22 replies to this topic

[Robert BG]

Hi,I'm looking for a good basic chassis jig.Something I can add on to later on if possible.Right now it is for wing cars but I also want to try my hand at retro and possibly Eurosport in the future.

 

I used to make I-15 chassis but my jig is long gone but a big part of the fun for me was building and I hope to do the same.I dont have the money to be constantly building wing car motors so I'd like to build chassis again too.

 

 

I also wouldn't be against making one too if someone had a good layout they could share.

 

Also is there any write ups or plans to use as ideas for building your own retro car?

 

Thanks

[slotcarone]

Robert as far as building a retro chassis i would look at the pictures that are posted here by many builders for ideas. If you need dimensions just ask. Just make sure you have the correct soldering iron and plenty of acid.

[Ramcatlarry]

My own experience....the thicker the corian block, the less likely will the jig warp from using a torch on it over a long term.  Metal jigs draw too much heat from the project to be practical, but DO make a good (flatness) inspection and cooling point. Corian CAN be carefully heated in an oven on a flat plate to correct any warpage. A wire bending jig is hard to use when it is part of a soldering jig with the project clamped down.

[Dominator]

Retro pro is my jig of choice.

[Robert BG]

Retro pro is my jig of choice.

I watched the Youtube video on the jig and it was exactly what I wanted.A nice jig that could do bends,yet when I looked it up it seems they changed it to a jig and a bending block?

 

This is the video and while it is hard to see it has provisions for bending 

 

But when I looked it up online its 2 separate jigs now  

 

 

Is the old one still made?I like the original one because my hobbies need to be compact and able to travel.

[garyvmachines]

I LOVE my R-Geo jig ...... Found right hear on Slotblog........

 

GAV

[dc-65x]

Here are some examples of the flexibility of the Rego jig I use:
 

Hi Preston,

I REALLY love my "Rick's Jig" (R-Geo) . It's worked perfectly for angle winder, full sidewinder or inline.......even dual motors and 4WD:

[Dominator]

Robert, I have the one that is pictured on the right in your picture. The wire bender is a good feature as it will allow you to keep a single wire with bends to sit flat. I don't have experience using the bender so I can't give any feedback on it.

[MSwiss]

Is the old one still made?I like the original one because my hobbies need to be compact and able to travel.

Hi Robert,
I'm the distributor of the Retro Pro jig and bender, along with helping Geary with some of the design.

The older, one plate design hasn't been available in quite awhile.

Most people found having to take a chassis, in progress, off the plate, to use the bender, too inconvenient.

Also, with the occasional complaint of warpage from the 1/2" material, Geary with the thicker, .850"ish material for the building plate, about 5 years ago.

[John Streisguth]

If you are serious about building a number of chassis, get the thickest one you can get.  I have two thinner ones (two different brands) that I have had to grind flat.  One (which was "gifted" to me by a prolific chassis builder) had over 20 thousandths dish to the center. Not good for making a flat chassis!

[gc4895]

Rgeo jigs are very nice, however, not readily available in my experience.  Talking with Rgeo I was told at that time that they had not been manufactured in "a while" and there were no current plans to offer them.  I posted a WTB message on this site and it took several weeks for someone to respond.  I was able eventually to purchase a used jig, though without many of the ancillary pegs and pieces.  These I have been able to assemble on my own to complete the set. 

 

I would recommend either the Retro pro noted above (nice wire bending tool!) or the PSC Scratch builder.

 

If you are serious about protecting your jig investment and extending the life of the block I strongly recommend you consider a 6" x 8" x 2" granite surface plate for $21.50 from Grizzly Industrial (www.grizzly.com).  The surface is perfectly flat and impervious to damage short of a sledge hammer.  My experience is you may use your torch with impunity on this granite block.  Save the corian surface of the jig for soldering iron work.  I placed a few felt disks (designed for chair or furniture bottoms) on the bottom of granite plate to make it more table or workbench friendly. 

[tonyp]

I like the Precision jigs.

[Robert BG]

Mike Swiss.........maybe things have changed but I'm a Int-15 fan.That alone should probably explain why I'm one of the few who would prefer the old one that is a pain to use over the new and improved version

 

 

Thanks for all the suggestions,I've got it narrowed down to R-Geo (used a lot of his stuff in the past with no complaints) and the Retro Pro

[slotcarone]

Precision jigs work well.

[Bill from NH]

You won't go wrong no matter whether you buy a Precision, Back-Track, or RGEO jig.  Both Back-Track & RGEO also sell stand-alone wire benders if you're interested. I don't think Precision has one. You can also build both 1/24 & 1/32 chassis on the RGEO jig.

[Mbloes]

. . .  and plenty of acid.

 

I find that I'm not really in the mood to build if I have too much acid.

[Dallas Jackson]

I have a REGO Pro Jig block; after watching the vido I learned a lot more on how to use the block..

Do this more

[Zippity]

The wire bending tool that comes with the retro jig is a great tool.

 

I use mine for bending the "U" brackets for use on Champion Turbo Flex chassis

[James Grandi]

I really like the 2 precision jigs I have. However, for the sake of saving the surface from any chance of warping from higher heat like a torch, I would suggest using the jig to tack-solder things, and then use a granite surface plate for doing the high heat jobs, like soldering on a guide tongue for example. Just my opinion

[Greg VanPeenen]

I really like the 2 precision jigs I have. However, for the sake of saving the surface from any chance of warping from higher heat like a torch, I would suggest using the jig to tack-solder things, and then use a granite surface plate for doing the high heat jobs, like soldering on a guide tongue for example. Just my opinion

Dave at Precision Slot Car does not build jigs he builds fixtures. Just ask him he will tell you in no uncertain terms. LOL

 

They do work and I really like all my PSC Fixtures and tools.

[Bill from NH]

I always thought a fixture was a piece of plumbing.

[Greg VanPeenen]

I always thought a fixture was a piece of plumbing.

Machining for simpletons: A Fixture differs from a jig in that when the fixture is used, the tool must move relative to the workpiece, a jig moves the piece while the tool remains stationary. Now you know that their are fixtures other then the one you flush.

[Bill from NH]

Dave's website comes up no matter whether you search on chassis "jigs" or chassis "fixtures."  So who cares what you call them? "Jigs" requires less typing.   I won't get into the proper use of there, their, & they're.