What do I need to build an re hydraulic excavator?

[thetractorfan]

Hi, I am new to the forum and love construction equipment. Especially excavators and would like to know what tools and things I need to build a hydraulic Rc excavator besides hoses, pump, valve, relief valve, tank and return line. Thanks in advance and happy new year!

[Rimrock]

Hi, welcome. It's not a secret that scratch building functional RC models of metal in many cases demands quite some specialised tools, as lathe, mill, and specialized skills. Some whoever just use basic tools, on the 'angle grinder level', and are able to create working models. Many people who scratch build stuff, first of all have a great interest in metal crafts and mechanics in general, and love the planning and building process. Then you got the majority within the hobby who first of all wants to operate the equipment, and spend as little time as possible building stuff. There are several suppliers of excavators these days, most are pre assembled, but some are partly assembled and un-painted.

[thetractorfan]

thanks. I am more of the person who likes building them. I can`t afford a lathe but I may just use a drill press. I know how the hydraulics work I am just confused with the electronics

[mcl fabrication]

You sound like me when I first caught the RC construction bug. You can make a excavator with out large costly machinery, but it takes a **** of a lot more skill in the fabrication of parts. I have made or best to say I'm making one right now. I reverse engineered a 1/12 scale hobby engine excavator. I have a band saw, belt grinder, and a drill press and it got me pretty far. Now I need a tig welder, metal brake, small lathe and a mini mill.
The picture here I posted will show you how far you can go with minimal equipment.

[mcl fabrication]

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Originally Posted by mcl fabrication

You sound like me when I first caught the RC construction bug. You can make a excavator with out large costly machinery, but it takes a **** of a lot more skill in the fabrication of parts. I have made or best to say I'm making one right now. I reverse engineered a 1/12 scale hobby engine excavator. I have a band saw, belt grinder, and a drill press and it got me pretty far. Now I need a tig welder, metal brake, small lathe and a mini mill.
The picture here I posted will show you how far you can go with minimal equipment.

[Rimrock]

Concerning tools, it's often a typical situation that first time buyers purchase too small lathe and mill with the intend to save money. But it's not a good deal to end up with equipment that are not usable. I would recommend to not go any smaller than the size of the Sherline lathe (long model) and mill.
I've had a TIG welder earlier, but used it not often enough to really get the hang of it, it's quite demanding to operate compared to other methods IMO. Now I just got my MIG and the thinnest wire, use it for spot welding of steel.

[andyathome]

My dad always said " you can have the best tools in the world , but if you don't know how to use them , they aren't worth s$/^t ".
Reverse engineering is a good easy way to start, buy a plastic toy. Disect it and make the parts from sheet steel.
A cheap gig saw, battery drill a few hand tools and pop rivets will do the job.
Or the other end of the spectrum is cad drawings cnc mill and tig welder,
Where ever you start , be careful because this hobby becomes addictive.

Cheers andy

[thetractorfan]

well, I don`t have the money to buy expensive tools so I think I will stick to the tools you guys suggested. thanks for your assistance!