E-Crosser...The Model

And as promised here is the progress so far on the the scale model.    Nothing really to report other than it is still moving forward.

The next thing to build is the new suspension arms.

The Frame

Woody in the Pilot's Seat

 Till next time.

More Updates and New Suspension

Well it's the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona weekend, so I figured, since I'm online watching the race(or at least I'm looking for a site to watch the streaming of it) I might as well update my progress with the E-Crosser.

There has been a lot of progress with the suspension these past weeks.  I've done a tonne of research on how the control arms will work.  From the standard Sentra suspension (since I know it so well) to F2000, and Formula Ford.  What I chose as my inspiration was a homenade open wheel car, I believe it was a Formula Ford.  The pictures I saw were exactly what I wanted.

It was basically a double A-Arm configuration, but where I changed it up was I am going to use Koni yellows, with ground control coil-overs instead of specific race shocks and springs.  Cost is alwyas an issue so let's stick with the basics.  I am using these because I know them well from the Sentra, and infact I will be using the Sentra's rear combination for both the rear and front of the E-Crosser.  This will allow me to fabricate the same A-Arms for both the front and rear saving time.

Rear Suspension without the wheel

Front Suspension

The Whole thing

I'm really thinking this thing is really looking awesome.  I'm going to have to figure out a few more things such as steering, and how to cover the electrical, because it sometimes rains.  Also, the I have not decided on what spindle to use.  Should I use a Sentra's or fabricate my own...who can say right now.

As for the 1/6 scale model, the main body is almost complete.  I will upload the photos this coming week  I've only stuck my fingers together once with the glue.  I have 911 on speed dial just in case I glue my eyelids.  You never know with me.

Till next time, I'm going to enjoy the 24 Hours of Daytona, and be back early next week with model photos.

The New and Improved Base Frame...

While looking at the last version of the balsa wood frame...oh, let me first say, Happy Christmas everyone, hope your holidays treated you well, and the New Year's came without a hitch.  Go figure the world didn't end when the Mayan calendar switched from one to another.  Gee, everytime I switch my calendar from the past year to the new year I always wonder, will this be the end of the world?  Go figure nothing ever happens.

Anyways, as I was mentioning, I was looking over the last frame and noticed a few things were just not right.  First, the 1/4" balsa I used just looked too thick.  The scale was accurate as it would have been 1 1/2" tubing but I just didn't like the thickness, and in the actual car I am still debating 1" tubing or 1 1/2" tubing. tubing. So decided to go with 3/16" balsa sticks to be an in between.  I like the the look better.  

Secondly, I was not happy with the triangulation of the frame so I redid it, with a much wider stance now for the batteries.  I can now fit more banks of car batteries in case I need more.

The last frame I built I did without using the technique of pinning.  This time around I pinned the frame as one of my co-workers is an avid model maker of model airplanes and he suggested it.  It was so much easier to accomplish what I wanted.

So you wonder what pinning is.  Well here it is.

Since I built this all digitally it was easy to print up a scaled top view frame on paper.  I just printed off the base frame first at 1:6 scale.  I then basically just traced over the printout with the balsa wood sticks, cutting the lengths directly on the printout.  To keep the pieces steady and tight against each other I pinned down lengths of scrap balsa against the frame lengths and glued the frame pieces in place.  To make sure everything was square I used a small set square just for the added piece of mind, because if something was not perfectly square I would end up with a bent frame.

For a better explanation here is the link I used.to learn how to pin properly.PINNING TECHNIQUES.

Here is the new frame.  It certainly looks prettier than the last version.

To give a sense of proportion, here is the frame in place with the driving position in rough place.

I think I will continue doing this during my lunch hour at work.  It is definately a better place to do it with more room, less pets, and less distractions.

Till my next post.