Scratch building a RC car.

[ZzZGuy]

Me and a friend have decided to make our own RC car from scratch since we/I have some spare time right now.

Only problem is we have Zero experience with all things RC beyond knowing what batteries to use.

It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could direct me to a good RC site that either has instructions on how to build one or a community I can ask for help, or any books that would be helpful. My searches turn up store sites and unhelpful articles.

I will post pics during the build if help arrives.

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Basic concept, ~ 1 1/2 feet long, tank like rubber tracks on each side, waterproof/semi hydrodynamic hull to allow for skimming across water (I plan on welding 1/64 or thinner sheet metal for the hull section) and 1 gas or electric engine for each side. We want to use gas because of the increase in power and range but from what I've read there could be issues with the fine control of the engine speed which is a must because we are not steering by turning the front two wheals but instead using the difference in speed on each side. If it proves too hard we will go electric.

Then there is the tracks, as of right now we have no idea where to get such tracks or how to make our own.

I also want to mount duel rocket (as in mini model rocket) launchers on the top but I'll worry about adding that after I have the thing up and running.

 

[CraKaJaX]

It might help if you knew what a RC circuit is and how it works.

 

[AgentUnknown]

check out rcuniverse.com, rctech.net for info. You need additional tools to build it. What kit do you have? PM for more info. Stick with it and build one. Don't buy the Ready to Run ones unless it's a Traxxas Slash. When they break, it's easier to fix since you already built it.

 

[keird]

Build me an operable submarine with GPS and a battery of model rockets that can be launched just beneath the surface.

Thx.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: AgentUnknown
check out rcuniverse.com, rctech.net for info. You need additional tools to build it. What kit do you have? PM for more info. Stick with it and build one. Don't buy the Ready to Run ones unless it's a Traxxas Slash. When they break, it's easier to fix since you already built it.

he doesn't have a kit. sounds like he wants to go into a machine shop and make the parts himself.

 

[AgentUnknown]

Wow, don't u need some CAD skills to design one?What about weight and balance issues?

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: AgentUnknown
check out rcuniverse.com, rctech.net for info. You need additional tools to build it. What kit do you have? PM for more info. Stick with it and build one. Don't buy the Ready to Run ones unless it's a Traxxas Slash. When they break, it's easier to fix since you already built it.

he doesn't have a kit. sounds like he wants to go into a machine shop and make the parts himself.

Note quite.

I plan on buying all the "guts" of the RC car, but I'll be making a custom body and mounts. I'll have a look at some "kits" to see if there is anything suitable but I suspect that there will be several parts I'll have to order separately. My specialty is welding/some metal working, not machining.

Once I have a basic understanding of all the parts involved (like all the parts in a PC and what they do) things will be much easier.

And thanks for the sites AgentUnknown, I'll check those out now.

 

[SSSnail]

All the kits you buy have very detailed instructions, if you can't follow them, you don't need to be playing with RC kits.

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
All the kits you buy have very detailed instructions, if you can't follow them, you don't need to be playing with RC kits.

I think you are missing the point, I'm building something that does not exist to my knowledge and I do not know what is in a "kit" anyway.

I made this post to get started, and am already taking notes from the websites AgentUnknown posted.

 

[SSSnail]

A kit will come with rolling chassis and it's great to build it, because you can fix it when your car brakes, not if but when and how. Once you're done with the kit, you'll need motors and controllers. Typically you'll need an engine to drive the car, and two motors to actuate the throttle and steering.

It's quite simple, just like building a model but much more details and you can actually drive these when you're done. Have fun, they can be quite expensive depends on the kit you're purchasing.

 

[Tweak155]

I built one when I was pretty young (early teens?). If you don't know something just read the manual.

EDIT:

My assumption is that this is a kit, or else I don't know how you would know that you have all the parts you need.

 

[ElFenix]

buy a tamiya tank model and you should get all the motors and controllers you need, i think. plus it'll have treads and stuff.

 

[AgentUnknown]

Wait, OP is creating a kit from scratch. He is designing it and cutting CF or steel to make the chassis? If this is correct, good luck!

-scale? 1/5, 1/8, 1/10, 1/12, 1/18?
-onroad or off? 4WD or 2WD
-Shaft drive or belt drive? Modern TC is belt
-Fiberglass main chassis or CF?
-internal drive ratio?
-spool, one way, diff?
-Do u have access to CNC machine?

 

[ZzZGuy]

Ok, let me sum up my plan.

1- Figure out what the hell I'm doing.
2- Collect in "theory" all required parts needed to build functional RC car (with tank tracks) that can be used with this custom build. (be that finding the right kit or buying separate but computable parts)
3- Build chassis around acquired parts.

I am not even going to try defending the "do-ability" of this project right now, I'm simply in the learning phase.

 

[keird]

R/C Torpedo launch. Want!: http://www.geocities.jp/uboat_...oat/torpedo_1min_l.mpg

I can't view this from work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky2Ra02pyPk

This missle is compressed air: http://wavelit.com/media/765/RC_Sub_fires_Rocket/

 

[ZzZGuy]

looks like this project is dead on arrival.

Gas has gone out the window, my friend is looking into electric some more though.

 

[Fritzo]

Make me AIRWOLF!!!! and I'll be your friend forever.


And ever.

 

[ivan2]

make a foam plane. easy to make, easy to fly.