Chris Green
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| posted on 25/10/04 at 11:11 AM |
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Chassis Tube Thickness
Hello Everyone!
I know this has been discussed recently, but I can't find it!
What tube thickness is best for the chassis?
I can't get 16SWG any more, so I am left with the choice of 1.5mm or 2mm thick.
What has everyone else gone for?
I have calculated that using 2mm material will increase the weight of the chassis by approx 13kg.
The problem is, I can get 2mm material from a local fabricator for £6.50 per 7.5m length.
However, 1.5mm thick material is just under £10 for a 6m length.
As you can see, 2mm will be a lot cheaper.
Is an extra 13kg going to make much difference?
Cheers!
Chris.
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 25/10/04 at 11:15 AM |
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only if you intend racing michael shumacher.
thats about the difference between your tank being half full or 2/3 full.
atb
steve
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locoboy
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| posted on 25/10/04 at 11:17 AM |
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If your starting from scratch, just lay off the beer for the last 3 months of you build and you will offset any weight you have added by using 2mm
section 
or if your a skinny get, dont fit a passenger seat therefore you cant take the wife/girlfriend/mistress with you = a good few kg of weight saving 
ATB
Locoboy
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James
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| posted on 25/10/04 at 02:02 PM |
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You sure you can't get 16SWG anymore? It's pretty ubiquitous stuff that everyone uses.
Cheers,
James
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Chris Green
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| posted on 25/10/04 at 02:19 PM |
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James,
I think the problem is that I asked him for 1.6mm 25mm square hollow section.
I shall ask again for 16 SWG 1" section.
Cheers,
Chris.
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 25/10/04 at 05:17 PM |
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I would go for the 2mm wall thickness, you will end up with a stronger, VERY slightly heavier chassis, it is much easier to weld, and cheaper.
On the down side, your 0-60 time will be 0.000568 seconds slower.
Another interesting thought which should be discussed is the difference in thickness between the chassis and the brackets will be less so a lot less
prone to stress fracturing. Also, although no less resistant to corrosion, but you will have an extra 0.4mm before it would become a problem!
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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Chris Green
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| posted on 26/10/04 at 11:32 AM |
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Thanks for the advice.
I'm fairly sure I will be going for 2mm.
Cheers!
Chris.
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