Cheetah 6S: My first cat!

[larryrose11]

Hello all,
This is my firs build post, and constructive critism and advise are welcome!! Im
alwys trying to improve what I do.
Im starting a cheetah build.

Here are the basics:

• FG cheetah huill (Thanks Basetronics!!)

• Neu 1521, 1Y (1577 KV)

• T180 controller

• TFL and Speedmaster hardware

• 6S, 2P, 5000mAh battery of some sort

• Vacuum bag CF hull reinforcement and parts, made by me.

This is going to be fun!!

[larryrose11]

CF hull reinforcement:
There are some obvious places where the hull needs more help, trandsom comes to mind.
Others have had the ride pads crack.
Where does this hull need help?

[Basstronics]

Didnt like the hardware?

[larryrose11]

Didnt like the hardware?

What? I do like the hardware. Its nice!
That not speedmaster? What is it?
Not that it matters, I'm going to use it.

[Basstronics]

OH OK I was like WTH

Its TFL hardware. Some of the best Ive seen yet. Fit, finish, design and overall quality is awesome.

[larryrose11]

Well,
The wonderful strut I got from Basstronics was too short. The strut was 2.3 inch's in total. It needed to be about 3 inches tall. So, instead of buying one that was bigger, I decided to mod this one, cuz I can.
Here is the original,


I machined out a piece of aluminum of aluminum to extent the strut. Ground down a bevel where they met, and TIG welded them together with good penetration.
I filed down the weld a bit, and machined out the slot. Now the strut is 3.1 inches tall. It is now Here ya see an in between shot, where the weld line is still evident

Im going to sand it till it is flat, and the line is gone.

[Rumdog]

Why did it need to be longer? You're going to end up running the strut higher than the ride pads

[Basstronics]

Well if you need more adjustment you surely got it now.

Im with Rumy though, I thought it fit decently. Maybe my quick throw together holding it by hand wasnt good though...

[larryrose11]

If the strut is even with the ride pads, I would need to be 2.95 inch tall. Original height was 2.3.

[Basstronics]

Ah. I must be thinking of holding that hardware up to the mean machine then. I originally bought it with that boat in mind but opted for the all-in-one setup I bought at the same time. I was originally thinking of putting twins in this boat.

Glad you can make it work. Thats what is great about the hobby. Taking a pile of parts and making it work.

[larryrose11]

It would work for the Mean Machine. Look at the height difference in the transom.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/basstronics/RC%20Boats/IMAG0207_zps9d0a559a.jpg

[larryrose11]

Original hull weight is 1.232 kg.
It already has the carbon / kevlar inlay. I'm not happy with the workmanship of the factor installed inlay. Plenty of bubbles ans voids. Ive got to sand them out if Im going to effectively reinforce this hull.
I plan on sanding the inside well, and reinforcing with carbon fiber and West, vacuum bag process.
Ill post details as the happen, and before / after weight.

[larryrose11]

The strut is done, no weld line is viable.

[larryrose11]

Up next, is the new CF inlay.
I am not happy with the factory CF Kevlar inlay. It was not smooth, and had some bubbles in it. Gauging by the thickness and rough spots, im sure they didn't vacuum bag, just a soppy wet layup. Even the edges are frayed, and not bonded to the hull.
Here I have sanded the bubbles out, exposing the FG underneath.
These are the biggest ones. I found a small bubble on the end of a sponson, probably the worst place to have that problem.

[tlandauer]

The strut is done, no weld line is viable.

man, this is incredible!