1/32 midget build thread " finished!"

[btaylor]

Got some extra time Saturday so I thought I would catch up on some of this build.I needed to backtrack a little and show the main chassis contruction.As easy as these are to build,I will just let the pics show most of the process.
This is the measurement for your axle tubes.You will need two.

This is the main rail length.

As you can see,this one will use square tubing.
Cut two pieces of 5/32 tubing about a 1/4" long,this is not a crucial measurement as they can be trimmed down later if to long.
Place them at the front of your chassis at the end of each main rail.

You will also need a 1/4" long piece of 3/32 tubing for the pin guide.


at this point you can solder all these pieces at one time.

I like to do a test fit with the body at this point.

Now we need to solder a rear frame brace to the chassis.I lay the crown gear flat across the rear axle tube and mark the main rails
for were the brace will mount.Up to now we have been building the chassis in an upside down position,The brace will go on the TOP of the frame.The rear tube can be cut out at this point.

Once the brace is in place,a relief must be ground or filed in the center for motor clearance.

You can now test your motor fit and backlash on the gears,if the mesh is to tight,file a little at a time off the back side of the crown gear till it feels right,

[btaylor]

With the main frame built,its now time to add some of the bling. The radius rods are the same front and rear,and are made from common paper clips,using the normal size not the jumbos we will use later.

You will need four of them,i squeeze the round end down a little so they look and fit better,but you should end up looking like this,with the rods soldered at the end of the axle tubes.

Test fit should look something like this.

You can also test fit and trim the brush plate at this point also.The extra hole in the plate is the body mount screw hole.it also holds the plate tight to the frame.

[demether]

I can't wait to try this myself !

One of the biggest challenges will be the metric conversion :lol: I'm saying that, but I'm not sure brass and slot racing parts are metric anyway ? :idea:

Thanks a lot :text-bravo: it's a very detailed tutorial !

[btaylor]

Time for some bumpers! I make these from Jumbo paper clips as they are a good scale for these cars. and they are also free shiny stuff! There may be a better way to do this,but this works for me, I open up the clips and bend them around a socket clamped in my vise. You will need two of these for the front.

I use the fitted body as a guide for marking and cutting the bumpers.

Same goes for the rear bumpers,all the research I have done on midgets shows several different shapes for the rear bumpers,so make them how you want them,I just happen to like this shape.


Roll bar is again made from jumbo clips,I have made some scale concessions on these,as they help protect the driver figure in crashes,and they have to be tall enough to be able to remove the body for maintenance.I use the fitted body to shape these as well.

Solder all your bumpers and roll bar,and test fit the body again.

You should end up with something looking like this or your version of it!

[btaylor]

We can now put the pre=made brush wires thru the holders and bend them over,you will adjust at track time.

Solder the other end to the motor,You will do this twice as the car will run backwards,trust me!

Push the Artin pin in the center hole,it will be adjusted for proper depth at track time.

By now you should be able to take the chassis for a trip around the track

Paint and decorate to your liking,and take her out for a few hot laps with the boys!

[TuscoTodd]

WOW! Great photo/descriptive tutorial!
Thanks for sharing! :D

[btaylor]

Thanks Guys,I hope it is clear enough that it will actually help someone build a midget.If there is some way I could go back and put it in chronological order,it would be better,I sorta skipped around a bit.

[bill from nh]

Bob, nice build thread. Your moving around didn't deter from what you were building. In my opinion, there is no "proper chronological order" for building a chassis, or slot cars in general. Thanks!

[btaylor]

Thanks Bill,It was kinda fun to do! being my first build thread.

[gonegonzo]

Are the bodies on these cars the same size as the ones Monogram / Revell have on shelves now ?

Thx
Gonzo

[btaylor]

Gonzo, These bodies are the same size as the old Strombecker 1/32 cars. the Monograms are 1/24.