PT Vector - now with mini-anni treatment!

[tim_bissell]

I've just spent the past few weekends giving my PT Vector the 'mini-anni treatment' - all finished now, just final assembly and testing. The CNC cut inner plinth parts fit perfectly and the carbon suspension supports look the business!

-- Tim

Sorry about the quality of photos; I'll try to get better another day.

[Zebulon_minor]

That is just too beautiful..., do you take orders?

Z_m

[rolleye]

Yeah that is nice Tim , do you do it in kit form and if so how much

Ross

[natty_dredd]

Nice!

Is the Vector stuff you have current issue or is it Tim-mini-vector i.e. done yourself? Motor looks like a PT1 motor, so is the subchassis of your own making or from FF?

[ProfTournesol]

I'm toying (still) with the idea of buying a large piece of end-grain balsa and CNCing out the interior much as you've done but more rigid and then covering it in carbon fibre sheeting or maybe wood laminate. Your route would be easier though, do you have a template for the CNC work?

[tim_bissell]

Sorry, I posted than vanished for a week's holiday with no working internet connection!

So, in no particular order ...

Yes I will be taking orders!

This version uses my Funk Firm Vector upgrade sub chassis and motor. I have got to say, although my sub chassis looks nice, Arthur's carbon fibre looks just that bit nicer, and however be gets it cut (water jet? Laser) is just that bit sharper.

I'm tidying up the second draft of the assembly instructions, which I'l post online.

I have done the design in Google SketchUp, and can ship .skp files or PDFs of various templates.

The end-grain balsa I have found is lots of little blocks glued onto a scrim (netting) it needs rigid layers above and below to stiffen and strengthen it, but I am sure there are alternatives to carbon sheet, e.g. aramid, aluminium or GRP or other plastics. I am not sure how well balsa routs; it is quite soft and fibrous.

I'll certainly do a set of parts; i.e. cut MDF, cut, assembled, drilled suspension units and (if needed) a sub-chassis with motor mount; but given the dimensional tolerances and variations of PT1s, it will require DIY competence and tools to finish properly.

As my preferred alternative, I'll offer an upgrade service, or (faster turnaround if I have one ready) a part-exchange.

At a rough guess, a plinth, top-plate plus suspension kit of parts, to upgrade a PT Funk Vector (as above) will be around £160, and and assembled sub chassis plus motor mount (for a PT1 with Escap motor) will be around £140, and a complete conversion of an existing PT1 could be anything from £350 upwards depending on the configuration – the parts aren't cheap! I can see why companies charge £1K for a slab of wood with a motor and platter, once it reaches a hifi store!

cheers,

Tim

[SimonLogan]

Lovely job again Tim.

Good luck with your new venture!
Simon

[SimonLogan]

and a complete conversion of an existing PT1 could be anything from £350 upwards depending on the configuration – the parts aren't cheap!

Hi Tim,

I have a few questions if you don't mind:
1. Is this option taking a PT1 in standard form, and doing the mini-anni conversion, making a custom bracket for whatever motor the TT happens to have and taking the controller outside the plinth? Is the buyer responsible for re-housing the controller board in an external box?
2. If the buyer wanted you to do a vector upgrade as well would that be doable? Obviously it would be extra for the pulleys (£78 from FF).
3. Have you come across a PT1 with a motor that wasn't of high enough quality to put on the subchassis? What would happen then?

Thanks,
Simon

[tim_bissell]

Hi Simon,

1) ~£350 would be as you said, with the speed controller either in its original position in the plinth, or external, with rehousing an extra - my prototype speed controller box cost £70 in parts alone (the aluminium case plus acrylic top and endplate were about £55 of that - so it could be cheaper)

2) Technically it is possible to do Vector upgrades, I've been planning to talk to Arthur about it, as I don't want to poach business from him - he did all the development after all! I would hope it will be OK, as I am not planning mass production...

3) I have one of the older, 40mm diameter motors, and to touch it does not feel any worse to the touch (vibration wise) than the Escap. I think any PT DC motor which vibrated enough to not benefit from subchassis mounting would need replacing anyway. I think Funk motor upgrades would be an option, and I do have an Escap motor plus controller which I could to put into one of my builds

I'll PM you later!

cheers,

Tim
--

[ProfTournesol]

Tim did you ever look into using acrylic rather than MDF?

[tim_bissell]

Tim did you ever look into using acrylic rather than MDF?

As a replacement for the baseboard/inner plinth? Not really, although I had wondered about an outer shell it it. I think it would be an expensive experiment, as we need 60mm depth of inner plinth; I would guess at £200+ of cut-to-shape acrylic, and it would be harder to fit the blind-nuts I use to secure the suspension mountings...

-- Tim

[natty_dredd]

I've a plan to use electrical or gaffa tape... Ever rapped your knuckles on the side of a roll of tape? Solid and non-resonant as a rock.

Of course things might change as the size grows..

Still, layering loads of tape doesn't require any tools, just lots of spare time layering it all up (oh, and the tape but I've aquired loads of half rolls etc over the years)