Aluminum Skid plate options ?

[BrickBait]

Hello Guys...

Looking into taking the last step of making the frame more rigid.
Aluminum center skid plate...

But what's my options ?

Jazrider and Hobby Details both do one. Good price, but looks to have many snagging points.
Hot Racing also does one. Cost almost the double, but looks to be alot more smooth designed.

Or is it a total waste when i got alloy bracing every other possible place on the rig ?

[HumboldtEF]

I think having an absolutely stiff chassis is absolutely a waste and will likely never perform in a manner in which we mortals can feel the difference. In the early days of crawlers the SCX10 was as stiff as a wet noodle and well it actually performed just fine. Now people are getting pickier and pickier about crawlers which isnt necessarily a bad thing but I think seeking out a super stiff chassis offers very little return on investment.

Plastic is favored for skids and axles because plastic just slides better than metal.

I'll also add the companies that make these kind of alloy parts are known for using very low strength materials and I look forward to the day us enthusiasts stop supporting these guys and their uninspired designs.

plastic bracing can also go a long way without adding too much weight. Shock towers can be braced and a brace can be put behind the skid (where the front battery mount would fit if put in back).

[Rinanode]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

I think having an absolutely stiff chassis is absolutely a waste and will likely never perform in a manner in which we mortals can feel the difference. In the early days of crawlers the SCX10 was as stiff as a wet noodle and well it actually performed just fine. Now people are getting pickier and pickier about crawlers which isnt necessarily a bad thing but I think seeking out a super stiff chassis offers very little return on investment.

Plastic is favored for skids and axles because plastic just slides better than metal.

I'll also add the companies that make these kind of alloy parts are known for using very low strength materials and I look forward to the day us enthusiasts stop supporting these guys and their uninspired designs.

plastic bracing can also go a long way without adding too much weight. Shock towers can be braced and a brace can be put behind the skid (where the front battery mount would fit if put in back).

+1

[HumboldtEF]

Here's my shock tower brace if you've got access to a printer. I didn't set out to make this, I just happened to have this design within a body mount I had already worked up.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4490390

[BrickBait]

Well, that pretty much settles that question then . I allready got a battery tray brace sitting in the back position. Nice place to put the servo vinch controller..

[JimInMiami]

Originally Posted by BrickBait

Well, that pretty much settles that question then . I already got a battery tray brace sitting in the back position. Nice place to put the servo vinch controller..

My BOM had very noodly shock towers so I cobbled together something using 3mm all-thread and cap nuts which stiffened things up nicely. I think there's enuf room on the Venture to mount the brace directly to the shock tower. Not nearly as elegant a solution as Casey's, but it'll get the job done for pennies.