If you have a book to hand, could someone look something up for me?
There is a metal plate that goes in between the passengers feet and the engine bay. What guague steel is suggested? Same question but for the wierd 4 sided panel that goes right next to where people sit.
ta

I used the same material as used for the floor - 1.6mm, 16swg - as I believe that they're a bit structural.

Others have used aluminium, so perhaps my theory's a load of donkey's gibblets!

David

John,

This is amazing. I had drafted a similar poser, with same heading, but didn't post. Don't know why.

I'm using 16 swg, but wanted to know if I should fully weld all those you mentioned, and the top sheet (where battery sits). The footwell ends are fully welded, as is n/s transmission tunnel (under scuttle). I think it's going to be a nightmare trying to get the nuts on gearbox mounting if I weld in o/s tunnel too.

ATB

Simon

My top sheet is 1.6mm ali.

All the steel sheet on my chassis is stitch-welded (weld for an inch, skip a few inches, weld for an inch, ...etc.). Followed this up with some polyurethane mastic to prevent water leaks.

I managed to reach down far enough to get the bolts through the gearbox mounting - it's a pig, but it can be done. Once in, I got my wife to hold a socket onto the bolt while I reached under to do up the nut. If you snuggle into the side of the chassis you can just about reach the nut with a ratchet handle!

Any more questions?

David

Thanks

ATB

Simon

Can Aluminium be welded with MIG using co2 + argon? I though there were problems, like noxious fumes. ..

John,

Ally can be gas welded (but not to steel).

Will lookup in Fourniers book ce soir to find out what gas tips he gives.

ATB

Simon

Welding aluminum to aluminum, use straight argon for both MIG and TIG. Aluminum cannot be welded to steel by conventional means due to the huge differences in melting temperature

im usin argo sheild lite any1 know if thats ok for ali

So I guess that's why several panels are done with rivets .. ..

you cant weld dissimilar metals regardless of temperature ranges.

Alu is apparently a bas&&rd to weld even to alu.


atb

steve

Hmmm does that mean that stainless steel can't be welded to mild steel then?

quote:

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you cant weld dissimilar metals regardless of temperature ranges.

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Of course if you could gas weld ali, you could make your own nosecone

Cheers

Chris

Those panels are structural and may be in either 16 or 18 gauge steel. I don't like the idea of riveted alloy in these regions as it has very little strength compared to welded in steel. Most kit car spaceframes are actually no better than well designed ladder frames of the same weight and I reckon that putting alloy in these places would nudge the lowcost frame in that direction. You might find my suggested mods for doubling the chassis stiffness while also making it lighter and simpler interesting. You'll have to scroll back a bit to find it.

quote:

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Hmmm does that mean that stainless steel can't be welded to mild steel then?

quote:

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you cant weld dissimilar metals regardless of temperature ranges.

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http://www.swifts.com/dn/galvprev.html


The above link is a table of metal compatability. Looks to me that alu and steel (as far as corrosion is concerned) isnt as bad as had been mentioned before on this site.......

Alu and steel are in contact on the rivets and panels.


atb

steve