okay so I need new glasses too
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Chris.........
Chris.........
Chassis building
I'd love to see more pics of chassis in all their wonderful variety- especially with build details, too. Graham has some fantastic ideas, I see, and Russell sets the mark for craftsmanship so far, but let's see some more! I especially want to know about ideas for improved handling (doh!)
Mrs Howmet has promised to knit some prizes for the most interesting posts.
To set the ball rolling, herewith my first go at a 1/24 'retro' car, '67 period or thereabouts. Straightforward brass/piano wire inline with drop arm and floppy outriggers. Still looking for an appropriate motor.....
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Mrs Howmet has promised to knit some prizes for the most interesting posts.
To set the ball rolling, herewith my first go at a 1/24 'retro' car, '67 period or thereabouts. Straightforward brass/piano wire inline with drop arm and floppy outriggers. Still looking for an appropriate motor.....
41 - 60 of 109 Posts
2
Chris, it comes from staring at all that shiny brass!
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Love those torsion bar chassis - next on my list!
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Love those torsion bar chassis - next on my list!
5
Does anyone remember the magazine Auto Modeller back in the late '70s early '80s? Ian Jenson was a sometime contributor and on one occasion presented a "how to" for an inexpensive club formula 1 chassis. I'm not too sure how to best describe it but it was a sort of flexi-board with rattley side rails arrangement and it used a basic economy Mabuchi 13UO motor for power.
Well, this chassis has been on my "to do" list since 1979 and I appreciate I'm a bit late handing in my homework Mr howmet, Sir but whatever. Here is progress report no.1:
To the garage...
Now I didn't use any particularly special tools for this project, just this SIMPLE CNC LASER CUTTER pictured here:
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(btw, if anyone has a CNC LASER that I could try cutting with it please don't hesitate to drop me a line), a hammer, mole grips(*see below), a vice, various files and things, a junior hacksaw and a butane soldering iron. Probably forgotten something but that's more or less it.
Anyway on with the construction:
Step 1. The main parts were cut from brass and piano wire:
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Step 2. The main frame is soldered together - I used the graph paper to ensure everything was lined up properly:
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Step 3: The side rails are added. In fact I changed the design a little here, On the original, the front stay was 18swg piano wire soldered across the chassis front and feeding into short tubes soldered to the side rails. These were capped with even smaller bits of brass tube - almost too small for me to see let alone cut and hold! So, I simplified the arrangement by duplicating the rear stay but across the front of the chassis. Much easier to build, although I will need to modify the original guide arrangement too so it can pass over the new higher added tube.
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Still to do, front axle/wheels, guide, body mounts and motor - I've a spare Fox lying about so I might try that rather than the 13UO. I'll probably get a new Betta shell for it but in the meantime I might press this Wolf shell into service. As with David's cars above this shell dates from the '70s and was painted freehand.
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More when I get the rest of the bits!
* Incidentally, despite the grips, no moles were harmed in the making of this chassis.
Well, this chassis has been on my "to do" list since 1979 and I appreciate I'm a bit late handing in my homework Mr howmet, Sir but whatever. Here is progress report no.1:
To the garage...
Now I didn't use any particularly special tools for this project, just this SIMPLE CNC LASER CUTTER pictured here:
(btw, if anyone has a CNC LASER that I could try cutting with it please don't hesitate to drop me a line), a hammer, mole grips(*see below), a vice, various files and things, a junior hacksaw and a butane soldering iron. Probably forgotten something but that's more or less it.
Anyway on with the construction:
Step 1. The main parts were cut from brass and piano wire:
Step 2. The main frame is soldered together - I used the graph paper to ensure everything was lined up properly:
Step 3: The side rails are added. In fact I changed the design a little here, On the original, the front stay was 18swg piano wire soldered across the chassis front and feeding into short tubes soldered to the side rails. These were capped with even smaller bits of brass tube - almost too small for me to see let alone cut and hold! So, I simplified the arrangement by duplicating the rear stay but across the front of the chassis. Much easier to build, although I will need to modify the original guide arrangement too so it can pass over the new higher added tube.
Still to do, front axle/wheels, guide, body mounts and motor - I've a spare Fox lying about so I might try that rather than the 13UO. I'll probably get a new Betta shell for it but in the meantime I might press this Wolf shell into service. As with David's cars above this shell dates from the '70s and was painted freehand.
More when I get the rest of the bits!
* Incidentally, despite the grips, no moles were harmed in the making of this chassis.
3
Nice work, John! Looks like there's a few scratchbuilders here after all!
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And... you're not late! Remember to use a good excuse, er, ah, justification! "...you can't rush a genius..." or "...it's like fine wine - it has to age!..." or "...I didn't want to outclass the other builders of the time..."
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PS - what are "mole grips"
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And... you're not late! Remember to use a good excuse, er, ah, justification! "...you can't rush a genius..." or "...it's like fine wine - it has to age!..." or "...I didn't want to outclass the other builders of the time..."
PS - what are "mole grips"
2
QUOTE Mole grips are an english device for handling small underground rodents
...and you Brits do that a lot?
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QUOTE (a self locking wrench really)
Okay.... probably similar to what we call "vice grips" or "locking pliers" in North America.... like pliers but they are adjustable for opening size and lock when crimped - released by an auxiliary handle under one of the main handles.... I'm alway amazed at how two "english" speaking countries can have such dissimilar names for things...
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...and you Brits do that a lot?
QUOTE (a self locking wrench really)
Okay.... probably similar to what we call "vice grips" or "locking pliers" in North America.... like pliers but they are adjustable for opening size and lock when crimped - released by an auxiliary handle under one of the main handles.... I'm alway amazed at how two "english" speaking countries can have such dissimilar names for things...
QUOTE One question.... why on earth did those guys go to all that trouble for a gutless 13UO back then??? Now a Fox makes much better sense.
As there was an apparent sensitivity to the high cost of top level slot cars this racing class was devised as an inexpensive option for club nights. Apparently the 13UO was available from Supershells for a mere £1 at the time. I have to agree though, the chassis is begging for something a little more tasty!
BTW, thanks for all the excuses Fergy - all noted for future reference - especially for projects relating to decorating and general household maintenance
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As there was an apparent sensitivity to the high cost of top level slot cars this racing class was devised as an inexpensive option for club nights. Apparently the 13UO was available from Supershells for a mere £1 at the time. I have to agree though, the chassis is begging for something a little more tasty!
BTW, thanks for all the excuses Fergy - all noted for future reference - especially for projects relating to decorating and general household maintenance
QUOTE I'm alway amazed at how two "english" speaking countries can have such dissimilar names for things...
You say tomato and I say tomato
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(doesnt work when written?)
You say tomato and I say tomato
(doesnt work when written?)
QUOTE You say tomato and I say tomato
(doesnt work when written?)
...but that makes it even funnier
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(doesnt work when written?)
...but that makes it even funnier
4
QUOTE thanks for all the excuses Fergy - all noted for future reference - especially for projects relating to decorating and general household maintenance
Where did you think I got them from!
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QUOTE You say tomato and I say tomato
Glad you didn't pick "potato", we don't want Dan Quayle to get in on this...
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(Probably only my US friends will get that...)
Can't wait for the complete chassis, John. I love seeing the variety of styles that have been done over the years.
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Where did you think I got them from!
QUOTE You say tomato and I say tomato
Glad you didn't pick "potato", we don't want Dan Quayle to get in on this...
Can't wait for the complete chassis, John. I love seeing the variety of styles that have been done over the years.
QUOTE Glad you didn't pick "potato", we don't want Dan Quayle to get in on this... (Probably only my US friends will get that...)
No, we got it - he gained international notoriety with that one
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No, we got it - he gained international notoriety with that one
john
nice work...... I used one of those special cutting tools for years........ Can't say I miss the thing though
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looking forward to seeing hte finished chassis.... And I have to agree that for such a nice chassis a motor upgrade is in order......
Chris.....
nice work...... I used one of those special cutting tools for years........ Can't say I miss the thing though
looking forward to seeing hte finished chassis.... And I have to agree that for such a nice chassis a motor upgrade is in order......
Chris.....
3
Thanks for the motor tips guys - I just got through upgrading the 13UO as suggested and thought you might like to see the re-build. Fox mags, Fox arm, Fox can and Fox brushgear.
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Howmet, potato is spelt potatoe' not potato'
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Howmet, potato is spelt potatoe' not potato'
41 - 60 of 109 Posts
