question about making links

[Frank McKinney]

so I sourced off ebay some alum. tubing (M4 with 8mm outer dia.) and M4 stainless threaded rod. The rod won't screw into the tube, there is maybe a 0.5mm gap between the rod and inner wall of the tube, so I want to just use Araldite or JB Weld to epoxy 2-3cm lengths of threaded rod to each end of the cut tubing.

Part of me doesn't want to use whole lengths of threaded rod for the links, and part of me thinks that properly held in place, these will be just as strong as hollow links with threaded ends (like the Axial links).

Traxxas made a big deal about their hollow alum. turnbuckles for the Revo, saying the hollow shape made them stronger than solid alum., so assuming the epoxy is strong enough, there shouldn't be any problems, right?

Wotcha think?

[Rob Fitzgerald]

Frank if I was even going to try this I would thread the inside of the rod so that the JB weld has something to grip on. Hope that makes sense.

[Frank McKinney]

I know you mean - tap the inside of the tube...I don't have a tap set but I'll see about roughing up the inside of the tube with something, out with the Dremel maybe!

[dead man]

a tap and di (sp)set are dirt cheep less than £20 and you will get plenty use from it worth buying

[terry.sc]

The usual method is to make the links with threaded rod then use the tubing over the top to tidy it up. Give it a go, if it doesn't work it's only cost a few pieces of threaded rod and tubing, although as long as the glue joint is good then it should work okay.

As has been said above, just do something to roughen up the tube to give something for the JB Weld to grab on to.

[Frank McKinney]

off to eBay then, maybe :)


edit: errr...definitely :) should get the set next week. No better excuse!

[dead man]

heres some rod

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-new-300mm-X-M3-STAINLESS-THREADED-ROD-with-12-M3-NUTS_W0QQitemZ230258117096QQihZ013QQcategoryZ20600 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

im going to a shop which sells the aluminium tube if you want me to pick you up a few bits let me know

[Frank McKinney]

Yeah I got some M4 rod with the nuts (maybe the same seller), will get some M3 as well. Will probably have to stock up on Dremel cutting wheels :D

Actually, what is tougher is finding the alum. tubing, I couldn't find threaded tubing and couldn't find tubing with an inside diameter small enough to tap for M3 or M4 threads. If you can source that, hit me up with a PM and I'll get some from you once I get into making trail trucks and other types of trucks :)

[terry.sc]

Guess why everyone makes their links from threaded rod with a thin wall tube slipped over the top of it:D

You best bet for the links is probably sold bar that you then drill and tap each end. Thick wall aluminium tube, especially with only a 3mm hole up the middle is going to be very specialised.