Gatto's VW Beetle... Extremely slow W.I.P.

**Yonnee** · 14th July 2012, 12:48 PM

I've been procrastinating over starting my first timber model for too long now. I've been slowly (over the last 18 months) buying myself some toys to start on my Model making venture (bandsaw, scroll saw, disc sander, thicknesser, and numerous holesaw blades and spade bits. The last thing to get will be a chuck for my wood lathe (that I've had for nearly 20 years, and it's never been out of its box... I said I was a procrastinator!), and I'll be seeing Jim Carroll at the Melbourne Wood show for that.

I've been making Plastic models from kits since I was 9 years old, so this is sort of a natural progression. However trailers, cars, houses and family have put most other things on the back-burner for some time now. But now it's time for a change.

I've chosen the VolksWagon because my father had a 'small rear window' beetle as his first car, and although he's never had one since, he still likes "the people's car". So this one is for him.

First thing to do will be to chose some timber, and I've got a number of large boxes of off-cuts from when my F.I.L. used to make coffins, and bring me offcuts when I asked.

So, this will be a learning journey for me, and for those wishing to tag along, I ask for your patience, and no doubt some help with tips along the way.

**bj383ss** · 14th July 2012, 01:20 PM

Bring it on. Waiting patiently for wip pics

Bret

**nine fingers** · 14th July 2012, 02:48 PM

Yonnee, If I can help in anyway I would be only to pleased to assist if required in return for the information you supplied when I was making the Caterpillar mining truck. cheers. John.

**_fly_** · 14th July 2012, 02:59 PM

I'll be looking Yonnee.
Will be good to see another toy start. Now do you need to make a new shelf for them to sit on. Are they going behind the bar or the poolroom?

**crowie** · 14th July 2012, 03:01 PM

G'Day Yonnee,
From some of the posts I've seen over the past two years you're going to get a bit of stick at first;
BUT once the WIP photos, build notes & questions start I'm sure you will have a lot of encouragement & support.
As Bret has already said "BRING IT ON"!!!!
Cheers, crowie

**bobman 58** · 14th July 2012, 06:21 PM

hi yonnee do you mean the gatto vw if so thats the one i made a while back its a fun one to make and its a cut and paste model iam looking forward to seeing your wip there is a couple of us on here that has made the vw i think elderly made it so if any problems will be glad to help

**AUSSIE** · 15th July 2012, 07:51 AM

Will have to see it to believe it.

I thought you must have been starting a Museum of woodwork machinery,
I used to get called to do work for a Guy in a small town.He showed me his Shed one day.
I near fell over.He had 3 rows of brand new unused machines.Must have been $10s of thousands of Dollars.The shed was spotless.I think he went in just to look at it all.
Good luck with the VW.It is a nice model and reasonably easy.
Crowie is spot on,You may be in for it Yonnie

**Yonnee** · 15th July 2012, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Bring it on. Waiting patiently for wip pics
Bret

Definately Bret. The detail on your Scania truck is amazing, and something I can hopefully bring to the Beetle.

Originally Posted by ninefingers

Yonnee, If I can help in anyway I would be only to pleased to assist if required in return for the information you supplied when I was making the Caterpillar mining truck. cheers. John.

Thanks John. I'll be asking... that's for sure.

Originally Posted by _fly_

I'll be looking Yonnee.
Will be good to see another toy start. Now do you need to make a new shelf for them to sit on. Are they going behind the bar or the poolroom?

I collect 1963 Corvette cars (unfortunately not the real thing, they're upwards of 6 figure price tag here in Australia...), but I'm allowed one side of the crystal cabinet for them, but the beetle will be a birthday present for my old man, who'll be 68 in January, so I don't need to find space for this one. That's Mum's problem.

Originally Posted by crowie

G'Day Yonnee,
From some of the posts I've seen over the past two years you're going to get a bit of stick at first;

Yes, I've been waiting for Ross to chime in...

Originally Posted by Aussie

Will have to see it to believe it.

... And there it is...

Originally Posted by Aussie

I thought you must have been starting a Museum of woodwork machinery,
I used to get called to do work for a Guy in a small town.He showed me his Shed one day.
I near fell over.He had 3 rows of brand new unused machines.Must have been $10s of thousands of Dollars.The shed was spotless.I think he went in just to look at it all.
Good luck with the VW.It is a nice model and reasonably easy.

If you could see my shed, it's no museum. More like something from American Pickers...

You're to blame for this too Ross. It was your '34 Chev that ignited the spark that started the draining of the bank balance and the search for my machine collection, but I think I'm going to have fun, so I sincerely thank you.

And after the VW, the Chev will be next!

Originally Posted by kelrob@blueyond

hi yonnee do you mean the gatto vw

It is too... DER!!
Fixed! 'Cause I can...

Originally Posted by kelrob@blueyond

... if so thats the one i made a while back its a fun one to make and its a cut and paste model iam looking forward to seeing your wip there is a couple of us on here that has made the vw i think elderly made it so if any problems will be glad to help

'Tis one and the same Rob. Both yours and Elderly's VW gave me the inspiration to do this one for my Dad. Actually it was Elderly whom I contacted to enquire as to the postage costs from Gatto, and he kindly offered to forward his own set of plans to me. So I thank you Elderly.

Wow! With all this interest, I just hope I can live up to expectations... namely my own.

**Yonnee** · 15th July 2012, 11:45 AM

I've been looking at numerous images of VW beetles, and worked out the plans are from around a 1969 model, although there were minor changes here and there from country to country within a year or two of each other, but for arguement's sake, I'm going with a '69.

As you can see, both of these are listed as '69's, but one has larger taillights, and vents in the engine hood.

The one thing that 'Bugs' me with these plans, is the flat rear end, and the engine hood just stuck on over the top. I might be biting off more than I can chew, but I'm going to see if I can modify the plans to get the rear roof line closer to the original.

Wish me luck.

**_fly_** · 15th July 2012, 11:53 AM

If its going to be for dads 68th, why isn't it a 68 model?
Or are you planning on taking a year to make and giving for his 69th B'day.

**elderly** · 15th July 2012, 03:02 PM

So how old is your dad now? 62

Cheers Elderly

**Yonnee** · 16th July 2012, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by elderly

So how old is your dad now? 62

Cheers Elderly

Touché...

... and I have no comeback.

Originally Posted by _fly_

If its going to be for dads 68th, why isn't it a 68 model?
Or are you planning on taking a year to make and giving for his 69th B'day.

That would give me 18 months... Hmmm

**crowie** · 16th July 2012, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Yonnee

Touché...

... and I have no comeback.

That would give me 18 months... Hmmm

The CHALLENGE is out for you now for you, Yonnee, to prove everyone wrong...
Bring on the WIP photos & build notes...
Cheers, crowie

**Hermit** · 18th July 2012, 10:57 PM

G'day Yonnee. I'm pulling up a chair for this one too.
I've always liked VWs and will be making the same model in the future.
I'll be interested to see your WIP pics.

**Yonnee** · 19th July 2012, 07:06 PM

Better stock up on the popcorn Steve...

and you might need to give Ross a nudge every so often to wake him up.

Not that I can post much, but have been doing some more research and gathering pictures of '69 Beetles, as well as trying to sort out what colour timber I'll use for each different piece. I'm also going to sit down and try and draw some modifications to the rear roof line... we'll see how that turns out.

If it works, I'll share the modified drawings for anyone who wants to do this Model.

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