1/6 to 1.8 Scratchbuilt Cars

Wow, those are some nice looking models, Jack!  Nice subjects too.  Can we see some pictures of your shop and tools?

Very nice.  I also occasionally build a 1:6 or 1:8 scale open wheel race car. I use 1:6 scale for midgets, 1:8 for sprint or Indy cars.  I use various materials- some aluminum for flat sections, vacuformed styrene or fiberglass for compound curve stuff.  I guess I am too lazy to beat out aluminum :-)

I did sell one midget model.  After a photo  appeared in a magazine, this guy kept bugging me about selling it- finally broke down and sold it to him.  But I mainly, like you, build for my own collection.  I also occasionally build in 1:12 scale.  I do these entirely in wood, except for wheels and tires which I cast in resin.  I built a series of 1:12 pre-WW2 midgets, have only one left- other three donated to museums.

Crazy good work, there. How do you get the straight cut lines on the sheet metal? Are you using a plasma cutter?

Thanks Barrett. I'm not sure exactly what you are asking but as to marking and cutting the sheet metal I use everyday tools including metal snips etc. Jack

Thanks Don. I bought an inexpensive English Wheel at Harbor Freight and am still developing my abilities for the compound curves. Your tires and wheels are a special interest to me. I took a b&w photo to a local business that makes rubber stamps, date stamps etc. and they made raised letter, tread designs and some other items which I used to make a mold then the resin casting. I found the wheel, tire, and lettering works best as one casting.

Thanks Watchmann. I just figured out how to respond to emails. There are a couple of photos of my work bench and tools and cars under construction on my site: jackreynoldsmodels.com. One of the very best tools I've found for large scale metal work is the surgical forceps. I found these clamps at my local Army/Navy store in used condition for about 2 bucks each. Excellent. Jack