wildfire
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 posted on 30/8/02 at 01:56 PM |
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Build or buy?
I am looking at building my own Locost, the mechanics, electrics and interior stuff doesn't really present a problem. Where i am stuck is do i build
or buy a chassis?
My welding is not 'top notch' but yet i would like to keep costs down, ideally have the whole car done for 1200-1500 quid!!
To me it's a double edged sword, build something and see how it goes (if it goes wrong then i have wasted money), or buy a chassis but not know how
well it was made.
Any ideas?
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/8/02 at 02:45 PM |
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If you fancy having a go at welding a chassis, then do so - it's hard work, but rewarding.
As for trusting your welding, do you know any welders, or mechanics who do welding? They can get you started and check your work.
Alternatively, see if any of your local technical or agricultural colleges do short welding courses.
If you don't fancy that route, just practice a lot on off-cuts and test them. This can be done by sawing across the weld (to check penetration) and
by beating the bits of metal senseless with a big hammer and see if the weld breaks. If you can do a dozen or so good-looking welds that survive the
tests then you can be reasonably confident about your welding skills.
Also make a point of being super-critical of your welds, grinding out anything that looks suspect.
You will probably spend far less than £100 on steel, and maybe £100 on welding gas and wire (less probably).
good luck!
David
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Alan B
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| posted on 30/8/02 at 02:55 PM |
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I'd nearly always say make your own, but there's always other issues:
Do you have a welder? If not then the cost saving may not be there.
Do you want to weld? Maybe you may never need to weld again, but it's unlikely.
In my experience any chassis, bought or made, will need some mods. and hence welding anyway!
Also, I agree with all that David says too.
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philgregson
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| posted on 30/8/02 at 03:01 PM |
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Mig welding is, like any other skill, a thing that requires practice to do well but anyone can get the hang of it and do it well enough in a
relatively short space of time.
You can't beat the satisfaction of seeing your car grow in front of you knowing that you are doing it your self.
I'd build myself every time without question, even though I must admit it can be pretty challenging at times.
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Jasper
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| posted on 30/8/02 at 05:40 PM |
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I've built my chassis from scratch with no welding experience. It was really rewarding and not nearly as hard as I thought. Get the best MIG you can
afford and use decent gas, argoshield lite is good, and practice. The engineering firm I got my gas from gave me a 1/2 hr lesson, then I just
practiced for a while. The basics are not hard to master, and it means if you wanna make any changes you've got the kit to do it....It may not be
much cheaper once you've bought the kit, but you've got it then if you want to build any more...
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wildfire
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| posted on 30/8/02 at 09:41 PM |
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Thanks for all the advice that everyone has given here.
I have a Clarke Mig welder that has not been used for a few years, so a new bottle and roll of wire are going to be the minimum.
All i need now is the book and a bit of spare time....winter is coming and i can feel hibernation in the garage coming on
Whilst i am here are there any other parts that are going to have to be custom made, i was looking at using a Sierra 1.6/2.0
with the 5 speed box and was going to try and use as much as possible from the car so as keep costs down. However anything that need refurbing would
be done by me wherever possible.
Wildfire
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 31/8/02 at 03:33 PM |
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Sounds like you are bang on the right course!
Apart from the chassis, you will probably want to make your own suspension bits, axle brackets, steering linkages, etc.
As for Sierra bits, I would always go for the 2 litre Pinto over the 1.6 - more power, little extra size, roughly the same money.
If you make your own chassis you could look into independent rear suspension using some of the Sierra components - some designs have been
published.
Happy building!
David
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James
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 posted on 2/9/02 at 08:54 AM |
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Aswell as buying The Book (a must) I'd highly recommend you download Jim Mcsorley's chassis plans from http://www.mcsorley.net/locost/
This way you actually get a correct set of chassis plans!
Definately go with the 2.0lt as a choice of the two but there are also two SOHC engines. I've gathered the later '205' type that came in from 1989
onwards is a *bit* better- but only if you want to tune it at some point.
See: Chris Gibbs' homepage for a link about tuning the Pinto: http://www.gibbs111.fsnet.co.uk/pintotun.htm
although the link appears to be broken at the moment! 
Anyway, goodluck.
James
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