Hi Dave,

exactly what I have seen as well. The problem is that, while all the mechanism
of the tool is precision-engineered to keep the axles parallel to each other,
the master-chassis provides no means to check and hold the frames orthogonal to
the axles. This may effectively stretch the wheelbase or let you solder up both
half frames in a way the axles are parallel but non-orthogonal to the frames. In
fact my masterchassis' baseplate itself is to a slight angle to the axles, which
deceived my eyes many times. Since with non-orthogonal axles the wheelbase is
always distorted, the rods become too short and running will be compromised. The
chassis needs to be redone, especially when its compensated.

I kind of helped myself out by creating a jig consisting of a length of 1/8" ID
brass tube, soldered as square as any possible to a (fairly large) piece of 2mm
PCB, long enough to rest on the adjacent axles.
(PCB is not ideal, as it has a tendency to warp depending on temperature or
humidity, but thats what I had).

Now, to solder both frames together, the first half frame with spacers already
soldered on, is clamped onto that jig, and both together are set onto the
masterchassis (with out that hornblock where the jig's tube is). Then the second
frame (also without that respective hornblock) is inserted. After checking super
carefully that all is reasonably square, both halfs are soldered up.
Its still super fiddly, but by now I'm getting it right first time.

Now, I think, it'd really be desirable for the masterchassis to have something
like a ruler, or a slotted (non-metal heat resistant) plate at the tool's front,
the frames can butt against and be clamped to. Big enough to rest an engineer's
square to check the tops of the frames are level. Especially considering the
precision the rest of the tool has built in...

All the best,

C,-w



> --- In masterchassis@..., brindlesmith@ wrote:
> >
> > I got mine from the States in about a week which wasn't so bad.
> > Now, back to my project and a couple of things have caught my attention.
While the chassis is square and free-running - very nicely so- I notice that my
wheelsets all seem to be at a very slight tangent to the frames. It doesn't seem
to cause any problems as the axles and rods still all seem to be aligned with
each other and run smoothly, it just looks slightly odd when viewed from above,
which I suppose won't be a serious issue when the body's on.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Secondly, what methods do you other fellows use when attaching detail parts
to the frame? Â I'm very aware of the risk of dislodging parts that you have
previously soldered on and it's happened once or twice already, to my
embarrasment!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks again!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Dave.Â
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: waterloosl <steve_carter@>
> > To: masterchassis@...
> > Sent: Fri, 29 May 2009 22:43
> > Subject: [masterchassis] Re: First steps.
> >
> >
> >
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> > Thanks Dave
> >
> >
> >
> > I've found Mission models website and it looks a neat bit of kit.
> >
> >
> >
> > I have also found a supplier in the UK, Relish Models in Selby, North
Yorkshire, but the folder is currently out of stock. I've emailed them for an
update as to when it is likely to be available in the UK again.
> >
> >
> >
> > No more info yet.
> >
> >
> >
> > Steve
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In masterchassis@..., brindlesmith@ wrote:
> >
> > >
> >
> > > I'm off to work now Steve, but I'll look for the supplier of my folder, it
was an American outfit called Mission models, but I'll give you the full gen
later.
> >
> > > It's a hard plastic superstructure, but so far it's been up to any task
I've given it.
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Cheers,
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Dave.
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > > From: waterloosl <steve_carter@>
> >
> > > To: masterchassis@...
> >
> > > Sent: Wed, 27 May 2009 18:39
> >
> > > Subject: [masterchassis] Re: First steps.
> >
> > >
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> >
> > > Good luck Dave
> >
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> > >
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> > >
> >
> > > I'm in a simular position to you having come back to the hobby after 18
> >
> > >
> >
> > > years away. I brought a Masterchassis at ExpoEM and am looking forward
> >
> > >
> >
> > > to building a chassis that runs smoothly!
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > I would like to know more about your etched part folder please? Could
> >
> > >
> >
> > > you let me have some details?
> >
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> >
> > >
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> > >
> >
> > > Thanks
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
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> > >
> >
> > > Steve
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > --- In masterchassis@..., "Dave Smith" <brindlesmith@>
> >
> > >
> >
> > > wrote:
> > =0
> > A>
> >
> > > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > > Thanks Phil, I'll do that! On Sunday night I fitted the axle bearings
> >
> > >
> >
> > > (rigid for 00) and yesterday morning, I assembled the frames themselves.
> >
> > >
> >
> > > For the first time in my experience, it was a thoroughly enjoyable job
> >
> > >
> >
> > > and everything appears square and true. Later today I shall fit the
> >
> > >
> >
> > > wheels and test the rods for free running. I'm on a real learning curve
> >
> > >
> >
> > > here as the last of my early experiments was 10-15 years ago, so I've
> >
> > >
> >
> > > treated this as 'y
> >
> > > ear zero'. I'm taking small, careful steps all along
> >
> > >
> >
> > > the way, which means I'm taking a good deal more time over each stage
> >
> > >
> >
> > > than all you experienced boys probably do! Having the correct equipment
> >
> > >
> >
> > > such as temperature controlled soldering kit and an etched part folder
> >
> > >
> >
> > > makes a huge difference too, but the jig is the clincher!
> >
> > >
> >
> > > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > > Cheers,
> >
> > >
> >
> > > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > > Dave.
> >
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> > > >
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> > >
> >
> > > > --- In masterchassis@..., "hhpja" phil@ wrote:
> >
> > >
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > > > Hi Dave thanks for the kind comments
> >
> > >
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > > > Let us all know how you get on, with pictures if possible.
> >
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> > > > >
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> > > > >
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> >
> > > > > Regards Phil
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> > > 0A
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> > >
> >
> > > __________________________________________________________
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________________________________________________
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