Two Ps (with pods)

[chappyman66]

With the vacuformer, I finally got around to putting windows in my 3D versions of the 312P.
Absolutely gorgeous car, one of my personal favorites.



I am new at vac form windows, so as first attempts they aren't great......but it's a huge improvement over no windows and at least I am learning. I also have a buck to make the headlight lenses, so those are still in process. Interiors are in the plans for today.

#18 already has run.....3D chassis and Hawk motor. #19 will have wider tires and similar motor for our Fly coupe class.



I have a resin version of the Aurora car....these gave me some courage to do that one someday.

[chappyman66]

Finally got the 312Ps done. Headlight covers were a learning experience, but the last pair didn't come out too badly.


My own printed inserts finished them off. Basic, but raceable.


#18 has my normal chassis with D3D pod.
#19 is running a prototype printed SW chassis.

On to the spyder next.

[Rastas]

are you using pla for the buck and if so dose the heat affect it.

[chappyman66]

Yup, I made the bucks from PLA. It works fine if:
1). The base has some thickness
2) The parts are allowed to cool a bit before removing the buck.

[mattb]

Good looking stuff Paul.

I have been making bucks from resin. I do a rubber mold of the area, a clay model or whatever is the easiest thing to do. I pour resin and sometimes sand or polish a little. I set the buck on anything that raises it about 16 inch or so above the bed of my vac (Mattel). I heat the plastic with a butane torch to get it soft. You have to be careful to not get it too hot, too quick as it will blister. I already have my shop vac running connected to the bed, then pull the plastic over the mold and if it doesn't such down tight at all points, I use the torch a bit more and then it pulls down really tight. Sometimes the windows pop right off. Sometimes I take an Exacto and make some splits to let the window spread and come off the buck.

[-nimrod-]

Hey Chappy,

Firstly the cars look great, would love to have them running on my track.
Great work again with the vac-former, glass & head lights look very nice

Cheers
NimROD

[chappyman66]

All made possible by your fantastic files, mate! Thanks again!

[chappyman66]

Matt,
I agree. Some headlights, like the 917-20, are pretty complex curves and are difficult to model with my sad CAD skills. In those cases a resin or clay model works better.
Others are easy enough to model and print, and some sanding afterwards makes a smooth buck. The PLA works fine if the base is 3-4 mm tall and you wait for things to cool before separating. The PLA does get soft and a thin base will twist on removal if you pull when everything is still hot.

[mattb]

Paul, I have been surprised the resin doesn't get soft from the heat. I know I fix a lot of resin bodies with hot water! I figured the heat of the plastic would maybe cause it to stick or soften the buck, but I guess it doesn't stay how long enough to effect it. Handy to be able to make vac stuff. I found I could also make interiors to fit smaller sports cars or Indy cars.

[chappyman66]

I think it's the heat sink effect. The heavier thicker stuff doesn't move, but a thin base plate can be bent and deformed when warm. A thicker base stiffens back up more quickly when cooled.
Vac formed interiors are easy, without the head. I just go ahead and print the interiors too.