Hey guys, building a book-ish locost from ground up.
Looking to buy my basic raw materials to start and if I buy as much as I can in one go, I get a serious discount (50% of retail ). My list so far is:

12- 10ft 1x1x16ga steel (ERW 1010)
1- 5'x4' sheet aluminum 16ga (0.048" 1.22mm) in the stiffest grade available
3- 4'x8' sheet 18ga H14 aluminum

I figure 3 sheets of 18ga should do the back panel,sides, scuttle, bonnet, F&R bulkheads, and tunnel with about 1/2 a sheet left.

Does this list sound about right? I think I have erred on the side of caution as I would prefer to get the majority of it in one shot. And I know I always forget something.

Something to make your wishbones and trailing arms and brackets from.

You haven't listed any 3/4" round tube you should get a couple of lengths. You should also get another couple of lengths of 1" square tubes you will end up cutting some things wrong! I also used 3/4 square tube for the tunnel and a few other bits of bracing, so about 3 or 4 lengths of this won't go amiss!

Caber

I can't remember exact quantities I used, but it was at least 45 metres of 1"sq, the floor was cut from 16 swg mild (8' x 4' ). I'm just redoing side panels etc, and from an 8 x 4 sheet, I got the sides (front and rear). Then boot panel, I suspect, would use a fair chunk of 8 x 4.

The "subframe" my IRS is mounted to is from 2 x 1.

You don't want to be getting the stiffest ally, as you won't bend it without a press brake. Get half hardinstead.

I would also get pre-fabbed wishbone brackets, wishbones, trailing arms (if using an axle). You want to get it on wheels asap - it helps to keep up enthusiasm

If I was scratch building again, I'd probably buy the bodywork (plastic parts at least).

Don't forget nut's, bolts, washers, polly bushes, gauges, seats, steering column/rack, uprights, engine, gearbox radiator etc etc. You'll want some of these bits so you can position engine over lower rails to get trans tunnel in the right place.

Personally, I think you're mad

ATB

Simon

[Edited on 23/1/07 by Simon]

Might be a bit scarce in Vancouver. I assume the hard aluminium is for the floor.

I am going for pre-fabbed oval track suspension links. Any length, very sturdy and nicely TIG welded. Will also be buying misc gussets and brackets from them too.

The stiff aluminum is for the floor only. Half hard 18ga for the rest (H14). I hope that will bend easy enough?

I was going to to the tunnel from the same 1x1x16ga but just did the math and I can save 2lbs there.... so 3/4" it is . I will probably buy one more 10ft lenght of 1x1x16ga as well. Its cheap enough.

If you think I'm mad now, wait till you see my next project. The locost is just a fabrication lesson so I don't screw that one up .
Cheers.

quote:

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Originally posted by C10CoryM
..............and I can save 2lbs there.... so 3/4" it is . Cheers.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Simon
I can lose that (or gain it) in a day, depending on what I eat

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