In a message dated 1/22/2010 5:05:31 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes:
Yes, that's foam core. I did some ballistic tests and found that as long as it was in sections no longer than about a foot, it was paintball proof although close range shots do tend to dimple a little. It stands up to blunt impacts very well. What it can't cope with is punctures and any sharp, pointy impact goes through it like a sharp thing through foam core. On the other hand, I knocked up the whole body in less than a day - including scaling and drawing - and a hot glue gun, a sharp knife and a cutting board are all that is required to make repairs. All box sections of the body are filled with expanding foam for additional strength and the chassis is built from channel section aluminium. Total cost of the body was less than £5 so if it fails miserably I can always make a new one in plywood. The really major advantage of foam core as a none-structural material is that it weighs sod all. I would guess that a similar body made in ply would weigh four or five times as much. what if rather than using plywood for the body itself, use a piece of sheet metal? it would stand up to hits, be fairly strong (and with the bends for the body shape it should be more rigid and possibly remove the body as one hole piece giving you plenty of access to anything inside), but should weigh less (or be about the same?) than a plywood body Chris, _Odyssey Slipways_ (http://hometown.aol.com/odysseyslipways/index.html) -- You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. To post a message, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat
