How We Make Parts at Model Motorcars #1
This is the first of several articles about what we do here at Model Motorcars. We make parts using a lot of different tools including metal fabricating, precision manual and CNC machining, brazing and soldering, investment metal casting, resin casting, electroless nickel plating, chrome plating, electroplating, photoetching, laser etching and 3D printing. And let’s not forget Marvin’s incredible leatherworking!
The first part we are going to look at is the now discontinued Mercedes-Benz air filter. This was a metal version that preceded our resin cast version. Master model builder Marvin Meit, using pictures and drawings, built each part by hand starting with a piece of brass tubing. Each filter is a beautiful example of model building craftsmanship.
After procuring the correct diameter brass tubing the first job was to cut the pieces to the correct length with a 45 degree angle on one end. A relatively inexpensive hobby cutoff saw was used for this task. Notice the special “jig” or setup used for the angled cut. This is one of hundreds if not thousands of specialized jigs Marvin has for very specific tasks. The stories they could tell…
The next step was joining the two pieces along the angled cut. Once again, a jig was required to hold the pieces in place during the soldering process. A jig can be practically anything that does the job and in this case a clamp and a block of aluminum resting on the soldering board does the trick. After the part cooled Marvin carefully removed the excess solder by hand filing and polishing the joint. This requires a deft touch as the solder must be removed without touching the brass.
This picture shows the machined end cap and filter body along with the screen material that wraps around the filter body. A small clasp is added to the base of the filter body for that final touch. These parts are then highly polished, and the assembled part is a miniature work of art shown here in unfinished, painted and plated brass.
Bob Breslauer