Composite Chassis

[Mike Poulson]

Originally Posted by maddog2099

That is without a doubt one of the coolest things I have seen. I may have to take a wack at carving out a body. Not sure of my skills though, my truck attempt might end up looking like a Pinto wagon

Looking forward to seeing the completed chassis.

Matt

Go for it, I will help you through it. Pintos are cool

[Big Mike]

Are you planning on competing with this rig?

Aw crap, I can here the rule committy's butt holes tightining as I type

X2 this isgoing to turn into pages of crap like our threads did.

Oh, boy - Another new idea - and another big rules debate.

I'm not a competitor in the crawling scene so my opinion may not mean much to you guys who do seriously compete, but it seems to me that when the rules become so strict and numerous that they begin to stifle creativity and innovation, I'd say it's time for some changes.

It's almost like you all are afraid of someone showing up with a different way of doing things and starting to win comps with it or something.

Mike - that looks like a great idea to me. Post up some pics when it's rolling...

[Big Mike]

How is this idea any different than, for example, a Junfac Stealth?
Or Cole's diamond-plate chassis?

[Etype R]

I think the biggest reason for the rules against it is to protect the tubers. The tube frames have a very cool look to them, but they are not light by any means with the exception of the few aluminum tubers. A carbon unibody would be much lighter, but takes away from the look.

Coles rig is not legal at some comps, depends on the local rules. Same with the Junfac stealth.

I do think this is a very cool build though

[Rockpiledriver]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

How is this idea any different than, for example, a Junfac Stealth?
Or Cole's diamond-plate chassis?

It's not, and both of those would be required to run a body to compete.

The reason I asked is because I would hate to see someone go to all of this work only to be turned away from a comp, which he has indicated he plans do. Nobody wants that. Nor do I think that anyone wants to turn off someone with serious skills and ability to R/C crawling.

I think what is being done here is incredible work. I was planning to do something very similar but the idea was scrapped due to the rules. They are what they are.

[Unholy]

Originally Posted by Rockpiledriver

The reason I asked is because I would hate to see someone go to all of this work only to be turned away from a comp, which he has indicated he plans do. Nobody wants that. Nor do I think that anyone wants to turn off someone with serious skills and ability to R/C crawling.

I think what is being done here is incredible work. I was planning to do something very similar but the idea was scrapped due to the rules. They are what they are.

Same here. I just wanted to make sure he was aware of how the rules would fall. I'm glad he is going through with it!

The rules aren't forever set in stone. Sooner or later, things are bound to change as more people get into the scene. The old guard will not always be the majority.

Things like this that push the envelope need to be made, whether or not they can compete legally right now. Local rules can be modified as clubs see fit. If something is made that works better than anything else, and doesn't fit into the rules, you can bet even the old guard will take notice and want one themselves.

Some of us that bring the "rules" up in peoples threads were not happy with the way some of the rules came out... majority rules though.

If more people build these kinds of things, and get their club to approve it, and their club is part of the sanctioning body, it's more likely that they will be allowed in the rules in the future.

Now to get back on topic: I hope this turns out as well as you planned. It's an excellent concept and you seem technically capable of pulling it off. Can't wait to see it finished!

[Big Mike]

It's not, and both of those would be required to run a body to compete.

Now that just makes absolutely no sense to me, but that's just me. You can't be telling me that neither of them "resemble a 1:1 rig". If that's the case, how do all the stick and torsion chassis comply? Just because they have a lexan body sitting on them?
Either a stick or a torsion chassis is about the furthest thing from "resembling 1:1" that I could imagine.

The reason I asked is because I would hate to see someone go to all of this work only to be turned away from a comp

I guess a heads-up here would be preferable to actually attending a comp and being turned down on-site. Good point.

I think the biggest reason for the rules against it is to protect the tubers.

So the tube chassis compete against other types of chassis?
Do most of them fall under the "2.2" designation, then?
Why not make the tube chassis a class unto themselves?

I have more questions, but I'm going to familiarize myself with the rules a little more first, and probably answer a lot of them myself...

[Etype R]

A lot of the rules need work.... I don't think car bodies should be allowed, with a few exceptions like bug bodies. But lets not turn this into another rules debate... lets just enjoy the awesome build

[Rockpiledriver]

Originally Posted by Unholy

Some of us that bring the "rules" up in peoples threads were not happy with the way some of the rules came out... majority rules though.

Yup, But it was a democracy, was voted on, so that's the way it is *this year*

I personally wanted to see monocoque chassis' as legal (for obvious reasons stated in my last post ) but they were voted down. Oh well.

[Mike Poulson]

Thanks for the heads up on the rules, glad you are watching out for me I am new to this stuff.


So.. as the snow flies in the rocky mountains ( it really is snowing) the day is going by very slow knowing that possibly a cool part may come out of the mold when I get home. This is the best part.

[Big Mike]

Hmmm - nowhere near as complex as I anticipated.
Well, seeing that there is one class with no restrictions placed on it raises my hopes of competing against some of you guys one day.
I already know that if I do want to compete and have any hope of doing well I'm going to have to start from scratch and build a new rig anyway, so I might as well go "unlimited".

Etype R is right - enough rules for now. I'm sorry to be so negative. (rules tend to do that to me for some reason!)

[Big Mike]

Hey Mike - where do you live in SLC?

I spent a couple years in Sugarhouse on Highland Dr. (right across the street from the Old Dutch Store) and another 4 years living in Park City.

I moved back to VA in '03, for a job opportunity I just could'nt pass up. I really miss Utah.

I wish I'd been into this crawling thing when I was out there. So many good spots to be had. Up above the U comes to mind immediately...

[Mike Poulson]

I live in West Jordan.

[Thorsteenster]

nice work!
have you done bigger stuff? seeing that is giving me an idea for a 6th scale body and making it in 'glass

[Mike Poulson]

Originally Posted by thorsteenster

nice work!
have you done bigger stuff? seeing that is giving me an idea for a 6th scale body and making it in 'glass

Ya, R/C boats are a little bigger.

here is a picture of one.

[Big Mike]

Whoa - that boat looks sick!! You made the hulls the same way?

[RCCrawlerTT]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

Whoa - that boat looks sick!! You made the hulls the same way?

Yeah, that is pretty cool. Almost looks like something out of Star Wars.

[Mike Poulson]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

Whoa - that boat looks sick!! You made the hulls the same way?

I use a much faster way, using a pink foam plug and plaster. The cool thing about plaster other than it's cheap is it doesn't stick to the foam so no sealing and waxing is needed. Just seal and polish the plaster mold. Plaster is good for 2 or 3 parts before it starts chipping at the edges.





Well this came out better that I expected. And is going to be strong enough for the job.

[JohnRobHolmes]

Nice weave overlay!

[dezfan]

I love it, cant wait to see the finished product.