MFH Abarth 1000-SP 1/12

[paddy]

I tried some heat on a sprue and it melted very quickly, i dont think its an option but i will look into ultra low heat solder.

Semi gloss bl;ack

And balanced with the chassis

I am going to experiment with detailing the rear as its seen (unlike the front ) to see if it really adds anything given its pretty high detail anyway

Its a good chance to experiment on this format of kit. I'm not overly worried about the ultra soft white metal. Once you know the limitation of a new (to me) type of build you can work around or with it.
Once you deviate away from the classic styrene models towards Resin, PE, white metal, 3d print and 3d decals via after market these all throw up their own problems.

 

[moon puppy]

Perhaps you can add a brass rod here or there to help carry any stresses. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Perhaps you can add a brass rod here or there to help carry any stresses. Just thinking out loud.

I was thinking that as well, but don't really see any way to do it properly. After reading Paddy's problems with these kits and how expensive and exclusive they are, I wouldn't even look into them. I would rather scratch build something new.

 

[paddy]

My problem is , as Bob pointed out a few posts ago "i wouldn't have it any other way"
I was looking for a genre that really stretched me and i think i found it. The bottom line is ...is the end result worth the effort and looking at the 2 bikes i have built they are without doubt, streets ahead of anything else available at any price in the form of self assembly kits or even prebuilt cast models.
I am pointing out the build hurdles for the interest of others but i am not complaining as such, my hope is that in calling out my problems i maybe able to call out some solutions as well. ( you never know ) So far i haven't found an insurmountable problem like an Eduard FW engine that doesnt fit inside their own casings or a Revell windscreen that is considerable smaller than its frame

The cost bit is interesting as an engineer. . I hate to think what it costs to get permission and presumably 3D photo a subject, transfer that to a design thats buildable, manufacture castings in Resin/styrene, clear, white metal, cartograph decals and assorted turned alloy parts/screws, cables etc. Produce instructions and boxings and then produce in a quantity that invariably sells out in a couple of days .
I dont know how many they produce but i know the silicone moulds dont last long as i have seen with their M/C chains. and they produce a new model every 4 weeks so its a fast process.
Value to a consumer is something i have always wrestled with in my trade. Why is a Ducati Superleggera $100,000 and the equivariant Honda $20,000 ? Why do Ferrari lose money on $1.5m cars with the same amount of components in as $100,000 Aston Martin who make money on theirs.
As someone who worked in small scale production of low volume medical equip i get the costs of MFH in fact i dont know why they are not double the price.

Anyway its dinner time but its nice to chat and its a great thumbs up to the website that we can do this without tearing each other apart...maybe social media isn't the end of free speech