incredible workmanship!

That's very kind Scott but if that were the case I know a lot of members who would have the same problem!

I'm going to try again tomorrow to do my update and I hope for a happier ending otherwise the project will continue but alone in my basement! 🙄

[BK9300]

10 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

OK, it's frustrating but I tried twice to post my update this morning and it doesn't work, it's the first time this has happened to me! 🤬

When I click on the post button I am redirected to a page with the forum logo and a message that basically says: Oops, the page cannot be found. I'm going to try again in the evening.

Definitely happened to me, too - very frustrating!  I let Dave Ambrose know, but others continued to have problems.  All I could do was keep trying to post and eventually got through.  Hope they find their way to a resolution soon!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

There is clearly a problem with the forum, I tried again this morning by reducing the resolution of the photos and the number and it still does not work.

I can post messages or replies without problems but no photos, curiously I was able to upload the screenshot of the error message (png), maybe there is a problem with the .jpg format of the photos?

Hoping the problem is resolved, I will try again in a few days, I have no plans to create a new thread for this project, it is half as long as my D100 pickup and has more photos.

Sorry to those who are interested in my project, this is a situation that is out of my control.

Edited February 5 by AmericanMuscleFan
Photos attached by technical problem of the forum