Howdy !

Thanks for the kind words about the 356G ! I just hope to keep making progress so it gets finished.

I do have an english wheel and a planishing hammer - plus a bunch of basic hammers, dollies, slappers and other metalworking hand tools. The panels that I need to make have very little crown in them - so it shouldn't be much of a challenge - which is a good thing because I haven't done much of this except in a race car fab 2 week class. But I have a bunch of pros around that can step in and fix whatever I mess up or can't do.

Yes, the car is all steel at this time. Not sure I'll do the Trunk and Hood in steel - but maybe. I have 6 rolls of pre-preg carbon fiber in the deep freeze and a hot bonder in the shop for that part of the project - so we'll see when I get there if I want to do more work taking splashes off the exisiting parts and then building up the molds for the finished parts.

Hope'd to see the transmission mount get machined today - but I've again been bumped by higher paying jobs... little fish - big pond.

Jim

Thought I'd explain what a Hot Bonder is. Most aircraft these days are built using composite materials. So when those components get damaged, lightening strikes, bird strikes, hail damage, etc - we use portable Hot Bonders to go fix the damage instead of moving the plane or the component to the shop.

These type units have built in heater circuits, thermocouple detection circuits, vac pumps, computer controlled cure cycles - and a printer to printout the cure cycle for the part's repair record as proof the patch/repair was done per the structural repair manual.

Anyway, I bought one from surplus at our airline when they bought a bunch of new 'dual' units (2 of all the above in one portable unit). You do the repair - then put a heater blanket on top connected to the processor controlled heater circuit, put several thermocouples in there connected to the monitor circuit, vac bag/seal the deal - and then select the appropriate 'cure' cycle on the processor and go. I also bought several rolls 'out of shelf life' pre-preg carbon fiber (already has the resin in the cloth) and have that in the deep freeze with the pizza and pasta..... good enough for hoods and seats.

You can also vac bag a 'wet layup' if you have a vac source. That's the last pic it's a portable vac source for doing standard wet layups where you mix and add the resin to the dry fiber on the part or in a mold - then bag it and squish it with vac and a bleeder cloth to remove excess resins.

Wet layup is very messy - while pre-preg is not, but it's expensive for the materials and tools needed.

Pretty neat stuff. You have an interesting position there with your aircraft background. I did a little of the wet style stuff back in material engineering class in college. It was a lot of fun. I would love to be able to put it to practical use, but I don't have a vacuum pump or anything.

Took a few hours off this morning to watch as Accurate Driveline and Machining started the machine work on the transmission mount. Chunk of 1.5 billet, about 2 hours and 40,000 lines of commands to complete. Really amazing and is the first time I've taken something from a sketch to a finished machined part. Mark at ADM is a workaholic like the rest of us. Helps run his fathers business - 2 kids - and supports and races mid-west sprint, midget, and legend cars. The last shot is just a few of the parts he provides for the midget and legend racers - and he also does fender badges if someone needs one. Should pickup the finished part tomorrow - and I'll have some Cad files of the part. http://www.accuratedriveline.com/

so do we even want to know what that cost ??

Yea, what he said.

Mick

Post Hi-Jack

Hi Mick :thumbsup:

Hi Marty
Man your truck (pick-up) is looking great.

I'm all about the numbers. Come on Jim give us the dollar amounts. We need some reality numbers.


Mick

No Hi Jack, Jim is doing an awsome build and I love the build details.

Keep dollar amounts to your self. This is hobby not a bragging contest.

Great project looking forward to future updates.....

Not really asking for an actual price - just bench racing

Bowtieracing GO PACK YOURSELF

I want, we all want, to know the cost because just maybe I want to have a custom machined piece for my C5 differential and would like to know what it MIGHT cost.
Cost is always a factor, don't get me started on this subject.

Yes this is a 'hobby' ( that seems clear enough)

No this is not a 'bragging contest', the win a contest you must win something (like a trophy) and there is none of that going on here.

Bowtieracing, keep your .02 cents to your self. Maybe your other forums might be a better place to chime in with your asinine comments.


Mick

Whoa, let's take it easy my Lat brothers.

I'll get a price and see if he will make it available for order/modification if someone wants one for an upcoming project - and I think Mark will do that no problem. I'm stopping by there during lunch for the CAD/CAM files - I'll let you know. He might actually have it finished this morning. He built a recess jig last night so he could flip it over and do side b.

Jim

Cool it Mick, maybe i got it wrong. I personally feel uncomfortable posting what all cost. Speed costs money..:cheers:

:cheers:

Stopped by for a few minutes and did a screen print of the Cam file.

Mark is going to work up a cost for you guys if you want to buy direct from him. I'll let you know what it is tomorrow or Thursday.

http://www.accuratedriveline.com

Final came out pretty nice ! Not sure yet how I will finish it - powder, polish or anodize - we'll see. Last one is a quick polish to get the crud off.

Price if someone wants to purchase one from ADM is:

$210 machine time (4 hrs total at 2 hrs per side) plus the bar stock of $153 plus 20 bucks in supplies/fluids = $380.

I paid for the CAD drawing time, the CAM conversion time and the nesting fixture costs.

Billet Parts
 

Nice parts!

The first (and sometimes the only) part is what costs. Having several made at one time obviously gives you economy-of-scale.

Keep up the great build..... and thanks for sharing (pics and relative costs).

--Eric

Jim
Thanks for the info. Now I can tell how far my beer bugdet will go in custom machined parts.

I think I need to work on my AutoCad skills also. Maybe some creative skills too. You seem to have alot of creative ideas floating around. Care to lend me a few?

Mick

Billet Parts
 

Hey Mick,

There is a certain carbuilder that has access to billet design capability!

--Eric

Thanks for the kind words Eric and Mick ! Don't know if I'd invest the money and time in AutoCad. It's pretty expensive software (last time I checked it was 3k) and a little difficult to learn - so spend your time dreaming up stuff to build, and let someone else who is already knowledgable on the software do the file for you. This was a fun project and I really enjoyed the experience. Hope I didn't upset anyone sharing the price of this stuff. I only did it so that people could see what a custom part for their project might cost them. I know I had no idea - so I hope you'll find it helpfull.

When I picked up my stuff - I got to see what bumped my project. They are the drive shaft ends for Dodge trucks. Solid billet and milled inside and out. Really nice quality in person - and the pics don't do them much justice.

Thank you very much for the info on the parts. It's very helpful.

ROn Wilson on this BB has been doing some of my cad work and his prices are really good. He & I worked together to come up with the billet hood pins. SO if your looking for some design work his prices are very fair.

Jim
Thanks for the prices, it really helps with the planning of machine work and finance.

My Autocad skills are good and I have access to the program, but I want to learn Solidworks then rodger and I could communicate more clearly...

Keep us (me) posted on the progress, and on the prices. All this information (prices and pictures) helps us (me) to make better quality build decisions and to stay motivated when saving for the next item on the build list.

If some on is offended then they can skip the price part, I think Disney Land works like that.

Mick

Marty

I looked up Ron Wilson on the members page but didn't see his name. How about some help or a link or...

Mick

how about a e-mail addy

[email protected]

Lost my job today.... boy aviation is a bear right now !

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23933230/

Looks like the 356G will go into cold storage for a while.

Jim

Wow- I'm sorry to hear that.

I'd be happy to keep my eye out for jobs in the Cincy area if you let me know what you are interested in.

I'm sure something will come along.

Jim,

That stinks. Netjets is expanding here in Columbus....

http://www.netjets.com/Footer_Content/Careers.asp

Hope this helps...

Darren

THANKS for the kind words and the info guys !

Think I'll chill for a couple weeks working in the garage with the parts I do have - get a jump on the yard and garden - and clear my mind for a while.

I think I'm done with aviation unless something very interesting comes along. Been working on aircRaft since a junior in high school - so it might be an opportunity to try something else and transfer those skills. I live here in Brownsburg IN - so there are a ton of motorsports stuff happening just 6 miles from my house. Might be time to jump into motorsports, or a hot rod shop or something like that since that's really where my passions are these days. I'm a confident kinda guy - so it will all work out.

For now - it's time for a BEER !

:thumbsup:

Jim

:cheers:

Don't slack off to long, looking forward to seeing the completed project some day!

Wow that is bummer. I guess you have enough time to metal finish the car to perfection. Wanna move to cali?

Rodger

Sorry about your situation.

I am sure you will land something soon.

No pun intended.

Rodger

really this never crossed my mind - i think i'm losing it.

It was still pretty funny Marty !:rofl:

Rodger, working at Ironworks would be very cool !!

I'll catch up to everyone in Columbus. Until then - I'll be practicing my new skills:

Want fries with that...

Paper or plastic...

Wanna Biggie size that for a buck 1.50 more...

Will that be With or Without cheese...

You should go with those other job offers you talked about they probably pay way better and have room to advance. I build cars cuz it is the dream and is the most stress free job you can have. Get up at noon build a few cars go home at 3. Watch oprah and get RRRRIIICCCCHHHHH...... ( AS chris rock would say )

We will need a driver this summer in Columbus, And some one to guard the cars and trucks at night. Lets just hope the Trekys dont like hot rods.

Live long and prosper.

Jim
Glad you were at Columbus, (you better be there this year) the inside jokes are at a all time high...
Sorry to everyone who is scratching their head and kind of laughing it all of the the inside jokes.
If you want in on the joke show up at Columbus and hang out. THis year will be better than last year, but hang on, it will be wild.

If you stay at our hotel it might not be crazy but every one will be talking about it for years. (the force is still a hoot)
Jim and Bob Ryder we need you again this year. Jim you have no excuse to leave early this year. Hang out have some fun, watch John sign autographs and the tall guy will explain the suspension configuration of a car that is SO low but drive-able. Bob will make a living, Marty will snap every picture possible, and I will find the tattoo girl and get caught by Chip and almost miss our plane. This year we get an awning and lawn chairs. Both John and Rodger will need smiles and a hand full of sharpies to keep up with the fans. I guess that makes me the beer fetcher and luggage hauler, no problem.

J2 and Kenny will round out the fun factor. Who will add to this years excitment?



Mick

I'm in and i'm brining a new Camara -- This one has Video

:woot:

Jim sorry to hear about the job. Hopefully the "new" direction will be better than the previous. See you at Columbus!

We'll be there for the duration this year! Marty we'll have to video some rental car autocross...:unibrow:

I've got to get in on some of this Columbus action!

Last year at Columbus we had a "Hauntfest" or some BS at our Hotel. It was pretty wild. A few chicks in nothing but body paint that were good looking and a few more that should have had on more than body paint.

Anyway - I'm definitely looking forward to Columbus!

I was just in Brownsburg with a buddy of mine a few weeks ago picking up some Mini-Sprint parts from John Godfrey's shop (Spike Chassis). I didn't realize how many motorsports teams were based out of that area - quite a few.

Again - Good Luck and I hope you are able to relax for awhile and find something you are really passionate about!