wood
 

I searched and couldn't find anything related, so I thought I would ask. I have access to a wood shop every other week day. I was wondering if anyone has tried to make a motor mount out of wood, or if it would or has a chance of working. I was wondering the same about a battery tray. I think that a battery tray may work, but would a wooden motor mount have too much flex to hold the motor?

Thanks

Wood would not work. It may for a time, but it will wear and loosen/quit working as well. I've worked in a cabinet shop and around wood for years, and I'm certain it would not work. Have contemplated making a few parts from wood out of curiosity before though.

When it gets wet/damp, it expands. At any rate, wood simply does not have the density and hardness of metal or even some plastics.

If it's very easy to work with, maybe make some mock-ups of an idea instead of using relatively expensive metal. But to actually use it; I wouldn't.

A very long time ago I saw a guy that converted his nitro to electric with a wooden motor mount.

A motor mount, no. But a battery tray shure why not. Stain it and put high gloss!

Thanks for the replys guys. I will probably make one and then install on the rc just to see how it looks, and then if I like it... I will send it to Mike or some other machinest to make it out of quality metal.

How about a battery tray. Mike L. said that it should work... anyone else have any opinions?

Depends I guess. For the tray to be fairly strong when made of wood, I would think the walls would have to be about 1/8" thick (like plywood) to handle the inertia of the batteries when the vehicle hits something, lands from jumps, etc. If you make the walls too thin, the cells will break right through. I dunno - maybe. For the work involved, I would rather use something like fiberglass so you can make some pretty crazy shapes.

Why not use HDPE for the battery tray? It's a high density plastic that can be cut using standard woodworking tools.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/cat...name=72&Page=1

I once thought that I could make a rc vehicle out of wood, but then again, wood can't stand all of the elements like metal and plastic.

+1

I've used wood for mock-ups and for templates but you need a metal or thermoplastic material for "the real thing".

Good call Skellyo - thats what mike and i use when prototyping parts - A thick HDPE milled out to hold batteries works wonders... Good call

Thanks for the link skellyo. I've never seen that material before. I think I'll try it just for mock ups of what the real thing will look like.

Thanks a lot guys.

That's a good source. Thanks!

Thanks...I've got some of it sitting here ready to make my own battery trays with it soon. I just went with 1/2" though, planning to sink the batts into it about 1/4".

Sure you have...it's what most cutting boards are made out of. Heck, a lot of it on usplastics.com is even FDA approved. :D

I'd bet you could sink the batteries in a solid 5/16 to 3/8". No problem.

Just goes to show what I know. :010:

Never really thought about what cutting boards are made out of.

You could also get some 1" - and pocket it out and then use some smaller plastic and make a cover.....

Mom better keep an eye on her cutting boards! :005:

Just thought I would revive this thread since we have so many new members now. What do all of you think about battery trays made of wood?

Funny you should ask. I have worked in all 3 fields at one time or another. I have been a welding shop, injection molding shop with a machine shop, and cabinet shops. I make custom furniture as a hobby. Yes you could make battery trays out of wood. The question is why do you want to? If its money you’re trying to save, you won’t. To build one out of the right materials would cost you more than to have it done with metal right from the start. To do it you need to build it with a hard wood. By hard wood I suggest maple or hickory. These woods have a tight grain pattern. Oak, pine, alder, or poplar are too soft to take a beating. There is no way plywood or press board will stand up to the bashing you want it for. So you need to buy a stock piece of wood. Maple would be the best choice. It’s strong but not as expensive as hickory. Go to your local wood sales place and ask for a piece of “8 quarter.” Lowes, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware will NOT carry this wood. It will be close to the same size as 2 2x4’s side by side. You will spend a lot of money for it. Around $80+ for 1 board. Then you cut it to size and “carve” it out. IMO it’s not cost efficient enough to do but it’s doable. BUT if it gets one crack in it, your finished. With the type of bashing I do I would not even begin to try. Waste of time and money. As for plastic I would not go that route either. If you decide to try go to your local wal-mart and buy a cutting board. Again carve it out with chisels. If you try and glue wood or plastic, where you glue will be the weakest spot. Glue does NOT stand up to bashing. I would recommend against gluing at all costs. The other problem you run into with a hard wood or a heavy plastic (cutting board) is in their weight. They both are heavy. You will be adding weight to your RC. Its just easier, lighter, stronger, more durable, and better cost efficient to use metal. I could give you some ideas for metal but there are hundreds of other posts to tell you that. Stick with sheet metal. I believe you asked about it before in another thread. Best bang for your buck.:tongue:

i have wood teeth...

Thanks for sharing. Do you brush them or just or just spray them with Pledge?

pledge with lemon!----> for that fresh feeling

i get wood looking at t-maxxracer's girlfriend

:lol:

Sure beats flax soap or Murphy's oil soap!

+1

(said in borat voice) Very Nice, How Much!?!?!?!?!?!

i thought that might get some laughs, too bad tmaxxracer sold EVERYTHING, I haven't even seen him on the forums, his supermaxx roller with 6 spider diffs only sold for $200 on e-bay (I was outbid at the last second) I think he might be kind of sour towards the r/c world. It's too bad, it's easy to make a small fortune on r/c, you just have to start with a large one and watch it dwindle........

Well, no T-Maxx but he still has his girl!

He can be happy, cause I am sure she will never leave him for a guy with a large rc collection. I have not met any women yet who think that RC is cool. I guess that it is mainly a male hobby. Kinf of like fashion is a female hobby!

Ah, they class shopping as a hobby so that justifies spending $$$$$ on clothes, shoes and handbags. I understand now.