Highmark's Class 2: The Marmot

[JKChad]

awesome build! I'm new to the scale crawler scene myself. I love fabricating, so I'm trying to build up enough knowledge about brazing to go get the stuff to start making my own parts. Thanks for the inspiration. Plus, I can totally relate to the high heat/humidity being in Nashville. Although, I've been spoiled by spending the last month in Colorado for work. Keep up the great work!

[RcBro]

and then?

[Highmark]

Might finally be time to finish the Marmot. I think I've thought through the problems I was dealing with when I stopped working on it and I got some new axles.

[War Pig]

Yes!

[Bananaclip]

Awesome! Been waiting on this build to get fired back up

[scalemechanic]

Sir your truck is amazing. You do great metal work. I cannot wait to see more of your build. What do you use to braze? I went to Holmes hobbies and found the flux but all he had was brazing filler. He also had silver solder but was out. Do you use the solder or a combination of it with the filler? I am new to all this but am going to dive in and attempt a cage or some sliders to test the waters.

[Highmark]

Originally Posted by War Pig

Yes!

Haha, looking forward to your new C1 and C3 rigs. It's amazing how many truck's you've finished since I started building this one!

Originally Posted by Bananaclip

Awesome! Been waiting on this build to get fired back up

Thanks man! I lost the drive for awhile but it's been staring at me from the corner of the garage for too long.

Originally Posted by scalemechanic

Sir your truck is amazing. You do great metal work. I cannot wait to see more of your build. What do you use to braze? I went to Holmes hobbies and found the flux but all he had was brazing filler. He also had silver solder but was out. Do you use the solder or a combination of it with the filler? I am new to all this but am going to dive in and attempt a cage or some sliders to test the waters.

Hey thanks! I really like the Holmes stuff because it's a smaller gauge than safety silv so it requires less heat at the joint. Here's a link to what I used specifically:

Flux:
Silver Brazing Flux - Wiring & Wiring Accessories - Electronics & Wiring

56% Silver Brazing Filler - Wiring & Wiring Accessories - Electronics & Wiring

I also use a smith little torch. I did a thread about it here: Everything you need to know about the Smith Little Torch (with pictures).

You really just have to dive in and give it a shot. Start with solid rod, fishtail your joints so they're as tight as possible and practice a lot.

[Highmark]

Got my axles! Turns out VP ships about as fast as RPP. There must be something in the water in Cali these days.



Lots of bits:


The fancy new c-hub inserts and bearing retainers:


Bare case:


I have to say, some of the machining is not quite as solid as what I would expect from VP. You'll never notice once its on the truck, but you can tell that the chinese parts have put some pressure on them to get cheaper products out. I'm also a little worried about how thin the material is on the c-hub. A steel insert goes in them, but it seems like these will wallow out over time. Worst case I'll just epoxy the inserts in:



Cheese Fries:


I bought a set of sacrificial axles off ebay:


Pinion in - I noticed Axial added a bigger pinion bearing which was a nice touch!:


Ring gear and locker in - this was a piece of cake thanks to the new design. I love living in the future.:


Having good tools helps:


Annnnnd the front axle is together. This took me about 14 minutes from start to finish. I'm sticking with the stock knuckles until I see what VP's offering looks like.:


The poor stock axle, devoid of any dignity, I think these might go under the Happy Bug V2 one day:


The rear axle case:


The only real difference is the longer tubes and bearing retainers, which are held on with tiny little screws. :



And done!:


New friends!:


Total build time was maybe thirty minutes. It's amazing how awesome the new designs are. Everything seems so much better put together than the old stuff. Overall these should be awesome, durable little axles.

[nwnewbie]

And then? Looking great so far!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Highmark]

Thanks!

I've been dragging ass (focusing on building new Class 2 and 3 rigs for nationals) on this one to be honest. I started messing with the tube work again but I really need to find someone to sandblast the frame as it's all rusted and sad.

[nwnewbie]

Dang, was gonna ask if this was gonna make it to nationals, would love to check it out in person!'

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Rockatanski]

Nice build here!
Thanks for sharing

[eric113]

And then?



P.S. I could have beadblasted the chassis for you.

[magicmarker77]

Sweet build, lots of inspiration!
A couple questions;
What is the size of the stainless stock you are using?
What are you using for a bender?

I’m locked in on this one
Cheers

[Highmark]

Originally Posted by Rockatanski

Nice build here!
Thanks for sharing

Thanks man!

Originally Posted by eric113

And then?



P.S. I could have beadblasted the chassis for you.

Dude! I might get you do blast it one last time when I finish it. Hard to get he flux off any other way.

It's all clean now!



Hoping to have it ready for AF this year. I have another rig (Chino's red 45) that will be my runner, but it's good to have backups.

Originally Posted by magicmarker77

Sweet build, lots of inspiration!
A couple questions;
What is the size of the stainless stock you are using?
What are you using for a bender?

I’m locked in on this one
Cheers

Thank you!

It's 3/16" stainless from mc-master. I've been using a bender that's intended for rod which kinks the tubing, but I'll finish it with this guy once I get it cleaned up (currently enjoying a nice white vinegar bath):

[chino63]

Marmot! Marmot! Marmot! Marmalade! Marmaduke... Marm... Oh never mind.

[VMGontheRocks]

Can we expect a 2020 finish date Jon? ;)

[Highmark]

Originally Posted by chino63

Marmot! Marmot! Marmot! Marmalade! Marmaduke... Marm... Oh never mind.

Yummmmm - maybe I picked the wrong name.

Originally Posted by VMGontheRocks

Can we expect a 2020 finish date Jon? ;)

At the rate I'm going that's about right.

I never said I was fast.