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Materials for floor, panels etc
Jesus-Ninja - 14/9/08 at 08:28 AM

I know that the standard is to use ally sheet, but I've bene thinking, for some of the interior, to use thin ply - stiffer and easier to work with.

Not so sure about it's use in the floor though.

speedyxjs - 14/9/08 at 08:43 AM

Fine for the interior but i wouldnt use it for the floor

mr henderson - 14/9/08 at 08:55 AM

Depends on which sort of ply. If you use birch ply that's pretty good, but it would need some kind of coating, especially for the floor.

There are epoxy coatings that work in this application. West Systems do some, I'm sure.

They make boats out of plywood so cars are ok (as long as the surface is suitably protected as above)

John

ReMan - 14/9/08 at 09:12 AM

Given that some would'nt even use ally for the floor and insist on steel, it may not be a good choice, aside from the extra work to make it durable.
Inside though, you can do what you likew provided the finish is acceptable for SVA.
(Is there a rule about splinters)
I'm sure if woodwork is your forte, then you would do a better job with wood than some to with, ally CF vinyl etc

Jesus-Ninja - 14/9/08 at 10:26 PM

What sort of thicknesses should I be using for the floor if I used aluminium or steel?

The book chassis reckons you can use the roof of the donor car, but I don't have a donor car. Not one I really want to cut the roof out of!

I'm conscious that weight is starting to stack up, as the chassis is my own design, and so a little over engineered. Anything I can save elsewhere is great!

Jesus-Ninja - 14/9/08 at 10:53 PM

What about GRP for the floor? I'm going to have to get clever with the stuff anyway...

mr henderson - 15/9/08 at 06:49 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Jesus-Ninja
What about GRP for the floor? I'm going to have to get clever with the stuff anyway...

GRP is very good, excellent even, especially if you mould some folds into the design.

John

Jesus-Ninja - 15/9/08 at 04:59 PM

Right, I bottled it with all the different options, and settled for 1.2mm steel.

So, how best to attach it? I was thinking of plug welding it, and using some of that weld through primer before hand, to stop rust in the places you can't get with a brush afterwards.

Thoughts?

Mark Allanson - 15/9/08 at 07:05 PM

Exactly what I did, you will get some distortion though

Jesus-Ninja - 15/9/08 at 08:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
Exactly what I did, you will get some distortion though


Distortion of the floor or the chassis?

jamie1107 - 16/9/08 at 12:57 PM

if you want to save weight and end up with a bloody strong pannel glare might be an option its basically thin ali sheet usually .9mm with glass fiber layed over it it produces a suprisingly impact resistant composite
they use it for aircraft fusaages

Echidna - 17/9/08 at 07:14 AM

For my project, i plan to use kevlar as it is light and impact resistant.

Mark Allanson - 17/9/08 at 06:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jesus-Ninja
quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
Exactly what I did, you will get some distortion though


Distortion of the floor or the chassis?


Only to the floor!