91 replies to this topic

[rvec]

After reading the post by Tex entitled 'My latest Hardbody', I got to thinking that there are many European style screwed chassis available including Scholer, Plafit, Slotting Plus, Scale Auto, and likely many others that I am not familiar with. It would be interesting to see how others have set up their chassis with various powerplants. Anyone out there using these chassis please post images of your set-up.

 

We have been running Scholer chassis cars for several years at Electron Raceway and STR. We use Hawk 7 motors in our GT1 class and Deathstar or Pro Slot 16 D sealed motors in all other classes. Over time the classes have developed by adding custom pans and weight tuning.

Below are images of the Scholer, Slotting Plus, and Scale Auto chassis in stock form Scholer Pantera.



Scholer I-55

 

Slotting plus SP 800001

 

Scale Auto

 

Note that all are of similar design. The movement in the chassis is facilitated by the H plate that can move up and down. Below are some images of our chassis set-up on the Scholer chassis. We understand that the Scholer chassis will not be available any more; Ron is experimenting with a Slotting Plus chassis (also shown). Note that in both cases, the side pans are attached to the H plate. The front pan is static and attached to the main section of the chassis. Pans are .062 inch brass. This configuration works quite well. Also note that we are using pretty strong motors Hawk 7 or 16D.

 

Scholer 

 

 

James has come up with a bit different side pan configuration but it involves a bit of soldering. James - feel free to post and explain.

Slotting Plus

[Dennis David]

It seems the chassis to race in Europe are the DoSlot and Slot Fabrik type of chassis that appear to have some flex in them.

[rvec]

Do you have either? How have you set them up and what motor are you using?

The Slotfabrik chassis is $120 Euros ($131).

The DoSlot at this LINK sells
HERE for $120 or $199 as a rolling chassis.

Both pretty pricy compared to Scholer or Slotting Plus at about $50.

[Dennis David]

Unfortunately I have not as of yet and probably not till later this year. I have worked with the Scaleauto chassis but with the underpowered SA motor.

[Howie Ursaner]

Chris and I ran DoSlot cars built by Nick de Wachter to sweep the Worlds in Barcelona in 2011.

[Dennis David]

Now I understand that Slotfabrik-modified DoSlot chassis are the ones to beat.

[Tim Neja]

For racing hard body cars I can't imagine WHY to spend a bunch of money on a "bolt it together" chassis when one of these is SO easy to build!! Their CHEAP too!! Get a simple sidewinder bracket and front end from BPR---U Bend .078 or even .092 wire ---hinge the pans with simple down/up stops!! Hang the body with pin mounts and your done!! And this chassis will FAR out handle those bolt together monstrosities!!  Take a look at all of the D3 Hard Body pages for chassis designs but these work GREAT--are EZ to build for about $45.00 and you'll have a very nice handling hard body car!! Keith has several build tutorials on his web page for hard body!! Why waste your money??

http://www.hardbodyr...m/how-to-s.html

 

Check out this page for building tips!! Use the Nascar sidewinder chassis for example!! There's lot's more complicated designs--but those cars run as well and as fast as ANYTHING we run!! VERY EZ builds!! 

 

 

[Dennis David]

Yes those D3 cars you guys race are great but don't assume they will far out handle a Slotfabrik-modified DoSlot chassis.

[James Wendel]

For racing hard body cars I can't imagine WHY to spend a bunch of money on a "bolt it together" chassis when one of these is SO easy to build!!

 
Come on, Tim... you know the answer. It's the same reason they don't run wing bodies. You build to the rules.

[Dennis David]

We race the Scaleautos at Slot Car Raceway in Rohnert Park and they are a blast to race. They handle pretty well straight out of the box once you switch out the tires for sponge rubber.

[Tim Neja]

Yes those D3 cars you guys race are great but don't assume they will far outhandle a Slotfabrik-modified DoSlot chassis.

I'll take that bet!!! Bring it on!!  

[Tim Neja]

Come on, Tim... you know the answer. It's the same reason they don't run wing bodies. You build to the rules.

They're modifying the crap out of those things!! Why not just establish some simple rules and build them?

[Dennis David]

Tim,

That would be a great bet. I know Ryan Miller races hardbody with you guys so I would be up for it but it needs to be on the flat track at Rohnert Park. ;-)

[MSwiss]

They're modifying the crap out of those things!! Why not just establish some simple rules and build them?

Tim,

I'm with you on this one.

I kind of get the point of the bolt-together car... until you start modifying, especially when it requires soldering.

[Tim Neja]

Ryan knows our cars! No contest with that bolt crap!! He's got good cars to run against them!

[rvec]

I kind of get the point of the bolt-together car... until you start modifying, especially when it requires soldering.

Note - No soldering done on the above Scholer chassis. They do run quite will and can compete head-to-head with the scratchbuilts that we run at STR which are inline hinged with .790" rears and .750" O-ring fronts. Both run the same motors - Deathstar or Pro Slot 16D. The Scholer shown above is for our GT1 class. That happens to run a Hawk 7 - Other Scholer-based classes use the 16D type.

The pans are custom-cut but bolted on.

Tim, it is hard enough to get new folks into the hobby with Production chassis. We simply don't have enough population to draw from in Roseburg to find guys who are interested in scratchbuilts.

If I lived in Socal I would be racing hardbodies with you guys at BPR but when in Rome or Roseburg... You have a great core group of guys running hardbodies. I follow Keith's reports each month.

[Dennis David]

Ryan does have good cars but I can beat him in Slot.it and Scaleauto so I'll take up the challenge. No need to call them crap however. I like both types and am an avid follower of Keith's efforts. Keith is the man! If I was down your way I also could see myself racing D3, especially now that you've added sports cars. I would love to do the same in Rohnert Park.

The bolt-on chassis remind me of Lego and R/C cars so there is always an appeal to me. Scratchbuilding is more of a slot car thing that takes us back to our roots. Apples and oranges.

[Dennis David]

Just a side note, I have not seen the Slotfabrik cars run in person but I do have direct knowledge of German engineering in other hobbies, and you underestimate them at your peril. Those guys are serious hobbyists. ;-)

[Cheater]

[Climbing into my pulpit...]

 

Why do some people continue to look down their noses at bolt-together chassis? Scratchbuilding is really tied to slot car racing's roots but most of the slot car racing world outside of the US looks at it as being old fashioned. I wonder where R/C would be if all the cars were scratchbuilt from brass and steel rod?

 

Reminds me of the front-engined roadsters prior to the rear-engine cars showing them the future at Indy.

 

It seems the old "my slot car is better than your slot car" mindset is still applicable (on multiple levels, mind you) and that's too bad, as the model car racing hobby is almost certainly too small to survive being polarized in so many directions.

 

Short sermon... just five sentences.

[Dennis David]

Could not have said it better myself. ;-)

FYI I just ordered two Retro chassis and hope to build some myself based upon get some kits. Will be joining the NorCal series. That being said I'll still be drawn to the bolt-on chassis but their expense and the fact that most come from Europe will always be limiting factors. I'll contact Fola about building me a D3 beater. ;-)

[Tim Neja]

It's NOT looking down my nose!! My comments are about how EZ it is to BUILD a simple scratch built chassis for a LOT LESS then these bolt together monstrosities!! And they will handle BETTER!! It's silly to have an erector set when a few pieces of piano wire and brass will make a great chassis to go just as fast or FASTER!! 

And I was one of those 1/12 scale chassis designers for Associated that made all their chassis with a dremel tool and carbon fiber sheets!! Those designs didn;t come from "cad" drawings and computers!! Someone sat down with a dremel and a small drill press and made cars that WORKED!!

Ask Art Carbonel!!!

[Samiam]

We have to accept the fact that in this day and age there are people who wouldn't know which end of a soldering iron to grab. I can't tell you how many long time racers I have to solder lead wires and pinions for. If it wasn't for the multitudes of chassis builders out there putting out quality equipment, Retro racing would not be where it is today. So instead of soldering irons and Dremel tools some have taken to nut drivers and Loctite.

[Tim Neja]

Here's a simple chassis I built today using nothing more than pliers, brass, a Dremel with a cut-off wheel!! Nothing difficult about what's here – anyone can do this! If you're able to figure out how to bolt all that stuff together, you should be able to bend and solder wire! It's just a matter of doing it and your process gets easier with every one you build!  EZ stuff, and fun to do!! 

 

 

 

[James Wendel]

Well, Rich, looks like this thread has been hijacked and laid to waste by the "my way is better" crowd". 

 

'Tis a pity that.

[Dennis David]

And why? There is more than enough threads on scratchbuilding. Why can't people have threads on other aspects of the hobby?