GMade Spider - complete build up

[TWINSET]

I've actually had my mitts on this for over 3 weeks now, but been on vacation, ordered some bits for it, and we had to use the dining room a couple of times too []

So anyway, here's the start of the build.

For those that haven't built one before, GMades go together just as easily as Tamiyas - Everything is just really well made

First off, the manual;

It's a CD containing a PDF file and also the pages of the PDF as jpegs (for those without Adobe I guess)

Anyway, the 'manual' is nice and clear, not quite up there with Tamiya manuals, but very good.

Some aspects could have had a little more detail; a couple of times there's an assembly already done, and an M4 nut and washer or an M4 flanged nut are kinda hard to distinguish, but a quick parts count will usually clarify most grey areas []

Screen photo of the manual - the whole thing can be downloaded from http://gmade.net/image/Gmade_Tech/file/spider.pdf

Wireless laptops have other uses too []

Anyroad, build;

A lot of the screw bags are labelled, only omissions are where it's blatantly obvious what's in the bags (like axle cases)

Top deck;

Nuts go in the slots, tighten screws - Dead easy [H]

About 10 minutes later, all threadlocked up, just in case

Skid plate is 'domed' to reduce flat area and bottoming possibilities

Metal-metal thru metal = threadlock everywhere

This is the body post mount

And here it is from the outside.

Body clip goes thru the horizontal slot in the mount to adjust height.

Posts are a good 8 inches long I should guess

<strong>Geared diffs for those that need them[]</strong>

Diffs have an O ring seal around lid, allowing diff action to be tuned with different grease

<strong>And GMade lockers for those that don't [H]</strong>

I'm not sure if these are part of the kit normally.

Axle housings are nice and simple in design; top and bottom half, moulded polycarb.

Bearings are retained by E clips, like Clod assemblies.

Shafts are 8mm dia

All bearings required are supplied with the kit.

Top suspension links, with Tamiya wrench for scale

The easy way to get the balls into the ballends

Top link mount, M4 screws thru balls

Thru to nuts retained in axle housing (Superglued in place, and threadlocked to screws)

Side view (endbell side)

Note 'spur gear' axle

Adjustable motor mounts

Pinion aperture cover.

I have since opened out right hand hole so cover can be removed without removing 'spur gear' axle bolt.

Servo platform, either stainless steel or real heavy alu []

Projection at edge is to lock-out the rear axle if required.

Lower link mount also shown on right of pic

Opposite side to servo.

Closeup of lower link mount.

Several holes not actually used (yet)

Bumper mounts for those that'll use them.

Mount screws also hold servo plates in place, so alternative fixing hardware would be needed if bumpers weren't used.

Preparation for shock fitting (this is where it turned to poop, see summary)

Dirty great end shafts (8mm dia)

Note hex drive surface is 2 flats, not splines

12 and 14mm AF wheel hexes supplied

At this point it's all kinda gone wrong - I thought I had shocks [:'(]

Just ordered some from RCBoyz, so will probly start electrics n stuff tomorrow.

So far, 5.5 hours, including pics and writing this.

This article was brought to you by the letters T and A and by the beer Stella Artois []

[phiber_optik]

That looks really nice, Good job.

[mr_pushrod]

Top build Andy, that looks like a real high quality bit of kit!

[backtomyroots]

Excellent thread.  Good photos & description.  Nice to see another quality kit get some recognition (Besides the High Lift).  That G-Made stuff is top quality.  Will you be dropping the new Novak Crawler Brushless motors in for a complete Crawler test ? (Since you got such a deal on the Chassis it is the least you can do []).  I'll be waiting for the video & performance review ! Oh - how long before it hits Ebay ?

--- Those "Lockers" are Optional Parts [] ---

Cheers

[TWINSET]

Excellent thread.  Good photos & description.  Nice to see another quality kit get some recognition (Besides the High Lift).  That G-Made stuff is top quality.  Will you be dropping the new Novak Crawler Brushless motors in for a complete Crawler test ? (Since you got such a deal on the Chassis it is the least you can do []).  I'll be waiting for the video & performance review ! Oh - how long before it hits Ebay ?

--- Those "Lockers" are Optional Parts [] ---

Cheers

Optional? I got lucky then []

The truck will be getting two 65t lathe motors, which I got from Bolton Model Mart a couple of weeks back - well quick and they take Paypal [Y]

I'm not convinced about B/L motors yet, heard differing opinions about them, and they just seem like too much hassle and expense at the minute.

The BTA in the vid on the beach did nearly 40 minutes on a 3000mah battery, and seemed more than capable with lathes, so for £40 plus a speedo, I'm good

Anyway, was asked about the width of the truck;

It is wider than the Clod, by about 2 inches.

 This is using stock clod wheels and mounts, with GMade adaptors on the Spider and the Tamiya brass hexes on the Clod.

Here's the Clod, overall width is 14 5/8 inches approx.

The GMade axles clock in at 16 1/2 inches.

Knuckle copmparison

And here's a width comparison between kingpins

As for pumpkin clearance, there's not really anything in it, both clock in at 2 inches, give or take a layer of dirt []

[backtomyroots]

Still waiting for those shocks [:|] ?  Some of us need an update here !

[TWINSET]

No, was never waiting for shocks, turned out I had them - found them when I was digging out the servos [:@]

Real smack in the spuds is that I found them 24 hours AFTER I binned some more for the best part of $90 US on ebay [:|] 

 More pics shortly, gotta go get myself outside a nice big bit of steak [H]

 

[MikeT]

Bit nice that is fella, when can we expect vids?

[MikeT]

Bit nice that is fella, when can we expect vids?

[TWINSET]

Dunno, not sure it'll run - need space [:'(] 

 

[Martin71RS]

nice build report Andy..... The quality of the kit looks second to none!

Martin

[TWINSET]

Ok, more progress []

Cheers Martin

Quality of the chassis is just as sweet as the original Spider, and the axles on this one are mental.

Clod axles are a real PITA to build, these ones only have a 2 part housing [] 

Been putting it off because it's all the rubbish bits now - servos, soldering, burn cream []

 

Anyway, easy shock mounts; Conical standoff is supplied with kit, used nitro fuel tube for 'flexible' shock mount, as the suspension movement creates more of a spherical movement at the top of the shock as opposed to the more circular action on most other types of buggies and tourers

 

GMade supply 12t pinions, smaller ones can be used (not 100% sure of pitch yet, didn't have any Clod ones to compare them to) 

 

The cover in place after mesh is confirmed good.

Right hand screw hole was opened out, otherwise that screw would need removing when cover is removed (and it's holding the top/spur gear shaft in place) 

 

 

Using all the solder tabs on the endbell; top wires are from ESC, bottom wires go to front motor.

Motors are 65t Integy Lathes, from Bolton Model Mart

£20 a pop and they take Paypal [H]

Also, the labels are vinyl, and peel off real easy [8-|]

 

Wire routing 

 

Nice big top deck for radio gear, 'old faithful' ESC [] 

 

Quality little touch 

 

And the wheels - Click pic for more on the wheels, I'm not typing it all again [] 

[backtomyroots]

Excellent progress [Y].  Now, what shell are we gonna see on that thing ?  By the way - your build up thread has made me decide at some point I'll be adding one to my collection [].  Unfortunately with a HIgh Lift in the mail & a TTR "Ripper" being built it's gonna be a while before the bank account can take the HIT !  Good job !

 

[TWINSET]

Shell's all cut chap, will take pics once it's painted - that way I can screw it up and noone will ever know  [H]

They're bringing a new Dragoon TRUCK out soon, might be worth a wait ? 

 

 

[TWINSET]

Woohoo, fame at last [H]

http://craftlab.net/epage/emain.htm