4 ms·

Posted a link to this page the other day, but it sunk to the bottom so fast, noone noticed it. I figured this is actually a Show HN, and worthy for others think

Posted a link to this page the other day, but it sunk to the bottom so fast, noone noticed it. I figured this is actually a Show HN, and worthy for others thinking of doing something similar. I would be very happy to see what others have done on the same subject, or to get inspiration on topics i am struggling with in this build.

matte_black 9y ago
Problem with modding plastic stuff like this is that as soon as you make one thing stronger, something else becomes the weakest link, so then you have to replace that with something stronger, and so on, until you've replaced nearly everything. At some point you'll probably need rubber tires or you'll get a lot of wheel spin.
- bri3d 9y ago
  He already talks about this at the end of his current post - it sounds like he's basically going the route that full-size drag racers do, and building a tube-frame (or in this case, angle-aluminum) chassis which he is just going to put the plastic body over the top of for some resemblance to the original car.
- AnnoyingSwede 9y ago
  First off: Thanks for showing interest in the post. To counter the weak plastic i vested in a MIG weld and the aluminum profiles seen at the last photo of the post. My intention for the next part will be constructing this support. Finding wheels have proven expensive (but not impossible), and as late as yesterday i was given 2 go kart tires that will become the rear tire set. I was also hoping people interested in this post could suggest other wheels that both are functional and look good. Even though i searched for a few weeks, i am sure i have not turned ever stone possible.
  - Peroni 9y ago
    If only the rear wheels are powered then you can make plenty of compromises on the front wheels. On that note, make sure to have plenty of weight at the front to prevent your kid from being thrown off when the thing does a wheely on acceleration.
  - aidenn0 9y ago
    Out of curiosity, why aluminum? Isn't steel much easier to work with?
    - AnnoyingSwede 9y ago
      I want to keep the weight down, and i have other applications of this once this build is completed. Also people told me aluminum was hard to weld, challenge accepted. :)
      - aidenn0 9y ago
        Be aware of the safety issues with aluminum too; aluminum has a nasty habit of looking 100% healthy until the moment it completely breaks.
  - mhb 9y ago
    Possibly too big for your project (though the project does seem to get bigger), but wheelchair motors are great - they are cheap, have the gears built in and often come with nice wheels.
- apo 9y ago
  Thought the same thing as well. Ship of Theseus.

matte_black 9y ago

Problem with modding plastic stuff like this is that as soon as you make one thing stronger, something else becomes the weakest link, so then you have to replace that with something stronger, and so on, until you've replaced nearly everything. At some point you'll probably need rubber tires or you'll get a lot of wheel spin.

bri3d 9y ago
He already talks about this at the end of his current post - it sounds like he's basically going the route that full-size drag racers do, and building a tube-frame (or in this case, angle-aluminum) chassis which he is just going to put the plastic body over the top of for some resemblance to the original car.
AnnoyingSwede 9y ago
First off: Thanks for showing interest in the post. To counter the weak plastic i vested in a MIG weld and the aluminum profiles seen at the last photo of the post. My intention for the next part will be constructing this support. Finding wheels have proven expensive (but not impossible), and as late as yesterday i was given 2 go kart tires that will become the rear tire set. I was also hoping people interested in this post could suggest other wheels that both are functional and look good. Even though i searched for a few weeks, i am sure i have not turned ever stone possible.
- Peroni 9y ago
  If only the rear wheels are powered then you can make plenty of compromises on the front wheels. On that note, make sure to have plenty of weight at the front to prevent your kid from being thrown off when the thing does a wheely on acceleration.
- aidenn0 9y ago
  Out of curiosity, why aluminum? Isn't steel much easier to work with?
  - AnnoyingSwede 9y ago
    I want to keep the weight down, and i have other applications of this once this build is completed. Also people told me aluminum was hard to weld, challenge accepted. :)
    - aidenn0 9y ago
      Be aware of the safety issues with aluminum too; aluminum has a nasty habit of looking 100% healthy until the moment it completely breaks.
- mhb 9y ago
  Possibly too big for your project (though the project does seem to get bigger), but wheelchair motors are great - they are cheap, have the gears built in and often come with nice wheels.
apo 9y ago
Thought the same thing as well. Ship of Theseus.