The progression of my XR10 into a Berg.

[95geo]

So, back in November I decided to build one of these little rock crawlers, after doing some research, I decided to go with an XR10. Little did I know that I was making a mistake by investing in such a sloppy drivetrain and design limited platform.

After realizing that my issues with the axles weren't going to be easily worked past, I made the decision to build some axles with more metal and a lot less slop.

I don't have many pictures yet since a lot of parts are only roughed in or in the mail but in the next week or two it should come together quickly.

Previous build for the Secret Agent XR10
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/axial-xr10/375247-progression-my-xr10-into-secret-agent-3-5-a.html

Specs for this build-
Y-Town Secret Agent 3.5 bodiless
Berg V1 cases with some grinding
Lightened gears
SDS 300m 300HD universal shafts for berg/axial
SDS 300m 2nd and 3rd gears
MFD 7075 upper link mounts
1mm wall 7075 axle tubes, no "lockouts"
VP Wraith inner C's and outer knuckles

7950 servo
Dual CC Micro Sidewinders
And some other details that haven't been worked out yet.

More in a few days!

 

[Farmer]

Very nice brother, glad to see things coming together. Can't wait to see it done. Lovin the tubes"thumbsup"

Later,
Farmer

 

[TSK]

You gonna TIG on some link mounts or use a clamping design?

 

[binaryterror]

Looks good so far Bryce, you will not miss those EggShell-10 axles! I think I'm definitely going to have to swing by your shop even if its just to watch you make some shavings. Looking forward to a unique build.

 

[Erik D_lux]

1mm wall 7075 axle tubes

:shock:

 

[Hittman]

:shock:

Same thing i was thinking:shock:

But, looks like a good start"thumbsup"

 

[95geo]

:shock:

:mrgreen:

I love pushing the acceptable standards for what works and what doesn't! We'll see how the first concept comes out, they may be overbuilt or they may be too weak. I don't feel like putting a simulation together to check it but the material properties and physical dimensions give me a good feeling about the strength of the end product.

These first few tubes will be using a clamp on style link mount, once I nail down the geometry I want I'll put some mounting features on the tubes for the link mounts similar to the OEM tubes but with a little twist of my own.

Tonight's progress-
Had to make a simple fixture to hold the VP inner c's

And the finished product, no more sloppy splines!

 

[jeepsohigh]

WOW:shock:, keep up the great work:twisted: Great start, you will love the berg8)

 

[95geo]

Happy merry expensive Christmas in July to me! This is just what's shown up this week, last week was an expensive one too!

Time to make chips!

 

[Hittman]

Noice!! All that does look expensive:shock:

 

[Farmer]

Happy merry expensive Christmas in July to me! This is just what's shown up this week, last week was an expensive one too!

Time to make chips!

I want to play:mrgreen: Lookin sweet man, I see you will be putting my rig to shame real quick Really interested in seeing you do some of this"thumbsup"

Later,
Farmer

 

[95geo]

Thanks Farmer! But just because I can make some shiny parts doesn't mean I can drive that pile of parts worth a crap! :mrgreen:

I ran into a little snag last night. I knew I needed to remove some material from the tool holder in order to use the new tooling but I had a minor oversight while chomping at the bit to get these tubes finished. So, with a lathe that isn't able to hold a tool and the need to turn a shoulder off the main stud that holds the tool clamp, I need to get the creative juices flowing. If I don't come up with anything I'll have to call in a favor so I can get cutting again.

 

[95geo]

The fit and finish on this chassis isn't as impressive as the first. It seems as if the cutter is walking a lot while cutting. I'm sure it'll work fine but for the price, it's not what I would expect.

My neighbor who owns a tool grinding shop knocked out a cutter for me to cut ID grooves for the snap rings in one shot with perfect corners.

And finally, I would just like to say that I love my day job! Yes, I'm allowed to design up my own parts from time to time.

Don't pay any attention to the case, it's very crude at the moment since I'm playing with applying some advanced modeling techniques. The tubes and link mount should be very close to the final product. The link mount that's shown is about 4 grams, still needs another piece to function but I haven't gotten there yet.

 

[ROWDY RACING]

Are you sure your in the same hole on both sides with that chassis brace? It looks like they are one hole off from each other.

 

[mustangboy_347]

VERY NICE WORK BRYCE ... KEEP IT UP"thumbsup"

 

[95geo]

Are you sure your in the same hole on both sides with that chassis brace? It looks like they are one hole off from each other.

Yes, I'm sure. In fact, I'm positive since there is nothing in the other side. What I'm showing is the misalignment between the two plates on the one side. It is preventing the screw from going straight through and it is forced to be on the angle you see.

 

[ROWDY RACING]

Yes, I'm sure. In fact, I'm positive since there is nothing in the other side. What I'm showing is the misalignment between the two plates on the one side. It is preventing the screw from going straight through and it is forced to be on the angle you see.

Did you assemble in the correct order per the instructions in the vendor thread, it helps to tighten all the screws down in the correct order to square things up especially where the rear of the cab flexes.

 

[TSK]

My SA had nothing even close to that kinda of misalignemt. Are both douth doublers install right side up? I don't have my truck handy, but i'm sure the bottom side of those rear doublers have the little notch/curve in them.

In fact, even in that pic, if you disregard that brace you made, it looks like there left side doubler looks like it's garther back relative to the right side doubler.

This might help as well:

SA assembly walkthrough

 

[JeremyH]

Yes, I'm sure. In fact, I'm positive since there is nothing in the other side. What I'm showing is the misalignment between the two plates on the one side. It is preventing the screw from going straight through and it is forced to be on the angle you see.

You need to contact Krawlfreak about this....I'm sure he'll get you taken care of."thumbsup"

 

[95geo]

VERY NICE WORK BRYCE ... KEEP IT UP"thumbsup"

Thanks! I wanted to pick up a set of the Al Ti-Fighters after seeing yours but I wanted a couple features that I was unable to "exchange" for the standard parts they come with. By the time I added up the machining and parts swapping I wanted, they were no longer a good choice for me. I would have spent the money for basically the cases only. So that's why I'm putting in a ton of work and good materials into stock cases. I'm crossing my fingers that someone comes out with an aftermarket case that is slightly reconfigured to take advantage of the narrow gearset and allow enough room for a servo without cutting the tubes all up. I actually have an awesome stack of ideas for a case design but the two companies I approached want nothing to do with it so I'm going to save them for myself until I decide to have them made for myself or find the right company to "buy" my design to mass produce for everyone to enjoy.

If there are any business owners/workers with pull that are reading this and are serious about bringing an awesome Berg case design to market, please PM me. I am certain it will be worth your efforts for a LONG time to come!

For what it's worth, I was an accomplished automotive powertrain designer for the first part of my career so I am capable of producing a production ready design. The only reason I haven't tried to produce these components on my own is the lack of reasonable machining capabilities and no desire to take on the business responsibilities associated with being the middle man which also doesn't help the bottom line cost that I would like to target in order to make them as popular as they should be.
As a worst case scenario, I'm planning on buying a CNC vertical mill in the semi near future and If there isn't anything out there by then, I'll bring them to market on my own.