TF2 = time to push my scale envelope

[new2rocks]

It's been a while since I updated this, and I have some cool stuff coming very soon. Most exciting has been the development of a new transfer skid thanks to some ace CAD work and 3D printing by my good friend Nick at Helios RC. Here's the first prototype installed on my rig:









I had a chance to test it last weekend, and the difference is dramatic. No more land anchor, and the center skid actually slides across rocks and roots when it makes contact. We're going to make a few small design tweaks, so I'll be posting with the updated design very soon. Once we have it dialed in, Helios will be offering them for sale.

I've also adopted a variation of the leaf setup that cr00zah posted here a little while back (which is a huuuuge improvement), and I have a few more things to do (including finishing off the body, which is nearing completion). I'll post more details with pix and a video as soon as I have it all together.

[4X42HEL]

Originally Posted by new2rocks

It's been a while since I updated this, and I have some cool stuff coming very soon. Most exciting has been the development of a new transfer skid thanks to some ace CAD work and 3D printing by my good friend Nick at Helios RC. Here's the first prototype installed on my rig:
Attachment 318108

Attachment 318109

Attachment 318110

Attachment 318111


I had a chance to test it last weekend, and the difference is dramatic. No more land anchor, and the center skid actually slides across rocks and roots when it makes contact. We're going to make a few small design tweaks, so I'll be posting with the updated design very soon. Once we have it dialed in, Helios will be offering them for sale.

I've also adopted a variation of the leaf setup that cr00zah posted here a little while back (which is a huuuuge improvement), and I have a few more things to do (including finishing off the body, which is nearing completion). I'll post more details with pix and a video as soon as I have it all together.

This is really nice.

1) when do you expect it to become available?

2) how much will it cost?

3) does it come in TF2 black?

Good job

[new2rocks]

Originally Posted by 4X42HEL

This is really nice.



1) when do you expect it to become available?



2) how much will it cost?



3) does it come in TF2 black?



Good job

Thanks! Answers:

1) When? Should be soon. Another 2-3 weeks to create and test the next prototype. At that point, if it's good to go, it wouldn't take long to get a supplier (Helios already has some 3D printed parts available through HoyFab for other rigs). So maybe 2-3 months?

2) Price? No clue. More than a dollar, less than a thousand. Maybe somewhere in the $30-50 range? But that will be up to Nick.

3) Black? Yes. Color of the prototypes is dictated by what color is in the printer that happens to be available at the moment. Production version will be available in black.

[new2rocks]

Originally Posted by greenz

holy detail batman, interior is looking awesome

Thanks. I should have more updates within the next week or two. :thumbsup:


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[new2rocks]

With a busy summer and several builds going on at the same time, progress has been a bit slower than I expected. But there's been enough to merit an update. So here goes...

First up is the suspension. I stole a leaf setup idea from my buddy Cr00zah. I'm now running the red super soft leafs on top, with full-length black helpers in the middle (made by cutting the eyes off stock black leafs), and medium helpers at the bottom. Cr00zah got really fancy with oil-impregnated nylon in between each layer. I'm not that fancy.

Here are some pix:






The rest of my setup (t-boxes and shooters front and rear, shims in front for pinion angle, 90mm Emulsions with no springs in front, 100mm Emulsions with no springs in rear) remains as it has been. I've had it out on several long trail runs with some scattered rocks, and the setup works really well. The red leafs provide very nice compliance, and the full-length black helpers keep the reds from getting bent out of shape. Overall, I'm very pleased with the suspension at this point.

Next up, in preparation for ECSC, was some new rubber on a new set of wheels (Growlers on GCM Mini-Mag 10s). Here's how she sits:




They're a bit on the big side for everyday use, but if I'm going to have any hope of not embarrassing myself at the comp, I need the taller rubber. So it stays for now.

[new2rocks]

I found a new 1:1 inspiration for colors:


My first attempt at taping off the wheel wells didn't work very well, but my second attempt wasn't bad. It's not perfect, but I think it will do:


In a recurring theme, my first attempt at a bed liner also was a fail (spray-on from the auto parts store was too rubbery to get a clean line and then wouldn't adhere well), but the second effort came out reasonably well:


I decided to experiment with 1/8" leather lace for the rubber strip around the body, and it looks pretty good:


I've started working on the lenses, and then it will be on to the accents on the grill. Once that's done, it will be time to figure out how I'm going to mount the body without clips or screws, and then it will be time to get everything wired up. I'll post again when there's more to report.


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[Zookk]

I really have to stop reading this section. Builds like this make me want a tf2 even more. Told myself it'll be a winter project but getting impatient. Looks great, definitely going to steal some ideas when I get around to building one. Love the leather for the door bumpers

[new2rocks]

Originally Posted by Zookk

I really have to stop reading this section. Builds like this make me want a tf2 even more. Told myself it'll be a winter project but getting impatient. Looks great, definitely going to steal some ideas when I get around to building one. Love the leather for the door bumpers

Lol...thanks! You should definitely do it, and if you look around, you can find one in stock here or there. This truck is an absolute blast with endless possibilities. And steal away. That's why we share.

[new2rocks]

I received the first production examples of the new Helios RC skid thanks to my good friend Nick, and just in time to get one on before heading up to the ECSC. The new skids provide 4+ mm of additional clearance without requiring any modifications. We created a regular version and an extended version, both of which will be available on Shapeways within the next 1-2 weeks (we need to make a couple of small tweaks). They look great and, based on my extensive testing with the prototype, they should make a big difference over the stock skid. Here are a couple of pix showing them side-by-side with the stock skid:





Here are a couple of side shots showing the stock skid installed (note how it doesn't clear the paint bottle):





Now with the new skid:





The view from underneath, starting with stock:






See...big difference! Nice work, Nick. Can't wait to get this out on the rocks this weekend!

[Szczerba]

Nice detailed build.

Did you scrap the front antiwrap bars? Bind?

Those skids look great. I assume the full sized size offers the same clearances as the smaller version? I need that Gray one! Edit, or the big orange one!

...

[new2rocks]

Originally Posted by Szczerba

Nice detailed build.

Did you scrap the front antiwrap bars? Bind?

Thanks! Not sure what you mean by front antiwrap bars. I'm running the red super soft leafs, with full-length black helpers in the middle and medium helpers on the bottom (same front and rear). I have t-boxes and shooters front and rear, and shims to help the pinion angle in front. The setup works very well

Originally Posted by Szczerba

Those skids look great. I assume the full sized size offers the same clearances as the smaller version? I need that Gray one! Edit, or the big orange one!



...

Yes...clearance on the full size is exactly the same:









The only difference is that the full size extends farther fore and aft. Both will be available in different colors, and the gray actually has aluminum particles mixed in for added rigidity. If you're planning to be at ECSC, we'll have a few with us to show.

[Szczerba]

Doh, post #52 wasn't you. Won't make it to ECSC this year. I'll have to wait.

[new2rocks]

Originally Posted by Szczerba

Doh, post #52 wasn't you. Won't make it to ECSC this year. I'll have to wait.

No worries. I remember that suggestion and was considering it early on. But once I stumbled onto this setup (thanks to my buddy cr00zah), I found I didn't need it. The full-length black helpers with mediums underneath do a good job preventing axle wrap (unless you do something really foolish in a bind) while allowing the truck to maximize the flexibility of the reds. I'll try to get some video up within the next couple of weeks.

[new2rocks]

Quick update after ECSC. The good news was the truck worked brilliantly. This is one capable and tough little truck. The bad news is it was let down by its driver (moi), who made lots of rookie mistakes in his (my) first comp. The first one led to a 30'+ tumble into a ravine, which the TF2 survived with only a cracked slider and my bruised ego to show for it. Fortunately for me (but not the TF2), those lessons learned helped produce much better results in C2 the next day.

Here are a few pix of the TF2 in action:









The new skid did great - not a single hang-up on rocks, roots, breakovers, etc. The stock skid would have dug in multiple times on courses 1 and 2. The low profile version (the one I ran) is now up on Shapeways and a must have at $19.95 for regular nylon or $24.95 for nylon with metallic flakes. You can even pick your color! Here's the link:
Low Profile Skid for TF2 (WLLTB9UNT) by HeliosRC

[Natedog]

Great build thread, I've been studying and got more reading to do still.

[new2rocks]

Originally Posted by Natedog

Great build thread, I've been studying and got more reading to do still.

Thanks! You so need to get one of these. It's such a tough little truck and a ton of fun finding ways to unlock its performance potential.

[sb4pro]

Nate just pull the trigger and get one !!!
You know you want it !!!!

[Natedog]

Dang you guys must be psychic! Lol.

[Natedog]

Checking with finance department lol. From what I've read kit is better axle parts than RTR. I like kits anyways, but RTR TF2 comes with decent electronics, but only single speed tranny. What would you suggest?

[lunatick]

Originally Posted by Natedog

Checking with finance department lol. From what I've read kit is better axle parts than RTR. I like kits anyways, but RTR TF2 comes with decent electronics, but only single speed tranny. What would you suggest?

I love the 2 speed tranny of my TF2
But then i don,t comp mine , if i used it for comps i,d probabley go single speed
really depends on what your gonna use it for.
Just for fun the other day i threw some pvc on and old set of tires and took it out against some Drifters in a local carpark.
Thats why i love my TF2 It doesn,t do anything Brilliantly , but its by far the most fun RC thing i own