Model car plinth - first real project.

**Yanis** · 10th February 2015, 12:32 PM

So, I have not really done any serious woodwork for many years and this is my first real non-shed project since I restarted.

I was given a really nice 57 Corvette model for my 40th and it has been on display ever since. The problem is that the old plastic mount looks rather scrappy and I wanted to make a nice wood mount for it.

I used the old plastic mount as a model for the new one and simply transferred the dimensions and angles to the new one.

Here is the original model on its old mount. Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1156-jpg

Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1156-jpg

And the mount with the model removed. Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1157-jpg

The wood is an old piece of hardwood, quite dense, that was used by the old property owner as a scrap for drilling since it had many random drill holes covering each surface. It has a very slight bow at one corner which came out as I ran it through the planner below. Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1158-jpg

Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1158-jpg

Once I had it flat I cut it to rough length and ran one edge through the table saw to clean it up and get it straight. Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1159-jpg

Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1159-jpg

I then glued a scrap on one side of about 10mmx10mm an ran the opposite side through the planner to produce the taper. Once the taper met at the thick edge I had the taper correct and both surfaces planned. I then set the table saw blade angle to the angle on the original plastic mount using the plastic mount to set that angle. I placed the mount flat on the table, ran the side up to the blade then adjusted the blade until it matched the angle on the back of the old mount. I ran each side through the blade to produce the correct angle on all sides. I cleaned up the saw an d milling marks with a heavy card scraper then 180G sand paper. Since the grain was gnarly I could not use a hand plane to finish it. I tried on a sample piece and there was awful tear out. The finish came up pretty well with just the card scraper.

I then cut 2 small pieces and rounded the edges on the router table. The smaller piece I drilled with an 8mm wood bit to a depth of about 5 mm to take the studs on the bottom of the model car. I then glued the two smaller pieces as can be seen on the next photo. Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1160-jpg

Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1160-jpg

I then drilled through with a 3mm drill and then countersunk from the under side with a 10mm wood bit to take the screws to affix the model.

The final photo shows the old and the new next to each other. Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1161-jpg

Model car plinth - first real project.-img_1161-jpg

I am going to sand it to 320 then finish, however... I want to get a replacement brass plate to replace the dodgy label on the original and I would like to inlay that.

I will finish with a seal coat of shellac then use a number of coats of 321 oil/poly wiping mixture. I also need to get some longer screws that will go through from the underside.

I am really happy with the results so far.

**old1955** · 10th February 2015, 03:32 PM

It should come up a treat Yanis.

**Yanis** · 11th February 2015, 08:59 AM

I noticed after I made them that the grain on the small pieces ran at a right angle. They will be under the car once it is mounted so I am not that worried so I went ahead with them anyway.

**Bob38S** · 11th February 2015, 09:27 AM

A far more attractive base than the original.

**artme** · 11th February 2015, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Bob38S

A far more attractive base than the original.

+1

**Christos** · 13th February 2015, 11:23 AM

And people wonder why we bother.

Because it looks good.

**Tonyz** · 14th February 2015, 12:15 PM

from a different point of view.
what scale is the Corvette? which manufacturer? any more in your collection?

Ive got a few 1:18 VW, Jag, all in various stages of serious modding, but the prices Iam paying for overseas postage after ebay and $$ exchange is turning me away from 1:18 instead Ive just recieved 1:24 Mini Cooper (BMC) and Ford F100 that will either be converted to flatbed to carry mini or purchase a trailer to tow.

If you want to collect further Ebay UK or Germany I find best ebay Usa is frightening mail rates.

Plinth looks good.

**Yanis** · 17th February 2015, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Tonto

from a different point of view.
what scale is the Corvette? which manufacturer? any more in your collection?

...

Plinth looks good.

It is at home and I am at work atm. I will have a look when I get home.

I have a set of three matchbox models in a cardboard/cellophane display package which has seen better days. Let me see, a double decker bus, a Fiat delivery van and a truck... again I'll look them up when I get home. The models are in really good nick but the cellophane is cracked and the cardboard rather nasty. I am planning on making a nice wooden display case with a front glass panel. It will be in the form of a miniature cupboard.

In the mean time here is the plinth as I am finishing. Model car plinth - first real project.-plinth-finishing-jpg

Model car plinth - first real project.-plinth-finishing-jpg

The sealer was a coat of shellac. The finish is a 321 wiping varnish. Semi gloss poly, Turps and Linseed oil mixture.

**Yanis** · 26th March 2015, 09:28 AM

I don't get many hours in teh shed at the moment, there have been jobs around the farm to do and I have been unwell. But I did get to apply finish to the plinth. I added 3 coats of the 321 and finished by rubbing in the wax with 0000 steel wool.

IMG_1174.jpg

I found a brass strip around the shed that will be suitable. It needs to be cleaned up though. I will probably burnish it before taking it to the engraver for a quote. I have a feeling that I should have recessed the brass before finishing. I just have to be careful. I will put a coat of varnish on the brass after setting in place with epoxy.

**Bob38S** · 26th March 2015, 12:46 PM

Just a thought.

Instead of trying to inlay the strip or sticking onto the flat surface - depending on the width of the stip, make up a block of the required length and cut the front at 45 degrees, stick your strip onto it and then mount on the plinth where you want. This would overcome the "problem" of having to be above the model to read the info.

As I said, just a thought, not trying to add to your workload.

**Yanis** · 8th April 2015, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Bob38S

Just a thought.

Instead of trying to inlay the strip or sticking onto the flat surface - depending on the width of the stip, make up a block of the required length and cut the front at 45 degrees, stick your strip onto it and then mount on the plinth where you want. This would overcome the "problem" of having to be above the model to read the info.

As I said, just a thought, not trying to add to your workload.

The plinth is itself sloping and the brass plate will be flush with the surface so visibility should be ok. I am going to recess the plate but unfortunately I did not think about the plate before I finished it.

**Bob38S** · 8th April 2015, 04:26 PM

Thanks for the reply.

I look forward to seeing the finished project.

**Yanis** · 10th April 2015, 01:28 PM

I am popping round to the engravers after work today to see what the damage will be. Here is a picture of it with the brass plate ready to go.

IMG_1240.jpg

**Sandow** · 12th April 2015, 06:27 PM

Nice work there mate, is the timber ironbark?

Looks like a 1:18 scale, maybe Maisto?

**Yanis** · 13th April 2015, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Sandow

Nice work there mate, is the timber ironbark?

Looks like a 1:18 scale, maybe Maisto?

Not sure, could be. It was a piece of scrap that was used as a backing on the drill press. It was covered in small holes. I had to take about 12 mm off to get beyond the drill holes. I then glued a spacer to the base and ran it through the thicknesser to get the taper.

I went to the engraver Friday and they are using black lettering on brass with an enamel coating. The material is .5 mm with an adhesive back. I will create a recess so that the label is flush, I might get one of those mini router planes - they are only about $60 and it will be an ideal use for it.

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