Project Quicksilver
10-17-2009, 01:15 PM
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Project Quicksilver
This marks the very beginning of a new project for me. Now that project Triclyde is at an end, I've come up with a new project vehicle already. Hence the start of project Quicksilver.
The idea came to me after buying a pair of cheap 1/6 scale Ford Ranger off e-bay for a mere $1 and $5 for me and my brother. I thought it would be fun to make it really fast. The idea of making a cheap toy store car super fast had a certain appeal to it. After examining the very simplistic chassis (and the pathetically small 370 sized motor that powered this large piece of plastic), I realized the expense and time involved in this gag were hardly worth it. I know it could be done, but after upgrading all the electronics and retrofitting them into this chassis, I would just have a car that is even more likely to break and waste my time with repairs to keep the silly thing running.
I did like the detailed hard body, and the dimensions of the truck, so the much more practical thing to do was to make a whole new chassis for the shell to sit on. This is now project Quicksilver. I've never liked the term "basher", but that's the easiest way to describe the goal of this new chassis. The focus is mainly on-road, but I'd like it to take short cuts over the lawn without issue too. Sort of a rally car in nature. I want it to be fast too. Really fast if enough cells are put in it. I was thinking of putting one of those high power brushless systems in meant for a plane. I might try something else like a high voltage system for big truck like the Savage Flux. I've got a basic layout already in mind
Anyway here's what is going to become the chassis. I've thought of a box design a while back, and finally am going to see how it works. Much lightening is going to be done to this 2 foot piece of square aluminum tube.
More progress to come.
The idea came to me after buying a pair of cheap 1/6 scale Ford Ranger off e-bay for a mere $1 and $5 for me and my brother. I thought it would be fun to make it really fast. The idea of making a cheap toy store car super fast had a certain appeal to it. After examining the very simplistic chassis (and the pathetically small 370 sized motor that powered this large piece of plastic), I realized the expense and time involved in this gag were hardly worth it. I know it could be done, but after upgrading all the electronics and retrofitting them into this chassis, I would just have a car that is even more likely to break and waste my time with repairs to keep the silly thing running.
I did like the detailed hard body, and the dimensions of the truck, so the much more practical thing to do was to make a whole new chassis for the shell to sit on. This is now project Quicksilver. I've never liked the term "basher", but that's the easiest way to describe the goal of this new chassis. The focus is mainly on-road, but I'd like it to take short cuts over the lawn without issue too. Sort of a rally car in nature. I want it to be fast too. Really fast if enough cells are put in it. I was thinking of putting one of those high power brushless systems in meant for a plane. I might try something else like a high voltage system for big truck like the Savage Flux. I've got a basic layout already in mind
Anyway here's what is going to become the chassis. I've thought of a box design a while back, and finally am going to see how it works. Much lightening is going to be done to this 2 foot piece of square aluminum tube.
More progress to come.
Looking forward to see more of it!
10-17-2009, 04:48 PM
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RE: Project Quicksilver
Thanks! I really didn't rig that either, just strange chance.
Anyway, here's the body the dimensions are based around. I looked into it and a Duratrax Firehammer Body also fits close enough (just a hair small) to work for a lighter basher body.
Anyway, here's the body the dimensions are based around. I looked into it and a Duratrax Firehammer Body also fits close enough (just a hair small) to work for a lighter basher body.
12-13-2009, 01:10 PM
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RE: Project Quicksilver
I found a way to trim down way too thick 1/4" walls of the chassis tube. I used a metal cutting blade on a table saw to make rough cuts, and the mill with a fly cutter to smooth and even it out. You can see how nice of a finish the fly cutter leaves. We're down from about 5.25 lbs. to 3.5 lbs. and still have more to take off.
12-17-2009, 08:53 PM
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RE: Project Quicksilver
Thanks! I appreciate it. [sm=thumbs_up.gif]
The bottom of the chassis has been trimmed now (to 1/8") and it's down to an even 3 lbs. with two more sides to go. Nothing much to see, as the top looks the same as the bottom now.
The bottom of the chassis has been trimmed now (to 1/8") and it's down to an even 3 lbs. with two more sides to go. Nothing much to see, as the top looks the same as the bottom now.
01-03-2010, 11:21 AM
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RE: Project Quicksilver
Starting on a motor plate and misc. other parts. Not sure on a final design, but still roughing them out in order to keep moving on the project.
