Since my lad got his Nitro car and has begun breaking bits I was thinking that rather than just order the bits as he doesn't have enough money and I am not just getting my hand in his pocket every time, I was thinking it may be a good opportunity for him to learn some skills, my dad is a time served engineer so can help but I was wondering what equipment I would need to get started. I can buy the part he needs this week but its 20 odd quid, its these



The originals are made of plastic, with a bit of measuring they would be easy to copy.

Its a good opportunity to learn some skills (Him and Me)

I have a bench in my garden cabin so somewhere to do it, I was thinking,

A set of decent files
a Pillar drill
Micrometer
Verniers

Not perhaps a lather or boring machine just yet, but what else, any tips ?

Dremel

 

i make bits for my rc cars when i bust them.if i was going to make the bits in your pics round bar and flat bar (i use stainless steel)welder mig/tig.pillar drill/lathe for holes and like you say A set of decent files,Micrometer
and Verniers.i'm lucky i'm an engineer by trade so i've got a full workshop of toys/machines

 

Great idea and i like the spirit behind it.

One thought - is the part made of plastic for a reason, it it designed to break first, before the components it is connected to which are more complex/higher value - a bit like a sacrifial part.

Lot of outboards have sheerpins for this very reason to save the prop/gbox from damage sort of thing

 

Have a look here, Expo Drills & Tools page 36......

Alcazar

 

Paul, the original part is plastic, the upgrade part in picture is anodised ally, I think hey make them designed to fail so you buy the upgrades.

I am fairly handy with the tools and have made brackets and stuff before, most of the dads down here aren't very handy so am amazed when I fix stuff, currently its fixed with some drilling and tie wraps, effective but the variable toe in/out might alter the handling. I roginally fixed it with platic welding but the lads mate managed to drag the specific wheel into a Pole.

 

Ah-Ha - yes, they did look like Ally in the pic!

There is a certain amount of self-satisfaction from producing parts like this yourself, icing on the cake is that you know that they must make 1000's of 'em at a very low cost, so 20 squids is just a pee take

 

All things are possible J4CKO. Don't forget the hacksaw though.

I spent years building my own racers from the ground up with the minimum of specialised tools except that I eventually bought a pre war lathe and taught my self how to use it so I could make up the required bits for the wishbones etc. Could not afford to buy the cars or pay someone to build them.

I learnt a lot by playing around with model cars as a lad as well as model aircraft and then rebuilding cheap motorbikes when I became old enough to ride them. Cars followed that of course.

It would be an excellent way for your lad to learn the engineering skills and it would always serve him well in the future.

Les

 

You will find that if you and your lad make the parts yourself, you will crash the car less.

Easy come = easy go.

Three nights in the shed = less crashing.

I know, I used to fly model planes, very steep learning curve....one mistake and the plane goes in, this means 3 weeks work in the garage.

 

CNC machine needed to make a decent job of them things.
I think I'd rather spend the £20 to be honest... and I do.

Some of the above is correct, you strengthen one bit and another breaks.
Only strengthen the bits that are constantly breaking (obviously weak)
Don't try and do the whole lot in super duper machined bits or you'll just break something more expensive to repair...

 

Perhaps make alloy ones with a shear plane in them.

He only has three quid at the moment, serves the daft git right for showing off with it. I am not paying for it, he has to learn one way or the other.

My dad works in an engineering place so I might get him on the case.