how about a flat steel chassis??

[edadmartin]

I bought an aluminum trail chassis that was on sale and after pondering it for a few nights I realized i cant braze to it for shock towers etc. I saw a flat steel bender at harbor freight that will bend flat steel up to 1/4" x 1" so if I used the aluminum chassis as a template and got flat steel say 1/4" by 3/8" do you think it would do the job? Its 80.00 at harbor freight and will also bend 3/16" tubing too.
The more I think about this build the more I'm wanting the flexibility to be able to add or delete tubing with out having to fab tiny 1/16" brackets to mount steel tubing to the aluminum chassis.What are your opinions here???sorry about the caps I'm not yelling,and Im not a typist either.

[2500hdon37s]

i used flat alum. so id say id be fine other than itd also be heavy

[edadmartin]

What is the best size for chassis stock 3/16 or 1/4" ? I was thinking about 1/4" x 3/"8 flat steel to use the bender on.what size is prefered ? Id rather get the correct size, dont want to do it twice.

[jwalker]

man if you can find some 1/8x3/8" you should be good to go. 1/4 would be to thick and heavier. if you cant find 1/8" then use 3/16" but i would try and find some 1/8" to cut down on the weight a bit.

[jwalker]

i just thought about the axial scx10 chassis, it is metal and it is cheap and strong.

[2500hdon37s]

1/8 is what my alum. was 1/8X3/4 worked good till i went tuber

[tom@vp]

aluminum brazes, am i missing something ?

[ROSS]

for that $80 go buy and scx-10 chassis..strip the paint and braze away

[mccoyac]

That, or learn how to heliarc.

[Blazerbogger]

Flat steel worked wonders for me. It's been the most reliable chassis I've owned (it's impossible for it to fall apart!).

[edadmartin]

I didnt know you could braze aluminum to steel tubing what flux and rod would you suggest.Im a wood guy,know zip about welding or brazing--edumacate me!
Just did a quick search on ebay for a axial scx10 chassis,new or used,no go. Which of the vendors here sells just the axial scx10 chassis ?

[jwalker]

check out rpphobby or even the thecrawlstore

[chrisjlittle]

Originally Posted by edadmartin

I didnt know you could braze aluminum to steel tubing what flux and rod would you suggest.Im a wood guy,know zip about welding or brazing--edumacate me!
Just did a quick search on ebay for a axial scx10 chassis,new or used,no go. Which of the vendors here sells just the axial scx10 chassis ?

Joining dissimilar metals is a PITA. It can be done (sometimes) but it's not worth the trouble.

The best option (IMO) is to braze to flat steel brackets and then bolt the bracket to the chassis. It makes it much easier to take the chassis apart should you ever need to. It's a good idea even with the SCX chassis just in case you screw up or want to change something later down the road. I know I'd be kicking myself if I had brazed the first set of bumpers I made directly onto the SCX chassis I have, I've changed it up considerably since then.


And TCS has the SCX frame in stock.

[edadmartin]

thanks for the tip. I had heard that brazing aluminum and steel was hard.I never gave a thought to the fact that I might want to change connection points or about mess ups.Good point !