Was beginning to wonder if we would ever see the end result. Enjoy your vacation and look forward to your next posting.
...henry
...henry
At least tell us where you are enjoying your ski holiday do we can enjoy it vicariously - and especially since I'm now a former 35 year skier that can't any longer due depth perception problems (and bad knees)
We're in Utah. We skied, Deer Valley, brighton, solitude, Alta/ Snowbird and Snowbasin. Even if the snow wasn't at the party, it was still à blast!
Francois, you have mede me jealous as those are among my favorite ski areas that I can't enjoy agai! Have a great time!!!!!
Hi all, I'm back home and slowly restarting the Hydra project. But after over a month off, It's kinda hard to do.
I started painting the bunch of parts I printed for the frame and drive so I should have a fully assembled frame with front and rear axes in place in a few weeks. In the mean time, here are some pictures of the painting job.
The chromed front bumper
The front lights
And chromed radiator
A bunch of parts primed and ready for final paint
I started painting the bunch of parts I printed for the frame and drive so I should have a fully assembled frame with front and rear axes in place in a few weeks. In the mean time, here are some pictures of the painting job.
The chromed front bumper
The front lights
And chromed radiator
A bunch of parts primed and ready for final paint
Finished painting all the frame parts using Revell's silk black (same color I used on the Bentley's body. I could find it in spray can format so I got the little plastic bottles instead. By adding a bit of revell aqua thinner (it's a water based paint) in a 3 paint to 1 thinner ratio, I got a very nice airbrushable consistency.
I also made the aluminium stiffener plates that are installed on both sides of frame (still need to but the bolts in).
I also made the aluminium stiffener plates that are installed on both sides of frame (still need to but the bolts in).
Did some assembly today. I worked on the rear suspension. It's going to be quite a puzzle to get all these parts assembled in the correct order but I think it should all fit nicely.
As a reminder, here is the only reference I had for the rear suspension
And here is my design
And the result so far
As a reminder, here is the only reference I had for the rear suspension
And here is my design
And the result so far
I finished all the ubolts for all the leafsprings assembly, here's how I proceded in order to get identical shapes.
Raw material (cheap steel pin)
inserted in bending jig
After bending
After trimming
Finished rear leafspring
I dry fitted the rear suspension with both rear axels, althought not easy to get in place, everything seems to fit perfectly. I installed the brake lines (black rubber hoses) that will eventualy be routed towards the firewall and brake booster. Similar lines will also come from the front brakes.
Raw material (cheap steel pin)
inserted in bending jig
After bending
After trimming
Finished rear leafspring
I dry fitted the rear suspension with both rear axels, althought not easy to get in place, everything seems to fit perfectly. I installed the brake lines (black rubber hoses) that will eventualy be routed towards the firewall and brake booster. Similar lines will also come from the front brakes.
The rear end is all done and I'm very pleased with the way everything went together easily. Next step, the front end.
Viewed from under
Some brake line routing
Viewed from under
Some brake line routing
The wheels are printed, I test tried them on just gor fun and to see if it rolls... it rolls.
View attachment 20250316_140322.mp4
(sorry for the poor picture quality)
View attachment 20250316_140322.mp4
(sorry for the poor picture quality)
I finished the front suspension installation. Brake line are in and the steering works.
I test fitted the radiator, the blower top cover has the final paint color, looks pretty good. And the steering works by turning the steering column.
View attachment 20250323_201805.mp4
View attachment 20250323_201805.mp4
I'm starting work on the firewall assembly, all parts are being printed. Here's what the printer plate looks like.
Just looking at the printer plate CAD it looks like a large percentage of product goes into the support framework. Just curious but do you know what to allow for framework vs final product?
Daniel, it always depends on the complexity of the parts to be printed. On this particular plate, it's about 2x more for the supports. But the firewall (the large part) is very big and tall so it requiered a lot of supports. Sometimes, it can be 50/50 and it can even be more parts and less supports.
A lot was done today.
I printed all the parts for the firewall assembly and they are ready for paint. I test fitted the firewall on the frame and it fit perfectly. I test printed the steering wheel, first print not perfect but the second should be good. I completed the radiator core with a fine wiremesh and pleated core. I threaded the gearmotor leads thru a rubber hose to hide them and started to install the head lights. Unfortunately, I scratched one of the head light bucket so I had to rechrome it. I'll have to wait a couple of weeks before installing it.
Firewall parts ready for paint
Test fitting of firewall
Steering wheel test print
Completed radiator core
Threading gearmotor leads
First of 4 head lights installed
I printed all the parts for the firewall assembly and they are ready for paint. I test fitted the firewall on the frame and it fit perfectly. I test printed the steering wheel, first print not perfect but the second should be good. I completed the radiator core with a fine wiremesh and pleated core. I threaded the gearmotor leads thru a rubber hose to hide them and started to install the head lights. Unfortunately, I scratched one of the head light bucket so I had to rechrome it. I'll have to wait a couple of weeks before installing it.
Firewall parts ready for paint
Test fitting of firewall
Steering wheel test print
Completed radiator core
Threading gearmotor leads
First of 4 head lights installed
Fantastic! Do you plan to add lighting?
Yes, small bulbs are inserted in the bucket on all head lights plus rear brake lights. At the front, the wires pass thru the inside of the radiator so completly invisible.
I love your work Francois! I would really like to CAD my own model and print it in the future. Currently I am working 50 hrs a week and my hobby time is limited to evenings only, which usually leads to sleep deprivation! 
And I have too many kits still waiting to be built to embark on a project like that. But that’s my goal once I retire. You are fortunate to have the time, equipment and skill set to pull this off. I hope to be there one day!
And I have too many kits still waiting to be built to embark on a project like that. But that’s my goal once I retire. You are fortunate to have the time, equipment and skill set to pull this off. I hope to be there one day!