cooper_xl

Finally got the chance to trail a bit with 2 buddies. We really needed the therapy 1 Capo Sixer + Rochobby Willys 1/6 + my JK

Non-rc people can think all they want of adults playing with expensive toy trucks but this hobby has a nice learning aspect . Who learn about a lot of details of the trucks you're building and how they work. Another thing is learning skills. I've learned to TIG and braze because of RCs. I've learned to 3D model because of RCs . Building the M548, learned even to use Adobe Illustrator to do this next thing: On Facebook, through the contacts network, came to know a army mechanic who works on the only base that have our M548s. He liked my project and offered to take photos of anything I wanted(WHY DIDN'T HAPPENED EARLIER!!) . He sent the photos of all I've needed: Tags and labels around the truck and inside the cockpit. After that, on Illustrator redone every label to vetor, including text in the right font and size so it wouldn't be messed up when printed in scale. Then a local print shop agreed to print these properly. All the text is clear

Now a small detail that it's almost invisible but wanted to do it anyway Each road wheel arm has a piece atached to the hull where the axle pivots So printed 8 of these: OD green paint to cover it all These were meant to be bolted on but only glued them on

Dollhouse stuff: Thought that the operator needed some goggles for his helmet. The first idea was to scratchbuild everything but my Dremel broke so I've copied the goggles' frame from a real army model and 3d printed it.The lens are from a bit of clear package plastic and the strap is a strip of bicycle inner tube And: The binoculars are printed, the strap is a strip of rubber and for the lenses, I put a drop of green threadlock in place(designed those parts like small cups) They work pretty well:

Got these 2.2" Roost to mount the big Deep Woods on the AR60s. I have both for a long time still with no clear idea on what I'll do with them

More on the drivetrain. Some rubber over the sheetmetal to cover 2 previous holes from the first gearboxes and try to suppress some noise (this print was so ugly but I kept it for testing purposes...until now 🙂 ) And a small rubber lip on the cover to keep sand and dirt away

There it is,assembled and working. Just need a cover to reduce some noise and prevent that some LED wires don't get caught on the gears. The electronics were not in place because I'm was about to take everything out to paint the hull There's some video.Sorry about the background Needed something on top to keep away dirt and sand First idea was a standard cover but started to mess with the 3d printer and decided to do a more elaborate clear cover to see the gears working(might sound like a joke but many non-rc people who see this truck don't understand how this truck moves or why it needs 2 motors...)

They have silver or black gears? I've saw aftermarket sets with black gears that seemed strong and better made. The problem could be from the 540 I've used from the start. I've should kept the 370s,just to see if they handled the weight.

I avoided the plastic ones but the metal on the ones I've bought was that silver,soft metal. Aluminium, maybe

Now, something more interesting: drivetrain! The henglong gearboxes are not up to the task. Went through 2 sets (one lasted 5 minutes) Switched to these gearboxes: First ordered a 33:1 to test: Thought of machining the structure but 3D printing could do the job First of all, I'll not say that this was my original creation There's a german shop https://www.modellspiegel.com/ who created and sells these gearboxes for 1/16 tanks: I had several ideas for the new drivetrain and the chosen was heavily influenced by this layout above I'm not in condition of forking out all that money and also like to do things myself as much as possible. And I doubt that would fit in my truck To the build: First trial of the setup on 3s. It's so good when things work at first try. Unfortunately, the gearbox was too fast(33:1) and ordered a slower one. The only bad thing was that the bores on the gears were a bit off center, that's why it sounds that way Now with the 56:1:

A while ago,a friend gave me a scale CB radio from Shapeways for my Unimog. The thing is that I never mounted it and it sat for a while in the shelf. But the M548 it's also perfect for it. So, I've finished it. The radio was painted black, including inside with nail laquer for the light don't bleed out Need the mic so I did a quick one on PVC, the round part was achieved pressing a bearing against the pvc. The rest was dremel and sanding Some thin cable wrapped around a wire could make a scale spiral cable? I think so: All assembled: So, there's a LED behind and drilled 1mm holes on the front for the light pass through. In place: These LEDs were a PITA to mount. When I did the rear section,didn't thought in practicability to mount lights. But was doable: Is a printed taillight with a real piece of stoplight inside 🙂 Headlights and winch:

This is a bit odd at first but it gets better: An operator helmet for Bishop Put the epoxy putty on his head to do the rough shape: Closer to the final shape: Ear pieces and mic: Painted: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1764/29582315648_690682a541_c.jpg

Done something regarding to movement: I was limited to only one of my radios because of the mixing needed to make the truck move. But I also need that radio for the JK so instead of buying another receiver I risked it for a solution 10 times cheaper:Ordered an Hobbywing V-tail mixer. Should have done this right in the befogging . Simply connect the plugs in the right positions and it's ready. The crappy weather that day only allowed indoor testing but responds well and didn't fail And this is being silly on sand leftovers from house renovation s. It's running on 3s:

Some work on the M2 and it's mount: The ring rotates, the gun pivots to the sides and up/down and it could be lifted to take out The 3d model was supplied by a fellow Spaniard that's doing a fully printed M548. Added just the ammo box cradle, ammo box and the interface to the ring: And the paint:

I have these fake hubs I've ordered for the Unimog but found their way to the LC70. They are pretty nice for the price but they need something extra. Thought of adding the Toyota logo but not sure how. Too small for 3D printing and vinyl sticker. But a buddy of mine has a laser engraver. He liked the idea and helped with this: