Getting Back Into Crawlin

[soze]

How did I miss this thread. Anyway nice build so far and good choice of upgrades.

One thing I suggest is getting the metal servo mount though. You can just get the Boom Racing one, but it helps keep the servo from shifting position under stress.

https://youtu.be/rKAY98X_ri8

[Axial Rose]

Thank you for the metal servo mount recommendation

Is it possible the plastic servo mount could act like an extra level of safety to keep my servo &/or steering system from getting damaged?

Is it possible - in that video - is the servo arm reach too far - regardless of metal or plastic mounted servo?

I don't know - just guessing

[soze]

Originally Posted by Axial Rose

Thank you for the metal servo mount recommendation

Is it possible the plastic servo mount could act like an extra level of safety to keep my servo &/or steering system from getting damaged?

Is it possible - in that video - is the servo arm reach too far - regardless of metal or plastic mounted servo?

I don't know - just guessing

Sure it could be a giving point to prevent servo breakage. Doing that just reduced some slop for me.

The servo arm is pretty standard in length. The end points were already set in the video, but I'm also pushing the boundary as I have the zero-ackerman knuckes as well and was trying to get the most out of my steering.

[Axial Rose]

Maybe this won't be considered a Sawback anymore (ha)

If needed, I can post the rest of this build in a "custom" forum, or similar

To get a better understanding of this project, I created a very simple CAD model - using the actual sizes published by CAT

There are many unknowns about this machine - I've searched more than two dozen photographs and still have many questions

All part of the adventure, ha

[Axial Rose]

Project Update: I'm going to finish this machine as a crawler - the telehandler project may come later

I got the electronics & battery mount and installed it yesterday. I'm very impressed with the quality of that item.

Now it's time to install everything and get this truck running - finally!

I am still making an effort to decide between a Unimog with custom tube rear end (which I've never done) or go with a Pro-Line Jeep body - I'm not feeling the love for the GMADE body unless maybe I had a scale action figure that looked like it was the right size for this vehicle.

I just started my vacation on Friday so, I should have time to actually complete this (way overdue) project.

[Axial Rose]

It's alive!






VIDEO --> gmade sawback, first steps

[Axial Rose]

I have always admired those who design and fabricate custom builds

I am interested in doing that

I used to work in a metal shop and I would design, cut, swage, punch, drill, weld, dip, paint - whatever

But I've never done any of that with 1/4" dia steel tubing so, this will be a new experience for me - we'll see how it goes

The geometry shown in the image below is accurate, using actual dimensions from my Sawback (w/tires & wheels)

[JatoTheRipper]

That's a drastic turn! I like it.

[Axial Rose]

Thank you

Now all I have to do is figure out how to join the tubes

I can cut them - and bending them is also not a problem

However, I am not sure if I wanna get into brazing to join the pieces or if I'm going to use a 3D printer to make connectors

It's fun so far

[Axial Rose]

Just a quick design study - after placing pan-&-tilt onto GMADE t-shape electronics & battery mount - round "ball" indicates allowance for protective structure that will be 3D printed and mounted separately to the "T-Shape" mount from GMADE

The empty box on top of the pan-&-tilt is the maximum area I'm allowing myself to put cameras & other stuff onto.

Looks top heavy so will probably need to mount batteries on either side of chassis between front & rear tires - might run two 3S 2200 batteries - use one for P&T, the other to run the truck but I'll need to see if I have a BEC available because these servos max out at 6V . . . oh well . . . fun stuff . . . I installed axle extenders - that helps a little with a slightly wider, more stable platform . . .

[Axial Rose]

With it's just embarrassing . . . looks so goofy . . .

[Axial Rose]

Making a little more progress

The top part will hinge open when stationary

With someone like me who struggles just to open a bag of potato chips, this is a challenge to design something that will work and that can be 3D printed

Oh well . . .

[Axial Rose]

This chassis is too tall heavy for a 1/10 scale crawler chassis - even with wide tires and axle extensions so, I'm going to put this pan-&-tilt system with cage onto another chassis - probably a 1/8 chassis - also, I'm working on another project so this project is officially "on hold" pending future need to bring it out from hibernation

[2mtech]

Careful...this is going to wind up on the WTH thread!

Definitely a departure...

[Axial Rose]

Originally Posted by 2mtech

Careful...this is going to wind up on the WTH thread!

Definitely a departure...

Here ya go - I'm coming home - getting a little closer to reality (ha)

The wheelbase for the body (taped to the chassis) is not exact - looks like ~3/8" difference - that's 3/16" above each axle but I don't lose any sleep over stuff like that

And yeah, I am horrible with painting bodies - I usually go with something like "all black" . . . lazy . . . don't care . . . gives me more time for other stuff (ha)




I think this one might be a winner as long as I understand the performance will be "moderate trailing and moderate rock climbing" compared to . . . let's say a fairly stock SCX10 II for example

That's not a negative - every vehicle has limits - even full size machines have their limits so, it's time for me to go and figure out what this little machine can and what it caint do

Not very many upgrades with this truck - always fun to find out what breaks first, eh?

Woo hoo!

[2mtech]

Now it's looking like something!

Carry on.