Calipers

[Hopelessnewbie]

How do you install and use a caliper? I bought one that looks a bit like a ruler with teeth on one end. How do I apply it to my car?

[MadCow2357]

Maboi, it would help if you took some time to do some research . A ton has already been mentioned on this topic, and also you didn't have to create a whole new topic for this. There is already a caliper steering topic, and this coulda been posted in the main topic...

Here's a hint: watch Nestor Tkachenko's EV video on youtube

[Hopelessnewbie]

I am so sorry to bother you given that I've already learned so much from you, but is it necessary to have ball bearings? My car uses a wheel and axle format.

[waffletree]

I am so sorry to bother you given that I've already learned so much from you, but is it necessary to have ball bearings? My car uses a wheel and axle format.

ideally. it reduces friction and makes it run smoother. also this is the wrong topic and like madcow said theres already pretty much a topic for everything already like calipers, and for that^^ question, the wheels topic would be better

[MadCow2357]

I am so sorry to bother you given that I've already learned so much from you, but is it necessary to have ball bearings? My car uses a wheel and axle format.

No problem, just make sure to avoid creating topics unless necessary in the future. I'm honored to know that you have learned a lot from me considering that I'm nowhere near being an expert this means a lot to me.

Bearings are strongly recommended because they reduce friction as waffetree said, and also because they are much more durable than bushings. If you are on a tight budget, bushings will also work but bearings are usually considered to be worthwhile investments.

[builder83]

I am so sorry to bother you given that I've already learned so much from you, but is it necessary to have ball bearings? My car uses a wheel and axle format.

No problem, just make sure to avoid creating topics unless necessary in the future. I'm honored to know that you have learned a lot from me considering that I'm nowhere near being an expert this means a lot to me.

Bearings are strongly recommended because they reduce friction as waffetree said, and also because they are much more durable than bushings. If you are on a tight budget, bushings will also work but bearings are usually considered to be worthwhile investments.

Just curious. Do you actually lock your (inner) bearing to a threaded rod? It's not easy to do. I use bushings because everybody I have seen using bearings get oversized bearings which... are essentially bushings anyway. Speed should be a non-issue with 8 batteries. Can get 5 lb car 10 meters in 3 or 4 seconds if you wanted to (just good luck stopping it!)

[MadCow2357]

No problem, just make sure to avoid creating topics unless necessary in the future. I'm honored to know that you have learned a lot from me considering that I'm nowhere near being an expert this means a lot to me.

Bearings are strongly recommended because they reduce friction as waffetree said, and also because they are much more durable than bushings. If you are on a tight budget, bushings will also work but bearings are usually considered to be worthwhile investments.

Just curious. Do you actually lock your (inner) bearing to a threaded rod? It's not easy to do. I use bushings because everybody I have seen using bearings get oversized bearings which... are essentially bushings anyway. Speed should be a non-issue with 8 batteries. Can get 5 lb car 10 meters in 3 or 4 seconds if you wanted to (just good luck stopping it!)

No, I don't lock the inner bearing to the threaded rod. I did buy liquid nail to do that last season, but I never used it. That's a good point, if you don't have the threaded rod and inner bearing bearing connected it is very much like a bushing.

I believe there are two differences, however, one being the fact that bearings are more durable than bushings. The spinning thread on the threaded rod can really wear down a plastic bushing, even a durable nylon one. Because ball bearings are metal and have the balls to reduce friction, they are much more durable and also less susceptible to the threaded rod spinning by itself. That is, because the frictional force between the threaded rod and the inner bearing is usually greater than the frictional force between the inner bearing and the outer bearing. Thus, the bearing is usually the part that is spinning, not the threaded rod inside the bearing. That preserves the state of the threaded rod, and encounters less friction than a bushing would.

Speed is an issue, however, last year at nationals many of the best teams were getting within 10 centimeters at 2-3 second speeds. So while the speed difference between using bearings and bushing may not seem big, at the highest levels of competition speed is also very important. Not sure what you mean by "good luck stopping the buggy", since buggies can stop easily at higher speeds than you described. My nationals buggy had a time of 2.7 seconds and it stopped very very smoothly.

[builder83]

No problem, just make sure to avoid creating topics unless necessary in the future. I'm honored to know that you have learned a lot from me considering that I'm nowhere near being an expert this means a lot to me.

Bearings are strongly recommended because they reduce friction as waffetree said, and also because they are much more durable than bushings. If you are on a tight budget, bushings will also work but bearings are usually considered to be worthwhile investments.

Just curious. Do you actually lock your (inner) bearing to a threaded rod? It's not easy to do. I use bushings because everybody I have seen using bearings get oversized bearings which... are essentially bushings anyway. Speed should be a non-issue with 8 batteries. Can get 5 lb car 10 meters in 3 or 4 seconds if you wanted to (just good luck stopping it!)

No, I don't lock the inner bearing to the threaded rod. I did buy liquid nail to do that last season, but I never used it. That's a good point, if you don't have the threaded rod and inner bearing bearing connected it is very much like a bushing.

I believe there are two differences, however, one being the fact that bearings are more durable than bushings. The spinning thread on the threaded rod can really wear down a plastic bushing, even a durable nylon one. Because ball bearings are metal and have the balls to reduce friction, they are much more durable and also less susceptible to the threaded rod spinning by itself. That is, because the frictional force between the threaded rod and the inner bearing is usually greater than the frictional force between the inner bearing and the outer bearing. Thus, the bearing is usually the part that is spinning, not the threaded rod inside the bearing. That preserves the state of the threaded rod, and encounters less friction than a bushing would.

Speed is an issue, however, last year at nationals many of the best teams were getting within 10 centimeters at 2-3 second speeds. So while the speed difference between using bearings and bushing may not seem big, at the highest levels of competition speed is also very important. Not sure what you mean by "good luck stopping the buggy", since buggies can stop easily at higher speeds than you described. My nationals buggy had a time of 2.7 seconds and it stopped very very smoothly.

Just meant that 8 batteries can move even a heavy buggy fast. But the heavier the buggy the harder it is to stop. Most my times this year are between 3.5 and 4. I just am trying to make sure no skid (Always seems to be the biggest issue I have with buggy.)

Good points on your reply thanks!