| I made a tool that lets me cut the posts down a little at a time. I have a stock chassis with cut rails (no magnets or brushes) that I use for test-fitting. It has a very long rear axle made from 1/16" piano wire that sticks out about an inch on each side of the body, and has a TJet hub superglued on one end. I can spin the motor/geartrain/arm with it and if it spins free, there's no binding or rubbing. It also is long enough to show me if I'm "straight" with the body. Usually I cut out the side windows, remove the front "tab" from the glass, then sand and file the glass until it >just< covers the window openings. Then I start on the posts, and work them down until the hood rests either on or almost on the flat front of the gearplate, and the rear gear still does not touch the rear glass. You have to sort of "aim" the chassis at the front post by cutting the rear post at a slight angle so things don't bind up when you put the screws (which I like to leave a bit loose, supergluing the guidepin). Then I start test fitting the actual chassis (with the front and rear tires/hubs). I usually have to roto-file a good amount from the rear wheelwells, but if the front is getting 3/16" or 1/4" diameter weights, sometimes the front wells are ok without cutting. It's another reason I like the 1 and 5/16" width rule; with most wide fronts, no cutting of the front wells is needed, the tires are out past the plastic. The JL Camaro is great for lowering, the Chevelle is just as nice though a bit more work. My old "favorite", the JL Vette GS, is a bit heavy to keep up with these two...... Chevy power...... how sweet it is.
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| Making the bit. It started life as a #7 drill bit (.201"), though if I made another I think I'd use a #5 or #4 (.205" or .209" diameter). It's tough getting the flutes ground back flat and even, while leaving a tip to keep it centered.
Then you sharpen the cutting edges for plastic (basicly, just take off the leading edge so they are flat not razor sharp, it keeps the flutes from digging in and breaking the post). | |  |  | |
