chassis/frames

[Perkolator]

anyone know where to get the best price on a chassis/frame for an SCX10? or is there an aftermarket chassis that is cheap?

I'm still new to all this RC stuff, but I want a 2nd crawler around for my wife or someone else to enjoy. Sure, I could buy another scx10 kit, but I'm planning on keeping the 2nd rig relatively stock - and put my focus into my current Honcho, and I just bought a 2nd set of axles and servo. plans are to do some full steel cage/tube work for the Honcho and upgrade it with new parts. The old parts will go on the new crawler. I don't really want to disassemble it in order to do the steel work - nor have a lot of down time. SO, i'm looking for a frame to base the new chassis on.

so far i have seen options such as: scx10 chassis, full-custom-tube chassis, aftermarket chassis, DIY chassis (?). i figure the scx10 chassis would be the simplest - but I don't want to pay that much for 2 pieces of bent metal that i'm most likely gonna chop into.

does anyone know of a good alternative or some good links to some builds where the fabricator made their own frames, etc?

lastly, on the subject of tube work - does everyone seem to weld/braze directly to the frame? or have some done removable or "hinged" tube work to allow them access to the guts of their crawler? any suggestions as to where to look would be appreciated so I don't have to sieve through every build thread.

[Perkolator]

i think i'm going to go pick up some 1/2" square tube and chop it lengthwise to give me some C-channel, like this:


i also found this build, HERE, of a custom c-channel frame

[AX10wannabe]

though i've never done it but i hear get some 1/2" square tube like you mentioned then bend it the shape you want then cut it so the 2 pieces are the same shape.

[scorpion_ax]

great idea choppin it in half with the drill press never thought of that .....i heated and shpaed mine then put it in the vise and used a jig saw but hands down that is a better idea with the D press the next one i build will be that way for sure ....great job

[J.T.]

I've used that method once. Just be sure to heat it before you bend it, and bend it before you cut it. Quick, easy and totally custom.

[Perkolator]

What gauge tube did you use? I was going to try something like 16ga. I need to find myself one of those bits to hold a cutoff disc on my DP - yay, more tools!

For round stock I will be getting some 3/16" brake line and 1/8" piano wire or steel rod. I have a few spools of misc pipe solder I got recently with some very old tools - hopefully it'll work. It's quite old, so maybe it's "the good stuff" since it's from back in the day, lol. I'll do some practice welds and see how it holds up.

[J.T.]

I really don't remember what size I used, it was just a little thicker than the stock frame. I'll take a measurement tomorrow for you.