Printable Version | Subscribe | Add to Favourites
New Topic New Reply
Author: Subject: Which is heaviest?
mistergrumpy

posted on 10/9/06 at 09:40 PM Reply With Quote
Which is heaviest?

Am thinking ahead slightly so's I can place an order and am wondering, which would be heaviest? A thinner, welded steel floor or a bonded, rivetted aluminium floor.






View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Gav

posted on 10/9/06 at 09:49 PM Reply With Quote
I think for steel you would use 1.5mm for ali 2-2.5mm? so given that ali is a third of the weight for the same sized section than steel the ali floor would be a quite a significant saving, their are quite a few threads on the subject if you care to do a search.

Here is a good list of FAQ's:
http://gtslocost.locostsites.co.uk/locostfaq.htm

[Edited on 10/9/06 by Gav]

View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
mistergrumpy

posted on 10/9/06 at 10:03 PM Reply With Quote
Cheers mate. Searched the forum but didn't come out with much but never seen that link before.






View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
the_fbi

posted on 10/9/06 at 10:08 PM Reply With Quote
Not sure what my Westfield floor thickness is, but at max its 2mm, its Aluminium and plenty strong enough.

Some series apparently require a steel floor though, in case you intend to race yours.

View User's Profile E-Mail User View All Posts By User U2U Member
mistergrumpy

posted on 10/9/06 at 10:17 PM Reply With Quote
No not for racing, well only from traffic lights!






View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Kissy

posted on 11/9/06 at 07:03 AM Reply With Quote
Mines 3mm polypropylene; works on Karts.
View User's Profile E-Mail User View All Posts By User U2U Member
smart51

posted on 11/9/06 at 07:08 AM Reply With Quote
1.5mm steel? I thought thinner stuff was used. 2mm aly? I'm sure mine is thicker.
View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
iank

posted on 11/9/06 at 07:32 AM Reply With Quote
The thickness and material depend on what you think it might have to stop.

Philosophies run from stopping rain and road dirt, through to stopping bricks and wreckage from competing cars.

So as thin and light as you feel comfortable with. Though if you plan on standing on it while entering and exiting the car 1.2mm steel or 2mm aluminium are probably practical.

[Edited on 11/9/06 by iank]

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
cossey
Contributor






Posts 430
Registered 5/12/05
Location Kent
Member Is Offline

Photo Archive Go!
Building: a pile of bits that will someday be a fisher fury

posted on 11/9/06 at 08:19 AM Reply With Quote
most of the sylva/ex sylva cars have been using 16swg ali floors for yeahs with no ill effect and the hold up fine even with 100kg+ drivers/passengers standing on them to get in and out.

if you do gfo for ali get a decent grade such as ns4 as it will be noticeably stiffer.

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
James

posted on 11/9/06 at 11:05 AM Reply With Quote
I used 0.8mm steel for mine. Which I guess is similar weight to 2.4mm ali.

I ran a pair of swage(sp?) lines along each sheet to try and help prevent popping when getting in the car.

It didn't stay flat when I welded but it certainly doesn't pop!

If I was starting again...... I'd use ali. Mainly cos it's waterproof and I wouldn't have to worry about the paint wearing off the floor and rusting!

Cheers,
James





------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights." - Muhammad Ali

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
NS Dev

posted on 12/9/06 at 11:13 AM Reply With Quote
1.5mm ally on mine, same as westfield

[Edited on 12/9/06 by NS Dev]





Retro RWD is the way forward...........automotive fabrication, car restoration, sheetmetal work, engine conversion retro car restoration and tuning

View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
KENLUDE97

posted on 12/9/06 at 03:26 PM Reply With Quote
Here is what i came up with.

16swg Aluminum = 13.4lbs (6.07kg)
22swg Aluminum = 6.7 lbs (2.75kg)
22swg Steel = 19.4lbs (8.8kg)

If there are anyother materials or thickness that you want let me know, as it is very easy to find.

I figure that with drilling and Riviting the weight differance is negligible. As you are removing and adding material.

It is likely to weigh less to bond (steel or Aluminum) rather than welding, as you are adding that much more material.

This was done on a 442 frame, and here is the attatched image of the floor.



[Edited on 9/12/06 by KENLUDE97]

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
John Bonnett

posted on 12/9/06 at 06:27 PM Reply With Quote
Sylva cars do have 16 gauge floors it is true but not pure aluminium. They use NS4 an aluminium alloy which is very very tough.

John

View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
mistergrumpy

posted on 12/9/06 at 07:33 PM Reply With Quote
Thanks all. I gather then that the welded steel weighs about the same as the bonded and riveted ally. Think I'll try for ally though due to the corrosion of the steel. Mind, all depends on the price as well, though I have seen an abandoned artic trailer in a side street hmm! Wonder if thats ally??






View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
tks

posted on 12/9/06 at 08:11 PM Reply With Quote
Steel

could be carpeted to let the paint on it..

Tks





The above comments are always meant to be from the above persons perspective.

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member

New Topic New Reply


go to top






Website design and SEO by Studio Montage

All content © 2001-16 LocostBuilders. Reproduction prohibited
Opinions expressed in public posts are those of the author and do not necessarily represent
the views of other users or any member of the LocostBuilders team.
Running XMB 1.8 Partagium [© 2002 XMB Group] on Apache under CentOS Linux
Founded, built and operated by ChrisW.