WORKING WITH BRASS: How to scratch build a 1/24 midget chassis using brass and soldering. (ASMR)

In this second WORKING WITH BRASS video, I'll show you step by step how to scratch build a 1/24 USAC Midget chassis from brass tubing, soldered together with a Weller soldering iron. Many of these same techniques can be applied to working with plastic, but I enjoy the challenge of doing them in brass. The strength and precision of brass is hard to beat. I hope you enjoy this ASMR style step by step video.
Check out another soldering video here.... • WORKING WITH BRASS || ...
CK merchandise....
clay-kemp-scale-modeling.crea...
Gaahleri Airbrushes...
www.gaahleri.com/?ref=ClayKemp
Where I get my music...
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
For kits and decals...check Mike's Decals at www.mikesdecals.com​​
#brass #model #soldering #claykemp #scalemodel #scalemodeling #modelcars #scratchbuild #brass #soldering #racing #midget #dirttrackracing #asmr

[@ClayKemp]

I hope everyone enjoys this video! If you have any questions, or comments please comment below! If you're interested in other soldering videos....check out this one here.....kzbin.info/www/bejne/omiciJxnpNtmabM

[@friktionrc]

Pls may I ask what sort of solder you use. I was thinking of making a roll cage out of metal coat hangers using this method, but not sure if ordinary solder would be good/strong enough. 🤔

[@ivanvarovin176]

Magnificent piece of art. ) I have a broad experience in soldering and I can imagine myself making such a thing and screaming very rude words when these tiny eyelets slip off my grip... )

[@marceloferreira5784]

Y

[@jack002tuber]

Cool! I stumbled onto this. I have wondered about making models from brass. Subscribed! 💡💡💡

[@jameshoffmann5643]

How strong are the solder joints compared to the brass? This method for making a chassis sounds like a ton of fun

[@cougarfarmer]

You have taken me back to architecture school!!! I had to use piano wire instead of brass. I might start building models again. You get lost in the build and the world melts away. Great job and thank you for sharing in this video.

[@ClayKemp]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@christianmccollum1028]

Architecture School studios were grueling!!! Late nights, all-nighters...graduated 2001...4 months after 9/11. Thanks for the memories

[@nateolmsted22]

Why have I never thought of using a soldering iron for little projects like this?!?!? That's like a million times better than a torch 🤦🏻‍♂️ thank you sir! You have just inspired several new projects 😂

[@ClayKemp]

Awesome! Good luck! Soldering like this can be a blast when it all goes like it is supposed to!

[@krazy308]

Another masterpiece in the making Clay. Been in awe of your models for a while now.

[@boxstockmodeling]

Really enjoying the brass build. All I can say is 'wow'.

[@psinclairjr]

It's a genuine pleasure to watch a master at work

[@TheModelGuy]

I would have loved to see a whole series on this model build. The result is outstanding!

[@robertcates4066]

Wow, Clay, this is going to be AMAZING!!!!

[@cesarbossolani2827]

Awesome work Clay!!! Tks for sharing!!!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid Clay, thanks for sharing! 👍👍👍

[@MarkBatsonHobbydude007]

Absolutely outstanding my friend!! Love watching the master!! Thanks for sharing bro!!

[@ClayKemp]

Thank ya buddy!

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

This was the fuel I needed to start making Drag chassis. Thanks brother.

[@polylight]

This flies in the face of YT viewers' obsession with craftsmanship applied to crap materials like popsicle sticks, cardboard, legos, etc. Well done.

[@MrScrapart]

Dude, you build some nice stuff! So Crisp & So Clean.

[@gheice_modelism]

I designed and 3d printed a too, to fold 2 and 3mm brass tubes. Extremely helpful!

[@TheLukaCeeChannel]

Clay. This is an OUTSTANDING instructional video. Great style. Keep these coming.

[@ClayKemp]

Thank ya buddy! I'm still learning, and trying to find what works best for me. Thanks for watching, and commenting!

[@grottonisred6541]

This is brilliant....great skill and dexterity.

[@g3ngst889]

Thanks for the inspiring video Clay, I now have the confidence to work on my Landy projects to build a roof rack and rollcage.

[@jtmchannel7640]

dude this is sick! I love the moderate randomness of your projects, like a micro rear axle! or scale wood! But it is so cool, and I might incorporate some of your techniques into my own work with micro crawlers.

[@jimaagenes8445]

Found this very fascinating! Thanks for sharing!

[@jessefurqueron5555]

Nice work. We do a lot brass scratch building in 28mm, 1/32, 1/35 and primarily of late in 1:22.5. Couple of years ago upgraded from 30+ years of Weller to Hako, never looked back absolutely love it only regret is not doing sooner. Use a lot of resistance soldering (American Beauty) and sometimes even use a hot air unit (X-Tronic) for soldering. The resistance soldering advantage is its super precise and very little cleanup 👍along w limiting heat affecting nearby joints. Cut a ton of short solder pieces ahead of time and soldering goes super fast. Sometimes we still have to use multi-temp solder if joints are super close. Ditto on using a metal plate jig and magnets (use a mix of low strength hobby magnets along w N42 & N52s), ours has two plates at 90 deg. to each other. Again, nice work! As always YMMV. Just sharing, nothing more, nothing less.

[@TerryWilsonModels]

Another great video….thank you clay

[@truedeadman]

very cool to see this technique of building. Would love to see you do a similar type video on working with a resin conversion(I know not many out there at this point) or a full resin body onto an existing kit chassis

[@gaphillspeedshopcpmcc1899]

Awesome work Clay awesome

[@rainady]

That is a great piece of work. Hope to see the next stage

[@royk8721]

as someone who used to build custom rc's back in the day, i never thought of using brass tubes. lot's of respect to you for your creativity, sir.

[@krotchlickmeugh627]

Well, thats because brass is a soft ass metal. I mean it would be somewhat realistic looking when crashed. But thats about the only reason to use it in an RC.

[@earthlingjohn]

Fantastic video !! Back in the late '60s i had grand ideas of scratch building a 1/20 scale rail dragster with aluminum square & round tubing (the scale was to match the awesome '68 Vette and AMX kits that i built) Alas, there was never a finished product as life got in the way but i still have the Corvette & AMX and last summer i started my covid project to replicate each car in metal...just to see if i could do it 😁

[@jimmycheesegrits9201]

Truly Unbelievable…!! This was BY FAR the Best Tutorials on This Subject..Thank YOU So Much For Sharing… PLEASE Keep Your Videos Coming….👍👍

[@ClayKemp]

Glad you liked it!

[@idontsleepidream]

First time watcher, here. I had no idea about this craft hobby. But I LOVE it! Looking forward to diving into your previous vids and checking everything out. Masterfully done, sir!

[@ClayKemp]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@shawnevans58]

Back in the 90's we built our own brass slot car chassis'. We used 1/25th scale race car model kit bodies on them. That is fun to build

[@TeamKaosNZ]

Thats very cool, I made a 1/10th scale Midget chassis out of Brass about 10 Years ago, Was intending to make it RC but never finished it off. Still have the Chassis sitting on the shelf in the garage thou.

[@Rick79859]

Nice very good video , someday I'm going to try and build one .. Thanks for the video

[@zybrogue]

It's fascinating to watch you work. I really enjoy your videos, Clay.

[@ClayKemp]

Glad you like them!

[@FlorentinoRebuildingCo.5644]

Fantastic video. I have always built all my military armor and now big rigs with brass built into their construction....I thought I was alone, til now. Immediately SUBSCRIBED and impressed.

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks for watching, and the sub! I appreciate it.

[@rallyvintequatro]

Excellent and inspiring video! Thanks for sharing.

[@ClayKemp]

Thank you Pedro!

[@robwoodke6592]

I’ve been wanting to build a Funny car chassis from brass. You’ve boosted my confidence thanks. 👍👍😉

[@ClayKemp]

Nice! Good luck with it! Same process really. Do two sides, and connect them and you are pretty much there.

[@Toystorations]

You have a lot of good techniques here, and you make it look easy. I like your way of laying the brass down with magnets before you solder them, that seems way more effective than my masking tape, and less hassle. The end product looks great, I've done this sort of work before making R/C Chassis and I know how hard it is to make things look this clean. Good job, this video is absolutely gonna blow up.

[@ClayKemp]

When I used to build frames with plastic, I did like you said with thin strips of masking tape. It was a mess usually. The magnets are so useful. I couldn't imagine trying something like this without them. Thanks for watching!

[@wayneburgess6591]

That was incredible Clay. I have always wanted to try a brass chassis for one of my builds and now you have given me the tools to try this. it won't be on the level of your excellent build, but you have inspired me to give it a try. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ClayKemp]

Glad you liked it Wayne. I'd say grab the stuff, and just mess around with it. Most of the supplies are cheap. And the iron only cost me like $40. It really opens up a bunch of possibilities.

[@gsbufo47]

Amazing work.

[@geraldhaney5380]

Excellent Video. It makes me want to try it!

[@proinnsiasoc]

Brilliant Tutorial video Clay. Thanks alot for making it look easy 😁👍

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks for watching!

[@dz-abouttechnique1849]

Excellent video!

[@ronstewart9792]

Fantastic job Clay. It looks so awesome. Ron

[@robertbuckner6154]

I really enjoyed that. Awesome work as usual!

[@ClayKemp]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@melindakemp4713]

A work of art!!

[@popeyeman69]

Seriously skillful work! I've used styrene rod up till now, I love the way you got both side perfect by soldering them together!

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@josephseverino674]

A master craftsman, exceptionally talented. Racing and sports cars with bird cage frames are very complex great tips on how too make them ,you make the frames look easy LOL 👍👍👍👍

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

Did the brass chassis while in Korea in 1968-69. Built the chassis for a Ford Cobra slot car, was a big thing back then. I was chassis challenged but, I had no parts outside wheels front, rear or sides, challenge denied, I was legal. Built two more before I left from spare parts. Great way to pass time, keeps your mind busy!

[@kevinzilly7201]

thats awesome , something ive always wanted to try

[@rdyer8764]

WOW! This was amazing. I haven't worked with brass for many years. These days, on the rare occasion when I do anything akin to this, I prefer carbon fiber. But I learned so much from your jigging process with the use of magnets, etc. on a steel base. Obviously you've been doing this for a long time. Thanks for passing on you wisdom in this video!

[@ClayKemp]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cgtprospectingadventures922]

I did this build for a 1/10 scale R/C over 20 years ago, thanks for sharing. ⛏️⛏️⛏️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💪💪💪🎄

[@DimMakTen31]

Very accurate to scale spike chassis. Amazing.

[@ClayKemp]

Glad you like it!

[@BackToTheFutura]

Great video! Takes all the guess work out of the How to! Plus you can use this concept for so many other projects. Really enjoyed it, thanks for the ideas it's created for me. Would like to see the finished model. Keep up the good work and concepts. Love to watch this stuff.

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks! 👍

[@jimklette580]

Super cool !!

[@supergiantbubbles]

Thumbs up for the great camera work and lack of music. I look forward to seeing how this turns out. Based on this video, I'd wager it'll be pretty awesome.

[@thebangkoktimes]

Brilliant video! ASMR indeed.

[@jzghostrider66]

IMPRESSIVE MOST IMPRESSIVE that was INCREDIBLE. I need to learn how to solder for PE parts for my armor this was an amazing video Thanks Clay!

[@jzghostrider66]

NOW I wanna see the REST of this build. Looking forward to it.

[@charlieross-BRM]

Brass is my favourite material, along with copper (for decorative) work. In the mid 1960's it was fairly common for more ambitious slot car hobbyists to convert from out of the box cars to constructing their own chassis - 1/32 scale for me. Originally we built them much like this from rods and tubing. The heat would be from a full size propane torch like amateur plumbers use so the work wasn't as easy to do as cleanly as illustrated. Often the heat would undo previous joints. I loved the whole process of learning soldering, metal working, wiring, etc. and I still apply that hobby knowledge to this day for many interests.

[@ClayKemp]

I've seen other modelers layout the whole side, and add chips of solder, then torch it. But I don't trust myself with a torch, so I stick to the iron. ;) Thanks for watching.

[@ka4172]

Cool! I broke my PVC scratch build RC Rollcage several times,now its Brass time!

[@jesusdiecast]

Fantastic job

[@saxmusicmail]

Ah... this reminds me of a "rail job" I built in the '60's. I had been making chassis for slot cars, so I had the soldering down pat. I made up the frame, got a blown Hemi from a plastic kit. Did spark plug wires from thread. A rear diff housing from yet another kit. Seat and steering wheel from other kits. The skinny front wheels and rear slicks were from slot cars. A "Moon" tank up front and parachute on the back. Chassis all from brass rod. Looked great. I entered it in a model contest... didn't even place. The winner was a kid that built a model of the Munster Coach, go figure.

[@ClayKemp]

I think we've all been there! Thanks for watching...

[@garyparker2969]

Absolutely STUNNING Mr Kemp !!! Thanks For Sharing Your Skills and Have a Blessed Week Ahead.

[@ClayKemp]

Thank you for watching Gary. I appreciate it!

[@garyparker2969]

You're Very Welcome and We ALL Appreciate You.

[@edwinlooy6551]

Cool, Brings back memories😊 Nice job

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewvogt1407]

I have been impressed with your skills for many years and always wondered how brass frames were constructed. Thanks for the video Clay, hope to see you at one of the Louisville shows again next year.

[@ClayKemp]

Glad to help! thanks for watching!

[@cruzer2123]

Wanna try this one day but with a dragster frame. This was awesome Clay, thanks for the course.....

[@ClayKemp]

I have faith in you. ;)

[@jefferystokes1414]

Amazing video

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks for the checking it out!

[@tomt9543]

As a recently retired welder (41 years worth) you absolutely dazzled me! Your channel popped up on my feed tonight, and within minutes I was subbed! My feelings were bruised when you started using that soldering iron though! I recently purchased a similar unit by a different manufacturer (ok, Harbor Freight, but you already knew that didn’t you?), and it is an absolute junker! Tips won’t take solder, and it won’t develop enough heat to solder small copper stranded wires together! Anyhow, excellent build!

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks for watching Tom. I paid $40 for that Weller unit brand new off of ebay. Pretty cheap investment really. And I bought a couple extra of the ST1 mini-screwdriver tips. It really is the perfect combination for doing fine work like this.

[@charlieross-BRM]

Good to know so I don't get tempted to buy a no-name one on the cheap if mine ever gives out. How many corners do they cut to produce tips that won't take solder or a base unit that is junk? These things are generally so inexpensive even from trusted brands. I'm still using an Ungar adjustable that is over 20 years old, for circuit boards and wiring repairs.

[@krotchlickmeugh627]

You need to tin your tips first and use lots of flux.

[@krotchlickmeugh627]

@@charlieross-BRM the cheap ones work great. When they stop heating up its almost always the little heat diode. You can buy them in a 10 pack online with much better quality. I prefer my desk top expensive station for most of my soldering. Because i do alot of electronics and boards. Which require precise temperature settings. But honestly i use the heat gun alot more than the over priced station i have. But the best hand held iron thats mobile i have found is the milwaukee battery powered soldering gun. It had an adjustable tip angle and its totally wireless. Heats up in 18 seconds to full temp too. However it like all the rest have issues with cheaply made diodes in the heat element. But if you have another soldering iron you can fix them easy and they'll last forever. Just my 2 cents. Btw use flux and get some soldering iron tip tinner from amazon if you want to be able to transfer that heat and to melt solder uniformly

[@tjohnson9051]

I built frames like this starting in 1987 but i made them into slot cars with working torsion bar suspension. I used the monogram sprint car kit for the body and rear tank. I made a jig to mass produce them. The wings I made from #1 plastic coffee cake containers, it's almost as good as lexan. I used Mura group 12 motors in them except one I put a group 20 in it. That thing is insane, the group 12 was a better setup for actual competition. Now they sit in front of my desk because most of the slot car tracks have closed. The closest one is 120 miles one way. I made 1/32s also but they have no suspension. Nice job!

[@ClayKemp]

I grew up racing slot cars on a big high banked oval as a teenager....I was always amazed at how those guys that did it for so long made such beautifully soldered sprint car chassis. Mine n ever came close back then!

[@DukeSky]

This brings back memories building brass pan slot cars.

[@rossomachin]

Remarkable craftsmanship

[@ClayKemp]

Thank you!

[@mrfxm55]

Just a creator and like the concept that anything can be scaled and built a frame for anything model that you can conjure out of imagination. Thank you.

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks for watching!

[@innofirman]

this is really great, thank you for sharing!

[@ClayKemp]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikepulliam8314]

Hi Clay, looks like this is going to be another great build. Will this be a Larson or sunshine or a mystery build? Well I really can't wait to see the rest. Thank you for taking time to video the build and your techniques. Never have tried a midget brass frame build, only done a front end steering gasser plastic model build. Used to build slot car chassis from scratch, kind of have an idea of what you are doing. Thanks and see you later.

[@sheetmetalairplane4749]

Yes thats great i can lern any more things .Thank you!

[@petterstrand2700]

Really nice :)

[@RickLawlerPropaganda]

Hey Clay. I just now stumbled across your channel! I know, what's taken me so long, aye? Brilliant content, thanks for sharing your skills.

[@ClayKemp]

Good to hear from you old friend. Thanks for checking me out. I'm a big fan of your channel as well!

[@michaelcooke2559]

Very impressive work. Obviously, having a jig is the key, but you make it look so simple to build. Thanks for sharing.

[@ClayKemp]

The magnets are a big help. When doing this kind of stuff you need three or four hands most times. The magnets holding the work really comes in handy.

[@michaelcooke2559]

@@ClayKemp Yeah, the magnets and the metal base would really be a big help. I really can’t see being able to build without them.

[@MrStevo440]

You Sir are an incredible Artist ..

[@ClayKemp]

Thank you so much. Thanks for watching!

[@furball5553]

holy cow is it really that easy i mean short of the talent and good ole know-how every time he soders a joint you can hear the reverb in the audio amazing craftsmanship 👍✌

[@ClayKemp]

The "sizzle" is my favorite part. :)

[@rossphillips1493]

Awesome work Clay. I absolutely love watching your videos. Will there be a continuation of this build? would love to see all the step by steps of the entire process.

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks Ross...I don't think this one will go any further. But I may do a sprint car project in the future.

[@rickdee67]

Very kewl!

[@lepus6511]

i gotta 3d print one of those flux holders. the tix flux and solder is some of my favorite but i knock over the bottle ever time i work with it

[@scottkernan949]

Awesome

[@oculusangelicus8978]

Dude, when I saw you reach in the shot with your hands I near had a aneurism, your hands and arms look so much like mine it's creepy beyond belief!!! It was like I was watching my hands and arms doing the prep and soldering instead of someone else's! That is WAY more disconcerting than I had ever supposed!!!!! Great work BTW, I'm going to watch the rest of your work on this model now to see the finished product, I am an avid model builder, anything scale modeling I enjoy it thoroughly. I have a long time subscription to Fine Scale Modeler and have a rather large collection of kits both built and not. I mean, what kind of modeler would I be if I didn't have my own collection of kits to choose from when I'm finished with one? Buying kits always seems to happen when I go to the store to get more paint or glue etc. to finish of what I have going, then when it's done I look through the ones I have and choose one that has usually been put off for too long, and start on it, then the cycle repeats. LOL

[@vwbusguy]

In the early 80s these frames were made for large scale scalectric cars and raced on large tracks in shopping centres. I was given one, the type of chassis was a wompie

[@FanPhys]

Masterfully done. I've been working with styrene for many years and at various points I have considered trying brass, however I just don't think I have the patience for it! Styrene is an extremely forgiving medium to work with, and like you say the principles and techniques are very similar, however with styrene you can work very fast. Nice soldering iron btw. :)

[@ClayKemp]

I built plastic frames for ever....I like the brass because it is strong, you can be so much more precise than with plastic when doing smaller braces and tabs. Plus it is fun to do more actual "fabricating" with brass.

[@Patrick76150]

Un mot, un seul ! Bravo ! Non, ce n'est pas vrai.... d'autres ont suivis, comme formidable, magique ! J'ai aimé la précision (la vidéo grossissait les détails) et le travail fait ! Un seul truc m'a inquiété : Les doigts ! De ces doigts tout le monde n'en à pas de si méticuleux ! Il faut y faire attention ! Modéliste ferroviaire et modeste constructeur j'ai appris de cette vidéo. Merci ! Bonnes continuations, bonne fêtes de fin d'année et à bientôt De cordiales civilités Patrick (France)

[@reyhdez5244]

Amazingly satisfied

[@ianstyles9759]

This is a cool thing you can do, I would like to try you inspire me thanks.

[@PhiddyPford]

Tix flux for the win! The anti flux also works well

[@mamangsuprirc5178]

i like your style

[@madmikecustomrcrockcrawlers]

God I wish you were still making videos on KZbin on how to build these more. Would really like to see your 1/10th scale Sprint car finished and running

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks for watching, but you might have me confused with someone else. I usually only work in 1/24 scale. I haven't done anything in 1/10.

[@SteveMagr]

Most impressive

[@nigelsmith7366]

Fantastic work mate I am a Aircraft and Armour modeler who does occasional cars and bikes.... Currently working on the weld beads on 1/12th Yamaha R1 You just earned a new subscriber

[@ClayKemp]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@bkmodelcars]

They got names for people like you. Awesome outstanding OMG. You make brains work and mine's going nuts. Don't know if you have seen my boat but the application of that drawing and Jig work may be of some assistance. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciate. Again awesome work beautifully done

[@douglasgerasimoff5159]

Love it, do you have a place to print out template and parts list.

[@Zen_Modeling]

Awesome Content Clay, I’m doing my 1st 1/25 All Brass TF Dragster frame & was thinking of ways to get my Blueprint to my Jig. 📍Exactly what I needed💯 Lee

[@stevehickey8537]

I think Ive just found a potential hobby to pursue. This intrigues me a hell of a lot. Thank you 👍

[@ClayKemp]

Great to hear!

[@HKST51R]

So glad you made this video! Any hints on where to get certain sizes of albion materials?

[@ClayKemp]

I ordered these from Sprue Brothers. But I have also seen different combinations of sizes on ebay.

[@DannyrcModels1579]

Nice very nice