Basic power functions car chassis

[mahjqa]

Basic version:

Intermediate version:

Many people have asked me for instructions to build power functions cars. However, many of my cars use strange techniques and special parts. This is a low-cost easy-to-build chassis, for the folks who are starting out with PF.

Edited March 18, 2010 by mahjqa

[DLuders]

Boy, that's one COMPACT Power Functions chassis! Thanks for making it available. The car is quite nimble, and your video will help newcomers see how easy it can be! It will get a lot of exposure on YouTube and Flickr (i.e., the pciture sequence http://www.flickr.com/photos/28134808@N02/...57623628460412/ that is linked to your still photograph above). I'm going to build one!

Edited March 16, 2010 by dluders

[Darth Legolas]

Never seen that idea for steering. Does the motor overheat a lot? Shock absorbers are pretty strong, so I can see the beams resetting well, but it looks harsh on the parts.

Thanks!

[allanp]

They are quite strong but by the looks of it, there is alot of "leverage" working against them.

[mahjqa]

They are quite strong but by the looks of it, there is alot of "leverage" working against them.

They are well-balanced this way. I don't recommend driving in circles for minutes on end, but for standard driving it'll do quite nicely.

[mahjqa]

I've edited the first post and added a new chassis. It's a bit bigger, but it should solve all maneuverability problems.

(By the way, I was wondering about the people who have built the basic chassis; did you use the video or the pictures?)

[DLuders]

Thanks for making the "Intermediate Power Functions Chassis" photostream available on Flickr. I was a bit surprised that you didn't include any BIONICLE pieces....

I built the "Basic Chassis" model using the Flickr photos, since I could study the individual part sequences more slowly than would be possible by watching the video. Both of the chassis models are real fun to drive!

[mahjqa]

Thanks for making the "Intermediate Power Functions Chassis" photostream available on Flickr. I was a bit surprised that you didn't include any BIONICLE pieces....

I CAN QUIT ANY TIME I WANT *twitch* And it's not just the Bionicle pieces, I also forced myself not to use the new pieces like the T-liftarm, the shiny 3-beam or the H-frames. After getting used to having many weird parts at my disposal, it was a bit weird to force myself to go back to basics again.

I built the "Basic Chassis" model using the Flickr photos, since I could study the individual part sequences more slowly than would be possible by watching the video. Both of the chassis models are real fun to drive!

Thanks! I'm really glad you got them to work. And it's just awesome to know that someone an ocean away took the time to build my silly little things.

Edited March 18, 2010 by mahjqa

[Ralph_S]

That's very clever and useful. Here and on flickr people often ask how to make a power functions RC car work. Since the ones that I built were also somewhat specialised using very specific constructions and parts, my own solutions aren't always particularly useful for other builders. This chassis looks like a great way to get started. I shall refer them to your pictures in the future

Cheers,

Ralph

[vmln8r]

I just built the intermediate chassis, many miles away in New Zealand Thanks for taking the time to do this

The steering is great, I was worried about damaging the M motor but as you said on Flickr it only seems to cause battery drain. I'll definitely use this sort of technique in the future, especially as I don't have the commonly used hockey springs.

Your building technique is also really impressive and I learnt a lot from it. I just dismantled my failed attempt for the Technic competition (Case Quadtrac Tractor) and I definitely used far too many pieces in an inefficient attempt to reinforce the chassis. Now I'll give it another shot. Thanks again.

[Jetro]

Very nice initiative. A bog thank you from the people on my forum.

I've edited the first post and added a new chassis. It's a bit bigger, but it should solve all maneuverability problems.

(By the way, I was wondering about the people who have built the basic chassis; did you use the video or the pictures?)

Always the pictures. Boy do I hate video instructions