RCCrawler Forums

MAXIMUS · 02-13-2007, 11:27 PM

I was on a mission to find Delrin lower links and was thinking, there has to be a cheaper and easier way. So I went to a couple hobby shops and found an inexpensive fix...1/4" fiberglass tube designed to reinforce model airplanes. It was $6.00 for about 5 feet. It is just as slick as my delrin plate on the bottom of my chassis and the diameter is just big enough to fit around Traxxas or TLT turnbuckle ends snuggly. It may not be as duarable or have the longevity of delrin but after grinding it across rocks for the past week or so they have held up pretty good and when there worn out replacement is cheap and easy. Here's a few picks. Give it a shot if you dont like it your only out $6.00! Hope this helps.

John Deere · 02-13-2007, 11:42 PM

Nice idea might try this.

Ballistic223 · 02-14-2007, 07:47 AM

I like it!

FrankyRizzo · 02-14-2007, 07:50 AM

Great idea. Thanks for the heads up.

Kite shops might have it as well.

mrpink · 02-14-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankyRizzo

Kite shops might have it as well.

I do not believe I have ever seen a "kite shop"

supermacg · 02-14-2007, 12:44 PM

I did the same thing with my TLT and TXT. I got the tubes off ebay, just did a search for carbon fiber tubes. I used 8-32 full threaded rod with revo ball ends. Neither one are finished yet so I cant give a durability report on them yet.

chivas72 · 02-14-2007, 12:47 PM

if it's the kite kind of deal these might work like the alumaflex in the 1:1 has anyone tested the bend back abilities of this material ? ? ?

FrankyRizzo · 02-14-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpink

I do not believe I have ever seen a "kite shop"

Here is a local place that I have seen CF and various tubing.
http://www.windpowersports.com/

Rockpiledriver · 02-14-2007, 03:33 PM

I use this method for uppers but not lowers, here is why. That is CF tube and it is pulltruded. In other words all of the fibers lay next to each other and run the length of the tube, therefore, the tube will split form one end to the other quite easily when beat on a rock. The other bad thing about this for lowers is this; even if it does not split, it will abrade causing the needle sharp rigid fibers to poke out. If you have ever had a rigid needle like piece of carbon fiber stuck in your hand or finger, you will probably think twice about using this for lower links.

jmorrison518 · 02-14-2007, 03:42 PM

I used a similar method on my first build, but for links I used 8/32" threaded rod inside a Teflon tube. The Teflon is super slippery, and seems really resistant to scratches.

I was initially chucking the threaded rod in my drill and threading it all the way into the Teflon tube, but after I made a few I realized I could just use a hammer and hammer it in.

Here are a few pictures. In the second one, you can see the threaded rod inside the tube a little better.

The Muscle · 02-14-2007, 05:52 PM

where do you find teflon tubes??

jmorrison518 · 02-14-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Muscle

where do you find teflon tubes??

http://www.mcmaster.com

Type "Teflon Tubing" into the search. It's about a buck a foot.

crawl_tis · 02-21-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmorrison518

http://www.mcmaster.com

Type "Teflon Tubing" into the search. It's about a buck a foot.

What size tubing did you use?

BrockGrimes · 02-21-2007, 04:56 PM

How bout the toughest slickest cheapest best material ever:

That's right the outside of a Bic Pen.
I don't know what plastic they use but that's
some tuff shiz. Cheap and easy to find.

Must be some type of nylon, the cheaper knock off
pens have the same material and they come in many
colors.

JIA's Dad · 02-22-2007, 01:21 AM

Just an idea as to cheep link sleeves. Go to your local archery shop ask for the carbon fiber arrow cut offs. The left overs after cutting new arrows to correct length. Most shops throw them away.

Nabil · 03-25-2007, 04:02 PM

great idea

02-13-2007, 11:27 PM	#1
MAXIMUS Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 40	Cheap Sliders for your lower links I was on a mission to find Delrin lower links and was thinking, there has to be a cheaper and easier way. So I went to a couple hobby shops and found an inexpensive fix...1/4" fiberglass tube designed to reinforce model airplanes. It was $6.00 for about 5 feet. It is just as slick as my delrin plate on the bottom of my chassis and the diameter is just big enough to fit around Traxxas or TLT turnbuckle ends snuggly. It may not be as duarable or have the longevity of delrin but after grinding it across rocks for the past week or so they have held up pretty good and when there worn out replacement is cheap and easy. Here's a few picks. Give it a shot if you dont like it your only out $6.00! Hope this helps. Last edited by MAXIMUS; 02-14-2007 at 10:52 PM.

02-14-2007, 12:44 PM	#6
supermacg Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock Posts: 17	I did the same thing with my TLT and TXT. I got the tubes off ebay, just did a search for carbon fiber tubes. I used 8-32 full threaded rod with revo ball ends. Neither one are finished yet so I cant give a durability report on them yet. Attached Images

02-13-2007, 11:42 PM	#2
John Deere Rock Crawler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 564	Nice idea might try this.

02-14-2007, 07:47 AM	#3
Ballistic223 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: At the nuthouse! Posts: 32	I like it!

02-14-2007, 07:50 AM	#4
FrankyRizzo I wanna be Dave Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vegas Posts: 7,172	Great idea. Thanks for the heads up. Kite shops might have it as well.

02-14-2007, 12:47 PM	#7
chivas72 RCC Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: I live Here Posts: 1,218	if it's the kite kind of deal these might work like the alumaflex in the 1:1 has anyone tested the bend back abilities of this material ? ? ?

02-14-2007, 03:33 PM	#9
Rockpiledriver I wanna be Dave Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 5,027	I use this method for uppers but not lowers, here is why. That is CF tube and it is pulltruded. In other words all of the fibers lay next to each other and run the length of the tube, therefore, the tube will split form one end to the other quite easily when beat on a rock. The other bad thing about this for lowers is this; even if it does not split, it will abrade causing the needle sharp rigid fibers to poke out. If you have ever had a rigid needle like piece of carbon fiber stuck in your hand or finger, you will probably think twice about using this for lower links.

02-14-2007, 03:42 PM	#10
jmorrison518 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bellingham Posts: 15	I used a similar method on my first build, but for links I used 8/32" threaded rod inside a Teflon tube. The Teflon is super slippery, and seems really resistant to scratches. I was initially chucking the threaded rod in my drill and threading it all the way into the Teflon tube, but after I made a few I realized I could just use a hammer and hammer it in. Here are a few pictures. In the second one, you can see the threaded rod inside the tube a little better.

02-14-2007, 05:52 PM	#11
The Muscle Rock Crawler Join Date: May 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 607	where do you find teflon tubes??

02-21-2007, 04:56 PM	#14
BrockGrimes Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 803	How bout the toughest slickest cheapest best material ever: That's right the outside of a Bic Pen. I don't know what plastic they use but that's some tuff shiz. Cheap and easy to find. Must be some type of nylon, the cheaper knock off pens have the same material and they come in many colors.

02-22-2007, 01:21 AM	#15
JIA's Dad Rock Crawler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Midway Posts: 836	Just an idea as to cheep link sleeves. Go to your local archery shop ask for the carbon fiber arrow cut offs. The left overs after cutting new arrows to correct length. Most shops throw them away.

03-25-2007, 04:02 PM	#16
Nabil no talent hack Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Redwood City Posts: 2,479	great idea

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