RC Mule

[old man]

After visiting Phil B. down to Alabama and seeing his RC Controlled Mule it didn't take much thought before I decided to try and build one. His is down right cool (along with the rest of his collections of Mule items). I still have a few things to figure out and make yet, but it is starting to look more like a mule all the time. I guess I will have to hide it for Christmas or the grand kids will have a field day with it. I do play well with others but I would like to finish it before they wreck it for me.......
I plan on trying to make a fuel tank, steering column, seat, rear engine guard yet. But it is a fun project for the cold winter months up here in the frozen north.
My wife is real impressed with me leaving it out in the living room on the coffee table.. I told her I would decorate it for the holidays but that didn't seem to go over to big either.

[crankshaft45]

lookin good!

[Dbaumanjr]

Very Cool!! And looks like great work! One question; Where did you source the rails from? Or did you make them? And how?
More info please!

[old man]

Thanks for the support.
I made the rails out of 1/4 inch aluminum rod and some aluminum flat stock. I used body panel adhesive to put them all together. the foot basket is a little out of shape but I'm working on building a better one. I'm also working on a engine guard for the back. I still need to attach the steering column. Something to do during the cold months up here.

[old man]

Bending the 1/4 inch aluminum rod. I used a wire bender, I found it on amazon for around 10 bucks.
it works great on softer metals or small diameter material.
the hardest part is trying to make several bends on on continuous rod, the bends come out great but it is tough to keep them all on the same plan.
If you try and use it on tubing it will kink.
I used rod for the rails not tubing, I just thought I would try it on some old tubing.

[Auto Shop teacher]

Pretty clever tool Steve, looks like it does a good job.