WK Tuber... it is going to take a long time

[Creep]

I have begun my WK tuber project. I have life in my way right now so I can't focus much on this every week. Anyway, I am using the Wheely King axles and tranny, trans, transmission (that's for the people who actually use the search feature). RC4WD BL01's or whatever they call them this month (might have to get the other option to lessen my track width though), Moabs, Savage shocks (will probably go for the aluminum option later), Revo shafts (might be too big for my suspension idea though), Lipo of some sort, original Revolver and Mamba until I decide on either the Novak or Hyperion brushless. I know, PICS ALREADY! :flipoff:

1/8" aluminum skid plates. Not much else to say but DAMN that looks good!
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This is the new motor mount/tranny mount I made which also acts as a subframe that I will be able to remove from the tube chassis for maintainence. Not seen is the 72t 32p Traxxas spur gear - I needed a big diameter to allow the motor to clear the tranny. I had to drill new holes in the spur to mate it to the HPI hub.

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I removed the stock mounting posts and mounted the tranny using the forward plate. A second plate goes on this side of the tranny. You can see the beginning of my gear-forced articulation suspension housed in there too!

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[Creep]

This is a simple example of the stance I am shooting for:

The link mounts are attached to the front axle by screwing them into the housing which gives a very smooth bottom side to the axle housing.
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Notice that I switched the knuckles on the rear axle (they are at more of an angle to the ground now and not vertical) to gain a bit more clearance at the ends of the axle. I have not stabilzed the steering parts on the rear axle yet though.
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[xjwalt666]

looks good. what is the difference in the width of the wk axles compared to tlt axles?

[supercrawlerfreak]

ok you know you have to elaborate more on the gear forced atriculation idea:lol: cuz that just looks strange with a traxxas ring gear on the bottom of a skid

[JasonInAugusta]

looks good. what is the difference in the width of the wk axles compared to tlt axles?

Search general scale for wheely king axle breakdown.

[xjwalt666]

Search general scale for wheely king axle breakdown.


ok will do

[Creep]

ok you know you have to elaborate more on the gear forced atriculation idea:lol: cuz that just looks strange with a traxxas ring gear on the bottom of a skid

I used the ring and pinion (with a second pinion) from a CEN Nemesis (left over parts from another build). I was trying to install a locker in the CEN diff but they use red locktite on the diff cup so I had to section the ring gear with my dremel. Anyway, I had been looking for a way to mimic the Scorpion MK 1 suspension and realized how the gear would turn the pinion one way but another pinion on the other side would rotate the other way. So I figure I will add lower wishbone links to the pinions, mounted through a hinge point to allow up and down travel. I will use the stock upper control arm mount on the axle for a wishbone splitting the other way to keep the axle located laterally. I am trying to set the ride height perfectly to locate the point of swivel on the chassis and the point of swivel on the axle at the same above-ground height to limit axle steer when flexing. Like 1:1 rock buggies use the winch to limit downward travel for hillclimbs... I will use thin braided line to maintain the ride height (f&r) which will keep my shocks at half travel when sitting, so there is equal droop and compression. This way neither corner will limit the travel of the other end (front, rear, left, right) allowing each corner equal travel at all times. The opposing shocks should force travel of the other shocks this way. I am hoping this suspension will knock out torque twist, body lean on sidehills, and anti-squat while allowing good droop and stability. Longwinded, I know, but I think you get the idea!

[Natedog]

Really interesting looking build...nice idea on the geared suspension linkage...should work great to eliminate torque lean. Nice use of the WK tranny too.

[JIA's Dad]

Looks like you've already chosen a name for this one in pics 5 & 6. DISTURBED!!!! Just a thought since it showed up. What did you use to make the motor/trans mount.

[Creep]

I kinda like that idea for a name! I could make a 'DISTURBED' graphic for it like Jason did for Ralph. "thumbsup"

[Creep]

I forgot to mention I used 1/4" textured polyethelene for the subframe - my camera sucks so it's hard to see the texture.
Here are some renderings! 8)
Even the 3D model is a work in progress...
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Lots of complex curves but I used the radius of my bender to create most the curves in my design so I think I can build it!

[JasonInAugusta]

I kinda like that idea for a name! I could make a 'DISTURBED' graphic for it like Jason did for Ralph. "thumbsup"


Then you'd be down with the sickness! :lol:

I was on the phone with dad today...for some-odd reason he thought this was one of my builds.

Probably has something to do with him browsing the forums at 4AM. :lol:

[Reflection]

pictures ain't working for me. What gives?

[Creep]

None of them work? I don't know what to tell ya. I can view them from 2 different computers.

[Creep]

Then you'd be down with the sickness! :lol:

I was on the phone with dad today...for some-odd reason he thought this was one of my builds.

Probably has something to do with him browsing the forums at 4AM. :lol:

That's alright, I'll just take it as a compliment! :)

[Creep]

I got some bending done! I'm using 3/16" brakeline. I need to order some safety-silv or something. I know there is a link to it on here somewhere... Anyone have any better suggestions or tips? This is my 1st tuber and my third crawler - of course, I didn't finish the 1st or 2nd ones. :x I think its looking good though... I am straying from my drawing just a bit to smooth things out but I am pleased with how it is going so far! Give me some feedback - I feel all alone here!! :mrgreen:

MORE FUZZY PICS!

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[NickRummy]

Looks awesome Creep! Are those scale drawings from CAD helping with bending the tube? I have all the stuff to braze but haven't tried it yet. I gotta jump in and go for it. The problem is, If i'm decent at it, I don't think I'll ever put the torch down and actually drive what I make!

And yes, you do need a better camera!

[Creep]

Thanks Nick! The drawings help out a ton! I place a straight piece on the drawing and mark where the beginning of the bend needs to be, start bending, and adjust the bend by hand to match the drawing. Anything that is angled in the Z plane and can't be measured accurately on paper can be measured in the DWG file and I use calipers to transfer that dimension to the tubing. My angle finder fine tunes everything after that! I am excited to start brazing too, but I am about to start a new job, buy a new house, move, and go to Moab for the Safari! I just hope I finish this crawler...

[AARONA40]

Creep, i love the cad drawings. great idea and near perfect way to get you bends correct. all 3 dimensoins is sweet!!!!! any way to show the articulation with the cad? Cool idea and keep up the good work. aaron

[Creep]

Thanks Aaron, it has been a lot of fun! I appreciate the feedback. Here is a link to a 3D modeling software thread in the tools and procedures section that goes into several programs that can help you get started with modeling parts and ideas. "thumbsup" http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20002
For this design, I started with a basic 2D profile of an idea and then started guessing the other views until I finally started designing in the "3D world" to get things to work perfectly. I produce less waste by having the tubing lengths already measured in front of me. The pics below show 60* of balanced articulation which is my goal. The pivot points I picked in the model mimic the pivot points I should have in the real world.
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[Wrecker]

Nice renderings, that chassis I going to look sweet. Looks like there is quite a few pretty complicated bends in there with one piece of tubing. I would go crazy trying to make that many compound bends in one piece. Good luck with that.

[Creep]

I actually have all the complex bends done! The drawing made it fairly painless. :) Everything is pretty square too! I decided to make the grill out of 1/8" or thinner plate. I just think it would look better to have a flat grill versus tubes. And it will be much easier to get right! When I locate some plate and get it cut up I will post pics.

[JasonInAugusta]

Nice work!

All that's left is well...everything. :lol:

If you braze 1/2 as well as you do CAD and bend tube you'll do well.

But your pics still suck. :lol: :flipoff:

[JIA's Dad]

Well it's only 3:19 am but was wondering if you had any updates on this project. Have been waiting to see how the frame turned out. How about some pics?

[pbfrk4life]

Well it's only 3:19 am but was wondering if you had any updates on this project. Have been waiting to see how the frame turned out. How about some pics?

I second that...but its only 12:22 in cali. So hows the rig commin? Im dien for an update!

[Creep]

The chassis is coming out pretty good. Thanks for asking! My brazing is a little mediocre but I am learning as I go. I ordered the Ram lights and a lipo so I could locate the grill properly. I started fine tuning the grill over the weekend and cutting out the shapes I wanted - and it is looking killer! I also came up with a novel way to attach my links and shocks to the axles. Stay tuned; I will post pics of all this and more tonight... "thumbsup"

[Creep]

CHASSIS UPDATES!! And they are not as fuzzy. If you got any questions post up!

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So yeah, it's taking shape. I'm trying to decide what I want to do to the grill. I could go for a 7-slot grill or... anybody wanna draw something up on my grill? I don't want to braze it in place until it is cut out and I am starting to work on my suspension links so I got time to conceptualize something. Speaking of links..........

[Creep]

:idea: OK, here is how I am mounting my lower links to the axles. I used 9/16" staples found at the Ho Depo, 4-40 thread 1/4" stainless nuts, 1/4" gap aluminum C-channel, and some tools.

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I cut off the pointed tips from the staples and used a 4-40 die to put threads on them. Then I drilled 2 holes on the aluminum channel 11/16" apart for the threaded staples to go through. I cut out from the channel enough room to get the the nuts to seat properly against the horizontal surface - and to use a nut driver on them. This leaves just enough surface on the vertical surfaces for a rod end to mount on. More... fuzzy pics...

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The staple rests up against the outermost ridge on the axle tube and doesn't move; and it conforms perfectly around the axle housing without leaving any gap around the radius. The lower link will be captured while the shock will mount to the outside of the channel toward the center of the axle. I lose about 1/16" clearance at the u-bolt/staples and because of the angle of the axle tube the aluminum piece does not hang below at all so no clearance was lost there. I filed an angle into the bottom side of the aluminum to act as a skid just in case though! 3 more to go! :?

[pbfrk4life]

Very nice work and goood idea with the staples. The frame is also lookn sweet.

[Nitro]

Well it's only 3:19 am but was wondering if you had any updates on this project. Have been waiting to see how the frame turned out. How about some pics?

And here I thought that I was the only one that surfs the board in the middle of the night. (Or morning, however you look at it.):D

Killer tube work so far. It is going to look great!!

[JasonInAugusta]

Lookin' good!

[JIA's Dad]

How did you come up with a staple. Great Idea!!!! Really like the start nice tuber. Still got that Name in mind I see "DISTURBED". NIce job"thumbsup" OH yeah, since you not using the original mounts send them to me.

[NickRummy]

lookin sweet Creep! I love the staple idea.

I'd say go with the slotted grill for sure.

[Creep]

Thanks guys! I hope to get the other link mounts done tonight and I hope to get the rest of the tubing brazed this weekend. I started my new job yesterday - I'm not so spoiled anymore Nick! I close on my new house in 2 weeks too so I need to start packing... but I am making better progress than I thought I would. It's cool to have a WK section now!

And I got the staple idea because I'm DISTURBED! Bud-um-bum... :roll: It was actually an evolution of bad ideas that turned into a good one!

[sleek6mt]

looks good dude

nice staple mod

[JIA's Dad]

Looking good!!! I don't know why but when I look at that front end all I can think of is a frog with it's tongue stuck out, with head lights for eyes. Anyway I'm weird. I still like your rig, keep going."thumbsup" Maybe I'm the one thats DISTURBED:roll:

[NickRummy]

Not sure if I missed this but what is your wheelbase and what are your overall chassis dimensions? length/width/height?

[Creep]

The wheelbase is 12.5". Not sure about the chassis right now but it's about 5" at its widest point and maybe 18" long. I made no progress last night on it. Maybe tonight.

[NickRummy]

Ok good. I am working on a design for use with maxx straight axles and it was turning out to be quit big. Looks like it is proportioned right though. Thanks!

[Stallion1967]

I forgot to mention I used 1/4" textured polyethelene for the subframe - my camera sucks so it's hard to see the texture.
Here are some renderings! 8)
Even the 3D model is a work in progress...
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Lots of complex curves but I used the radius of my bender to create most the curves in my design so I think I can build it!

thats awesome, how did you do that? And what software?

[Nitro]

Any updates?

[Creep]

thats awesome, how did you do that? And what software?

Thanks! I used Architectural Desktop 2007 which is an AutoCAD add-on. Somewhere in this thread I posted a link to the 3D software thread. It's getting to be a pretty involved thread now - 31 pages or so! "thumbsup"

I was actually working on this thing just now and had to take a break. I have been fine tuning the grill and I cut out the center shape for it and it looks good... BUT... it just doesn't go with the rest of the chassis. The grill looks old and the rest of the rig looks high tech. It looks better in it's raw state than it does when decked out. Here is what I mean:

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The last pic doesn't get the point across that I was hoping. It just seems out of place to me! :x What do you guys think? :?: :idea:

[Stallion1967]

is that software free? and I think the grill looks frickin sweet!"thumbsup"

[Creep]

Nah, ADT is pretty pricey. It is what I use at work. Check out that thread - and search the thread for Alibre - I think that one is free. Solidworks can be had for around $100 I hear and it works well.

[Creep]

Well, after overheating a few joints and having them break free while I tried to add more tubes I finally got the main structure close to done! I still need to do a bit more brazing and add a couple of bars before I start adding nuts for the body panels. I think I figured out what to do with the grill so I brazed it in place. I told you this would take a long time!

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I seem to be on course for a 6.5 lb rig.

[clarkrw3]

keep it up....looking sick"thumbsup"

[ColquittCustom405]

Impressive.

[patatron]

What equipment do you personally use for brazing? I am looking to get something so that I can basically do something similar. I have more welders (TIG, MIG, GAS, plasma) than I know what to do with, but havent done any brazing in years, it seem like the practical way to go with this! Looks great BTW!

[NickRummy]

Turning out great!

[Creep]

Thanks guys! I close on my house deal tomorrow and have to move, build a fence, work over time, yada yada yada; so I won't be working on this thing much for a while. :-( It's so fun though...

patatron - I am using Harris Safety-Silv 56 and the white flux paste. It seems to be the best and most used on this site. I would recommend getting a 3 troy ounce package if you are going to be experimenting and learning. I was told by one of the vets around the site that it can be found on eBay for around half the price that I paid at US Welding. "thumbsup"

[lowslowTJ]

I like the grill. did you cut it out by hand?

[Creep]

Yes sir, I did! I cut out the grill from the CAD drawing and taped it onto an electrical switch box plate (1/16" thick). I then used a cutoff wheel on my Dremel to follow the outline of the paper template and used the crosshairs of the lights to center punch the light's locations. Then I came up with an idea for the center square hole and just drew it onto the steel using my hand drafting tools. I fine-tuned everything using mini files. Walah!

[west virginia krawler]

wow u do great work. Can you get the tranny out?. Cause thats happend to me before. Dont no how but i did. Anyway keep up the great work. And love the grill. Everything looks saweet
"thumbsup"

[Creep]

Thanks for the compliments. I am setting this rig up so that if I unbolt the shocks from the chassis I can remove the tranny, motor, esc, axles, links, shocks, and servo as a unit. Basically, the tube chassis is to be removable... hopefully! That is my intent so I can work on everything easily... and remove the trans if needed!

[Jeneum]

WOW, I say forget the house and keep on trucking looking great.

[rogman]

nice work i like a lot i've made one tuber and after making it i know how hard it is to make it look good so i say nice work

[big bronco]

nice job i like the front end nd all the curves good thinking

[Crawler Noob]

damn, thats a sick wk. i need to get one.

[RivBlueNoma]

I dont really pay much attention to tubers in general. But Im liking this one. The Jeep style grille shell looks awesome on it. Have you thought about brazing some vertical bars(rods) in from the back to make a grille? What are you using for headlights and where did you get them?

[Creep]

That is exactly what I am thinking about doing to the grill - 1/8" rod for a 7 slot grill! I am going to draw the grill in CAD the way it is now and draw the rods on it so that I can transfer locating marks onto the steel to get them close to perfect. The headlights are RAM Ultrabrite units that I ordered from Tower. Thanks for the comments guys. I hope to get back into this project soon but I am still settling into my new house! I'll update when I get more done.

[celsiusprime]

can someone please tell me how to get pics into my messages? your tuber looks great. I just finished building my tuber for my nylint. I also used AutoCad to design the thing before building it. I thought it was a great help. Fewer snags during the fabrication due to working it out on the computer beforehand. sweet job on your tuber, man!:mrgreen: hey, i'm wondering about the WK kits that are available. Is the original WK a 4X4? I noticed tha there's a new one that says 4x4 on the box, but the original doesn't. I'm looking into getting one and I don't want to buy the wrong thing.

[Creep]

Man, I cannot believe the pace rc crawling is moving at! I get side tracked from it for 6 months and everything I have is now old skool! I am hoping to get back into my builds again soon and have so much available inspiration from all the new aftermarket pieces and custom builds that have been coming along. It is getting cold outside again so time for the hobby to resume! WOOT WOOT! :lol:

[west virginia krawler]

Any updates??

[Creep]

Finally found the will to get this thing rolling. I tuned out the funky suspension design so I could just get the damn thing done. I'm using Revo shocks with no springs and the basic 3-link design for droop. Flex is limited to a beer can which is fine for me. I have the Tekin 45 FXR setup, just need to solder things together to start breaking stuff! :twisted:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3821646908_a9fa25a555_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/3820840497_389cc0ab1b_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3820840535_f3b18b4bb2_o.jpg

[illz302]

WOW nice work Creep it is looking great. What is the angle you indexed your axles too?

[808DA6]

Very nice! You gonna skin it?

-Brian

[Creep]

Thanks guys! The axles are sitting same as stock; that is, if I understand the question...
I have been thinking about the skin for a looooong time - I'm so indecisive! I have lexan and a carbon fiber sticker sheet that I was going to use for skins. The battery (Orion Lipo 3200) I have is faux carbon fiber for that reason as well. And I had planned on painting the tube metallic orange. The lexan I ordered is too thick to get the curves right tho. BUT! I am not sure I want this thing to be all pretty anyway and I am really into the look and contrast of raw aluminum and bed liner. I think I might continue with the "rough" theme I have now. So I am thinking about skinning it with thin aluminum (beer cans are all over my house :mrgreen:) and then bed lining it. Dents and scrapes would be cool that way! :twisted:

[Creep]

So I got all the electronics hooked up over the weekend and was able to get a night run in. TWO YEARS LATER! I have a run time over 1 hour with my 3200 lipo tho. 8) I do have an issue with jerkiness and reverse however. Anyone have a clue as to why I have to throttle reverse 3 times before it will back up and why it will jerk and sometimes launch in reverse and then instantly throttle forward and stop? It's really weird and annoying. I haven't programmed the FXR yet so I am hoping doing so will cure the problem.

I'll post pics more soon...

[Creep]

I still haven't programmed my ESC and there is still some glitching but here is a dumb video of a friend trying to learn how to drive a crawler: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVYD4bAksgg