tube chassis

[jaredcrawler185]

ok I just built a exocage for my scx10 and it really looks nice spent all night on it. I built it with a soldering iron and 1/4" brass tube. im really wanting to buid my own custom tube chasis but my welder is to hot and I don't want to buy another. my question is would the method I used for the exocage work for a tube chassis. would it be strong made out of brass or do I need a different material any help would be appreciated.

[landymad]

brass in my opinion is not the best for a frame tuber because it is very flexible if you like looking for the best with cross
You can put a picture?

[jaredcrawler185]

Thats what I thought what would be a good material thays not really expensive id like to get best bang for buck

[Rockridge]

most guys use 3/16" brake line (5 0r 6 bucks for 72" at the local auto parts store) and braze it with a map gas torch ( 30-35 bucks at home depot) and and silver solder and flux (harris brand is what I use, and get it from the local weld supply shop)

[jaredcrawler185]

Thanks rockridge thats exactly what I needed to know ill be starting it soon as soon as I can get a design down on paper.

[Rockridge]

Ant time... I think there are a few threads on how and what most use. Just search key words like silver solder or brazing. And if all else fails feel free to ask away. Another good places to find answers is in the 1.9 and 2.2 build threads... There are some great builders and most if not all are Willing to answer Q's and pass on the wisdom

[jaredcrawler185]

Ok thanks for tip I know how to weld and have done 1:1 tube chassis but my welder is a big one and I dont have a tig for aluminum is the silver solder close to the strength of a mig weld and is the harris saftey silv 45 or 56 better

[Rockridge]

I don't know the technical strengths, but yes it is close in strength. A lot of people use the silver solder because of the ability it use it without expensive welder/ equipment and still get a strong joint. As for the 45vs56... The 56 has a lower melting temp. But costs a little more. I personally use 45 with great success.

[Rockridge]

I have a small mig as well but find that the silver solder is plenty strong and dose not require all the grinding/clean up of the joint afterwards. I prefer the silver solder to the mig.

[jaredcrawler185]

Ok good deal I was told by a buddy that mig is the only way to go but even little migs are expensive id much rather get the silver solder for the scale rc chassis. I was starting to worry that id have to drop 200 forba welder just to get started . Im extremely happy now

[Rockridge]

From what I've seen/read I'd say just as many if not more chassis are built with silver solder. pick some up and do a couple of test welds with the silver solder... I think you will be surprised with how strong it is.

[jaredcrawler185]

Yup im going to lowes today to get a torch and some solder if they have it.

[jaredcrawler185]

Do u think the soldered brass rollcage will hold up. Thats what my lhs told me to do

[Rockridge]

I personally have never tried the brass but do know there are a few builds on here that are done with it.... I would think that with the right cross bracing it should hold up fine.

[jaredcrawler185]

Well its got a lot of braces I did it with the rollcage on the scx10 and a exocage butBBC I still dont rhink it would hold as a tube chassis although it would be nice if it did I have about 20 5ft brass tubes and everything needed for it

[JDCrawler27]

i read some where that the tensil strengths of break line or solid bars soildered is around 40.000, and welded is up in the 100.000lbs range, i have a few out of solid rod that are brazed and it holds up really well..

quick referance photo, the flux used to help bond with the soilder leaves a hard crusty resedue that will need to be sanded off,,

[jaredcrawler185]

I talked to a guy who said he used brass tube and used a 100w solder gun to make a tube chassis. I do have a question could you use break line and solder it together with a solder gun

[jaredcrawler185]

Btw jdcrawler27 can u tell me what materials u used to build that chassis it looks really nice and did u is it made out of solid rods or tubes

[JDCrawler27]

Originally Posted by jaredcrawler185

I talked to a guy who said he used brass tube and used a 100w solder gun to make a tube chassis. I do have a question could you use break line and solder it together with a solder gun

i tried that and it doesnt get hot enough,, the map gas heats it up percisely and gets it hot enough, to make a good bond,

the soilder needs to be able to bite into the break line, simalar to wielding, you want good penetration, not just metal sticking to the outside of tubing

[jaredcrawler185]

Is the butane gas torches any good