Converting RC10 Graphite to RC10 Graphite Replica

[MarkyDents]

It’s the last versions of the graphite team car. Apparently no info on exactly how many or how long it was around.
Btw in my opinion it’s an homage to the oh so secret stealth cars they never produced

[Frankentruck]

Parts arriving! Once I get the standoffs I can start work on the front end attachment blocks.
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[MarkyDents]

Nice looking pieces

[juicedcoupe]

Standoffs are easy. The same K&S tubing for nose and wing tubes works.

Cut it to length. Then drill/tap while holding it with shock pliers. Then you can do a brushed finish with a foam sanding block or polish them.

[Frankentruck]

I was going to do exactly that but I've got some No Coast stand offs on the way. They have a nice flare on the ends. And I'm also an expert in breaking off taps in that tubing when I rush things too much. I've got some tap lube now and know I should back off to break the chips and periodically back out to clean out the flutes, yet sometimes I still get stupid.

[juicedcoupe]

Open the tubing up with a 3/32 drill bit and hold the tap with something easier to control.

I use this.

[RogueIV]

for the amount of work it's easier to just use aluminum standoffs that are already tapped. They are common and cheap. Bonus is they're usually a hex so you can put a wrench on them if you need to keep it from spinning.

[Frankentruck]

This is my current tap setup for the tubes. I possibly should look into higher quality taps, but with something as small as 4-40, if it gets rushed in aluminum it will start galling and load up the cutting teeth of any tap pretty quickly. If I did the tapping with everything submerged in ice water, maybe that would help...
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[juicedcoupe]

I've been using Bosch taps lately. They seem a little better than Irwin. The pre-drilling to 3/32 makes a huge difference (a little larger than standard). Instead of cutting oil, I use Corrosion X.

[jwscab]

McMaster Carr sells industrial quality tools. For a 4-40 tap, a 2 flute is best for aluminum and they are not terrible on price.

Use fingertip control for small taps...... Wd40 also works great for tapping aluminum.

[Frankentruck]

There are definitely better quality taps available, I just have been using what was locally available. Greenfield taps used to be a go to for durability.

But for now, my standoff need is filled! USPS came! Woohoo!
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[juicedcoupe]

Greenfield taps used to be a go to for durability.

I have some Greenfield impact/drill taps. Unfortunately, 6-32 is the smallest. They are nicer than my Dewalt and Milwaukee ones, but damn $$$.

[Frankentruck]

Upper deck is installed and I like how it turned out. Goodbye nose tubes, hello carbon fiber! I also put on some AE TQ tires in place of the Losi tires.
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[MarkyDents]

Looks pretty menacing, nicely done

[Frankentruck]

An evil twin happened...
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