It was broken, now it's fixed 19d

[Tinman]

I've two beaters with tail pipe problems, the first is missing 1 pipe and a 2nd missing both pipes. So I came up with a simple no cost fix. I started with the model that was missing both pipes and filed down what was left of them. I've tooth picks on the work bench to use for mixing glue and paint, all sorts of things. I cut two matching sections out of the tooth pick as shown in the photo. I dressed up the finished "exhaust pipe" end with the Dremmel. Then I took a hobby file and made a quick notch or saddle where the small end rests on the casting. A couple of drops of 5 minute two part epoxy and they are set in place. Follow up with a drop of epoxy in between the two small ends to smooth out the look. I waited a few hours to clean up any excess epoxy that oozed out in unwanted places. Once I liked the look, I used some Testors "Steel" paint to match the patina of the casting.

The reproduction replacement driver (and some tires) will complete the missing parts of the model. I love the replacement drivers! I hate the replacement drivers! The Lesney driver's steering wheel was part of the plastic driver molding. The steering wheel (and shaft) folded over and into place. The replacement driver and steering wheel (wheels & shaft) are molded in two separate parts. When you go to position the wheel & shaft in front of the driver, the shaft has to fit in between two upright guides. The guides are a little too narrow so they force the shaft out of correct alignment. Glue doesn't want to stick to the slick plastic either. I have got my own fix, I warm up my soldering iron and bond the bottom of the shaft to the drivers feet (where they would have been made with a fold over point on the Lesney driver). A couple quick taps and those two problematic upright guide posts are melted onto the shaft. All of which will be out of sight on the assembled model.

Waiting on the freshly painted body to dry. If anyone wants to see a final finished photo, just say the word. Some of the pics I messed up the file size (too small) so they are smaller on not as clear as some of the others (sorry about that). The last pic I left pretty big as I wanted to see how the new exhaust tips looked in a magnified view - I personally think they blend in pretty well and make a pretty decent repair job (but I'm very biased lol).

Edit: Pic of finished model is posted further along in the thread.

[misterpop]

Nice one Joe...Tooth picks,coffee stirrers I could not do without them...Exausts for me on bigger stuff is packs of very very cheap paint brush ferrals.

[Tinman]

Nice one Joe...Tooth picks,coffee stirrers I could not do without them...Exausts for me on bigger stuff is packs of very very cheap paint brush ferrals.

Oooh, I hadn't thought of that. I just went and looked at a pack of "artist" brushes I got at a dollar store and found a replacement exhaust stack i need for a model. Thanks for the great tip (pun intended).

[Tinman]

I made some decals and finished the model today. It's a tooth pick tail pipe, home made decal, reproduction driver 19d