Another Bantam Diecast

[Ken Hamilton]

David King's Bantam shop truck started life as Johnny Lightning Diecast:



So did this.........



Same truck - WAY different interpretations!

[David King]

Another of my favorites Ken.  Your imagination knows no bounds!

David

[Chuck Doan]

I remember that too! Considering the dorky model as it comes, both of you did wonders with it.

[Mr Potato Head]

How did you create those weld marks?
Gil

[RoughboyModelworks]

Wow... love the conversion. It's hard to believe the finished rod started out with such a dorky truck. Excellent job...

Paul

[Ken Hamilton]

How did you create those weld marks?
Gil

Gil, I didn't see your question until after I answered you via a separate e-mail (I'm not used to
all these new topics yet....)  For the record, here's the technique:

(1) Cut a piece of small-diameter coreless solder;
(2) Hammer it flat (which, obviously, will widen it significantly);
(3) Cut the sides off the flattened, distorted piece of hammered solder, giving you a thin strip of flat solder. 
Try to end up with a strip of solder about 1/32" wide and as thin as you can get;
(4) Sharpen the end of a small-diameter brass tube, almost like you're making a leather punch;
(5) Holding this "punch" on an angle, push it into the strip of solder.  Work down the line to create the
semi-circular beads;
(6) Cut the completed bead to the length you need and super-glue it to the body. 
The bent solder will hold it's shape as it's applied.

Simple as that.........

[TRAINS1941]

Wow Ken!!  That is a beautiful Hot Rod.

Jerry

[Ray Dunakin]

How do you cut, trim or otherwise alter die-cast metal vehicles?? That stuff's a pain to work with!

[Ken Hamilton]

Ray, luckily all the posts were vertical so it was pretty easy to drop the top.
Otherwise it's just like working on the real thing: Lots of saw blades and grinding wheels.

[gnichols]

Ken, did you see the  PM I sent?  Gary

[Ken Hamilton]

Ken, did you see the  PM I sent?  Gary

Not until just now, Gary.  I'll go take a look. 
(Sorry 'bout that)

EDIT:  Gary, you've got an IM!!