Pad Those Tracks!

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Pad Those Tracks!; Rubber versus plastic debate
Topic Started: Dec 16 2006, 03:04 PM (1,677 Views)
outcastrc	Dec 16 2006, 03:04 PM Post #1
Administrator Posts: 1,150 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 13, 2005	Hey guys lets use this thread to discuss the merits and disadvantages of applying the rubber molding material to the tracks... Thoughts on the folllowing ideas? Stock track no rubber? Rubber applied as per instructions? Full strips on cleats? Either partial or all the cleats? Creating patterns on the tracks to act as tread?



outcastrc	Dec 17 2006, 08:57 AM Post #2
Administrator Posts: 1,150 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 13, 2005	My thoughts on this are the following: On snow / sand / soft terrain the stock plastic tracks are more then fine. It fails when you need purchase on hard terrain. I personally don't agree with the instruction mainly because it looks lopsided. If I was to do it I would do something a little more even. Adding rubber to the tracks would only help its hard terrain ability BUT theres got to be a fine line between steering effort and traction. The more traction you have the harder its going to be to steer the thing... I am thinking of trying a bunch of one inch strips, in the following format. cleat 1 2 strips outer edges cleat 2 1 strip in center cleat 3 2 strips outer edges cleat 4 1 strip in center You get the idea. This type of layout should have the best forward and side traction. At the cost of steering. How much we shall see. Running a dual motor plate should help compensate for the power loss during steering... Made a quick pic:



rappyfly	Dec 17 2006, 06:23 PM Post #3
Swayed by the Trax Posts: 3 Group: Member Member #101 Joined: July 12, 2006	I had done the rubber strip mod. I covered the entire length with it, the car looks jumpy when driven very slow on flat surface. The gap between the rubber is too wider and the guide wheel sunk between the strip. The turning is a bit difficult & last guide wheel easier on high traction surface like carpet. So I pulled it out and cut them into 15mm long and CA them like "W" shape. One toward the body and out ward on the other. It looks smooth when it run slow and bit easy to turn around. let us know how it turned out.



JOCKTHEGLIDE	Jan 2 2007, 09:43 PM Post #4
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 27 Group: Member Member #155 Joined: December 31, 2006	I saw some tracks on ebay are those worthy to get? it costs 25 bucks buy it now.



outcastrc	Jan 2 2007, 11:17 PM Post #5
Administrator Posts: 1,150 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 13, 2005	Hard to say... IF you can find a local source I am sure it would be WAY cheaper... I have done a bit of digging and haven't found anything myself. Car door molding is the right shape but its more plastic then rubber. But I have a few other places to try yet...



JOCKTHEGLIDE	Jan 30 2007, 08:35 PM Post #6
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 27 Group: Member Member #155 Joined: December 31, 2006	outcastrc Jan 2 2007, 11:17 PM Hard to say... IF you can find a local source I am sure it would be WAY cheaper... I have done a bit of digging and haven't found anything myself. Car door molding is the right shape but its more plastic then rubber. But I have a few other places to try yet... I bought them and covered the whole tracks and they fell off during my run in the snow, but I just recently glued them one well see what happens, but I love my blizzard.



CJS4	Apr 7 2007, 04:04 AM Post #7
Swayed by the Trax Posts: 10 Group: Member Member #175 Joined: January 31, 2007	I have just bought a Blizzard DF-300 and it works a lot better in snow than my old EV. The 300 has less treads on the track and it really gives a lot of traction in all snow conditions. I run both with no rubber on the tracks as I only use them on snow and the rubber just kept falling off but I guess it is necessary on hard surfaces.



kenchoco	Sep 17 2007, 07:19 AM Post #8
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 95 Group: Member Member #31 Joined: December 28, 2005	i am down here in the south in Texas....do i need to put these rubber pads on if i plan to run grass,dirt,street? ken



outcastrc	Sep 17 2007, 10:32 AM Post #9
Administrator Posts: 1,150 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 13, 2005	It does add a lot of traction on harder surfaces...



T-force1	Sep 17 2007, 11:22 AM Post #10
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 93 Group: Contributing Member Member #97 Joined: July 1, 2006	kenchoco Sep 17 2007, 07:19 AM i am down here in the south in Texas....do i need to put these rubber pads on if i plan to run grass,dirt,street? ken Mine didn't work so well in the street or on concrete without them. I just put on the stock pads as indicated. Hooray! I thought I was the only Blizzard owner in Texas!



kenchoco	Sep 17 2007, 01:17 PM Post #11
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 95 Group: Member Member #31 Joined: December 28, 2005	T-force1 Sep 17 2007, 11:22 AM kenchoco Sep 17 2007, 07:19 AM i am down here in the� south in Texas....do i need to put these rubber pads on if i plan to run grass,dirt,street? ken Mine didn't work so well in the street or on concrete without them. I just put on the stock pads as indicated. Hooray! I thought I was the only Blizzard owner in Texas! no sir....i am in Houston,Texas...T force,where are you located?



T-force1	Sep 17 2007, 06:28 PM Post #12
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 93 Group: Contributing Member Member #97 Joined: July 1, 2006	kenchoco Sep 17 2007, 01:17 PM T-force1 Sep 17 2007, 11:22 AM kenchoco Sep 17 2007, 07:19 AM i am down here in the south in Texas....do i need to put these rubber pads on if i plan to run grass,dirt,street? ken Mine didn't work so well in the street or on concrete without them. I just put on the stock pads as indicated. Hooray! I thought I was the only Blizzard owner in Texas! no sir....i am in Houston,Texas...T force,where are you located? San Antonio. I keep waiting for snow. It's happened before...



kenchoco	Sep 17 2007, 08:49 PM Post #13
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 95 Group: Member Member #31 Joined: December 28, 2005	T-force1 Sep 17 2007, 06:28 PM kenchoco Sep 17 2007, 01:17 PM T-force1 Sep 17 2007, 11:22 AM kenchoco Sep 17 2007, 07:19 AM i am down here in the� south in Texas....do i need to put these rubber pads on if i plan to run grass,dirt,street? ken Mine didn't work so well in the street or on concrete without them. I just put on the stock pads as indicated. Hooray! I thought I was the only Blizzard owner in Texas! no sir....i am in Houston,Texas...T force,where are you located? San Antonio. I keep waiting for snow. It's happened before... yes its has



zenmasterzoso	Dec 8 2007, 11:21 AM Post #14
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 38 Group: Member Member #608 Joined: December 7, 2007	outcastrc Jan 2 2007, 11:17 PM Hard to say... IF you can find a local source I am sure it would be WAY cheaper... I have done a bit of digging and haven't found anything myself. Car door molding is the right shape but its more plastic then rubber. But I have a few other places to try yet... Any luck on finding a cheaper costing product? The guy on ebay still has them for $25.00 and $27.00 shipping Thats just ignorant for a few pces of rubber.



outcastrc	Dec 8 2007, 03:30 PM Post #15
Administrator Posts: 1,150 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 13, 2005	I gave up looking locally. Everything I found was more plastic then rubber...



greco	Dec 13 2007, 12:14 PM Post #16
Swayed by the Trax Posts: 7 Group: Member Member #621 Joined: December 11, 2007	hey guys,i thought of an idea that i will try,you can spray the tracks with ruberizing spray that they use on undercoating,i will give it a try and let you know



outcastrc	Dec 16 2007, 02:36 PM Post #17
Administrator Posts: 1,150 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 13, 2005	Thats an interesting idea... Let us know how it works out...



alaskadf300	Jan 22 2008, 11:53 PM Post #18
Making Trax! Posts: 117 Group: Member Member #581 Joined: November 27, 2007	I have done some testing with the track material, it doesn't seem to really stick well to any adhesives. On a side note I am wondering if anyone else has considered mounting ice cleats/spikes for some ice-rink running?. seems like some sort of spring-loaded clip similar to "binder-clips", but with sharp teeth might hold on rather well and whether it had bubber or spikes would depend on the weather.
	"Rule #1, Never Run It where People Walk Dogs!"


Cross	Nov 28 2008, 09:49 AM Post #19
Swayed by the Trax Posts: 23 Group: Noobs Member #1,587 Joined: November 26, 2008	I think the product to try would be tool dip. It is what they use to put the rubber coating on pliers handles. You brush it on and by doing this you can determine how thick it will be on the grousers. You can get tool dip at most hardware stores.
	Kyosho Blizzards are not discontinued and still available click here


RCrunner789	Dec 20 2008, 09:37 PM Post #20
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 54 Group: Noobs Member #1,584 Joined: November 22, 2008	im gonna try that round thin tubing that goes around your window screen to pad my trax. i just got my blizzard the other day and am working on the break-mod and plow mods also im thinking of making some aluminum rims for the berast it is varry touchy when trying to turn and i havent taken apart the diff yet but when i doo i gonna diff stiffen it with some diff silicone hopefully it will turn better.



hotwheel67	Jan 10 2009, 04:18 PM Post #21
Swayed by the Trax Posts: 4 Group: Noobs Member #50 Joined: January 29, 2006	Those tread grips on ebay are worth the money. You don't want to spray rubberized undercoating on your treads... You also don't want to be messing around with plasti-dip and painting it on your treads!!! Screen tubing??? Come on guys, do it right. The rubber on ebay is industrial material. It can be added to every tread or every other tread, whatever you like. You can also get it in sizes for the DX. The material is easily glued to the treads with 3M rubber weatherstrip adhesive. The adhesive is black and works very well. You can get it at any auto store. The EV set is approximately 15' of rubber. It will also fit the nitro Blizzard. It is not just a couple pieces. It is well worth the investment. Anybody on the forum that wants to try them, I'll give you 10% off and free postage (free postage is for the CONUS only). Is there anybody here on the forum that bought them and is happy with them??? I sell LOTS of them!!! I'd like to hear from you if you have!!



Cross	Jan 11 2009, 05:43 PM Post #22
Swayed by the Trax Posts: 23 Group: Noobs Member #1,587 Joined: November 26, 2008	Nice commercial. Now if you would have said "It is made in Germany and you know the Germans make good stuff." I would have been sold.
	Kyosho Blizzards are not discontinued and still available click here


RCrunner789	Jan 13 2009, 03:04 PM Post #23
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 54 Group: Noobs Member #1,584 Joined: November 22, 2008	lol wow that was good and if u wanna send money to a total stranger any way the that screen rubber stuff works great for only 2 bucks cant knock it.



hotwheel67	Jan 13 2009, 04:18 PM Post #24
Swayed by the Trax Posts: 4 Group: Noobs Member #50 Joined: January 29, 2006	I'm no stranger... I may not post much, but I've been around a while... here and ebay...



RCrunner789	Jan 14 2009, 07:21 AM Post #25
Worthy of the Trax! Posts: 54 Group: Noobs Member #1,584 Joined: November 22, 2008	didnt mean it that way i think the goal is to d it yourself find solutions that are less expensive and widly available any one can buy ur item and put it on no offence but idrather find other ways than just buying product that is already made and used for particular rc it is fun experimenting even thoug i may only be speaking for my self any one can buy product and glue it on but were is the challange?



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