dinarto - building my model kits: October 2015

Intermezzo - Build the tools - Grip Pen

Some tools can be build by our own like Grip Pen.

I built Grip Pen by my own.

Components :
- electrical insulation tape
- small alligator clamp
- small wooden-stick/skewer/bamboo skewer

Result :

Total cost was less than IDR 1,500 (USD 0.10-0.11) per piece.

Inaccuracies of Tamiya

Well, due to the workload in office, I hardly had time to continue this kit.
And because of that, I missed the calculation and order of the day, so from now on, I would update the progress based on the topic or activity.

As I mentioned in the title, this model had inaccuracy in suspension sector as the shock-breakers were not placed correctly, they were mounted askew.

I checked the instruction manual and I could see that the top parts of the shock-breaker hit the upper-arm.

When I checked the photo/picture of real one, it seemed that this was improperly created by Tamiya.

So, I modified this parts by adding some thin plastics.

Update :
After the additional parts was painted then the shock-absorber glued.

They didn't touch the swing-arm and the position were perpendicular.

I tried to put the steering arm and moved them to check whether the steering-arm touch the shock-breaker or not or in acceptable point.

Installed in the chassis.

It's good.

Day 15 - 10 Oct 2015 - finishing engine and transsmission

This day, I finished assembling engine and transmission parts and installed them to the chassis.
Rear wheel system installed too.

I put flannel fabric as the base-carpet.

Day 14 - 9 Oct 2015 - assembling engine and transmission parts

Continuing the work of assembling engine parts (here, here, here, and here), here was the result.
Another thing that I learnt, not all join-part must be glued due to the precision of the parts.

Still, let the glue dry before moving to another step.

Day 13 - 3 Oct 2015 - result of working in a hurry

At this day afternoon, I painted the interior parts and the body in a hurry and not in a proper mood.

For interior parts, it was okay since this was the first layer.

As I put the White Primer on this parts, the color was brighter than the body parts.

And here was the result of "disappointing" painting activity on the body parts.
The main cause was because I didn't clean them properly. Some dust stuck on top of the roof and I touched the wet-paint accidently.

I had to re-sand them but I had to let the paint dry properly.

Intermezzo - Cutting the clear parts

The clear parts, easily got cracked when cut directly from the sprue although already use sharp cutting pliers.

I usually use this method :

First, make scratches around the sprue that hold the parts.
As far as possible from the parts

Then cut with cutting plier.

Here is the result.

To cut the remaining sprue, make several scratches around the remaining sprue.
Be careful by not putting strong pressure on it - I had experienced a crack when I lose control on the pressure.
(some friends use PE saw).