Finally built myself a chassis.
39 posts
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Those with long memories may remember this thread that was here a few years ago,
lotus-elan-f19/elan-frame-scale-model-handmade-t28880.html
I stuck my hand up and said I'd have a go at making a model chassis with the provisos that I wasn't stealing someone elses idea, and that I'd find the time.
I managed to find the time between reviving cuckoo clocks, and kicking antique grandfather clocks back into life.
I can understand why Gonzalo didn't start firing them out, it was time consuming to put it mildly.
Especially as I thought polished brass was the way to go, which meant attempting to remove the the worst of the inevitable scratches/marks that come about when you bend polished metal, or hit it with, ( small...), hammers.
Also, the entire thing is joined with solder, and, as I didn't want to see any of it, a lot of thought and care went into the soldering.
It's been polished with a museum wax, and under the perspex cover I bent up I expect it'll stay reasonably shiny for a while, ( well, longer than the original anyway....... ).
Ralph.
lotus-elan-f19/elan-frame-scale-model-handmade-t28880.html
I stuck my hand up and said I'd have a go at making a model chassis with the provisos that I wasn't stealing someone elses idea, and that I'd find the time.
I managed to find the time between reviving cuckoo clocks, and kicking antique grandfather clocks back into life.
I can understand why Gonzalo didn't start firing them out, it was time consuming to put it mildly.
Especially as I thought polished brass was the way to go, which meant attempting to remove the the worst of the inevitable scratches/marks that come about when you bend polished metal, or hit it with, ( small...), hammers.
Also, the entire thing is joined with solder, and, as I didn't want to see any of it, a lot of thought and care went into the soldering.
It's been polished with a museum wax, and under the perspex cover I bent up I expect it'll stay reasonably shiny for a while, ( well, longer than the original anyway....... ).
Ralph.
- reb53
- Fourth Gear
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- Location: Napier New Zealand.
Amazing work/skills - and beautiful.
-
vernon.taylor - Fourth Gear
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That is indeed a beautiful piece of work. A joy to behold, well done.
- Lyn7
- Second Gear
- Posts: 115
- Joined: 11 Jan 2010
That looks really good
Slightly confused by everything since the invention of the wheel.
- ken ob
- Second Gear
- Posts: 164
- Joined: 13 Nov 2010
- Location: Wirral England
Ditto,could you do a full size one for my Plus2 ??
John
John
-
john.p.clegg - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Location: Manchester
Extremely well done! Any interest in building another one on commission?
Glen
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
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Certified Lotus - Coveted Fifth Gear
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Ralph that's a great piece of craftsmanship
Build a batch, you will sell every one.
Build a batch, you will sell every one.
S3 DHC
1967 Elan
45/7047
1967 Elan
45/7047
- S3DHC
- First Gear
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I would love to buy one if you make any more.
Ken
Ken
Slightly confused by everything since the invention of the wheel.
- ken ob
- Second Gear
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- Joined: 13 Nov 2010
- Location: Wirral England
Save some time. 3D scan it then 3D print it. The original model is lovely and will scan beautifully.
Herb
26/4618
26/4618
-
lotusS2guy - Second Gear
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 05 Oct 2010
- Location: Orange County, CA
Very nice work!
Bob
Bob
Bob Bulfin
1969 Elan S4 DHC
Mobile, AL USA
1969 Elan S4 DHC
Mobile, AL USA
- bulfin
- Second Gear
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I'm quite impressed!
67 Elan Super Safety
67 Elan +2
67 Elan +2
- seniorchristo
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Thank you for your kind words.
I consulted an expert, ( my son ), about this.
He's had considerable experience in titanium/stainless/plastic 3D scanning and printing.
In essence, laser sintered plastic wouldn't be too bad, but would look "plasticy" and still cost several hundred dollars.
Printing in metal would be "crap, rough, hard to support everything, and look nothing like yours".
You would also design it in CAD, rather than scan, as you'd get a better finish.
As to making a batch, I don't think economies of scale would get much of a look in here.
Unless I geared up to make thousands, ( and the market isn't that big ! ), it's still a slow and time consuming business fitting lots of handmade bent parts together. Especially as thin polished brass is unforgiving of rough work. Also, try and spot the solder, quite proud of that !
I could do a few more but they wouldn't be super cheap because of the time involved, ( not to mention the $10 worth of brass... ).
I'd guesstimate that there's about 70 hours in it, and my normal return on my antique clock repair is US$50/hr.
When you do the numbers......ouch....that wouldn't fly.
Less than half that, say US$1500, then I'd be tempted.
Ralph.
lotusS2guy wrote:Save some time. 3D scan it then 3D print it. The original model is lovely and will scan beautifully.
I consulted an expert, ( my son ), about this.
He's had considerable experience in titanium/stainless/plastic 3D scanning and printing.
In essence, laser sintered plastic wouldn't be too bad, but would look "plasticy" and still cost several hundred dollars.
Printing in metal would be "crap, rough, hard to support everything, and look nothing like yours".
You would also design it in CAD, rather than scan, as you'd get a better finish.
As to making a batch, I don't think economies of scale would get much of a look in here.
Unless I geared up to make thousands, ( and the market isn't that big ! ), it's still a slow and time consuming business fitting lots of handmade bent parts together. Especially as thin polished brass is unforgiving of rough work. Also, try and spot the solder, quite proud of that !
I could do a few more but they wouldn't be super cheap because of the time involved, ( not to mention the $10 worth of brass... ).
I'd guesstimate that there's about 70 hours in it, and my normal return on my antique clock repair is US$50/hr.
When you do the numbers......ouch....that wouldn't fly.
Less than half that, say US$1500, then I'd be tempted.
Ralph.
- reb53
- Fourth Gear
- Posts: 763
- Joined: 09 Apr 2005
- Location: Napier New Zealand.
PM sent.
Glen
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
05 Elise - Back where I started
65 Elan S2 - 26/4055
72 Europa - 74/2358R
69 Elan S4 - 45/7941
64 Elan S1 - 26/0379
12 Colin 30 - Lotus Racing Kart
07 Exige S - Wicked Road/Track Car
07 Exige S - Fast Road/Track Car
06 Elise - Track pack
-
Certified Lotus - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1076
- Joined: 04 Aug 2014
- Location: Blairsville, GA
Very nice, Ralph!
Henry
69 Elan S4
65 Seven S2
69 Elan S4
65 Seven S2
- SENC
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