Darth Vader Corvette

[bamaderbyfan]

Mojo Racing 37 minutes ago

Quote: Originally Posted by bamaderbyfan I appreciate y'all saying nice things about my work. The painting part is what I will struggle with. I haven't done enough painting to be able to lay down real smooth coats. I didn't discover I could carve wood until my mid 30's and I had no idea how soothing it could be. Now if I can just figure out the best way to make it a career. yeahhhh..... Tried something like that... Ever heard of starving artists? LOL

I have heard that, which is the reason I would like to figure out a way to make money at it. I think I would have to expand to a broader spectrum of woodwork than just derby cars.

 

[BulldogRacing]

I have heard that, which is the reason I would like to figure out a way to make money at it. I think I would have to expand to a broader spectrum of woodwork than just derby cars.

Cabinet building brother!

 

[bamaderbyfan]

I have been away from my build for a few days, but over the weekend I was finally able to get back to it for awhile. Here are the updates;

 

[BulldogRacing]

My man! That is sick!

 

[ngyoung]

Damn. Very nice work.

 

[Mojo Racing]

That thing is sooooo cool ! ! !

Great progress ! ! !

 

[GravityX]

Wow! That is beautiful, can't wait to see it in paint.

 

[bamaderbyfan]

I got done with the car, as I feared the paint is not great and looks even worse after a night of racing but I will post pics anyway.

 

[Crash Enburn]

Very cool! The light saber is a nice touch. /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

 

[Mojo Racing]

Don't sweat the paint Bama! That car still looks way cool ! ! !

 

[Rocket car]

Wow!! Very cool!! You spent a lot of time on that car. I think a pro car may take less time to build.

 

[bracketracer]

That turned out amazing!

 

[RSR]

Impressive...Most Impressive

So I have been watching this thread develop and those are amazing carving skills. I know there are plenty of artists in this world but I am more of a STEM guy myself that would love to carve something like that. I have found using various dremel tool bits & wheels to be my method. I liken it more to shaping a surfboard out really hard foam than carving. Obviously there is a ton of sanding involved with this build but are you primary using a blade or a dremel? I would imagine the grill is chisel or knife work due to the sharp straight lines.

This this is awesome and I would not sweat the paint. I am a perfectionist and that is certainly easier advice for me to give than to take. I have to remind myself of the ten footer rule. I see the scratches on my full size car because I know they are there. People looking at it from ten feet away think it looks great.

I say wipe down the Lord Vader's Speeder with the olive oil trick to get the graphite off, then mild dawn solution to get rid of the oil and put a coat of nice wax on that thing.

Now you just need an OBI Wan car for the Vader Vette to beat.

 

[Crash Enburn]

...as I feared the paint is not great and looks even worse after a night of racing...

I have a slip from a fortune cookie taped to my workbench: "Never judge a work of art by its flaws"

Your Vader is a work of art.

 

[bamaderbyfan]

Don't sweat the paint Bama! That car still looks way cool ! ! !

I have to sweat the paint, it drives me to get better at it. I have improved over where I started and I plan to get better

 

[bamaderbyfan]

Impressive...Most Impressive

So I have been watching this thread develop and those are amazing carving skills. I know there are plenty of artists in this world but I am more of a STEM guy myself that would love to carve something like that. I have found using various dremel tool bits & wheels to be my method. I liken it more to shaping a surfboard out really hard foam than carving. Obviously there is a ton of sanding involved with this build but are you primary using a blade or a dremel? I would imagine the grill is chisel or knife work due to the sharp straight lines.

This this is awesome and I would not sweat the paint. I am a perfectionist and that is certainly easier advice for me to give than to take. I have to remind myself of the ten footer rule. I see the scratches on my full size car because I know they are there. People looking at it from ten feet away think it looks great.

I say wipe down the Lord Vader's Speeder with the olive oil trick to get the graphite off, then mild dawn solution to get rid of the oil and put a coat of nice wax on that thing.

Now you just need an OBI Wan car for the Vader Vette to beat.

The build involved dremel work, blade, wood files, and chisels. The grill was done with small strips of wood I cut and glued down then used my palm chisels to shave down. I got the palm chisels towards the end of the build but man did that make a difference. I look forward to using them on my next build.

 

[GravityX]

Bama, that is a great piece of artistry you made from a plain ole piece of pine! Hats off to you! Looks great!

 

[jatofau1]

Wow! That is too cool. Nice job. I wish I had time to do thing like this.