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 Posted 1/7/2014 7:50:14 PM |
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Junior Member
 
Last Login: 11/18/2015 2:24:13 PM
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Well, here goes, I'm going to start on a BatPod for my 4 year old son. He is a pretty skilled rider, and I will do lots of testing and safety precautions before he ever opens it up.
The scale is approximately 2/5, or 40%. The wheelbase from axle to axle is about 39". The tires will be front tires from a riding lawn mower. And the powerplant is a 49cc 2stroke PocketBike motor.
I'm not going to go too crazy with perfect detail, since ridability for a kid is the most important factor, but I want it to basically look like the real thing. I haven't found any done yet in this scale for this purpose, but that's not to say there aren't some out there. If you know of any, let me know.
I am currently at the planning, and cardboard mock up stage, but am itching to start cutting and grinding some steel.
I'm a computer guy by day, builder by night. I have build many things, but the most applicable thing to this build is a 1/4 Scale Sherman Tank (actually closer to 1/3 scale, it got bigger after I started). I documented that whole build here travbowls.com. And I will probably start a blog for this build also. Although I expect this to be much easier, and not take over 2 years. Well, wish me luck. i'm sure I will be soliciting advice from the Batman experts on this site.
Thanks in advance for the help,
Travis
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| Posted 1/8/2014 12:01:04 AM |
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Forum Guru
Last Login: 10/10/2023 2:34:08 PM
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Loving the tank build. Very innovative.. Good luck on the Pod.
www.spidey4fun.com
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| Posted 1/10/2014 2:50:37 PM |
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Junior Member
Last Login: 11/18/2015 2:24:13 PM
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Started with the pivot point of the chassis. For the scale I'm building, it should be sufficiently strong. The pivot bolt with be a 5/8" bolt.
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| Posted 1/12/2014 5:45:42 AM |
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Forum Guru
Last Login: 10/10/2023 2:34:08 PM
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What's the black bearing housing?
www.spidey4fun.com
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| Posted 1/13/2014 4:55:06 AM |
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Junior Member
Last Login: 11/18/2015 2:24:13 PM
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The black housing is UHMW plastic that i cut with a hole saw from a sheet of 1/2". Then I used a 1- 3/8" forstner bit for a flat bottom hole over half way through, for the bearing to press into. I'm a big fan of UHMW, and will use it for a lot on this build, like chain guides, guards, and slides for sure. Anyways, here's how it turned out...
I also started on the connecting box of the front end, by cutting up and welding some brackets from a previous project...
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| Posted 1/15/2014 2:56:41 AM |
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Junior Member
Last Login: 11/18/2015 2:24:13 PM
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Got more done on the frontend, so far so good:
And traced the frame shapes onto some sheet steel
Here's my motor setup. I'll have to modify/re-route the exhaust, hope the gas tank fits. But it even came with a jackshaft I'm sure I will put to use later on...
(p.s. Thanks Shaggy for the answer in the other thread about the only-for-looks shock on the front-end)
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| Posted 1/23/2014 1:54:30 PM |
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Junior Member
Last Login: 11/18/2015 2:24:13 PM
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Getting some more frame work done.
Note that these are just set there to check aligment and angles. Also the rear part of the frame which is square tube, will be modified later to look more like the real frame, depending on how I end up hiding the drive chains etc.
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| Posted 1/26/2014 1:18:02 AM |
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Junior Member
Last Login: 11/18/2015 2:24:13 PM
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I got even more inspiration for the project today at Comic Con in Portland! We had a great time the whole family dressed up, and we even made the @WizardWorld twitter feed: See it here
I also tacked the frame together, and kinda mocked it up to see what this things gonna look like. So far so good. Next I'll probably start working on the rear end.
You can also see how perfectly sized the engine should end up being.
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| Posted 1/27/2014 11:10:05 AM |
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You reap what you sow
Last Login: 9/19/2023 12:52:32 AM
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Looks great. Keep us updated.
 
 
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| Posted 1/29/2014 6:22:05 PM |
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Junior Member
Last Login: 11/18/2015 2:24:13 PM
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Thanks Bozo, I will definitly keep this thread alive. I have the bulder's fever now, always thinking of upcoming steps, and how to get there. And looking for stuff I could adapt to use in the build.
I'm currently doing the oh-so-important rear end, which houses the drivetrain. I was going to skimp out, and do visible chains, but I just can't help trying to keep it as close to the real thing as I can, within reason of course.
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