RCCrawler Forums

jwilli2213 · 12-06-2007, 10:47 AM

i was making my own links and i did everything and then it came time to drill the hole the only problem is i dont have a drill press i only have a hand drill and i drilled like 4 links both sides and i cant get the hole centerd on any of them and itn not just a little off its way to one side i tried 8 times and i couldnt get one to work,. Any help for using a hand drill and getting it centerd?

i am using a vice to hold the links thanks

Robb · 12-06-2007, 11:00 AM

It is definitely tricky with a hand drill. A vise, a center punch, and a steady hand are all needed.............but mine were always off also.

I switched over to using 8-32 allthread and 1/4" brakeline and haven't had to mess with it since.

CPE MT · 12-06-2007, 11:15 AM

That's why we use thick-walled seamless aluminum tubing. Holes are pre-centered for you, plus it's much lighter than all-thread and brakeline sleeving...

PEDEcrawlerguy · 12-08-2007, 03:16 PM

about the aluminum tube.... 1/4" X .045 wall i believe... then tap it to 8-32 and use revo ends

jwilli2213 · 12-08-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PEDEcrawlerguy

about the aluminum tube.... 1/4" X .045 wall i believe... then tap it to 8-32 and use revo ends

where can i get this iv been to all the home depots and lowes and i cant find it all the tube they have it way bigger like an inch and up they have 1/4 in alum rods but not tubes

4u2nv · 12-08-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwilli2213

where can i get this iv been to all the home depots and lowes and i cant find it all the tube they have it way bigger like an inch and up they have 1/4 in alum rods but not tubes

Does McMaster sell this? Can someone post a link to what is used?

STANG KILLA SS · 12-08-2007, 09:36 PM

yep mcmaster does, in fact if you go to the tech link on the main RCC pages theres actually a link on how to make them and a link to mcmasters site on which tubing to buy ;) its old

4u2nv · 12-09-2007, 08:43 AM

SS That's not the same tubing... I'm looking for the tubing that can be tapped 8-32... The tubing in that post is just a sleeve for 6-32 and it's no longer available either.

whjdm069 · 12-09-2007, 09:52 AM

I use 3/16 brakeline and 6/32 allthread with t-maxx rod ends. use a 1/8 drill bit and tap out the rod end hole. then screw the rod end on one side mount to axle and measure out the length you need. take in consideration the second rod end. once you have made your cuts screw on the second rod end and mount them and adjust till you get the desired length. after that measure your gap for the brakeline then cut. you may have to aug out the brakeline where you cut it for the allthread to fit through smooth. I like the brakeline because it is harder than aluminum. aluminum is shinny but bends easily. if you want bent links just make you link longer and then use a 3/16 tubing bender to make your high clearance links. I get my allthread from lowes and brakline from my local autoparts store. this my take you a few tries to get it perfect but its a lot cheaper to build then buy plus i change my setup often until i get the results i want. i hope this will help.

blue95xj · 12-09-2007, 02:26 PM

One of my buddies was telling me that he used solid 1/4" aluminum rod and found some tubing to slide over the rod with minimal clearance. Then put tubing inside of the first piece decreasing the size until he got down to the size for the drill bit. Drilled and tapped the rod then used a screw and blue threadlock tightened it down. Cut off the head of the screw leaving the exposed threads for the rod end.

clodstall · 12-09-2007, 04:00 PM

i use 6/32 allthread and 1/4" brakeline for sleeving. the weight i like. it puts it close to the ground were you need it.
just chuck allthread in drill,hold ball end with hand,screw it in until you cant hold it anymore with hand,usually deep enough then,now turn around,chuck ballend into drill now,slide brakeling over allthread,now screw it into other ball end until tight. done. i can make a set of 8 links in about 30 min that way.

CPE MT · 12-09-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4u2nv

SS That's not the same tubing... I'm looking for the tubing that can be tapped 8-32... The tubing in that post is just a sleeve for 6-32 and it's no longer available either.

You'll want McMaster-Carr P/N 89965K233 or 89965K44.

4u2nv · 12-09-2007, 08:48 PM

Thanks CPE MT.... That's what I was looking for.

Jonnie Fraz · 12-09-2007, 09:45 PM

Ok before I got my lathe I built a jig for drilling the solid rod. First take a small piece of 1/2 plate or flat bar stock. Use a 1/4 "Bullet" bit with the pilot. Drill almost all the way through the plate. Finish off drilling through the plate with the size drill you need for your tap. Then put your 1/4 rod into the 1/4" hole you drilled, then drill the rod from the other side with the tap bit. The hole should be centered in the rod.
I will post up some pics tomorrow, if I get a chance.

nomobux · 12-10-2007, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnie Fraz

Ok before I got my lathe I built a jig for drilling the solid rod. First take a small piece of 1/2 plate or flat bar stock. Use a 1/4 "Bullet" bit with the pilot. Drill almost all the way through the plate. Finish off drilling through the plate with the size drill you need for your tap. Then put your 1/4 rod into the 1/4" hole you drilled, then drill the rod from the other side with the tap bit. The hole should be centered in the rod.
I will post up some pics tomorrow, if I get a chance.

Good one !!

muddeprived · 12-10-2007, 10:41 AM

All thread and tubing is all you need. Get the desired thickness of all-thread and tubing to go over it. I've done this with 3/8" tubing, 1/4" tubing, and even 1/2" tubing and never could bend or break the links. It's so much easier than drilling and tapping plus it holds up just fine.

toy4crawlin · 12-13-2007, 04:41 PM

you won't find your 1/4 .045 aluminum tubing at big hardware stores likes Lowes
try a large Ace Hardware or similiar a few good hobby shops carry to.

I had to drive across bay 40 min to get mine

Go with Mcaster

I would say try using Delrin, but you never know if your getting the REAL Delrin that's the tuff stuff, cuase the cheapo and good stuff look almost identical

to center use calipers or use a exacto knife to get the center started, use small bit then go bigger

12-06-2007, 10:47 AM	#1
jwilli2213 Quarry Creeper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: vista - san diego Posts: 200	centering the hole on links i was making my own links and i did everything and then it came time to drill the hole the only problem is i dont have a drill press i only have a hand drill and i drilled like 4 links both sides and i cant get the hole centerd on any of them and itn not just a little off its way to one side i tried 8 times and i couldnt get one to work,. Any help for using a hand drill and getting it centerd? i am using a vice to hold the links thanks

12-06-2007, 11:00 AM	#2
Robb RCC Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: VARCOR Posts: 1,826	It is definitely tricky with a hand drill. A vise, a center punch, and a steady hand are all needed.............but mine were always off also. I switched over to using 8-32 allthread and 1/4" brakeline and haven't had to mess with it since.

12-06-2007, 11:15 AM	#3
CPE MT RCC Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Home of the ORIGINAL Terminator chassis Posts: 1,252	That's why we use thick-walled seamless aluminum tubing. Holes are pre-centered for you, plus it's much lighter than all-thread and brakeline sleeving...

12-08-2007, 03:16 PM	#4
PEDEcrawlerguy Rock Crawler Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: clearfield Posts: 678	about the aluminum tube.... 1/4" X .045 wall i believe... then tap it to 8-32 and use revo ends

12-08-2007, 09:36 PM	#7
STANG KILLA SS ~THE SCALE SHOP~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: KILLEEN TX Posts: 10,056	yep mcmaster does, in fact if you go to the tech link on the main RCC pages theres actually a link on how to make them and a link to mcmasters site on which tubing to buy ;) its old

12-09-2007, 08:43 AM	#8
4u2nv RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,516	SS That's not the same tubing... I'm looking for the tubing that can be tapped 8-32... The tubing in that post is just a sleeve for 6-32 and it's no longer available either.

12-09-2007, 09:52 AM	#9
whjdm069 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: portland Posts: 45	I use 3/16 brakeline and 6/32 allthread with t-maxx rod ends. use a 1/8 drill bit and tap out the rod end hole. then screw the rod end on one side mount to axle and measure out the length you need. take in consideration the second rod end. once you have made your cuts screw on the second rod end and mount them and adjust till you get the desired length. after that measure your gap for the brakeline then cut. you may have to aug out the brakeline where you cut it for the allthread to fit through smooth. I like the brakeline because it is harder than aluminum. aluminum is shinny but bends easily. if you want bent links just make you link longer and then use a 3/16 tubing bender to make your high clearance links. I get my allthread from lowes and brakline from my local autoparts store. this my take you a few tries to get it perfect but its a lot cheaper to build then buy plus i change my setup often until i get the results i want. i hope this will help.

12-09-2007, 02:26 PM	#10
blue95xj Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: arnold, mo Posts: 20	One of my buddies was telling me that he used solid 1/4" aluminum rod and found some tubing to slide over the rod with minimal clearance. Then put tubing inside of the first piece decreasing the size until he got down to the size for the drill bit. Drilled and tapped the rod then used a screw and blue threadlock tightened it down. Cut off the head of the screw leaving the exposed threads for the rod end.

12-09-2007, 04:00 PM	#11
clodstall I lost my vendor privileges Join Date: May 2006 Location: TOP OF THE HILL Posts: 3,014	i use 6/32 allthread and 1/4" brakeline for sleeving. the weight i like. it puts it close to the ground were you need it. just chuck allthread in drill,hold ball end with hand,screw it in until you cant hold it anymore with hand,usually deep enough then,now turn around,chuck ballend into drill now,slide brakeling over allthread,now screw it into other ball end until tight. done. i can make a set of 8 links in about 30 min that way.

12-09-2007, 08:48 PM	#13
4u2nv RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,516	Thanks CPE MT.... That's what I was looking for.

12-09-2007, 09:45 PM	#14
Jonnie Fraz Quarry Creeper Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 244	Ok before I got my lathe I built a jig for drilling the solid rod. First take a small piece of 1/2 plate or flat bar stock. Use a 1/4 "Bullet" bit with the pilot. Drill almost all the way through the plate. Finish off drilling through the plate with the size drill you need for your tap. Then put your 1/4 rod into the 1/4" hole you drilled, then drill the rod from the other side with the tap bit. The hole should be centered in the rod. I will post up some pics tomorrow, if I get a chance.

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12-10-2007, 10:41 AM	#16
muddeprived RCC Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Beaver Falls Posts: 1,166	All thread and tubing is all you need. Get the desired thickness of all-thread and tubing to go over it. I've done this with 3/8" tubing, 1/4" tubing, and even 1/2" tubing and never could bend or break the links. It's so much easier than drilling and tapping plus it holds up just fine.

12-13-2007, 04:41 PM	#17
toy4crawlin I wanna be Dave Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Campbell, CA 4 hrs 2Rubicon ! Posts: 2,044	you won't find your 1/4 .045 aluminum tubing at big hardware stores likes Lowes try a large Ace Hardware or similiar a few good hobby shops carry to. I had to drive across bay 40 min to get mine Go with Mcaster I would say try using Delrin, but you never know if your getting the REAL Delrin that's the tuff stuff, cuase the cheapo and good stuff look almost identical to center use calipers or use a exacto knife to get the center started, use small bit then go bigger

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Thread: centering the hole on links