Dolly Teardown & Base Frame

Goal

Dolly disassembled, scanned, frame shortened. First welds. Base drives under RC control.

Day-by-Day Tasks

Day	Task	Method	Notes
1	RaptorX: Full scan of intact dolly	RaptorX, full-color	THIS IS YOUR BASE CAD MODEL. Scan from every angle. Export mesh → import to Fusion 360.
1-2	Test dolly before teardown — drive it loaded, test stairs	As-is dolly	Verify motor, ESC, battery, stair mechanism all work. Record video.
2	Label everything — every wire, connector, bolt, component	Labels + photos	If you can’t reassemble it from your labels alone, you haven’t labeled enough.
2	Map wiring diagram	Pencil/paper or draw.io	Motor → ESC → battery → controller. You’ll rebuild this same circuit in J5.
2-3	Disassemble dolly — save EVERYTHING	Hand tools	Keep: motor, gearbox, ESC, battery, stair tri-wheel assembly, frame steel.
3	RaptorX: Scan individual components	RaptorX	Motor, gearbox, tri-wheel assembly. Import meshes → design mounting hardware in Fusion 360.
3-4	Cut dolly frame to ~30” height	Angle grinder or band saw	First metal cut of the project. Simple, forgiving — if too short, weld an extension.
4-5	Weld cross-members to frame	MIG welder	PRACTICE WELDS on scrap steel first. These cross-braces are hidden inside — appearance doesn’t matter.
4-5	Laser cut steel internal brackets (cross-braces, motor mount, battery bay)	Laguna EX, 16ga/12ga HR steel	First laser cuts. Simple rectangles with bolt holes. Internal = invisible = no pressure.
5-6	Weld motor mount plates, battery bay walls	MIG welder + magnetic squares	Second round of welding — slightly more precise. Magnetic squares hold 90-degree angles.
6-7	Bend steel brackets on HF brake or in vise	HF 36” brake or bench vise + hammer	Practice bends on scrap first. Internal parts — tolerance is +/-1mm.
7	Relocate battery to lowest position	Weld bracket, bolt down	CRITICAL for CG stability. Battery goes as low and central as possible.
7	Reassemble motor + ESC + battery in new frame	Wiring, bolts	Follow your wiring diagram from teardown. Should drive again by end of week.

Skills Practiced

3D scanning workflow, angle grinder, first welds (on hidden parts), first laser cuts (simple shapes), brake forming, battery relocation. All on INTERNAL parts where cosmetics don’t matter.

Print Queue

Track covers → torso outer panels (begins)