hi guys
ive recently joined this forum as im possibly going to start a roadster build
ive been reading various posts and other peoples build blogs and im just amazed at what work you guys put in
ive just bought the chris gibbs book so that should be a good read for me
now to start im not sure what to do first regarding the chassis
option 1 buy a flat pack kit
option 2 buy the steel myself and do all the cuts
option 3 buy a ready assembled chassis
i put in option 3 as im a complete novice at welding,did a bit of arc welding years ago
myself im thinking option 2 as i will appreciate the build a bit more and also will have learnt to weld
im hoping to get my two eldest lads involved also( 13 and 12 year olds)
i dare say i will have loads of other questions that need answering
are there any other builders in the birmingham area that i could talk to
all the best guys and hope to be out of the starting blocks soon
steve
When it comes to chassis building from scratch or in 'cut' kit form, it comes down to a few basic skills.
Quality of your welding
Quality of your setting out/ quality checking.
1st is down to practice/experience and also quality of welding machine, this can be worked on and improved.
2nd is down to natural instincts and skill. If you dont have this, you will need to be extra vigilant as mistakes can be painful.
IMO if you have limited welding experience you would be better off buying premade, and practicing your skills on other items you may have to
make/tweak through out the build. Once you have picked up more skills and experience you could go deeper in to the build process of a latter project.
im not to fussed if i have to learn to weld as it will be another string to my bow so to speak
and what better way to learn
I couldn't weld before my build but am happy with my welding now to a good quality.
I didn't find it hard to pick up but I have seen pictures of other builders welds that don't look great and they probably think they are ok,
point being you need to know or get someone to show you what a good strong weld looks like and only be happy when you have achieved that.
Get a pre cut if you can, saves a load of time and frustration unless you have a load of time and resolve.
If I was doing it again I'd buy a pre made chassis, infact I'd by a kit from MK etc but then I have completed two chassis, but I really
value the skills and experience that i gained.
If you do weld it, get a good quality mask and welder and be prepared to rework where you mess it up even if its a lot of work.
If you have any doubts about your ability to weld spend a few quid and sign up to a basic welding course at evening classes. It's one thing to be told by some one 'yeah mate that looks strong enough' it's another to be told in detail the theory of what you should be doing and why.
that might not be a bad idea as i can get £150 funding from where i work for new learning skills
quote:
Originally posted by Talon Motorsport
If you have any doubts about your ability to weld spend a few quid and sign up to a basic welding course at evening classes. It's one thing to be told by some one 'yeah mate that looks strong enough' it's another to be told in detail the theory of what you should be doing and why.
Decent mig welder, clean the work well and build a welding trolley to learn the trade then away you go.
Make sure you get a decent auto mask, support your welding wrist with your other hand and get a big 20 litre gas bottle from adams gas or similar
(rent free)
Build from scratch is the way to go, kits are for girls 
You need to invest a bit of time making a nice flat table, the end result should be as good as purchased, although it will cost less the resale value
will also be less 
Regards Mark
I say go for the pre built chassis
It's not cheating, you can still learn to weld, but it will make your build more like a build and not a chore
my suggestions:
get a copy of the iva inspection manual, current version is june 2013
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/203591/M1_IVA_inspection_manual.pdf
and visit some kit car shows
ps: go for it!
Having built a roadster I would say get a pre welder chassis and wishbones from someone like Phil @ Talon or Gillingham online as the you know that
the metal your sitting in isnt going to come apart at 100mph with your bum 5 inches off the tarmac.
i built my chassis but i could already weld to a decent standard, i dont think i would have attempted it otherwise.
Carl
been having a think today about possible engine/gearbox combinations
or is it best just to stick to a complete donor car set up
had the book delivered today so i know what im doing for the next few nights
quote:
Originally posted by steve-hv8
that might not be a bad idea as i can get £150 funding from where i work for new learning skills
quote:
Originally posted by Talon Motorsport
Armed forces?
steve-hv8 - 2/9/13 at 06:55 PMno i work for jaguar land rover
quote:
Originally posted by dai1983
quote:
Originally posted by steve-hv8
that might not be a bad idea as i can get £150 funding from where i work for new learning skills
quote:
Originally posted by Talon Motorsport
Armed forces?
dai1983 - 2/9/13 at 07:17 PMWe get that every year too so put 1 + 1 and got 5. Sorry.
Slimy38 - 2/9/13 at 08:23 PMquote:
Originally posted by steve-hv8
been having a think today about possible engine/gearbox combinations
or is it best just to stick to a complete donor car set up
I'm happy with my choice of MX5 for everything. I've taken a whole load off the donor and I've still got a fair bit more to go. But there will be some challenges soon as I figure out what needs to change to get everything to fit!
I did a welding course at Wulfrun College, didn't cost me much even for a private individual. It did show me what to look for though, what makes a good weld and where potential weak spots can pop up. There is a big difference between college industrial welders and hobby welders, but at least I feel safe with my welding. Even if some of my gasless welds are in need of redoing.
My personal preference was to go for lengths of steel, and I'd do it again. Especially with the MX5 donor there have been 'tweaks' needed that I couldn't have done with a prepack. Camp steel is where I got mine from, Central Birmingham and very helpful staff.
steve-hv8 - 2/9/13 at 09:01 PMhow much did you pay for the steel?
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
quote:
Originally posted by steve-hv8
been having a think today about possible engine/gearbox combinations
or is it best just to stick to a complete donor car set up
I'm happy with my choice of MX5 for everything. I've taken a whole load off the donor and I've still got a fair bit more to go. But there will be some challenges soon as I figure out what needs to change to get everything to fit!
I did a welding course at Wulfrun College, didn't cost me much even for a private individual. It did show me what to look for though, what makes a good weld and where potential weak spots can pop up. There is a big difference between college industrial welders and hobby welders, but at least I feel safe with my welding. Even if some of my gasless welds are in need of redoing.
My personal preference was to go for lengths of steel, and I'd do it again. Especially with the MX5 donor there have been 'tweaks' needed that I couldn't have done with a prepack. Camp steel is where I got mine from, Central Birmingham and very helpful staff.
Slimy38 - 2/9/13 at 09:08 PMAll the square section was £95, so that's the 19mm and 25mm from the book. I've recently had the tube delivered although I had to get that from elsewhere, that cost me £50. I still need the bits of plate for the heavy duty parts and then the panelling, not sure whether to go back to Camp Steel or find that from somewhere else as well.
steve-hv8 - 20/4/15 at 03:14 PMdigging up an old thread here
due to some unforseen circumstances im now back on here
im still wanting to do my build but other things had to be sorted first
but im back now and hoping to start soon
ive been looking at what the mx5s have been going for over the last few weeks and surprised how cheap some have sold for
so this will definetley be the route id be taking
so up first im going to try and find myself a cheap and tatty mx5
Ugg10 - 20/4/15 at 03:35 PMGood news
If I were going for an MX5 based kit I would be tempted to spend a few quid more on a mk2 1.8 with an Torsen LSD (typically the Jap eunos roadster imports), this will provide a better platform from which to develop and be cheaper in the long run to get it all from the donor vehicle, much of the mk2 is the same as the mk1 in terms of chassis/running gear etc. so should be compatible (that said I have not built a locost or even read the book so you need to check the Mk2 is OK to use).
All the best with the project.
big_wasa - 20/4/15 at 04:06 PMThe mk2 should work out better as the steering arms are a little lower giving more clearance. The mk2 is also just as cheap as a mk1 if not cheaper.
In fact for some one nearer I have a partial mk2 donor pack with an open diff.
steve-hv8 - 20/4/15 at 04:24 PMwhat bits you got then
hizzi - 20/4/15 at 09:42 PMi have almost finished welding my chassis together, bought in flat pack form from talon.
i have. abuild thread on roadster builder forum