Weld/Solder coat hanger wire

[hrddrvr]

What are you guys using for your bumpers and chassis for bonding of this stuff? Wanting to try something pretty complex and if I can figure out how to connect coat hanger wire, I know my bending will turn out a lot better than if I go with brass......

 

[TheScaleAddict]

Brass and styrene are more commonly used for fabrication at this scale. Typically 1/8 diameter. Bonding is with solder and bondine, respectively.

 

[MGCrawler]

I like using brass for most chassis'. It is easy to assemble with rosin core solder and a micro torch/100+ watt soldering iron:thumbsup:

This build I did with brass and solder and used 3/32 rod.
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/losi-micro-rock-crawler/389885-little-creepy.html

 

[hrddrvr]

Thanks for the info. I got that, but with the complex bends I'm going to be attempting with this chassis, I'd like to use the solid wire. All though, I've seen more brass than anything (and have the materials to do it with brass), I'd still like to try the wire.......

 

[hrddrvr]

BTW, I am impressed with brass rigs from each of you guys, and the brass arse, and little creepy were both inspiration for me to originally try brass. I just need more practice bending, and have no clue how to get the smooth curves on the chassis that y'all get.

 

[TheScaleAddict]

Well, ask how.

Position a solid piece of brass, aluminum, coat hanger, or whatever, where you are bending (inside the brass tubing). You'll get a perfect bend every time. Especially if you pick up the dubro 1/8 tube bender.

The bends on the chassis were done the old fashioned way, heat, vices, and hammers. . That chassis is solid 1/8 square brass tubing. I've done full tube builds too, with very tight bends. I can help you thought the build if you want to give a shot.

 

[hrddrvr]

Ill see if Ive got some wire to fit inside the brass. That's a novel idea! I guess I'm not good at asking the right questions. I've been searching around, and reading most all of the brass builds. Never saw it before, but just watched a video where heat was applied before bending. Makes a lot of sense, but something that isn't always covered. I'm going to try and do things without the dubro bender. I just want to have a variety of different radius corners, and it always spits them out the same.....right?

 

[DANALLY]

I do all my rigs with coat hangers. I use an oxy-map gas set-up with flux coated filler rod from Lowes. The hanger material bends perfectly as it is solid so it looks great. The only downfall is that the scale is a little small. They are strong enough to stand on though.

 

[BLOODBANE]

This cage is made from wire.

I was just using a mini butane torch. Kind of a pain at times though.

 

[TheScaleAddict]

Very nice Danly, bloodbane.

I just added an album called brass fabrication. You can see how it works... Just click on my profile. I'd post the pics here, but my stupid iPhone won't let me copy the url's.

 

[MGCrawler]

This is done with square/rectangular tubing but this is how I bend.. No inserts or sand packed inside..

Bending brass tube. - YouTube

 

[TheScaleAddict]

This is done with square/rectangular tubing but this is how I bend.. No inserts or sand packed inside..

Bending brass tube. - YouTube

Great work mg.

The benefit of my method, for me, is the ability to easily replicate the bends accurately for the corresponding pieces (if they are mirrored). There are a ton of techniques. Take what works best for you and run with it! And dont be afraid to ask questions. The guys here are very helpful.

 

[TheScaleAddict]

Ill see if Ive got some wire to fit inside the brass. That's a novel idea! I guess I'm not good at asking the right questions. I've been searching around, and reading most all of the brass builds. Never saw it before, but just watched a video where heat was applied before bending. Makes a lot of sense, but something that isn't always covered. I'm going to try and do things without the dubro bender. I just want to have a variety of different radius corners, and it always spits them out the same.....right?

The pivot point is fixed, but you control the angle. Multiple small bends can achieve a greater radius. There are other style benders. I can show you more if your like (that I have). But the dubro is the simplest, AND the most accurate.

I've been thinking of doing a micro wraith tube frame. Maybe I'll get that in the works and do a detailed write up with pictures and video. I've got a ton of stock just collecting dust, a d it'd be both challenging and fun. Heck, I've had the wraith chassis pictures up at http://followermedia.com/crawler for months to use as reference. Maybe it's time I actually use them.

 

[Intashu]

My brass made bumpers.

coat hangers work JUST as well.

If it's low stress decor you can jb weld it. if it flex's at all you need to solder. surprisingly easy to get into if you google up a few tutorials.

 

[MGCrawler]

Great work mg.

The benefit of my method, for me, is the ability to easily replicate the bends accurately for the corresponding pieces (if they are mirrored). There are a ton of techniques. Take what works best for you and run with it! And dont be afraid to ask questions. The guys here are very helpful.

For me to make a mirror image of the lets say the rail I bent in the vid, I just stack the second piece of tube next to the other in the jaws. Just bend both at the same time.

 

[TheScaleAddict]

For me to make a mirror image of the lets say the rail I bent in the vid, I just stack the second piece of tube next to the other in the jaws. Just bend both at the same time.

That's exactly what I did for the rails on the Brass Arse. You know what they say... "Great minds think alike." "thumbsup"

I wish I could find pictures of my old commando that I built with stingers, integrated spare carrier, full exo cage, etc... That thing was bad to the bone! Brutis... That's what I called it. LOL

 

[TheScaleAddict]

I managed to find some pictures of Brutis! They were still on eBay! Woot!!! Looking at it now, it wasn't as good as I remember. What ever is? But it was my first go at welding with brass...

 

[89redranger]

I do all my rigs with coat hangers. I use an oxy-map gas set-up with flux coated filler rod from Lowes. The hanger material bends perfectly as it is solid so it looks great. The only downfall is that the scale is a little small. They are strong enough to stand on though.


View attachment 215507

So, is this flux coated rod made for brazing, or is this some kind of solder I should look for? Are you using any additional flux with the rod, or just what's coated on it? How did you fill all the gaps without heating previous joints and having them pop loose? I really like the tuber, and I think I'm gonna give it a shot. I don't think I'll build a whole chassis yet, but I'd like to play around with brazing and soldering rod and tube for when I DO want to build something trick.

 

[hrddrvr]

Thanks for all the feedback and help fellas! I was really hoping to find a way to solder wire with my iron, so I wouldn't have to get a torch. It looks like I'm going to have to get one though.....think I might know where there is one that isn't in use. I may still have to get a bender I suppose. I'm going to try a combination of methods from this thread, but for now, I am going to try some things out without heat or a bender, lol, cause I don't have either of those in front of me

 

[TheScaleAddict]

Thanks for all the feedback and help fellas! I was really hoping to find a way to solder wire with my iron, so I wouldn't have to get a torch. It looks like I'm going to have to get one though.....think I might know where there is one that isn't in use. I may still have to get a bender I suppose. I'm going to try a combination of methods from this thread, but for now, I am going to try some things out without heat or a bender, lol, cause I don't have either of those in front of me

Impatience plagues us all. :mrgreen: