Lunar Rover (prototype)

[Functional Artist]

Lightening brake parts

To help lighten things up a bit, I added some "stylish" holes to the side of the brake pedal
...& also to the connecting/push rod

Also, added a couple of "stylishly lightened" gussets to the lower mid frame connection

 

[Brianator]

Coming along great man, keep up the good work!

 

[PullHorse]

Do you sharpen your drill bits or just replace them? So many holes drilled! Looks really great.

 

[Functional Artist]

Do you sharpen your drill bits or just replace them? So many holes drilled! Looks really great.

Thanks, fellas!

I've never had much luck sharpening drill bits
...unless it was used for wood or plastic (just for a cleaner hole)
...but, not metal

Harbor Freight is my friend

The trick, I've learned, when using drill bits & even hole saws when working with metal is to
…keep the speed down (speed creates heat, heat "kills" drill bits
…& using some cutting oil is very helpful with the bigger bits & hole saws

 

[Functional Artist]

Throttle Pedal Mounting Plate

I made up, aligned & welded on, a good-n-solid mounting plate for the throttle pedal

Just had to make sure the bolt holes lined up with the "openings" in the floor board

Well, most of 'em do

 

[Functional Artist]

Power System Monitor

I've been thinkin' about "how to" monitor the power systems on the Rover

A PZEM-051 DC Digital Multi-function Meter should do the trick
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=42102

This will provide the Astro-driver with info on
...the Voltage (V) Voltage of the Battery pack
...the Current (A) Amps being drawn from the battery
...the Power (W) Wattage of the component drawing power
…& also, the Energy (Wh) Battery pack capacity

I was also thinkin' that I want to mount this meter into some kind of a "box"
...instead of just on or into the dash board

I have an old/non-working Tom Tom GPS
...that I think, I can maybe "gut" & then, mount this meter into

After disassembly, I used the GPS "screen" as a template to make a "replacement", out of some plastic
…& then, made a cut-out in the "replacement plastic screen", for the PZEM-051 meter

Yup, that should do it!

 

[Functional Artist]

Next, I used the "cut-out" in the "replacement plastic screen" as a template to mark where the meter needs to extend thru, the back of the GPS "shell"
...& then, did some whittlin' to get the back to fit on/around the meter

* Notice the before (GPS) & after (PZEM-051 meter) pic
...maybe a hint of things to come

 

[Functional Artist]

Gettin' back to the chassis

I installed some "front teeth" (OK I think that's enough "metal") let's move on

We've had a few nice days so, I took 'er outside
...& done some/lots more "cleanin' up" too (deburrin', smoothin' & sandin')

 

[Functional Artist]

Primed Chassis

A Nice sunny ~70* day for early April & I put 'er to good use

After a final "go over" (actually a couple of "go overs") I gave the chassis a "bath" (good wipe down)
...with/in some paint thinner

Since, it was mostly "bare" metal, I used some (white) Clean Metal Primer to seal 'er up

 

[Functional Artist]

I figured the tail needed a couple of gussets
...thoughtfully lightened
…& then, strategically placed

First, I worked on a gusset plate for the upper junction

So, I measured. marked & cut out a piece of metal
...gave 'er a custom curve
…& then, added some stylish holes

 

[Functional Artist]

I made a couple of smaller gussets out of the same material
…& then, added some "stylish" holes in them too

Clamped 'em in place
…& welded 'em on

* For a "cleaner look" I welded 'em on from the back side

**Notice the "bluing"?
Those are "heat marks" that show/indicates that the welds got some decent "penetration"

 

[Functional Artist]

Rear Motor Mount Plate

To mount the rear motor I found/am using a piece of 1/8" steel ~4" wide, that has a ~1/2" "lip" running along each side
...one side is bent up & the other side is bent downward

It should be "good-n-rigid" but, still kinda light weight
...may add some "stylish" holes to make 'er even lighter

First. I had to assemble the axle, bearings, sprocket & wheels
…& then, assemble/arrange/align the mount, motor, sprocket & chain

Centered the motor in the frame (kinda like the front motor is)
...aligned the motor & chain
…& marked where the motor mounting holes need to be

Then, took 'er over to the drill press & did some drillin' & machinin'
…'til the "square" under the head of 5/16" carriage bolts slide smoothly in the slots

 

[Brianator]

At the risk of being "that guy" I have to ask.... why haven't you entered this into the build off? With the progress you're making you'd easily make the deadline, just sayin'.

 

[PullHorse]

Ya I think this is a pretty cool build too. You do things your way and it's fun.

 

[Functional Artist]

Thanks fellas
...just doin my thing

My left brain has been workin' on...
...maybe I'll enter my next project

So, after tac-in' the motor mount, in place, I reassembled everything on the tail (again)
...just to double check

Yup, looks pretty good

Then, welded 'er on good
...from up underneath, for a cleaner look

 

[Functional Artist]

Made in USA

While cleanin' up the tail, I had a "vision"
...well, maybe more like an idea
...but, it was kinda like I could actually "see it", when the idea "struck"

He...He, I said struck

So, I used my 1/4" steel stamper set to "mark" 'er
...made in USA
...or property of USA

I centered & punched the "S" first
...then evenly spaced & punched the "U" & the "A"

 

[Functional Artist]

Primin' the Tail

After lots & lots of clean up
…& then, a bath in some paint thinner

I got the tail sealed up/primed

 

[TheDudeWithTheDeuce]

What does it look like now? Its been awhile since the last post.

 

[Brianator]

What does it look like now? Its been awhile since the last post.

Lol. That's a knee slapper if I ever heard one!

 

[Functional Artist]

What does it look like now? Its been awhile since the last post.

Gotta let 'er dry
...but so, far white
...very white