Nathan Avots-SmithSep 11

Want to see all my 3D-printed 1:64 scale cars? No? Too bad!

Day 1/84: This is the first complete car I ever printed, a Volvo 760 Turbo wagon. There was obviously some learning curve involved; the wheels were too big, and I didn't make the front headrest supports thick enough to survive printing. Not bad overall for a first try, though. #WeirdCarMastodon #164scale #3dPrinting

Show threadNathan Avots-SmithSep 12
Day 2/84: My second 1:64-scale car was a variation on my first, which I had designed with this kind of adaptability in mind. Using the same bodyshell, interior, and steering wheel, a new dashboard, wheels, and base piece (with integrated bumpers and front fascia) transformed my 760 Turbo into a pre-facelift 740 Turbo. The scaled-down wheel size I used here became my standard size going forward. #WeirdCarMastodon #164scale #3dPrinting
Show threadNathan Avots-SmithSep 13

Day 3/84: Hey, it's not a Volvo! I swear they're not all Swedish cars...only about 25%. I may or may not be joking.

This Saab 900 Turbo was my first attempt at an opening part, and I took a big swing on the clamshell hood. I didn't get the hinge right on this first attempt, but don't worry—we'll get there. What did turn out awesome was the rear window insert with spoiler and oh-so-’80s louvers. #WeirdCarMastodon #164scale #3dPrinting

Show threadNathan Avots-SmithSep 14
Day 4/84: First successful opening part—the hatch on this AMC Eagle is simply held in by friction, but it works perfectly, has never fallen off, and even stays open. I'm also still very pleased with my woodgrain painting job. Matchbox has since come out with an ’80 Eagle wagon, but mine was first. #WeirdCarMastodon #164scale #3dPrinting
Show threadNathan Avots-SmithSep 15
Day 5/84: A successful opening hood—a very successful one, I think—on my Series III Jaguar XJ6. Forward-hinged hoods are easier to design at this scale, because you have a more solid structure at the front of the car for whatever the hinge mechanism is; the cowl area around the windshield can get delicate. But I think I'll have one or two that open the other way later on. #WeirdCarMastodon #164scale #3dPrinting
Show threadOwen MeheganSep 15
@autonerdery I've never really thought about this, but, what is the purpose of forward-opening hoods?? It seems totally counterintuitive.
Show threadNathan Avots-SmithSep 15
@literatesavant before crumple zones were widespread, forward-hinged hoods were sometimes touted as a safety feature, as in a head-on crash they were more likely to pop up towards the front than to push back into the cabin. Not sure if that's the actual rationale behind them, but that was sometimes listed as a "benefit."
Show threadVicenteSep 15
@autonerdery @literatesavant Plus they can’t open at high speed and blind you if they are not properly closed.
Show threadOwen MeheganSep 15
@vinc @autonerdery that's gotta be a pretty rare type of accident, outside of the movies 😄
Show threadVicente

@literatesavant @autonerdery I have seen it happen 3 times! One a car that crashed near my childhood home, another to a car next to me as I was commuting in rush hour LA (very scary), and a third to a friend who was racing a new Mini (in a proper setting).

Maybe I am bad luck 🤔

Sep 15 at 11:33pmWeb
Show threadFrankSep 15
@vinc @literatesavant @autonerdery I've seen it happen on a highway, someone doing 100kph and BAM.
Show threadOwen MeheganSep 16
@vwdasher @vinc @autonerdery wild! The only thing like that which I've seen is a wheel coming off at driving speed. That was scary.
Show threadFrankSep 16
@literatesavant @vinc @autonerdery I caught one driver with a loose bonnet in traffic one time, and shut it properly before it happened to them. People do not pay attention.
Show threadSuzy RichardsSep 16

@vwdasher @vinc @literatesavant @autonerdery

There was a big issue with the Renault Megane I think it was quite a number of years ago. The secondary catch would fail so blam you'd get bonnet in the windscreen at speed as the primary catches weren't good enough. A few other makes had it as well.

Show threadFrankSep 16
@serichards @vinc @literatesavant @autonerdery yiiiiiikes!