chassis lengthen project

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bit_racer
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chassis lengthen project

Post by bit_racer »

i was wondering what people used to lengthen their cars chassis and how they kept the wheels lined up, because i am working on a drag car project, but i need to lengthen the car, so before i go and tear up my first car i would like to know what everyone else did
CaboWabo
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Post by CaboWabo »

I believe most chop the chassis straight
then use some plastic to provide the length of space they have between the 2 pieces of chassis, which also gives the alignment.
then epoxy all that for strength and durability, sand and smooth it out and viola!
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crazydave
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Post by crazydave »

I've done a few of these now. Here's what I do.

I saw the chassis in half with a razor saw. I measure how much I need to stretch it, the cut a piece of Zip Zap packaging in that aproximate size. Then I sand it so it's exactly the width I need, and straight all the way across. Using a ruler to check my reults every so often. Then I cut that into 3 pieces, for the bottom, and the 2 sides.

Now we're ready to glue. I use a super glue gel, which like the equivelent of heavy hobby grade CA. It has a slower cureing time, which helps soften the plastic, to bond on a molecular level, and gives excellent bonding with plastic.

One of the tricks to glueing with superglue, that I think is the reason alot of people have problems with it, is you absolutely cannot reposistion. You line it up as closely as possible, stick it, and leave it. If it's not right take it off, let the glue dry completely, sand off the old glue, and try again.

First thing you gonna want to do is get the pieces lined up with with one of the chassis halfs. To do that, I take the thinnest part of the Zip Zap packaging, and glue thin strips inside the chassis, hanging just over the edge, that gives you something to help line up the plastic pieces, and hold them in place while drying. I run a thin bead of glue along all the edges of the chassis, and on the inside of the plastic strips we just glued in, and press my pieces in to place. Now you should have the basic shape, and all that is left to do it glue the back half to the first half. Just run a thin bead along the edge again and smash the 2 pieces together, being careful, as I said before, to get it lined up the first time.

Now it should be all together, and lookin complete. Just to be sure, I run a thick bead of the super glue over all seams, inside and out, and let that dry over night. It should be as strong, and stiffer than a stock chassis. I bend and twist, and bang it on the edge of my desk to test it. Only once did one break, and I had to re glue it.

Then after it's been tested, I sand it level, and slap some paint on it.

Here's one post-sanding, pre-painting.
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HirotoR34
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Post by HirotoR34 »

I'm considering using a flat peice of plastic or aluminum and mounting the front and rear bulkheads to it. I saw it on a site somewhere, and would love to try it.

I have done it the way you see here. It was for my tricell, dual motor BB that met with an unfortunate accident.

may she rest in peices.
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