Anyone boil parts from their M18T to make them more durable?

MojoManDan · 03-06-2009, 02:12 PM

Hey guys,

I agree with many that the XRay 1/18 line is among the best handling mini trucks out there. But I have had poor luck with mine while racing...broken steering knuckle, broken upper arms, broken stock CVDs. All resulting from minor impacts due to imperfect landings (cartwheels and such) on carpet tracks. My RC18Ts and RC18Rs had no such breakages, keeping in line with their reputation for durability.

So, there have been threads here on boiling plastic parts to make them less brittle, and better able to withstand impacts.

Has anyone tried that with the more delicate parts from their XRay M18Ts?

Thanks!

iPearl · 03-06-2009, 02:30 PM

You running it stock or a conversion on it ?

MojoManDan · 03-06-2009, 02:36 PM

I am running it stock, and would prefer not to have to buy metal parts.

iPearl · 03-06-2009, 02:50 PM

Thats odd.
No didnt mean to say to buy metal parts.
As far as i know metal parts+Plastic make thing break even easier.

I have M18 the platic is the same as the M18T and seems to be holding up to my abuse.

You might have had some Dry Sun rotten parts ? maybe ???
I never heard of boiling parts O.o

Mini_Me · 03-06-2009, 03:53 PM

Sounds like you might want to invest in the T-bone wider front basher bumper for the M18T.

PierreV · 03-06-2009, 04:31 PM

Dan,

I've heard just after I came back from the nats about the boiling thing. I'll give it a try and see... There's no doubt that the upper arms are a very weak link on the M18T. Most people agree that the handling is awesome and most have also stopped using the truck because of it's fragility there. The few drivers I know who were driving them this past weekend were top notch drivers who hit the boards much less then I do - therefore making a successful run with the truck....my driving isn't that clean.

Wide bumper is fine - however hitting the wheel itself will also cause breakage...

xrayzone · 03-06-2009, 04:55 PM

Yeah, I have the same problem. I broke a susp. arm a few days ago but that was because I ran my mamba 6800 powered M18t pro into a wall at full speed! I guess that ramp wasn't as big as I thought!

MojoManDan · 03-06-2009, 05:14 PM

Hey Mini Me,

Believe it or not, I was using the T-Bone wide front bumper when those breakages occurred!

Pierre, I believe you are right. An imperfect landing (ie, most of my landings) where a wheel takes the brunt most probably led to my troubles. I suppose I have nothing to lose by making XRay soup some time soon.

I appreciate everyone's very quick input!

Dan

MojoManDan · 03-11-2009, 08:32 AM

Well, I took one extra upper arm and boiled it for 30 minutes last night. MMMMM boy, the broth tasted good after that!!

Anyway, I let the water (and the upper arm in the water) cool down to room temp overnight. I checked the "pliability" of the arm before and after this process, and I must say that it is much more pliable now than before the soup treatment.

I realize that an increase in parts flexibility may adversely affect handling, but since I am not a champion racer, I don't think it should hurt things from my standpoint. Anyway, if this does translate to better durability, then I will be most happy.

Lightin' · 03-11-2009, 08:53 AM

The idea of "boiling parts" came about way back in the day when RC10 suspension pieces were made out of nylon and were very pliable. It was actually done to stiffen them up a little, and afterwards guys hit upon the idea of colorcoordinating their cars and used Rite fabric dye to dye the nylon parts to match and customize their parts to match their paintjobs.
While nylon is technically a plastic, modern RC cars have a higher concentration of plastic and parts are more brittle than they were back in the day when nylon or delrin was the norm. So to me the idea of boiling parts is just a carryover from a bygone era.

XRay cars and trucks are sweethandling, but aren't particularly know for their toughness or bashability. They make racers, not bashers. As someone else mentioned, the upper echelon drivers that race them don't hit things while bashers might be better served by purchasing a truck that's more durable.

Boiling plastic parts might soften them slightly for a time, because heat does soften plastic, but I can't really see where it would be of any longterm benefit as the part dries out and cools off. Even a short period of time.
Molecularly-speaking, plastic isn't particularly known for it's water absorbtion capabilities. So I really don't seeing it being of any benefit. Maybe a placebo, but nothing more.

MojoManDan · 03-11-2009, 09:49 AM

Lightin',

I had wondered about the possibility of the plastic returning to its original rigidity after a period of time, so thank you for your input. I suppose I will wait and see.

I will say that in early February, I boiled some plastic zip ties because they were very brittle and snapped any time I tried to use them. To this day, they remain just as pliable as the day they were boiled. Of course, they can be made of a different plastic than the XRay parts, resulting in having different properties and response to the boiling process, but it is an interesting finding (at least I think so

)

tbrich · 05-07-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MojoManDan

Lightin',

I had wondered about the possibility of the plastic returning to its original rigidity after a period of time, so thank you for your input. I suppose I will wait and see.
))

Hey, this is Rich over at T-Bone. FYI, nylon can be water conditioned allowing it to be more flexible. We have recently introduced that process in our manufacturing of the nylon bumpers. Keep in mind though, that in a dry climate they will lose some of the water content. That is the characteristic of nylon.