First Time Bulid, Diary, And Noob Questions!

[HugoIsOnFire]

Just a question, Ive seen that HDPE is more common, available in more thickness's and cheaper than polycarbonate, would 2mm or 1.5 mm HDPE be a suitable armour?

[joey_picus]

It depends how you use it - 1.5mm or 2mm HDPE is certainly going to be suitable protection, but it behaves quite differently to polycarbonate when hit - it tends to bend or flex or tear, rather than break or crack as polycarbonate does. I've also found it flexes a bit much for use as a chassis material unless the design's very well thought out (see RONNY for an example with lots of bracing and welding). HDPE is lighter than polycarbonate, which can help, but it'll ultimately come down to personal preference and experience.

[Shakey]

Polycarbonate will give you a much stiffer chassis than HDPE and can be bolted easier. HDPE is good if you want curves or flex.

[BeligerAnt]

Polycarbonate is usually available in a variety of thicknesses as A4 sheets from several UK sellers on Ebay.

Hopefully this link will work: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... 4&_sacat=0
Otherwise search Ebay for "Polycarbonate A4"

As has been noted it is much stiffer and a little heavier than HDPE. For a rigid chassis you will need at least 2mm HDPE, probably 3mm, then you are faced with the task of drilling LOTS of holes in it to save some weight!

Good luck with it whichever way you decide to go!

[HugoIsOnFire]

What about aluminium? its available in ALOT of thickness's, and can be easily shaped/flexed

[Shakey]

It can be bent but not flexed. This means spinner hits will twist the chassis horribly. It makes for far worse armour, honestly you can't go wrong with polycarbonate.

[HugoIsOnFire]

Yeah, I'm just gonna go with 1.5mm polycarb, simple, cheap, effective.

[Hogi]

i've always used HDPE and it has to be said i've been smashed up by spinners more times than i can possibly remember so pollycarbonate is probably your best bet.

as for the sabertooth thing, i managed to burn one out on 2WD so botbitz or a nanotwo is more recommendable.

welcome to antweights by the way.

[Occashokka]

I've always managed with aluminium but you really need at least 1mm and to rebuild the front most events but mr shakey how could you say that abt my 3 hand bent beauties, yea that's right I can fit alu into a spinner so nothing is impossible.

Would still probably recommend plastics tho

[Shakey]

I've had alu armoured spinners.

It can work for armour but is not a good chassis material due to it having no flex. I've had spinners bend a 4mm alu chassis in half on a good hit that 2mm polycarb would have easily survived.