well the front view the trangles are U channel support gussets, to prevent the thing from flexing too much 
but other than that, robodude has it right
I agree, we donât want this to turn into a GUI like thread do we? 
I smell cookies 
Oh brother * Sends a virtual slap to Robodude666 to wake him up"
âŠ
Anyways, Thats a nice design, I assume the track covering will have hex standoffs to enclose the aluminum cover like Jimâs models?
Also, IDK if your still adding those fans, but if you are, it would be a good idea to buy screening from Loweâs and use that where the fan openings are, to keep dust out. I would make these removable to be cleaned when clogged. Overall looks ver nice indeed.
I know my rovers, so thats a big complement coming from me. Excellent work, a lot of planning has gone into this.
mhmm, i am adding the fans and i know to use the dust screen, i have this all planned out on my head, dont u worry 8) i might actually make the holes openanable and closable via remote control, so i can avoid mud or dirt in there, is it get excessivelly rough
im a bit sad though, because i cant make any progress until i am able to get some aluminum plating to start this off, i may just go get a single sheet of aluminum, like 12X24 to cover the bottom and i will bolt the electronics in, amd use the excess to begin the tracks units 
EDIT:
to keep the idlers in place, i plan to use a die to thread either end of the idlers, from there i will add on extension to allow for the tracks to be inbetween rather than poking out on top, i will use some trpe of standoff to make it more stable
Could you explain this more please?
Sketch?
yes, i will do a step by step sketch of wat i plan to do
it will be up within 20-30 min of this post, shouldnât take too long
ok, lotta crap ging on past couple of days, thought i would be able to get the sketch done before i went to bed last night, apparently not, however here it is
let me know if u guys get it or need further explanation
img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11421531218.jpg
Step 1.-thread either end of the idler with a die
Step 2.-Attach some sort of hex or round standoffs to the newly threaded idlers
Step 3.-The idler is now longer than the track itself and will allow me to fit the track inbetween the 2 peices of metal making the track unit
Before and After diagrams give you a picture as to wat i mean by the track being able to fit inbetween the 2 peieces of metal, Before is obviously wat is wat i would have to do if i did not add the extentions
let me know wat u think, comments and/or constructive critism are welcome
Ah, I see why your doing this. You want the cover to connect from the idler to cover all the track rather than just the middle where there is an empty space. I assume this is to protect eveything and make things look neat and clean. Nice Idea, I like it! 8)
lol, i dont get ur explanation of it, its to be able to cover the tracks by making the idlers which is my primary spacer be longer therefore able to put a cover over the track
i plan to use aluminum C stock again to make the track units nice and sturdy, basically the same way i am making the frame now
Ok, No I do understand, but from your posts a few days ago I thought you were just covering the middle section of the tracks instead of the sprockets as well (which is better).
If you still dont understand dont worry lol, all I can say is its a good idea
erm, im covering the whole track section, sprockets included, well, on the top atleast, think of an upside down U and put the tracks and stuff inside of that, and that will be it
for the track units i will probably use a length of custom cut and threaded rod
and from there i will use nuts on the outside, seems good
until i get the material i basically have anything to do
anyone wish to discuss the types of possiblities or ideas that would work with the rover? this is the time to get any idea out, and i would be quite happy to hear anything you have to say, suggestions, critisism, new ideas for me, future expansion ideas, as this being helpful, i think it would be fun, i would like to try and work out all the ideas that you guys come up with and see if i could design it and sketch it out to get it to work properly in real life
again, any type of ideas that would be able to work for the rover and expansions for it, everyone welcome for input, and ill try to sketch out any ideas i have to the best of my ability, i think it would looks good, ill show them too you too
oh well, let me know
Chunga,
Have you checked out www.smallparts.com ? they have a lot of fantastic raw materials that could help with your design.
hey, a quick update for my rover, i got the corner peices that i will be making the track units with
i was going to work on it this saturday, but i have a track meet (long jump and mile wish me luck )
so, i am going to get some work on once the track meet is over
other than that i has not really done anything besides sanded the C channel down and made it pretty
Ok, another update:
i am just going to go with normal aluminum rather then the diamond plating, the diamond plating is nice and all, but its wicked expensive, and i can get plenty of regular aluminum sheets for much cheaper, so i will be doing that
Huh,
i can get aluminum for a couple cents a plate
well, good news, i have just recently aquired a job, and therefore, will be able to carry my project out with relativley no hinderances unless i cant do some part of the rover
i start monday in training and get my first pay on wed.
so, it wont be long before i will be able to finsih my rover :D:D:D:D:D
Canât wait
Nice 8)