Noob wanting to make own links

[chattinfarms]

Sorry if there is a how to on this but I'm wanting to make my own links and by the ends. How would I go about doing this I can get solid steel rod in any size from work. Thanks in advance. I'm completely new to this first hobby rc ever. By the way I have a rs10

[j-bird]

Originally Posted by chattinfarms

Sorry if there is a how to on this but I'm wanting to make my own links and by the ends. How would I go about doing this I can get solid steel rod in any size from work. Thanks in advance. I'm completely new to this first hobby rc ever. By the way I have a rs10

well i have used all thread from lowes b4. you can buy rod ends that will match ur all-thread or just get some 6-32 or 8-32 and heat end of it and manually screw it into stock plastic rod ends hope this helps

[BLKXJ 96]

For my AX-10 and Honcho I use 1/4 aluminum tube that has .049 wall thickness. You can use a 8/32 tap the make the treads in the end. I use the Traxxas #1942 rod ends and 8/32 grub screws that are 3/4 of an inch long. For about $20 bucks you can make enough links for two crawlers.



You can also use 1/4 solid aluminum rod most hardware stores have it, but you will need to center drill the ends. I use the tube because it is faster, and I can never drill solid rod, it always ends up crooked

[Aggie01]

You can make links from all sorts of things. I like to use delrin rod. Delrin is really light weight and slides well on the rocks. I order my material from McMaster.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#

I would not use steel rod for links. It would just be too heavy imo. For rod ends use Traxxas, revo or jato.

[chattinfarms]

Thanks for the input guys. So if you use the hollow tube u just fit a grub screw in it that fits your end.

[BLKXJ 96]

Originally Posted by chattinfarms

So if you use the hollow tube u just fit a grub screw in it that fits your end.

Correct, the Traxxas #1942 need to be drilled out slightly to fit the 8/32 grubs but it works. You can also use Traxxas Revo or Jato rod ends too, it all depends on what works for you. I use the Traxxas stuff because it is strong and you can buy a set of 8 or 10 for less than $10 bucks.

[Aggie01]

Don't forget the loctite!

[chattinfarms]

Thanks so much guys u have all been very helpful

[gunnar]

I think steel is actually a good choice for lower links, the weight is low on the rig. 1/4" minimum if you want them strong.

6061 or 7075 for Aluminium. For strength- 5/16" diameter only. Don't believe the hype about alum. on the rocks. Round links have a small surface area touching them, I've never had any trouble with the ones I have made, but the 7075 is better in that regard.

Lunsford Rock Grinders are the easiest to fab, 5mm increments, easy to bend, really tough. Also the choice for upper links.

I would only make delrin links with minimum 5/16" sheet, or 5/16" round tube with all-thread inside.

Solid round delrin links- 3/8" diameter only. Even 5/16" will flex.

I would stay away from 3mm setscrews and rodends for links, use TRA5347 rodends (Revo) and M4x20 hardened setscrews (14.9 grade)

[rock hard]

Well as you can read,there are some options

I myslef have used alltread with sleeved with alum or steel
I have drilled and taped alum,and I have used delrin

only problem with delrin IMO is I have seen it break.
Only time I have seen it break is when its cold,and usually at a bend.
That being said,I would choose delrin over steel or alum.Simply cuz its better for me to work with.(delrin vacumes up better)

The ti links are sweet IF you know exactly what lengths you want,cuz at around 7 each,and shipping it can get expensive if your guessing.
But you have some adjustment with ballend length.

You can use jato and revo ball ends,one is longer than the other.

[paintballer9876]

I recently made up some bent links front/rear upper and lowers for a berg and an xr10 using 3/16 zinc plated steel rod. I got a 10-24 tap and die and ran the die over the link and tapped the rod ends for the slightly bigger threads. Ran today and stalled out my holmes motors and the links didnt budge, unless you plan on throwing your crawler off cliffs they are plenty strong. All you need is something to cut the rod a strong vice and the tap and die, it took about 45min to do a full set of lowers from cutting the rod to threading it to bending to installing it.

[Spiike]

Originally Posted by BLKXJ 96

Correct, the Traxxas #1942 need to be drilled out slightly to fit the 8/32 grubs but it works. You can also use Traxxas Revo or Jato rod ends too, it all depends on what works for you. I use the Traxxas stuff because it is strong and you can buy a set of 8 or 10 for less than $10 bucks.

I managed to use traxxas rod ends, the longer plastic rod ends, and then i used a #8 galvonized steel rod from canadian tire for like $2

I didn't even need to tap anything, and these things are strong! the rod did its own self-tapping when i installed it. then bought #6 screws with nuts to bolt it on my truck. different truck, but same concept. and you can do any length you want.

[It usually runs fine]

Look sort of dinky to me. Props on making your own shit though

[PhantomRS10]

We got brake line tubing, allthread and revo rod ends.... for lowers on comp rigs

[MikeyBike]

I use Stainless Steel tubing I got from an oilfield workers friend of mine, slides almost as good as delrin and didn't cost me a penny, other than the taps for it.

[racerrandy]

I use 1/4" brake line tubing, 8-32 allthread and traxxas rod ends. Super simple and easy to do.





'
Randy

[entropy]

I hunt for Traxxas links that will work - depending, Maxx links have served me well.

[93-12smoke]

Originally Posted by racerrandy

I use 1/4" brake line tubing, 8-32 allthread and traxxas rod ends. Super simple and easy to do.





'
Randy

Any idea which part number for the traxxas ends? Of there a thread on this?

[EeePee]

Originally Posted by 93-12smoke

Of there a thread on this?

About 50 of them.

[khwilliams]

Originally Posted by gunnar

I think steel is actually a good choice for lower links, the weight is low on the rig. 1/4" minimum if you want them strong.

6061 or 7075 for Aluminium. For strength- 5/16" diameter only. Don't believe the hype about alum. on the rocks. Round links have a small surface area touching them, I've never had any trouble with the ones I have made, but the 7075 is better in that regard.

Lunsford Rock Grinders are the easiest to fab, 5mm increments, easy to bend, really tough. Also the choice for upper links.

I would only make delrin links with minimum 5/16" sheet, or 5/16" round tube with all-thread inside.

Solid round delrin links- 3/8" diameter only. Even 5/16" will flex.

I would stay away from 3mm setscrews and rodends for links, use TRA5347 rodends (Revo) and M4x20 hardened setscrews (14.9 grade)

read above quote