To be over engineering chassis joints for fear of weld failure isn't ideal, far better off stepping back and sorting yourself out a training course.
Either plug in joints (also being welded) like those on bicycle fames.
Maybe some joints or additional plates/tubes INSIDE the beams?
What about some reinforcing brackets or gussets, Which besides being bolted or riveted would also be welded for additional safety?
Bolts or rivets might help keeping the joint together if welds were to fail.
Would those also help keeping the frame beams in place before welding?
It might sound like wearing both belts and suspenders ...while actually wearing an overall!
But please be patient with me.
Like many beginners I am afraid of broken welds.
I think it is better to be cautious and not overly corageous and have an accident not only harming me and/or others but giving Locosts a bad
reputation.
Thanks. Really
If your weldings that bad that you don't trust it. DON'T WELD IT! These chassis don't just fall apart if welded correctly.
[Edited on 24/6/13 by Ben_Copeland]
quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
If your welding is that bad that you don't trust it. DON'T WELD IT! These chassis don't just fall apart if welded correctly.
I get where your coming from, if your welding is not inspiring confidence in your chassis, then stop and either do a night class or find someone to
weld it up for you.
To be over engineering chassis joints for fear of weld failure isn't ideal, far better off stepping back and sorting yourself out a training
course.
My friend suggested similar reinforcements, not out of concern for a failed weld but for stiffening the chassis. The problem I saw was that you'd
move the transmission of forces away from the corners, effectively turning your nice triangulated chassis into a series of squares (quite misshapen
squares, but square nonetheless).
You have to also consider that any material removed to bolt anything in place is then material that isn't holding the car together. And neither a
bolt nor a rivet will be anywhere near as strong as the equivalent weld or chassis bar.
Do some welds (preferably on scrap metal), then post pictures up and we can suggest improvements. Or do the evening class, it certainly worked for me
and was the best money I ever spent. Welding really isn't that hard, you just need to avoid some very common pitfalls.
Like Ben says; if you don't trust your welds, don't do it.
Don't forget that even a good looking weld can be a bad one!
The Robin Hood 2B has internal sleeves, but I think they are more for alignment than strength.
Ah, yes you are the gentleman who suggested using 4" section chassis tubing.
I can understand your concerns but people have been building chassis for many years with standard welds and largely with standard 1” section steel.
It could be worth spending an hour or two using the search facility and looking back through the many years of posts and threads on the forum about
chassis design.
quote:
Originally posted by Not Anumber
Ah, yes you are the gentleman who suggested using 4" section chassis tubing.
I can understand your concerns but people have been building chassis for many years with standard welds and largely with standard 1” section steel. It could be worth spending an hour or two using the search facility and looking back through the many years of posts and threads on the forum about chassis design.
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
My friend suggested similar reinforcements, not out of concern for a failed weld but for stiffening the chassis. The problem I saw was that you'd move the transmission of forces away from the corners, effectively turning your nice triangulated chassis into a series of squares (quite misshapen squares, but square nonetheless).
My chassis is made out of mainly 1.75" 1.5mm and 2mm wall tubing, and that's hit more trees, rocks, bankings than you'd believe, and
even a couple of concrete fenceposts, and it's still going strong.
Gussets aren't a bad idea at highly loaded nodes to spread stress, but you have to be careful, a badly placed straight gusset can just
concentrate the load on the top of the tube and kink it.
[Edited on 24/6/13 by PhillipM]
quote:
Originally posted by PhillipM
that's hit more trees, rocks, bankings than you'd believe, and even a couple of concrete fenceposts, and it's still going strong.
I hope not, she's only just nearing the end of her rebuild! And it's not exactly your normal roadgoing kit car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEq1enypU6g
[Edited on 24/6/13 by PhillipM]