3D Printed Stainless Steel Outdrives

[mk-Zero]

Since there seems to be a world-wide outdrive shortage for RC10's, I've decided to try printing some from stainless steel.
I bought a NIP pair from aip47-2008 (thanks again man!) and took my measurements from them. I uploaded them to shapeways and ordered a pair, I should have them in a couple weeks. When I get them I'll run them on my RC10M and see how they hold up. If they seem good, I'll make them available to you guys. The good news is, they will only be a buck or two more than the AE ones. I'm not looking to really make any money on these things, just trying to support the community.

If these work, I'm going to design an extended pair, maybe about 1-2 mm's longer, to solve the issue with the too-short CVA's, and make them available too.

[GoMachV]

The extended versions would also solve the "Lethal Weapon in a Kyosho/Tamiya application" problem, as their outdrives were a bit longer. I'm really hoping these work out!

[mk-Zero]

Cool, glad to know there would be more than one application. How much longer do you think they need to be?
For RC10's I'm thinking 1.5-2 mm's would be about right...

[GoMachV]

More than I expected- I just measured it and would need 6mm per side

[mk-Zero]

Uhhhh....

Then maybe we need one extended version for your application and one for RC10's with CVAs. I think 6mm per side would be way too much for an RC10. No big deal. Let's keep our fingers crossed they work!

[bluewormx]

Great initiative Brian
I'm confident that they will be fine on dirt, the real proof of the pudding will be on high grip Astro. After seeing a 3D printed steel 45 I'm willing to believe!

What is up with associated? They seem to have all kinds of supply chain issues. The outdrive issue also seems to affect the B5, B6 which after all are the current cars.

[mk-Zero]

Wow, I was assuming it was just the rc10's! Maybe it's good that some current cars are affected, they're more likely to solve the supply issue!
These printed ones will hopefully not be needed, but just in case I thought I would get it going.

[jwscab]

i only worry about mushrooming of the cups, If I remember correctly, aren't these also made with a brass or bronze matrix? ie, the stainless powder is intermixed with a brass alloy? would be good for wear, just hope they have enough stiffness.

Might be worthwhile to design some cup rings grooves, like you would see on plastic outdrives. very interested to see the results.

[GoMachV]

Not sure, but the user that printed his stainless dogbones said they were holding up great, so I have hope!

[mk-Zero]

I've had parts printed in SS before at work and I can tell you, they are hard as f****! I was barely able to tap them! So I don't think strength is going to be an issue.
I like to start as simple as possible, which is why initially I just copied AE's design exactly. If they're issues I'll see about solving them

[mk-Zero]

Might be worthwhile to design some cup rings grooves, like you would see on plastic outdrives.

Can you post an example of what you're talking about?

[jwscab]

Having a tough time finding a good picture. Also, thinking about it, it would work better with a plastic outdrive. Essentially it's a metal ring that snaps.over the outside of the drive cup into a mild groove at the edge. It prevents the cup from spreading.

With a metal outdrive, you would have to make it more like a recess on the end so a ring could slide over or even just slide over the existing od.

[mk-Zero]

Hmm, okay. Hopefully not needed. I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.

[Lowgear]

I've had parts printed in SS before at work and I can tell you, they are hard as f****! I was barely able to tap them! So I don't think strength is going to be an issue.

It's dependent on what grade stainless is being used as there are around 10 different varieties.

[jwscab]

stainless in general sucks to machine depending on the geometry, so i can see tapping being a b!tch. I believe from shapeways it says they use 420 stainless powder, it may be somewhat hard depending on how it was created. Then then take that stainless and somehow infuse it with bronze. bronze can be tricky to machine also.