Cheapest Material for chassis plates

[smoedog]

I've been playing around with my wheely king and wanting to make some different chassis's. I got some ABS plastic sheets from the local hobbytown (worst store I have ever dealt with) and ended up being 12 bucks for 2 8X10 sheets. Kinda expensive for experimenting. Any sources for something cheaper that I can play with and run around with? Don't wanna waste money on sheet aluminum or something for the chassis not to work out.

[Harley]

That's actually really cheap. Delrin is going to be double that or so.

However Delrin is also a much better material for chassis building than ABS. It is a lot easier to cut and work with.

[smoedog]

lol, not what I wanted to hear. But If delrin is easier to work it might be worth the extra money.

[hellbounder]

Wood .

[frdtrkguy]

Old highway traffic signs. Obtained legally

[buggynutt]

Originally Posted by frdtrkguy

Old highway traffic signs. Obtained legally

I used these in my 1:1 sand rail for the floor..lol great idea. I got mine from the street department in the town i live in. FREE just asked if they had any old street signs they were getting rid of.

[stelerzman]

Originally Posted by smoedog

lol, not what I wanted to hear. But If delrin is easier to work it might be worth the extra money.

I think you should use what you just purchased, test it out and see what happens. You have already spent the $$$, might as well get use out of it..

[Phins Fan]

For R&D purposes use what you have or maybe some plexiglass. They are both dirt cheap. When you get something made you really like you can transfer it to delrin or aluminum. I recently boughrt a 12"X12"X3/8" sheet of white delrin that ran me $50. Not the cheapest stuff in the world but VERY durable

[Docwolf]

white cutting boards

[The Violator]

ABS is by far easier to work with over delrin. It sands easier, cuts with a good knife, and is cheap. It is not nearly as strong as delrin, but for basic testing will work fine. Once you find a design you like, transfer it to delrin or aluminum.

[Harley]

Originally Posted by The Violator

ABS is by far easier to work with over delrin.

What!? ABS melts way too quickly and gums up bits and blades. As far as cutting with a good knife, I can't say that I would ever try and just hack through either of them with a knife.

One of Delrin's most notable qualities is how easy it is to work with.

It's not that ABS is terrible to work with but given the choice I wouldn't blink an eye.

[RiceBurner]

Guy I know works at a hobby store said some tight a$$ was in there and made a big deal about paying 12 bucks for 2 sheets of ABS... Some people, you just can't help

[smoedog]

Originally Posted by RiceBurner

Guy I know works at a hobby store said some tight a$$ was in there and made a big deal about paying 12 bucks for 2 sheets of ABS... Some people, you just can't help

Bet that boosted your self esteem.

And I was just asking for advice, and if what I got is a good deal, that's fine. I was just curious is there was anything else out there. And if you think you need to prove yourself by being a pompous ass, then go elsewhere.

To everyone else, thank you. I will continue working with what I have until I come up with a design I like.

[tbacon38]

I used copolymer propylene and its working pretty good not as tough as delrin but it is holding up nicely and it is half the price of delrin, I made mine on a cnc router so it was fairly easy to cut I'm going to run it as long as I can then either switch to delrin or carbon fiber or aluminum, I'm doing to same trying different chassis till I get what I want.

[Crawling Calvin]

Look for a place that does sheet metal like a fab shop, machine shop (maybe), sheet metal place... never know what they have. Also look online... sometimes shipping can be an issue but if your smart you can find decent prices on stuff.

Personally Delrin is great stuff to work with if your smart. Just watch any plastic on the drilling. If it gets hot it melts! Ive cut ABS and PVC and they aren't the friendliest plastics but they are a lot better than like Plexiglass... drill that wrong and you cracked it

[lonleycreeper]

Walmart cutting board, 2-3$ for an 8x10, easy to cut and shape, and if you make a mistake its only 3$

[C*H*U*D]

Look for a local plastic shop. The one I go to has remnant bins where Delrin is half price. On the last Friday of the month, it's half off again, so I always go to stock up.

[aktyfoon]

I third the Walmart cutting board option. Used it and it worked great. Cut with a scroll saw and easy to work. The price is a big plus. Screw it up, no biggie. I bought 3 or 4 at a time. Carve up real nice. Late Ty.

[meatmonkey]

I was hoping to be the first vote for aluminum roadsign. I've made all sorts of widgets out of it from shock towers to steering ackerman plates, to chassis.

Just be sure to pre-heat it, or "anneal", if your going to be bending it at all. Otherwise it just sorta cracks.

[MTHead]

Originally Posted by smoedog

I've been playing around with my wheely king and wanting to make some different chassis's. I got some ABS plastic sheets from the local hobbytown (worst store I have ever dealt with) and ended up being 12 bucks for 2 8X10 sheets. Kinda expensive for experimenting. Any sources for something cheaper that I can play with and run around with? Don't wanna waste money on sheet aluminum or something for the chassis not to work out.

Thickness?? was it smooth on both sides, or smooth on one side are rough (hair cell) on the other?