Metals in RC

[bc24fl]

Theoretically if you could run any metals no matter what the cost for your diff, spur, clutch gears, etc.. what would you run and why?

I haven't been in this hobby long but it appears that the top 2 (not in sales) with respect to durability and weight are bronze and steel. Bronze is probably at par with steel in durability but I heard that bronze is much lighter. Also bronze doesn't rust like steel does either.

Why aren't we seeing more bronze parts in RC?

[rpg711]

I would run ALL titanium for moving parts and ALL carbon fiber for non-moving...
Reasons: Titanium is hard as hell, and lighter than aluminum. Carbon fiber is stronger than steel but is much lighter than alluminum

[hakmazter]

Sort of funny then that the Caster in full blown accessory mode is the lightest buggy out there and there is neither titanuim nor carbon fiber anywhere...

[rpg711]

Make a buggy out of 100% carbon fiber... lol

[vnmsgt]

Sort of funny then that the Caster in full blown accessory mode is the lightest buggy out there and there is neither titanuim nor carbon fiber anywhere...

Is that true as in you actually weighed it against a 8ight or RC8 and such? Just wondering. Cool if it were.

[bc24fl]

FYI: Bronze also has less metal-on-metal friction than steel. I'm not an engineer but wouldn't that make bronze lighter and faster and capable of handling MORE engine torque as opposed to steel.

[rpg711]

which is why the sleeves of engines is made from bronze.
It doesnt make it much lighter for how weak bronze is, or faster(unless you are in an area of constant friction, such as bearings or the such) but bronze is a softer metal than steel, which is why you don't see bronze bearings or drive shafts, or any of those stuff.

[bc24fl]

which is why the sleeves of engines is made from bronze.
It doesn't make it much lighter for how weak bronze is, or faster(unless you are in an area of constant friction, such as bearings or the such) but bronze is a softer metal than steel, which is why you don't see bronze bearings or drive shafts, or any of those stuff.

Surely there has to be a good application.... a google search turned up some real companies making bronze gears. Most of the applications I've seen thus far have been for marine purposes though. I've also seen instances where an entire gear box was made up of bronze only metals. There are some though that use bronze-to-steel where bronze is the sacrificial lamb.

[Mr Fusion]

I have no idea what the weight of the Caster buggy is vs. others, but I never figured it was as light as a losi. Mugens and Kyoshos have always been porkers so I assumed the Caster wasn't exactly a lightweight.

hmmm.....

As for the parts... Titanium and Carbon Fiber parts would be very cool... but they do cost a lot to produce compared to alum and steel.

[hakmazter]

It is what I was told by someone. The lightweight chassis is.....


Click to zoom
ZXOP-01 ZX-1R CNC Modified Main Racing Chassis that is as strong or stronger than the original chassis plate. This is for the hardcore racer where weight reduction really matters. Weighs just 10oz!

I think it includes the bag and label at 10 ounces also.

If not, get me a drill bit and a belt sander and I can get anyone's the lightest for them..

[cold_reboot]

Has anyone experimented with ceramic gears? that'd have to be pretty light. I know honda was experimenting with ceramic cylinder/pistons in thier CR (dirtbike) line a handful of years ago since ceramic is harder than steel when treated properly. Of course it's also more brittle...guess thats why Honda's don't have ceramic cylinder/pistons. Shut up Cold. :rolleyes:

[Mr Fusion]

you said it... lol.

We do use ceramic diff balls (1/10) and ceramic bearings, so there are some applications for it.

Ceramic gears? Don't know about that.... but I do use nylon spur gears on my electric 1/8 and I've heard one onroad 1/8 company say they have run glass filled nylon gears that were pretty much indestructible.

[razzor]

I can vouch for the Caster being one of if not the lightest buggy out there.
At every nat ive been to the scrutineers have always commented that my car is just over the minmum weight by about 20/30 grams. Minimum weight is 3.2kg/7.04lbs and i am sure if you took the time you could get teh buggy lighter with various aftermarket parts and titanium screws etc...
My buggy does have the carbon fiber radio tray and center diff brace as the only changes from a ZX-1R.

As for materials, if cost wasnt a issue we would definately see more exotic materials used.
Composite outdrives and titanium or ceramic diff gears would make it more robust and lighter. Probably/possibly could make smaller diffs lending to lower bulkheads for a lower cg.

[Mr Fusion]

Hmmm.... mine weighs 7lb 10 oz with a full tank (which is 4-5 oz)

It's a pretty basic ZX-1R with Ace servos (heavy) JP Mods 5 port Novarossi/Dynamite pipe, Panther tires...

I'll check it again and maybe get a pic.... later

[dskredbarron]

titanium for moving parts would be good but too expensive to machine.
i have a machine shop and do alot of fabrication of my own parts so i use titanium----but-----i eat up cutting bits because it is soooo hard. but like it was said earlier, it is tough as nails and has great wearability on another gear.

[rpg711]

the thing is, titanium is SO HARD that it also will break the things that are in contact with it(ex. titanium screws breaking screwdrivers/ stripping metal, or titanium drive shafts breaking the diffs... yeah.)
So basically if moving parts are to be titanium, they all have to be titanium

[Jonathan Bell]

can someone weigh the truck loaded to see what it weighs ready to roll?

[bc24fl]

Has anyone weighed the caster buggy yet? Also, I just read that the xray 808 is a 1/2 pound lighter than the losi 8ight. If anyone has an 808 can one of you weigh it.

Thanks.

[vnmsgt]

I would like to weigh them but my scale rounds to the nearest pound so it will not be accurate. I will try and use my meter at my job for mail to weigh them if they let me bring it home.

[Mr Fusion]

I don't think the Caster is lighter than a Losi... I can weigh mine tonight.

I weighed it once before and I think it was 7lb 10oz... like 4-6 oz heavier than a losi I think.

[bc24fl]

I don't think the Caster is lighter than a Losi... I can weigh mine tonight.

I weighed it once before and I think it was 7lb 10oz... like 4-6 oz heavier than a losi I think.

So if the poster on rctech is correct that would mean the xray 808 is around 2+ pounds lighter than a caster buggy. :eek:

If that is the case and not :bsflag:and the car is as durable as most say, then that car is sick!

[vnmsgt]

If that were the case the 808 would not be legal in any sanctioned events and you would have to tie a shoe to the top of it to make weigh in at the minimum weight!

[bc24fl]

If that were the case the 808 would not be legal in any sanctioned events and you would have to tie a shoe to the top of it to make weigh in at the minimum weight!

You're absolutely right as the min for 1/8th scale is 7.05 pounds.

*** correction ****

Just googled the xray 808 and found the weight without fuel was said to be 3220 g = 7.09.

[hakmazter]

Is anyone using the ZXOP-01 chassis plate? The pro kit comes with the ZX-0068-A.
In the bag, the ZXOP-01 weighs roughly 10 ounces.
In the bag, the ZX-0068-A weighs roughly 11.5 ounces. (Pro)
In the bag, the ZX-0068-B weighs roughly 13 ounces (RTR)

I would imagine there are more ZXOP parts that will lighten it up some more...

[razzor]

i dont have a digital scale or id weigh my buggy.
I have the ZXop-01 fitted and the carbon fibre radio tray and center diff brace.

[BigC123]

just weighed the 808 and it is 7.125lbs dry my my ZX-1R with the lightend chassis weighs only 7.725 and thats not much difference. Also all the aluminum upgrades for the 808 would make it as heavy as the ZX-1R which is stronger. Also last night I raced against two of them and beat them so there lighter cars didn't help them oh well maybee they will get a ZX-1R LOL.?&^

[hakmazter]

Big C, order the zxop-01 and I'll send you a drill bit. we will get that thing down to their weight....

[vnmsgt]

I just weighed my ZX1-R and it was 8.125 lbs. I still have the stock chassis and also have carbon fiber radio tray and top plate and it is with my big bores and my extra long fuel line and half tank of gas too.

[BigC123]

already run the lightened chassis and titanium screws and ceramic Boca bearing all the way around the car.?&^

[BigC123]

One other thing guy's More weight more stable, and more weight more traction LOL:D

[razzor]

Very true BigC :)

[hakmazter]

That is sort of funny looking at your pics.....

[BigC123]

more weight more<*&<*& HA HA LOL

[vnmsgt]

I think women go for the more hardcore jailberg types like me according to some people here! LOL!

[vnmsgt]

Well I just weighed my K8T on the same scale and was 9.5 lbs. That is complete and with a empty tank of fuel. I weighed my friends Mugen MBX5T with a BCE Chassis and it weighed exactly the same.