More parts are getting finished and ready for the next 5 Drakan cars. This includes bar ends for the Drakan roll hoop supports, and bell crank bushings.

The bushings are some of the most challenging parts to make because they are made from hardened steel shafts. There is a special drill we use to bore out the inside and then a special tool to shape the ends. On the parting operations a finger must be kept close to the "E-Stop" button as inserts have a habit of exploding. Three parts in I had a new insert go. Fortunately we had a lot of inserts on hand.

With the end of lathe part manufacture I have been transitioning to putting together sub-assemblies. I started with easy and quick stuff like adding heat shrink to the steering racks (works much better than paint to color the zinc plated tie rods) and removing the tie rod ends. I also pressed steel inserts into steering arms and started installing helicoils into the uprights. Orders have been placed for bearings so I can assemble the bell cranks for the cars.

Other important parts have been showing up such as the fuel cells pictured. One seems to be arriving every week. I was tempted to take them out of their boxes but with a potential move approaching I decided it would be best to keep them safe in their boxes until needed.