The solvent was the clear winner - both melted the plastic to some extent, but the glue for the Testor's plastic cement didn't really help it bond. The plastic weld just literally melted them together. I was able to seperate both, but the solvent took considerably more force. I think with a better fit (I was just using scraps I hadn't tried to shape to fit nicely together) it will bond completely, and not be easily breakable at all.

So, a total of 6 glues tested, now to move on to some real building!

Remaining challenges:
1 - precise design - I have the general layout, gotta get down to the specifics!
2 - How to join the rollcage to the chassis. 3 things in mind here - 1, for the thicker center cage, putting holes in the chassis, drilling a small pilot hole in the center of the .375 abs, and running a screw up into it. 2, flattening the ends of the .250 abs, and drilling holes through it to attach it to the chassis with nuts & bolts. 3, using round end electric wire connectors which fit over the end of the abs, gluing those, and then bolts through the round end connectors to the chassis.

At this point I'm favoring 1 & 3. They're more precise, and have a cleaner look.
Tony

For the heck of it, I tried out some pure acetone, which definitely just melts the abs... but the bond was no stronger then the Plastic Weld. I had a bit of a brainstorm last night on how to attach it all to the chassis in an easy way, that's field-serviceable. Also had some ideas on how to improve my bending, for greater consistency. Hopefully I'll have time tomorrow to cut & shape more of the roll cage.

Isn't progress great? Pics are better though... :lol:

There's not much to take a pic of yet, lol! If I get the main rollcage together and on the chassis I'll put up some good pics of it for critique.

Haven't updated this in a while, because it was just sitting on a shelf. Finally took the time to do some build and assembly. Pics here:
http://sites.google.com/site/kraegar/rc

I should the cage build done today or tomorrow, letting it dry some now.

Then time to cut the panels and attach them, and attach it to the chassis.

After that it's just getting tires & wheels (probably prolines) and a brushless setup for it.

Then time to find some sand!

Looks pretty neat. I think remote reservoir shocks would look awesome with the reservoirs mounted horizontally on the side chassis tubes. RC4WD used to have them, but I just went there and couldn't find them anymore.

That looks great Kraegar! Have you done any informal strength testing on those acetone welds?

I don't know, but this is a new trend and I like it more than CORR!

http://kyosho.com/eng/products/rc/de...duct_id=106257

Awesome build by the way :)

I did lots of testing, and finally found what I think is the strongest weld I can get. I start off by using Plastruct plastic weld (glass bottle, orange label, bought it at the LHS, this stuff http://www.kitkraft.biz/product.php?productid=1418) to set the basic joint. Let that dry for a minute or two, so the pieces are connected how I want. Then I "paint" the abs on around that in thin layers.

This is fairly strong on its own, but will break if you use enough force. That's OK! It breaks because the ABS gets little air bubbles in it. If you use the plastic weld to fix those breaks, it fills in the air bubbles, re-welds the abs, and becomes nearly unbreakable. It's kind of crazy how well it works.

So yeah, I fully expect some major breakage on my first big crash, but I know ahead of time that the fix will actually make it stronger. Took a lot of trial and error, but I'm really amazed with the welds I get. Was very worth it.

Tony

Hadn't seen that kyosho before, pretty cool.

Put some more updated photos here: http://sites.google.com/site/kraegar/rc

Scroll to the bottom.

This thing is rockin! Got the cage complete, and the body panels cut. The photos above include a mockup with the body panels taped in place on top of the cage. I love the way it's looking.

It's time to come to a decision on how to attach the cage to the chassis. My plan had been to use zip ties around the bottom edge of the cage, and through holes in the chassis. Same for the body panels.

I'm debating a new idea now... putting 1/4" ABS posts extending down through holes drilled in the chassis, and then using body clips through those posts. It would have several advantages, including that the entire cage would lift off for maintenance (of the cage, or the car itself). I could easily run 4, maybe more posts down... got good solid attachment points to weld them to.

Any opinions or better ideas? I think I'm really leaning towards the body post idea.

Tony

There has been one on our Seattle Craigslist off and on over the last month or so. Pull up Craigslist seattle, and do a search for it. If you need me to, I can help with the purchase/shipping....

Here's the latest image if anyone's too lazy to click the link above. Ignore the blue painter's tape... and the exact fit is obviously a bit off, but the idea gets across!

http://home.comcast.net/~kraegar_ind...2021.56.16.jpg

looks really slick! cant wait to see it all finished!--josh

I added the body posts last night, drilled holes down through the chassis. Glued on two of the body panels, and welded them in place. Tested the body clip idea, works great.

This last part will take some time, as it all needs a lot of re-inforcing. I can also tell some of my links are weak, but that's actually OK, as when they break, re-welding them actually makes them stronger. (I broke one last night, and re-welded it, it's tough as nails as of this morning. There are a couple I might break on purpose, even)

The other big advantage I'll have is that it's all repairable, all replaceable. Anything that breaks or needs improved, I can remove and replace how I want. I have plenty of spare material, and it's all easy to work with.

Tony