Build Thread Mini crawler modular course build

[bozo]

Decided to do a modular mini crawler course- don't have the room to do one of those epic courses seen online... DRAT!
I used some 3/8" ply for the base and 1" foam insulation for the layers, all foam glued together. $18 in so far.
First module is 1' x 2' with an elevation of 9". There are three approaches to the top- a 35, 45 and a 55 degree one. At the top will be posts for a bridge to the next module. The bottom uncut layer will have some whoop-de-doos carved in.
After the glue sets up I'll start fine carving and testing before I cover it with plaster cloth and texturing.
Any tricks or suggestions are greatly appreciated, this is my first attempt at doing one.

 

[WickedFog]

Foam cutters help This is the one I got, snd I love it...
Genround DIY Hot Wire Foam Cutter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ3VE4J?starsLeft=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_dp_D2VF3Y68VMY1C7SV57M2
Looking great so far. One of these days I'll get back to work on ours.

 

[Tunedfrog]

Fun.

 

[luke66]

nice!

 

[JustnWynn]

looks pretty awesome so far

 

[majin]

thats gonna be hella fun

 

[bozo]

Foam cutters help

Got one, using it to finesse the edges.
Got a problem tho... both my Axial rigs climb it too easily. Going to have to make it more difficult.
Here's some progress...

 

[Lucifur10]

Awesome. Are you going to tie them together with some sort of bridge? Endless possibilities there

 

[bozo]

Are you going to tie them together with some sort of bridge?

Yup. Gonna use bridges to tie multiple modules together. This one will have two bridges at the top at right angles.

 

[Doom!]

I have been meaning to do this for a while, but my work space in the garage keeps getting taken over. Just got Xmas off the garage floor, now need to find the surface of my workbench. I have been collecting all kinds of styrofoam packaging for a while. This might get me off my butt and back to it, thanks for the inspiration, yours is off to a great start.

 

[Tunedfrog]

I've been wanting to build a course out in the back yard but my health is slowing me down a bit.
I have a course built down in my shop but I don't use it much. There is boxes of stuff piled up on it.

 

[TeknoJ]

I did this same thing, yet used cardboard boxes and spray foam. I painted it with some grays and browns, then used a clear sealer for abrasion resistance. Something like flex seal spray would work. Yours looks good, it will be fun.

 

[bozo]

now need to find the surface of my workbench

I haven't seen the top of my workbench in a looong time- I can relate!
I watched a few videos on kit courses, way overpriced and pretty limited.
Kit course
I'm thinking the next module will be made from 8" craft sticks
Craft sticks
I figure 100 sticks, a hot melt glue gun and a pot of coffee

I've been wanting to build a course out in the back yard but my health is slowing me down a bit.

I've been slowly collecting rocks for the same reason. Ms. Bozo has OK'd a "rock garden" in the back yard (heh heh heh- little does she know...). My health issues also are why I'm moving more to mini crawlers. Less walking and you can sit down while running them.

 

[bozo]

They couldn't wait...
And no, the Hummer can't climb it,

 

[TeknoJ]

They couldn't wait...
And no, the Hummer can't climb it,
View attachment 182860View attachment 182861

I like that body on whatever rig that is, looks kinda like that monster truck that’s supposed to be an earth Vader helmet or something. I can’t remember what the name of it is.
What is that body?

 

[bozo]

What is that body?

1938 Ford by Lindberg. Out of production but still available.
'38 Ford custom

 

[TeknoJ]

They call it Doomsday

1938 Ford by Lindberg. Out of production but still available.
'38 Ford custom
View attachment 182939

I like how you chopped it up like that, beautiful paint on a beautiful rig!

 

[bozo]

I like how you chopped it up like that, beautiful paint on a beautiful rig!

Thanks!
It's got a stock AX24 frame. The Ford body fits nicely between the rock light bezels and the rock slider edges., but I had to cut most of the bottom front off to clear the servo.
You could probably modify the Ford body into Doomsday. That would be a wild machine!

 

[TeknoJ]

I swear that’s what you were going for, looks just like it!

 

[bozo]

Did some carving with a Dremel using a mini wire wheel. Works really good for the fine touches, I'll do some more testing and then apply plaster cloth and plaster of paris. An old model railroader trick is to use heavy duty aluminium foil crumpled up then unfolded (keeping texture) as rock molds. I also have some Woodland Scenics rock molds I may use also. There are lots of instructionals on the tubes on how to do this.
Rock molds