1/43 scale sidewinder gift card chassis
I noticed that credit cards or gift cards where about the right size to make a slot car chassis in 1/43 scale. So I developed this technique and have named them Gift Card Chassis (GCC) Sidewinders. Here I will show how I turn a free gift card into smooth running capable slot car using some low cost components.
First order of business is to obtain the parts needed for this build
- Gift Card. Ask politely at retailers. Depending on the teller, I get empty blank cards for free this way.
- Lego I use the single block of Lego for the rear bearing blocks.
- Motor Mounts Cut in half and modified
- Axles I found 2mm axles shfts form this vendor
- Gears www.ebay.com/usr/homemart.usa?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754
- Bearings www.ebay.com/usr/speed_mart?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754
- Wheels www.ebay.com/usr/kuky63?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754
- Motors This is the heart of the car. There are many inexpensive choices out there. I like the N class (12 x 10 x 16mm) with a 1mm shaft . These are available in many different RPM ratings. 30000 rpm will really move a car along
- stores.ebay.com/22newcentury/Micro-Motors-/_i.html?_fsub=7991683015&_sid=340637155&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
The Build
I believe a picture tells a thousand words so hopefully the pictures offer enough instruction for you to follow along and build your own chassis.
The capacitor( 0.1uF 50V Multilayer Monolithic Ceramic Capacitor) is used to filter out electrical noise so it does not interfere with any electrical timing system you might be using. I got mine from this site
www.ebay.com/usr/tayda2009?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754
You may need to add a 1 Watt 15 ohm resistor as well to bring the Motor RPM down. This will depend on your power supply, controller and motor combo.
In the picture below you square styrene tube has been used to stiffen the chassis. In addition brass strip has been added for side pods to increase weight for this no Mag chassis. As development has progressed on this chassis I no longer use the styrene square tubing as the brass strips do the job.
The capacitor( 0.1uF 50V Multilayer Monolithic Ceramic Capacitor) is used to filter out electrical noise so it does not interfere with any electrical timing system you might be using. I got mine from this site
www.ebay.com/usr/tayda2009?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754
You may need to add a 1 Watt 15 ohm resistor as well to bring the Motor RPM down. This will depend on your power supply, controller and motor combo.
In the picture below you square styrene tube has been used to stiffen the chassis. In addition brass strip has been added for side pods to increase weight for this no Mag chassis. As development has progressed on this chassis I no longer use the styrene square tubing as the brass strips do the job.
I have also used other plastic material besides gift card. I built 6 digital chassis using the plastic from scrap Carrera track I had laying around. Layout is basically the same but the stiffer plastic meant I didn't have to stiffen the frame, and as this chassis has a magnet ,the weight of the brass strip was not required.
These chassis are fitted with Carrera D132 chips giving me a full functioning digital layout in 143 scale.
These chassis are fitted with Carrera D132 chips giving me a full functioning digital layout in 143 scale.