CFECO's X-Car Project Re-Do

[CFECO]

I just bought a 1/6th "scale" New Beetle car, to do aero work with after the rough shape is done on the 1/24th car. I also have some of the PVC fence tubing I am going to bring down from my property "The Ranch" to investigate connections, strength, and fiberglass overlaying.

[freebeard]

woo-hoo! A shiny new thread.

Originally Posted by Beau

Thanks guys, I wasn't trying to be a jerk, in case it seemed that way.

No worries, this thread had been promised anyway.

CFECO -- Did you find what you need in the [malformed] link? It's more like Composite Materials - Carbon Fiber Parts - Rock West Composites.

Who makes 1/6th scale kits?

Also, Autospeed links:

Zero Cost Modelling of Space-Frames

Building Ultra Light-Weight Tubular Frame Vehicles, Part 1

He's talking steel tubing but there might be something useful there.

[CFECO]

The 1/6th car is a battery RC I found on E-bay, used. As far as detail and scale accuracy I have my doubts, but it cost less delivered than the new Tamiya 1/24 cars. I really like the Rock West stuff, but Carbon Fiber is way out of reach, unless I use it to reinforce my fiberglass joints. I have spent 20+ years in the past building off road buggy's and trucks, headers, roll cages, etc. Fitting several round tubes into a good joint is "exacting", to say the least, much less getting a good weld all the way around. I did some air-flow bench work for a local Pro Stock Drag team and the driver did his own fitting and TIG welding. I wish I had taken photos of his welds, it was ART. Thanks for all you help!

[freebeard]

I also have some of the PVC fence tubing I am going to bring down from my property "The Ranch" to investigate connections, strength, and fiberglass overlaying.

Bamboo with hemp-taped joins would be more organic than PVC and stronger than the fiberglass you would encase it with.

If Rock West (they bubbled to the top in Google) is too spendy, look more down-market:

FiberFix | Welcome
http://https://www.getfiberfix.com/

I will be alerted as the thread progresses...

[Xist]

Freebeard, how easy is it to find bamboo?

How is its price, compared to PVC?

[CFECO]

I have not seen bamboo in 2" x 4" sections yet, and it's flexibility would require a space frame design, which I cannot use.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by CFECO

I have not seen bamboo in 2" x 4" sections yet, and it's flexibility would require a space frame design, which I cannot use.

Lumboo...
Bamboo Lumber - Green Construction Bamboo Boards & Wood | Lumboo™

2in x 4in x 8ft, DIMENSIONAL BAMBOO LUMBER, $6.95

Actual dimension is 1"x3" and the 8' piece weighs in at 9lbs. It can't be nailed and must be predrilled. It can be cut but a sharp blade is highly recommended.

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by CFECO

In my discussions with the "Template Crowd" here a few years ago, I had questioned why, if the "T" was the best, that the LSR boys didn't go with it, as all the books show it has the least drag?

At Land Speed Record velocities things can get scary. I would gladly trade some drag for staying on the ground. Did you see the video of a very aerodynamic Insight that got loose at 180 mph?

Watch this LSR Honda Insight crash at 190 mph in the desert - Autoblog

[freebeard]

Xist -- I don't know about pricing.
http://http://www.bikebamboo.com/bamboo_products.php
http://http://bamboobike.wordpress.com/
http://http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/

Calfee Design may be the top dog:
http://http://calfeedesign.com/products/bamboo/

[CFECO]

Just ordered info on 2 sizes. I wish they made it like the pultruded fiberglass in rectangular section while being hollow.