RCCrawler Forums

zukidriver · 12-04-2009, 02:20 PM

I figured I would post a few pictures of my build in progress. It's it prototype stage right now till I get it to a rolling chassis. After that I will start finishing it with the actual parts I will use like tires, shocks maybe chassis adjustments of a different material.

Starting with ax10 trans

Cut out my chassis side plates using the Manta template as a starting point. I'm using Lexan at first, but may change materials later as I think it is a little on the thin side. I like the clear idea right now because I can what all my links are doing and if I have any rubbing issues or space for electronics.

Starting to assemble everything and figure out my link lengths and positioning. Tires and shocks are just on for testing

my link setup and how i attached to the top of the axle.

Jamus · 12-04-2009, 03:43 PM

I used 1/4" lexan and switched to 3/8" cutting board because it wasn't strong enough. Though that thin it may flex before cracking.

muddyone · 12-06-2009, 07:09 PM

holy invisible crawler

sweli · 12-07-2009, 10:59 AM

Nice start!
Panels eventually?

Were you using plexi-glass from the hardware, or Polycarb (Lexan brand)?
Was it cracking at the link attachment points?
Are you able to cross brace at those points to help or would it interfere with the trans outputs?

I like lexan, but made an exo-buggy chassis like this out of HMPE. Slipper on the rocks, but scratches really easily.
I used a perf'd alum panel accross the top as a roof.

zukidriver · 12-09-2009, 12:21 AM

I made some more progress. I'll post some pictures tomorrow. I've got both axle in, and was able to flex it a little. Links and axle are fine but I am getting a little bit of flex out of the chassis which is actual lexan. It doesn't show any problems yet as far as cracking or breaking. I used some scraps to test how far you could go before breaking and I had to almost bend it 90deg or more before it started cracking. I'll do some more playing once I get the driveshafts in and all the electronics in place.

I'm liking the clear look, especially while building. If I can get around the flexing with some braces I may leave it as is. Otherwise I may look at some thicker lexan.

zukidriver · 12-09-2009, 05:13 PM

More pictures of the invisible crawler,

To answer the questions, it is Lexan, and is pretty strong. I've flexed the suspension a bit and found the chassis does flex a little, but it would take a lot to break it. I tried to break a scrap I had and almost had to bend it 90 deg to get it to crack.

Stormin2u · 12-09-2009, 06:27 PM

Ghost crawler for sure cool picture.

Captaincrash · 01-14-2010, 04:41 AM

Very different, will force a tidy wiring job if you leave it uncovered!!

eclipse9 · 01-14-2010, 02:05 PM

hooooollllyy S*** that is so awsome.great job were can i get some lexan like that?

Decible142 · 01-14-2010, 03:06 PM

I've seen thin lexan at Home Depot and I bought a 4 foot by 4 foot by 1/4 inch thick sheet at a local glass shop before.

gyrene · 01-14-2010, 03:09 PM

Cool build. Is that template from Offroader5? He has some nice chassis designs.

King of Beers · 01-27-2010, 02:59 PM

Be careful of what types of chemicals you let come in contact with that polycarbonate (lexan). Some will cause it to desinigrate. i.e. loctite Windex anything alcohol based.

You should not have to worry about polycarb cracking. You should be able to fold it in half without it breaking in two. Should be plenty strong with a little bracing. The only thing to watch out for are, like i said, chemical resistance.

Looking good. Keep up the good work.

12-04-2009, 02:20 PM	#1
zukidriver Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Enumclaw Posts: 4	My TLT build I figured I would post a few pictures of my build in progress. It's it prototype stage right now till I get it to a rolling chassis. After that I will start finishing it with the actual parts I will use like tires, shocks maybe chassis adjustments of a different material. Starting with ax10 trans Cut out my chassis side plates using the Manta template as a starting point. I'm using Lexan at first, but may change materials later as I think it is a little on the thin side. I like the clear idea right now because I can what all my links are doing and if I have any rubbing issues or space for electronics. Starting to assemble everything and figure out my link lengths and positioning. Tires and shocks are just on for testing my link setup and how i attached to the top of the axle.

01-14-2010, 02:05 PM	#9
eclipse9 Pebble Pounder Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: hercules Posts: 124	hooooollllyy S*** that is so awsome.great job were can i get some lexan like that? Last edited by eclipse9; 01-14-2010 at 03:02 PM.

12-04-2009, 03:43 PM	#2
Jamus RCC Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Naoma, WV Posts: 1,479	I used 1/4" lexan and switched to 3/8" cutting board because it wasn't strong enough. Though that thin it may flex before cracking.

12-06-2009, 07:09 PM	#3
muddyone Pebble Pounder Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: roseville Posts: 118	holy invisible crawler

12-07-2009, 10:59 AM	#4
sweli RCC Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 1,898	Nice start! Panels eventually? Were you using plexi-glass from the hardware, or Polycarb (Lexan brand)? Was it cracking at the link attachment points? Are you able to cross brace at those points to help or would it interfere with the trans outputs? I like lexan, but made an exo-buggy chassis like this out of HMPE. Slipper on the rocks, but scratches really easily. I used a perf'd alum panel accross the top as a roof.

12-09-2009, 12:21 AM	#5
zukidriver Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Enumclaw Posts: 4	I made some more progress. I'll post some pictures tomorrow. I've got both axle in, and was able to flex it a little. Links and axle are fine but I am getting a little bit of flex out of the chassis which is actual lexan. It doesn't show any problems yet as far as cracking or breaking. I used some scraps to test how far you could go before breaking and I had to almost bend it 90deg or more before it started cracking. I'll do some more playing once I get the driveshafts in and all the electronics in place. I'm liking the clear look, especially while building. If I can get around the flexing with some braces I may leave it as is. Otherwise I may look at some thicker lexan.

12-09-2009, 05:13 PM	#6
zukidriver Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Enumclaw Posts: 4	More pictures of the invisible crawler, To answer the questions, it is Lexan, and is pretty strong. I've flexed the suspension a bit and found the chassis does flex a little, but it would take a lot to break it. I tried to break a scrap I had and almost had to bend it 90 deg to get it to crack.

12-09-2009, 06:27 PM	#7
Stormin2u I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2007 Location: Taylors Falls just hanging with the MNRCRC crew. Posts: 7,843	Ghost crawler for sure cool picture.

01-14-2010, 04:41 AM	#8
Captaincrash Quarry Creeper Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 376	Very different, will force a tidy wiring job if you leave it uncovered!!

01-14-2010, 03:06 PM	#10
Decible142 Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Location: Keene Posts: 35	I've seen thin lexan at Home Depot and I bought a 4 foot by 4 foot by 1/4 inch thick sheet at a local glass shop before.

01-14-2010, 03:09 PM	#11
gyrene Rock Crawler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Do I look like a freaking people person? Posts: 874	Cool build. Is that template from Offroader5? He has some nice chassis designs.

01-27-2010, 02:59 PM	#12
King of Beers Pebble Pounder Join Date: May 2007 Location: No Where Posts: 164	Be careful of what types of chemicals you let come in contact with that polycarbonate (lexan). Some will cause it to desinigrate. i.e. loctite Windex anything alcohol based. You should not have to worry about polycarb cracking. You should be able to fold it in half without it breaking in two. Should be plenty strong with a little bracing. The only thing to watch out for are, like i said, chemical resistance. Looking good. Keep up the good work.

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