10 replies to this topic

[Guy Spaulding]

This subject may have been covered before, but I couldn't find it, and Slotblog's search function doesn't allow three letter words, such as "Jig".

Anyway, I built many frames in the '80s, but none had the detail wire work as retro frames, especially Jail Door chassis.

What do you recommend as the best chassis jig?

Are any better than THIS ONE?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

[MSwiss]

I sell the Backtrack jig now in a two block combo which gives you more versatility.
The bending fixture is on a separate plate so you are able to bend pieces as you build with your chassis on the main block.
The $118 price includes all hardware for both jigs, bending handle, and four-way jig wheel blocks.
Note, the Backtrack jig has its 1/16" pin holes spaced every 1/32" for more versatility width-wise.

For pictures of the original Backtrack jaildoor jig in use, go HERE.

Separate bending plate...



... with CNC-scribed increments for repeatable bend lengths.



Separate Jail Door chassis jig.



A new feature on the chassis jig are pins to hold your bracket perfectly square and centered. Holes for JK 3/4", 1.00", Jail Door, and WRP brackets.

[tonyp]

The bracket pins are a real nice addition.

[Guy Spaulding]

Mr. Swiss,

Thank you for responding to my inquiry!

I was considering your bending addition as well. I was wondering if it could form the intricate bends in the .063" wire as below?



My father, a small-parts machinist by trade, created three jigs that faithfully reproduced this pattern. This was the basis for the hundreds of Grp 15 chassis I built and sold in the '80s. However, I sold the jigs when I sold the Aggressor Frames business, as the USAF sent me to Korea, and I never looked back until recently.

Guy

[MSwiss]

To whip off something like you show, three dedicated jigs like your dad made would work better.

[MSwiss]

Guy,

Here are some tips on making repeatable "U" shaped bends dialed in by .001" using the jig with the integral bender.

The main advantage of having the bending fixture integrated in the jig is being able to take advantage of all the various holes, lines, and uprights that square up with bending fixture. You have precise references that allow you to do repeatable bends today, tomorrow, or next year.

For an example, I'll be bending a piano wire brace for the WRP Jail Door-able bracket.

Start with your standard 90 degree bend. Note the two wheelbase upright pins in place in the furthest back holes.


You'll be using those pins to create a temporary bending stop. You'll have to sacrifice a bit of piano wire to the scratchbuilding gods for test pieces to get the stop width correct.

This bend was an easy one to dial in. I got it perfect for about 17¢ of wire. I used a standard piece of 1/4" wide brass along with a piece of .016" brass standing upright for a .266" width. For your particular application, if you don't get as lucky as I did, you can easily fine tune your width with a different thickness brass strip, .005" or .007" spoiler material, Scotch tape (about .002), etc., until you get the finished bend as precise as you want.


Slide your existing bend tight up against your stop/fence.


Crank in another 90 degree bend.


The bazillion 1/16" holes come in handy for a quick-n-easy way to mark the brace even on each side before trimming it to length.


The finished product.
Scribble down the position of the pins and what you used for a fence for future reference. Once you have record of that and the trim length info, a finished brace takes about 90 seconds to make.

[Mopar Rob]

I made the bends for this chassis with my Backtrack bender and jig.

[Rick]

Guy,

For an alternative choice, look HERE.



I could also make you that dedicated jig for that main rail piece you used to make, if you desire.

[Guy Spaulding]

Thank you Mike and Rick
I am interested in both a bender and jig. Would anyone care to recommend one over the other? I know one of the benders uses an aluminum base, but not sure if that yields an advantage or not. It would take me hours of investigative viewing to determine the advantages one jig and bender has over the other. Please, if anyone would care to comment on their experiences with either one, feel free to shoot me a PM with your personal recommendations.

Thanks a million

Guy

(the possible return of Aggressor Frames?)

[Guy Spaulding]

So far, I've learned there are advantages to each unit, as expected , but would like to hear more. Rest assured, your PMs will be kept in strict confidence. I just want to save 100 bucks and choose the best one for my desires, the first time

[DirtyHairy]

i like the "alternative" more,,,,,but i have my own reasons,,,, i think the "greatest,most innovative builder" Mopar would be the one to ask though,,,since he is .....the worlds best.....or atleast in his opinion