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Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 11:13 am
by earthwormjim
Sounds like you are making good progress. Id love to see a pic, Peter.
We got a mail from the organisers, and we didnt make it into the red bull event. "Thanks very much, thousands of entries, blah, blah, blah." Never mind, We will continue to build it, is a good little project, some interesting challenges .

Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 3:59 pm
by Remote-Controlled Dave
That's a shame, Jim. So, you can concentrate on getting to an AWS now then...? Please?

Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 6:44 pm
by peterwaller
I have reduced the sensitivity of the steering and improved the support of the steering coloumn so that all OK now.
I found the problem with the brakes I have fixed the disk to the main bearing housing but it appears the wheel can slip around the bearing housing so stopping the disc doesn't mean stopping the wheel. I think a couple of tack welds should fix that.
I had a chat with my son in law and he is OK about photo's on here he was just concerned about other comprtitors for the Aylesbury event.
Here is the cart so far.
Image
Here is the disc brake arangement.
Image
Here is the steering.
Image

Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 8:40 pm
by earthwormjim
Very nifty Peter.
I like the setup. And a nice brake pedal too! When is the event?

I am trying very hard to make it to some robot events soon, Dave! I miss yous guys!! :)

Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 10:30 pm
by Remote-Controlled Dave
We miss you too

Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 7:51 am
by peterwaller
I put 4 tack welds on each rear wheel and that seems to work OK so just need to adjust the brakes and we can test it out agai.
The Aylesbury event is 21st June.
I have orderd some 1mm polycarb sheet for body panels but they are more decrotive than structual and I am trying to create a rollover bar af some kind in a material I can fabricate by hand.
I agree wuth Dave ( did I just say that ) it would be good to see you back with the robots.

Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 11:00 am
by earthwormjim
Aww. Thanks Guys.

I am riveting 1.5 mm Aluminium sheet for paneling, as It is easy to bend round corners.
As I now don't have any time restraints, I think I might take it easy and try some push rod suspension!
I bought some tubing for a roll over bar, but have yet to find a good enough method of bending it, filling it with sand and whacking it against a tree only works to a point! :)

Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 9:11 am
by limpet
Its something I`ve wanted to build for a long while, Hinckley now has an annual soap box race down the main street.
This year it is July 5th.

Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 6:46 pm
by peterwaller
Just about getting the soapbox finished, apart from a few decorative issues, that’s been about 6 weeks without anything robot related and I am starting to get withdrawal symptoms.
Just in time to get ready for the Wales event I should have a new car by then.
Spent a couple of months going round gararges with a trusty tape measure to make sure there is room for the arena.

Re: Soapbox Racers

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 6:52 pm
by Occashokka
peterwaller wrote:
Spent a couple of months going round gararges with a trusty tape measure to make sure there is room for the arena.
Now that's what I call dedication lol