Search found 6835 matches

by Stan Pope
Sun Apr 03, 2016 12:06 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Lightnin's Simple Alignment Test
Replies: 19
Views: 50309

Re: Lightnin's Simple Alignment Test

I have two concerns with rear alignment that this method does not address: 1. Assurance of correct alignment of the more lightly loaded rear wheel, and 2. Assurance that the rear wheels are tracking "off the rail." Here are proposed solutions for those concerns: 1. Since the more lightly l...
by Stan Pope
Thu Mar 31, 2016 10:03 am
Forum: General Topics
Topic: Wheel alignment
Replies: 3
Views: 6460

Re: Wheel alignment

Stan, Have you done any experimentation with biasing the ballast in the car to get the weight even (or close to even) on the rear wheels? Just one go without adequately controlled variables. Result not satisfactory, but I can not ascribe fault. You didn't ask, but assuming equal cf at all three cor...
by Stan Pope
Wed Mar 30, 2016 3:24 pm
Forum: General Topics
Topic: Wheel alignment
Replies: 3
Views: 6460

Re: Wheel alignment

It may help if you examine the functions of the three wheels: Dominant Front Wheel (DFW): may steer the front end away from the car's center line. Dominant Rear Wheel (the rear wheel carrying the most weight): Determines the path of the rear end relative to the DFW. It may cause the rear to follow t...
by Stan Pope
Wed Mar 23, 2016 11:42 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Confirmation of Rail Riding setup
Replies: 15
Views: 21192

Re: Confirmation of Rail Riding setup

Way to go?!!!
by Stan Pope
Tue Mar 22, 2016 8:50 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Selecting abrasive type(s)
Replies: 3
Views: 6338

Re: Selecting abrasive type(s)

The other side of grit hardness is the strength of the material that holds it against the axle. That means (to me) that if the backing is paper, the grit will not be very large. More likely the backing is a woven fabric with some healthy adhesive holding the grit in place! An additional concern when...
by Stan Pope
Mon Mar 21, 2016 3:06 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: reuse axles or wheels?
Replies: 5
Views: 10361

Re: reuse axles or wheels?

Most rules specify "all new construction" which most would interpret as "if it raced last year, it doesn't race this year." I would include all parts as well. The problem is that the rule is unenforceable. So it is like golf ... self-policed honor system. Sad he dropped his car. ...
by Stan Pope
Sat Mar 19, 2016 11:56 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Thanks all, District results
Replies: 34
Views: 38368

Re: Thanks all, District results

davet wrote:...
Now, do you think a Dukes of Hazard Daisy Jeep with a Barbie model on it would fly for a scout car?
That one begs to be a Mother's or Sister's car!
by Stan Pope
Sat Mar 19, 2016 11:54 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Thanks all, District results
Replies: 34
Views: 38368

Re: Thanks all, District results

I also think it would be cool to have a Dukes of Hazard car with the horn that triggers when the gate drops or when it hits the stop section. Maybe some smoke from the rear tires as it goes down the ramp. With the tiny electronics now the possibilities are expanding You Said it davet! https://www.y...
by Stan Pope
Sat Mar 19, 2016 11:41 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Selecting abrasive type(s)
Replies: 3
Views: 6338

Selecting abrasive type(s)

A recent email question focused my attention on abrasive hardness, a topic to which I have paid only cursory attention. Specifically, I asked myself about regular MicroMesh and MicroMesh MX. Recent updates to a seller's summary sheet added text describing applicability: regular MicroMesh for wood an...
by Stan Pope
Mon Mar 14, 2016 3:23 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Quick (hopefully) weight question
Replies: 13
Views: 13715

Re: Quick (hopefully) weight question

Another note on adding a layer of wood under the car body: If you have enough clearance to allow adding a layer of wood under the car body, but elect to epoxy the weight into the body instead, then you should lower the body (drill the axle holes higher) to realize that lowered CM potential! Theory s...
by Stan Pope
Mon Mar 14, 2016 2:35 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Quick (hopefully) weight question
Replies: 13
Views: 13715

Re: Quick (hopefully) weight question

If you go the "epoxy route," sneak up on the total weight of the car. Perhaps even use the tools in http://stanpope.net/cmcomput.htm to add just enough embedded weight to get the CM location that you want. When that has set, then reweigh to compensate for the added epoxy. Then add a layer ...
by Stan Pope
Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:08 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Quick (hopefully) weight question
Replies: 13
Views: 13715

Re: Quick (hopefully) weight question

Speedstger and I agree on a lot of issues, but I disagree with him about using up precious rear volume with low density wood! Instead, I would embed my ballast into the planned volumes with a higher density material such as epoxy. Ideally, the volume is entirely high density ballast, but, unless it ...
by Stan Pope
Mon Mar 14, 2016 12:14 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Quick (hopefully) weight question
Replies: 13
Views: 13715

Re: Quick (hopefully) weight question

Which is more important: to have the weight as low as possible or packed as close to the axle as possible? My understanding is that the improvements in approaching each grow less and less as you get closer. The reverse is important: Deviations from the goals of "low and tight" grow more a...
by Stan Pope
Sun Mar 13, 2016 4:59 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Quick (hopefully) weight question
Replies: 13
Views: 13715

Re: Quick (hopefully) weight question

There are a couple of ways to approach accomplishing the CM target you set. One way is to cut the wood to plan, then place the car with wheels on a pair of scales. Place the weights you plan to add on top of the car, watching the scales to show a weight distribution that equals your target CM locati...
by Stan Pope
Thu Mar 10, 2016 11:23 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: First attempt at a ladder chassis...
Replies: 22
Views: 36760

Re: First attempt at a ladder chassis...

Hah! Well done, Whoda!

But sometimes he says, "Ya got enough extra wood in that car to build a sailboat!"

OTOH, I don't tell everyone that ... just some of those who are trying for an ultra-light body.