246 replies to this topic

[MarkH]

I designed this in Solidworks over a year ago with some of the parts tucked away just waiting for the time to work it in. This is extremely simple to use and should fit almost anything needing a body.

 

Plenty of room for the guide to be positioned where you need it. Note the undercuts for front wheel clearance.

 

The blocks slide along the slot and rotate about the bolt in the thumb screw for easy alignment.

 

Just center the chassis and tape it into place square and straight

 

Loosen the thumb screws and align the pointed pins with tubing / body pin hole. Then tighten to set position at all 4 locations.

 

Position body on the block as needed and push the pin through the body at all 4 locations.

 

Remove body and repeat. Just leave the chassis in place and mount as many bodies as you need. Leave it setup and you can just reposition another chassis to mount more bodies later.

 

I will only be making these in batches of 10 to keep machining cost down. $75 + USPS priority mail = $90

Just PM me and I will get back to you ASAP.

[MarkH]

Just a note that was over looked in the original post. I will be finishing the first batch this week. Priority postage to lower 48 at $15. Will ship outside USA but postage will be adjusted to cover costs.

Thanks for understanding.

 

Edit: 1-7 6:05 CT,

it was brought to my attention pins tubes for retro builders could be repeatably located. These are 1/16" pins to punch the hole in the body so works out good. Just slide in some pin tubing and your good to go.

[MarkH]

6 of the first 10 have been spoken for.

 

Edit, make that 7 units now spoken for.

 

Edit, only 2 units left from the first batch of 10.

[A. J. Hoyt]

Mark, that's a real fine design, adaptable for just about any chassis for any class.

 

One nice additional feature might be to make a sheet metal part that would clamp between both of the aft pin guide blocks with a slot adjustment that would hang over the aft end of the body to help set the height of the rear of the body per the rules of Can Am, Coupe and F1 Retro racing, compensating for the rear ground clearance, of course.

 

Using SolidWorks is a great idea for developing these concepts. I have used it to design my Retro chassis and supporting hardware for many years.

 

Happy New Year to everyone and keep it in the slot (it's just a good neighbor policy if you get to race with these same racers again!), 

 

AJ

[MarkH]

AJ, thanks for the kind words. I have been some form of cad system for more than 25 years it just seems like my right hand anymore. 

 

I have to admit I am a bit lost on your suggestion. Obviously there is a need I just cannot wrap my head around what you are asking for. Can you please elaborate or point to a picture?

[Samiam]

Mark,

 

I think what he is looking for is an adjustable " kick stand " to go up under the body to hold it at the legal max. rear height of the body . This is measured from the surface to the top of body. So some sort of way to extend the rear of the deck to get the measurement is needed. Or we just measure from bench top and subtract fixture height.

 

I get this set when trimming the body. I use a block to set the car on that is just shy of the chassis width. In the case of IRRA, 3.125" . I use PdL's method of shims between body and rear tires.  I then mark the body and do final trim.  

[MarkH]

OK, I understand.

[MarkH]

Only 1 unit left.

Per the thoughts above, and something I over looked, I will add some additional length so the rear height can be measured. I will also add provisions to use the items below at no extra charge for the first 10 units.

 

I will design a rear spoiler height stop bracket and for the retro drivers a front axle locator.

 

Hard body racers, how do you your bodies? ie: what kind of fasteners and what size are they

Drag racers, how long of a block would you need? What height do you pin / fasten the body?

 

Thanks for all the interest and great ideas to improve this first release.

[Kehlo]

Hi Mark,

 

how much would be shipping to Germany? Do you plan to sell it via distributors?

 

Thank you,

Christian

[MarkH]

Looked on line for an International USPS shipping price. I will stop by the Post Office tomorrow to make sure they are correct and get back to everyone.

Thanks

Mark

[MarkH]

Hi Christian, The last one of this batch was sold earlier this morning. I can put you on a list for the next batch.

 

I really did not expect this kind of response but it is very nice to see there is a need. Not sure about selling through a distributor. I have so much going on I may consider options.

But for now I just want to get these first units out and go from there.

[Kehlo]

Hi Mark,

if total with shipping to Germany included is under $100 I'll take one.

[MarkH]

After some design work trying to incorporate the rear height idea I have decided to not pursue that at this time. It adds too much to the cost when a simple measurement from the table surface will work. I will work on a front axle stop for the Retro drivers but it will work with the features already on the main body tube.

 

 

Thanks

Mark

[MarkH]

The rest of the material was delivered today. I hope to be able to finish up the first batch by tomorrow night and be able to box them up.

[MarkH]

I have finished the machining work on these. It turned out I could make 3 extra with the material that arrived.

 

I have some small detail work to do and make the pins then they will be boxed and shipped.

[MarkH]

Just as a note, I updated the screws to Stainless so the brass nuts do not get rusted to the screws over time. Most likely will not happen but I think it make the product better.

Also as you can see from the picture below I ran an end mill across the top surface to get it as flat as possible. The prototypes were real flat but the new material not so much. Again, just make a better product.

 

 

I have 2 extra units for those who are interested. 

[MarkH]

All of these are now spoken for. It will be a while before I make some more. The new racing karts will be taking the baulk of my machining time.  If any become available due to a change of mind, I will let you know.

 

Thanks to all who found these important enough to purchase.

[Nate Graham]

Just got mine. This... thing ... is ... Gorgeous... !!! solid, stable, flat, precise. 

Nice concept well done.

Nate G

[olescratch]

I was wondering if any of the guys building hardbodied cars have tried this?  It seems to be a handy tool to locate pintubes/holes on the innerside of the car with very little effort, and repeatability. 

[Samiam]

It is one of the reasons I have this new tool. This makes putting the pin hole in a hardbody easy peasy.

[MarkH]

I have been contacted by a couple of member wishing to have one of these. If you remember, my machine time is very booked up building the new racing karts. However, if at least 5 members are interested in purchasing these I will work them in sooner rather than later.

 

So far we are at two. Let me know.

[MarkH]

I have 7 people wishing to purchase the Body Fixture. I will order material this Monday and work these into my machine time over the next couple of weeks.

 

Edit: I will be making another 10 units so 3 are up for grabs

 

Thanks a bunch

Mark

[Cap Henry]

Mark what kind of karts do you build?

[MarkH]

Cap, PM sent

[MarkH]

The next batch of ten has been spoken for.

 

Thanks,

Mark