Building a custom chassis

[ll Brandon ll]

Can someone hook me up with some links for building a custom frame/chassis for some different cars, particularly kinda where/how to start? I have a decent idea of design and functionality, I just dont really know how to get it going if that makes any sense.

[Ace-Garageguy]

One of the best things to do, in my opinion, is to look at how it's done in the real world. For instance, here's a look at custom Art Morrison chassis for American iron. It's just kind of 'build what you see, in scale' from there.

https://www.google.c...iw=1499&bih=718

And here are several completely different chassis designs to go under a 427 Cobra.

https://www.google.c...iw=1499&bih=718

There are many different ways to get a frame under a car. In the old formula one days, they'd design the suspension, then lay out the location of the brackets that would hold it, and then connect the brackets with chassis tubes.

Building a custom model chassis is similar. Decide on the wheelbase, and ride height. Decide on the suspension design. Mock that up, and start connecting things with chassis members, bearing in mind how 1:1 cars are done.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Ace-Garageguy

[ll Brandon ll]

Thats what I was thinking. Ive got all sorts of AM chassis images saved. So, would I start with kind of a base frame layout and then add to it? Just get the dimensions nailed down and then work on strengthening? Also, what size square rod should I use to be in scale?

[Ace-Garageguy]

Yes, pretty much. As far as size of material goes, a typical Art Morrison chassis is made of 2X4 inch rectangular steel tubing. Divide by whatever scale you're working in (divide by 25 for 1/25 scale, etc.) to figure the correct size stock.

ALSO, Marcus Jones shows some of his great frame scratch-building work on this thread. It's worth looking at and studying...........

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58199&hl=%2Brevell+%2Bgearz+%2Bentry

[ll Brandon ll]

Yea, I did a bit of searching last night and came across that thread and his tutorial for bending rod without heat. Excellent stuff. Im now in the first stages of building my frame. Thanks for the help!