Tether Car Speed entry

I did see that but decided to build it anyway, probably should have said this "would" have been my entry.
I'm not worried about the competition not going ahead, I'm just glad it gave me the motivation to start this build.
I just want to see if it works.

I think that any interested forum members should still work on a design. Dave (from New Zealand) is obviously serious about competing! Lets build off his energy!

Took a bit of time-out from other jobs to finish the engine mount today.

Heck, contest or no contest I'm eager to see Dave's final product!

Part 2

It was here while undergoing air flow tests (compressed air) that it became obvious I had greatly underestimated the weight of the rear section of the vehicle and overestimated the weight of the engine. This can happen frequently when using the guesstimation formula so it's one of the reasons I had two templates made.
I say to people there are no mistakes (nice way of putting it) in my rubbish bin but, “there are a lot of prototypes”.





So I cut the axle mounting section out of the spare template and folded it into shape.




Then cut the axle sections off the main chassis




Briefly experimented with different mounting positions




Decided it needed to be adjustable





I cut 40mm off each side of the rear spoiler to reduce weight in that area and also added some more holes for more adjustment.
Then shaped and cleaned up the chassis.




Starting to get somewhere.




Had a spare nacelle in the cupboard thanks to Chris Vaughn at Red Venom Repros. I’d sent him some nos Cox Shrike parts to make new moulds and get colour matches and when he sent my ones back, he put a lot of other bits in. Real nice guy.
I’m not a fan of the self-tapping screw mounting arrangement so for custom builds I like to modify the nacelles for machine screws and nuts.




Happy with the progress so far. Added two more holes for adjustment. Always have plenty of holes in stock though sometimes finding the right size can be difficult.
Snoopy seems happy with it



Next job is to clean up the axle mount

Beautiful work Dave, what are you going to use for tires?

Do you have your own water jet cutter or are you sending it out?

This is interesting:

https://www.plantservices.com/blogs/plant-nexus/diy-make-your-own-water-jet-cutter-for-less-than-200/

Hi Bob
You can just see the tires in the bottom left corner of the last photo. They're the knife edge speed type I've used on previous builds.
I get the waterjet cutting done by a company that just does that. I've dealt with them since they started, they understand my scribblings, don't mind doing small jobs and send it straight back by courier and email me the bill later.

The pressure cleaner turned waterjet cutter is an interesting read but it's a bit like welding.
I just don't do enough to justify the setup and learn how to do it properly to be able to do it myself.

Hi Eric
I kind of knew before I started that this build would be a series of constant changes as it progressed but that’s part of the challenge and the fun for me.
Overcoming each issue as it arises. Might be able to get it to work okay, might not.
Might end up the “Looked Good, Went Rubbish” cabinet  

Thanks Dave, I see them now. Your water jet cutting company sounds like a great place to do business. Setting an example that others should follow.

Bob

Cleaned and sorted the axle mount and also did a drawing of the tether arm and sent that off to the Waterjet cutters.
The template arrived and, in my haste, I didn’t have it properly secured in the mill where it came loose and promptly became a prototype.
I tell people there are no mistakes (nice word here) in my workshop bin but there are quite a few prototypes.

Anyway, I had to make the embarrassing call, admit my error (much laughter on the other end of the phone) and ask to have not one but two cut so that this time, I had a spare. Should have done that in the first place.

Got the milling done this time no problem at all and made a slotted hole in the end for the tether wire.
Usually always goes that way when you have a spare.



Had some spare time so shaped the edges and gave it a good polish.
This build has been dragging on a bit and poor Snoopy was almost at the end of his tether.



So, I decided to get into it and keep at it until it was finished
The underside arrangement with a little bit of outwards thrust on the engine.



An old plastic pill container (have heaps of those in several sizes) got cut up to make a seat and the top off another one became the cushion.
The final product with one happy pilot

Yep sure will Eric.
Went and saw my mate today who has the yard where we ran the car that's my avatar. Will give that a run at the same time.