RCCrawler Forums

BADASSPONY · 03-06-2010, 07:02 PM

Now that I have my Bully as a roller I found I need to make new upper links and they need a slight bend in them. Ill be using 5/16 for the uppers and I might consider make new lowers using 3/8. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also do you make the measurement for straight rod then bend it or is there a way to figure in the rod length after the the bend? Thanks in advanced, pics are also welcome!!

BADASSPONY · 03-07-2010, 06:58 AM

I know someone can help out here??

shelljeep · 03-07-2010, 07:15 AM

Graph the eye to eye length of the link shape on paper.
Mock up a with coat hanger material or something.
Measure with a cloth tape or unbend and measure with ruler.
Edit- Or buy Bend Tech.

717CRAWLERS · 03-07-2010, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelljeep

Graph the eye to eye length of the link shape on paper.
Mock up a with coat hanger material or something.
Measure with a cloth tape or unbend and measure with ruler.

Yeah, that's a fool proof method. Good luck!

BADASSPONY · 03-07-2010, 07:19 AM

Ok that makes sense, but what about the actually bending without destroying the delrin rod?

Reflection · 03-07-2010, 07:40 AM

The delrin I've bent,I just held a cigarette lighter under it for 10-15 seconds....until it gets a little shine to it,then bend. It'll have a little "spring back" action going on,so you may have to bend a little further than you want.

How much bend do you need? I figured it up in Mastercam at work a while back making lower links. For a lower that's 4" long with a 30 degree bend 1" from the end,your link will need to be 4.125" long before you bend it. That same bend on the same 4" link 2" from the end,the material needed to be 4.250" before you bent it. Different angles will do different things though. Bend Tech is a pretty good free program to use.

BADASSPONY · 03-07-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reflection

The delrin I've bent,I just held a cigarette lighter under it for 10-15 seconds....until it gets a little shine to it,then bend. It'll have a little "spring back" action going on,so you may have to bend a little further than you want.

How much bend do you need? I figured it up in Mastercam at work a while back making lower links. For a lower that's 4" long with a 30 degree bend 1" from the end,your link will need to be 4.125" long before you bend it. That same bend on the same 4" link 2" from the end,the material needed to be 4.250" before you bent it. Different angles will do different things though. Bend Tech is a pretty good free program to use.

Thats the answer I was looking for, Thanks alot!!! Now I have to get to cutting and bending.

shelljeep · 03-07-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reflection

Bend Tech is a pretty good free program to use.

When did Chris release a shareware version?

Reflection · 03-07-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelljeep

When did Chris release a shareware version?

I thought it was free,guess not.

I've had a copy handed to me several times.

717CRAWLERS · 03-07-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reflection

I thought it was free,guess not.

I've had a copy handed to me several times.

Share the goods!!!

Raceaholic · 03-07-2010, 09:23 AM

I use a heat gun. I roll the rod and heat it evenly. Then I can just bend it. I did make a model out of copper tube then just matched the delrin to it. Not absolutely perfect but very close. Then pm jeepindoug to get the bushings to make sure the holes are drilled in the center of the links. They work great. Good luck.

BADASSPONY · 03-07-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raceaholic

I use a heat gun. I roll the rod and heat it evenly. Then I can just bend it. I did make a model out of copper tube then just matched the delrin to it. Not absolutely perfect but very close. Then pm jeepindoug to get the bushings to make sure the holes are drilled in the center of the links. They work great. Good luck.

I think I have and idea to make a jig that will be able to do multiple bends and mutiple sizes. Ill make the jig and see how it works.

HomerJ · 03-08-2010, 12:37 PM

X2 on the heat gun. I just hold the delrin in a vice and heat it until it shines a bit. Then bend while checking it with an angle finder if you know what angle you need. Otherwise it will be trial and error until you find the right bend, then make up some sort of jig and you're good to go.

Also, be very careful when heating delrin. If you get it too hot it will boil and release some VERY toxic fumes. I highly recommend doing this in a well ventillated area.

signalmtncrawler · 03-15-2010, 05:19 PM

yeah get a heat gun and a set of brake line benders works like a champ

scouperacer · 03-20-2010, 12:15 PM

I taped 2 of my links together and bent them at the same time to be sure they are the same angle.

03-06-2010, 07:02 PM	#1
BADASSPONY Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Huntertown, In Posts: 776	Bend delrin rod questions Now that I have my Bully as a roller I found I need to make new upper links and they need a slight bend in them. Ill be using 5/16 for the uppers and I might consider make new lowers using 3/8. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also do you make the measurement for straight rod then bend it or is there a way to figure in the rod length after the the bend? Thanks in advanced, pics are also welcome!! Last edited by BADASSPONY; 03-06-2010 at 07:05 PM.

03-07-2010, 07:15 AM	#3
shelljeep RCC Addict Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lafayette Posts: 1,077	Graph the eye to eye length of the link shape on paper. Mock up a with coat hanger material or something. Measure with a cloth tape or unbend and measure with ruler. Edit- Or buy Bend Tech. Last edited by shelljeep; 03-07-2010 at 07:18 AM.

03-08-2010, 12:37 PM	#13
HomerJ Rock Crawler Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lexington Posts: 707	X2 on the heat gun. I just hold the delrin in a vice and heat it until it shines a bit. Then bend while checking it with an angle finder if you know what angle you need. Otherwise it will be trial and error until you find the right bend, then make up some sort of jig and you're good to go. Also, be very careful when heating delrin. If you get it too hot it will boil and release some VERY toxic fumes. I highly recommend doing this in a well ventillated area. Last edited by HomerJ; 03-08-2010 at 12:39 PM.

03-07-2010, 06:58 AM	#2
BADASSPONY Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Huntertown, In Posts: 776	I know someone can help out here??

03-07-2010, 07:19 AM	#5
BADASSPONY Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Huntertown, In Posts: 776	Ok that makes sense, but what about the actually bending without destroying the delrin rod?

03-07-2010, 07:40 AM	#6
Reflection TEAM MODERATOR Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 10,855	The delrin I've bent,I just held a cigarette lighter under it for 10-15 seconds....until it gets a little shine to it,then bend. It'll have a little "spring back" action going on,so you may have to bend a little further than you want. How much bend do you need? I figured it up in Mastercam at work a while back making lower links. For a lower that's 4" long with a 30 degree bend 1" from the end,your link will need to be 4.125" long before you bend it. That same bend on the same 4" link 2" from the end,the material needed to be 4.250" before you bent it. Different angles will do different things though. Bend Tech is a pretty good free program to use.

03-07-2010, 09:23 AM	#11
Raceaholic WNYRCRC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Western New York Posts: 540	I use a heat gun. I roll the rod and heat it evenly. Then I can just bend it. I did make a model out of copper tube then just matched the delrin to it. Not absolutely perfect but very close. Then pm jeepindoug to get the bushings to make sure the holes are drilled in the center of the links. They work great. Good luck.

03-15-2010, 05:19 PM	#14
signalmtncrawler Newbie Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Signal Mtn. Posts: 36	yeah get a heat gun and a set of brake line benders works like a champ

03-20-2010, 12:15 PM	#15
scouperacer Newbie Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 33	I taped 2 of my links together and bent them at the same time to be sure they are the same angle.

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