RCH SRB Nylon Arms. I have an idea that might benefit us all!

[OldSchoolRunner]

Hi,

Tonight I won an auction tonight for a BRAND NEW COMPLETE set of nylon RCH SRB front control arms with BRAND NEW RCH Ball races! These arms are of course are a highly collectable rare item to come by. The main reason why I thought it would be good to purchase these was for possibly the good of all of us. I was thinking with all of our knowledge put together that we could possibly make molds out of them and reproduce them so that anyone who wanted a complete set of them could now attain them and run them on their vintage SRBs and re-re SRBs! So where do we start?

OSR

[wildwillydriver]

This is very kind of you, i really have no idea were to start to have these parts reproduced. I know that there are some company that can make custom parts on request reproducing what you send them but i don't know how they work and if they make a mold or what....

For sure if they will ever be reproduced i'd buy a couple of sets.

Bye

WWD

[hedge]

Hey, nice one. I was watching those, when they arrive would you be so kind as to post a picture of the castor blocks.

Thanks Paul

[Origineelreclamebord]

It's a very cool idea though I have a few comments about 'reproductions.' First of all, I wouldn't replicate the RCH part but redevelop Tamiya's original arm to then be moulded in Nylon (or another type of plastic - though Nylon does seem like a good option). This saves the risks of breaking any laws around copyrights and such. Secondly, I think with the CAD software that's widely available nowadays, a better developed part can be made than just a straight reproduction. For a good mould you'd be machining one anyway (preferably a CNC machine as it's quicker with the same or even better accuracy).

Besides that, you'll need to find people to fund/support this project. Making a mould (even a simple one) and moulding the parts can prove quite expensive. The cheapest option I found so far is the injection moulding services from Tigermoth Racing. For the Dyna Storm rear blocks I was developing, they told me an aluminum moould (for 5000 units) would cost 400USD. For the production in HDPE (high density polyethylene, they use it on their production touring car they told me), the parts would cost 4USD a piece.

To be honest, what's listed above is VERY cheap. However, I think there's another fee on top of that for fitting the moulds etc, and with this low price does come a set of limitations too, like the materials you can choose from at Tigermoth Racing (I think MDPE/HDPE is the only material they stock).

Unfortunately I cannot help in terms of money. However, if you can find the financial sources to make this idea into a project, I volunteer to help you out with the CAD designs (I'm a student in Industrial design and I have access to the software. I'm still a novice really, but I've made loads of parts already and did some basic simulations/force tests on them in the software as well).

[casethejoint]

What about 3D printing - can that yet be done in a material suitable for RC parts?

[Origineelreclamebord]

What about 3D printing - can that yet be done in a material suitable for RC parts?

That's an interesting question I don't know the exact strengths of the available materials, but here's some information on the materials of Shapeways (a custom/low production unit 3D printing company). It is more affordable than I expected when I first saw it, and prices are per volume and not size or shape of the part (which makes it very suitable for making hollow parts). It's a very interesting production process and the available materials are very diverse However, I don't know if it will be strong enough (I imagine the printed layers can delaminate over the long term with the high-stress usage), but it's worth contacting Shapeways about it as they after all know best what the materials are capable of

Regardless how good it would be for making parts though, you know it gives endless possibilities when it comes to ordering/producing custom parts for detailing your car - or to check out the shape, size and looks of a prototype part!

[Shodog]

I would imagine there would be a limited market for these and their usefullness would be questionable. Back in the day, these were a huge benefit over the stockers. you needed them to be competitive. Nowadays the release of the buggy champ was made to fullfill a niche market. It wasn't made to be a top level performer. Regardless of what you do to an SRB chassis, it's still going to handle like a turd.

[OldSchoolRunner]

Hi, Sorry I have been super busy over the last couple days and my computer is goin gto be down for a week while I get set-up with a new internet provider. Looks like some really good info so far! I am totally willing to sed these out for scanning or mold making. Thanks so far for the the good response on the possiblilities. As soon as I am back on line I will be looking into some different senarios with those that are willing to assist and help with this possible opportunity.

OSR

[hedge]

Hey OSR, I sent you a pm.

[WillyChang]

3D printing has not progressed to the point of making durable usable stress-bearing parts.

As 'dawg sez, if someone today wanted an SRB to run better... they'd have bought something else.

[OldSchoolRunner]

Sorry to inform you guys but it seems that the package has been lost in the mail

I have never had one item ever go missing and low and behold they are MIA!?! Very disappointed but luckily I have got a refund from the seller because I did buy insurance and it was a tracked signature package too! So that still leaves me with an unfinished project once again.

OSR

[wildwillydriver]

Sorry to inform you guys but it seems that the package has been lost in the mail

I have never had one item ever go missing and low and behold they are MIA!?! Very disappointed but luckily I have got a refund from the seller because I did buy insurance and it was a tracked signature package too! So that still leaves me with an unfinished project once again.

OSR

OMG......

Really sorry for you and also for the precious parts......

Bye

WWD

[OldSchoolRunner]

Thanks WWD,

I appreciate the words. Like I said I am happy that I got my refund, but I am super disappointed. As you know WWD I have a used set already but the auction was for a new set. I guess I will have to look for another set.

OSR