Youth restorer needs help:

[Potter’s Model A Work]

Yeah, that's probably too far to come halfway across the country for these chassis parts. You should be able to find something closer to you. Stay away from rust bucket el cheapo frames and axles. Pay more for quality pieces that need nothing more than TLC and paint.
Marshall

Agreed

 

[rotorwrench]

Badly pebbled pitting or swiss cheese rust through is a very good reason to find a better frame. If the corrosion is limited to smaller areas but overall not too bad then I'd repair it. I've purchased disassembled frames for the simple shipping and then hot riveted them back together. It's not easy but it is possible for those that have the equipment necessary and a good friend or two to lend a hand. I've also welded in insertion splices and hole plugs for those that weren't too bad. A person can find usable frame pieces on Flea-pay now and then for those types of repairs.

 

[jeepguy1948]

There a lot of folks out there who a very eager to help youth new to the hobby. A 16 year old new to our club got the following help and maybe something similar would work for you?
Sam needed a chassis for his nice Fordor body. Several members assisted in locating a good chassis but it was several hundred miles away and Sam had no way to retrieve it. One club member (anonymously) paid for the chassis and then the word was put out that transport was needed. Several guys across the country transported the chassis in relays home to Sam. Maybe something like this could work for you. This forum right here would be a good place to start asking for help. Do you belong to a local club?