questions for making a custom carbon fiber chassis

[necka]

I have access to carbon fiber and a vacuum system to make a chassis of vintage old pan. Any advise out there for thickness of the carbon sheets and designs that may work better for just bashing around or maybe a custom DS build?
Thanks...

[jwscab]

I'm surprised no one has jumped in on this yet.

the 'flat' carbon chassis' that you normally find are between 3mm and 1/8th usually. The buggy would have a 30 degree kickup. If you are thinking of making a tub chassis replica, then fibrelyte does already offer one, some guys here have them, and might be able to tell you the thickness. If I'd have to guess, I'd say 2mm is a safe thickness to make a tub out of.

if you make a plate with a 30 degree kick-up for a reasonable price, I bet you will have a fair amount of buyers line up. Same goes for a tub.

the DS on road nose has I believe an 8 degree kick-up.

[necka]

I'm not looking to sell, just play with some free material. Deep down I'm a hack at this stuff. I am thinking of doing a tub design not a flat chassis, just looks cooler. Thanks for all the info, this is going to be a winter project. If I can figure out how to post pics on the forum I will do so.
The next question is how to make a mold. It would be great to use an old aluminum chassis, but I was also thinking of making a positive form out of wood. I am just not sure which will cast better with the Carbon Fiber.

I keep hearing, (or reading) about a conversion for traxxas 12mm hex for the DS build for more options of rims and tires. Any links to the details on that would be a great help.

[SofaKing]

I keep hearing, (or reading) about a conversion for traxxas 12mm hex for the DS build for more options of rims and tires. Any links to the details on that would be a great help.

I haven't done it myself but here's one:

http://www.hpiracing.com/wheels/wheels-ds.htm

Good luck with your chassis.

[jwscab]

there is actually about 6 different ways you can convert to hex front axles now.

the traxxas front hubs, axles, hexes from late model bandit

losi xxx front hub, axles, hexes

kyosho rb5 hubs, axles, hexes

associated also sells front hubs, axles, and hexes for the new B4.1 and SC10 trucks.

before associated had these parts available, a couple of other companies starting selling conversions, i wanna say maybe HPI and another place I can't think of.

sorry, don't have any part numbers, but I would start with the manuals for any of these cars and go from there.

there might be trimming and such to get the hub parts to fit, but I don't know the details.

a search here on front wheel hex should turn up a few guys that have done this.

[necka]

Your the man...A place to start is all one needs