Tutorial - Scratch Building a Watson Dash

[Deleted]

Okay Thrill-Seekers!

I have been asked many times, how to scratch build a dash like I have for my Watson's. Except the 1963 winner, and the kit has that dash, which is incorrect for all the other Watson's, Here's what I do....

First, I try to find a photo or get one of Bob Clindist's drawings,


[http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq15/OldCal/P1010438-4.jpg/img]\

You then take a piece of sheet brass and measure off the Clidinst's drawings and cut it out to match.



Then take measurements of where the gages go and use a template to draw that on the brass form of the dash.



Then drill out the dash where the gages go and use a dremel tool to make them the correct size opening for the proper gages. Here is the shot of the kit dash and the going to be dash.
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq15/OldCal/P1010439-5.jpg

Once he dash is cut out, I test fit the dash on the Watson's frame



One the holes in the dash are the proper size and length, I place photo-etch wizard's "o"'s from Replica & Miniatures Company of Maryland part # RM - 5B and use them the border the openings for the gages.



I then paint the dash with one coat of primer and then one coat of semi-flat black, which is closer to the color of black on the real Watson's....

Then, I take a drill pin-vice and use it to simulate bolt heads on the dash...
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq15/OldCal/P1010439-6.jpg

Then take whatever gage decals I have and put them on the front of a thin piece of plastic, then glue it to the back of the dash you made.



Once that is done, let it sit for a while and have a beer, or diet coke or whatever.....Let it dry and then take Micro Scale Kristal Clear, or Elmer's white glue......and place a drop in each of the gage faces to make it look like glass on the gages....



Once that is done and dried.....Glue the dash on the frame. This will take a few hours, mostly for paint drying and the white glue to set up...But it's worth it.



Best to you

Russ

[Deleted]

Thanks, Russ!

I have used a technique similar to that on airplanes for close to 40 years, but that was before the Wizard of Os and I had to cut pieces of tubing to use for bezels.

We need more of these tips and techniques posted! I know that I often take for granted that people already know the way things are done.

I have begun making the scoops on the sides of the Monogram Kurtis (that ain't there!) from aluminum tubing cut on an angle and super glued to thin plastic for the base. Once glued on and primed, they are quite convincing to me. ;D

Mongo

[racerbrown]

thanks russ,
i think i'll print this one out! i really like a show and tell much more than reading some instructions - seeing is believing!
and while we're on tips, i'll add this one.
while helping the wife unload the groceries and putting the eggs in the fridge, i discovered that the clear plastic egg container will work great for windscreens. it has both straight and compound curve pieces for whatever you need.
duane

[pylonguy2003]

Hey Russ!

Thanks as always for the great lesson and inspiration! Have a super day!

Tim

[indy]

Very helpful - thanks!

Jordan

[sandysixtysfan]

Great stuff here, THANKS!
Sandy

[Deleted]

Russ,
I'm currently building a KK midget from Monos old kit, and have the Mono KK Indy Car. I enjoy scratch building and saw your reference to Bob Clindist's drawings, while detailing your dash build. Are these currently available? If so , how do you get them. I have a few dwgs off the internet, but most are not detailed enough to build a master from. I need section and detail drawings.
Jim

[Deleted]

Glad to help you


Send for Bob's list......He charges $5.00 per copy...great drawings too....I don't start any project without them. Bob can be reached at...

Bob Clidinst
5731 Windmill Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46254

Bob has many drawings and they are well worth the price.

Best to you

Russ

[Deleted]

Thanks for the address, Russ.
Jim