Weight pocket question

[ljo]

This is my first attempt at making weight pockets similar to Bulldogs.
Are you able to drill the axle holes 5/8" from the rear and still have enough wood between the weight pocket and the axle? This one was drilled a touch over 5/8" so I was sure to have plenty of wood, to support the axles.

 

[Reecedad]

Yes, I think most people center their rear axle at 5/8" from the rear so you can add 2 rows of 6 cubes behind the rear axle.

 

[5KidsRacing]

I cut it all out and then glue my weight in to stabilize the body, then drill...

 

[Skywalker Racing]

Yes, I think most people center their rear axle at 5/8" from the rear so you can add 2 rows of 6 cubes behind the rear axle.

This is correct. If you cut that rear axle spar at 1/4", you'll be able to fit 1/2" of cubes (two rows) behind it.

 

[GravityX]

To add to all this, another thing you can do to the "axle truss" is to laminate it with 1/64" plywood. You'll need to give yourself another 1/64" of room in weight pocket area though, to allow 2 rows worth of cubes. Laminate both sides of the axle truss for additional strength, do this before drilling. Now keep this in mind, plywood flexes more in one direction than the other, look at the grain of the material to help determine this. Once you have determined this, super glue the plywood, in the less flexible direction, to the axle truss on both sides. Now sand down any material that is protruding from the body. Practice on an old body first, try flexing at the axle truss before, and then after, to feel the strength, you added to the axle truss using this technique.