possibly making my own chassis - RC-Monster Forums

t-maxxracer32 · **possibly making my own chassis -** 01.26.2007, 07:13 PM

hey well today is friday... dont have much to do so i was going to go buy some lexan at lowes (called in and they have a bunch of diff sizes) its about 10-15 bucks depending on wha lenght and how thick it is. what thickness should i get? its in mm. so like 80mm? or what?

also are there any tutorials i can look at when cutting it and what not? if i mess everything up its only 15 bucks... and if i do i will just go and get the flm one. i want to do it just to have something to do and if it works out then AWSOME!

anything i need to know before i start it? im just making the chassis for now. i have a drill press and one of those milter saws. i have the usual tools (drill, allens, screws and what not) so i think i have most of the right tools. what else do i need?

thanks guys!

MetalMan · 01.26.2007, 07:16 PM

Is this for your Rustler? If you are doing only a lower chassis plate with no upper deck (besides the one at the front), then 9mm or 10mm might work (anything less will flex too much). If you are doing a full upper chassis plate, then you could use 6mm (1/4") on the top and bottom.

The chassis I'm doing for my Rustler is 1/4", and will have vertical pieces that go on the outer edges of the chassis (surrounding the battery) to make the chassis stiffer. The idea is that the chassis will be very stiff, but since it's polycarbonate it should still give a little in the event of a crash.

phildogg · 01.26.2007, 07:23 PM

I made mine out of 1/4" lexan.. I just traced out the stock rusty shape onto the lexan and cut it out with a jig saw.. (with fine tooth blade) all worked out great with the stock upper deck dremeled.. used alum standoffs to support the upper deck.. try it..
phil

t-maxxracer32 · 01.26.2007, 07:23 PM

polycarbonate the same as lexan?

i might as well do an upper and lower deck. if i dont it will be kind of ugly (bottom deck is clear and top is black)

i dont really have a design in my mind...

MetalMan · 01.26.2007, 07:29 PM

Polycarbonate is similar to Lexan. I think it might be a little bit more flexible than Lexan, but I've never bought the actual Lexan made by GE.

phildogg · 01.26.2007, 07:34 PM

I bought mine off of ebay.. I think it looked good with the clear and black myself..
phil

t-maxxracer32 · 01.26.2007, 07:40 PM

got some pics of it maybe? i could do something like this http://www.ultimaterc.com/gallery/di....php?pos=-5713 but i use the 3s1p batts so i would just probably do what phill dog did!

phildogg · 01.26.2007, 09:50 PM

I don't have any pics of it.. but with making a upper deck you have to find a way of mounting the servo, and I thought it was easier to just use the stock one.. I also used a batt tray off a E-maxx chassis for the batt holder..
phil

t-maxxracer32 · 01.26.2007, 10:12 PM

well you think the fact that im using a123 cells it will change? (3s1p)

i went to lowes and picked up what they said was lexan. it sais acrylic sheet. so what does that mean? also it is .220 size so is that ok?

thanks!

another thing.. it is 18x24 and cost 19 bucks. good bad or normal deal?

thanks! one again!!!

t-maxxracer32 · 01.26.2007, 11:02 PM

well i went outside to make some measurments and everything and noticed on the front end of the rusty its like indented and what not... how do i do that? this project may be too hard for the tools i have... i might make some a-arms and stuff though but idk what ima do.

thanks

crazyjr · 01.27.2007, 03:54 AM

Acrylic is plexi glass and won't work, hit a rock and it will literaly break in half. you need to return it before you use it and go to the local screen and glass place in you're area and ask for lexan. If you want ask if they have any decent sized peices that will be thrown away, you might come up with enough to make an upper chassis

phildogg · 01.27.2007, 09:11 AM

take that back ! also what do you mean its indented?the chassis?I don't have one to look at but don't remember that.
phil

t-maxxracer32 · 01.27.2007, 11:25 AM

liek where the front end is at. when you take off the front end it has some indentions so it fits in there snug. i drew on the paper last night so i doubt i can take it back but w/e not that big of a deal.

crazyjr · 01.27.2007, 11:52 AM

You mean kind of like a step so the pieces will be smooth, just use a file or dremel(be careful, the plastic will melt is heated too much, but please don't use the acrylic

t-maxxracer32 · 01.27.2007, 04:37 PM

i woudlnt use the acrylic for the chassis after hearing what they said lol. maybe ill use it for a battery holder or sopmething like that. i woudl taker it back but like io said... i marked on it. myabe i can get my mom to take it back and say it came like that!! ahah!