View Full Version : I want to make a tube frame
TaknItHomInABag
07-23-2002, 04:42 PM
Hey, I want to make a tube frame chassis. I was thinking about doing it in Aluminumin, but that would be too hard to join. My next thought is carbon fiber tubing. I can get it fairly cheep, and I think you can join it togeather with thick C.A. Any thoughts?
I want to build one also. I was thinking music wire, and I could braze it together with a propane torch. I don't think I could make it straight, though:(
RC Jack
07-27-2002, 01:03 AM
TaknIt, if you use CA to bond anything, just remember, eventually CA will crystalize and break off.....and there goes your chassis.
If you know someone who has a mig or tig, then, I'd recommend 4130 chromemoly tubing, .250". It could even be brazed.
Hmm...Didn't have anything hot enough to braze the brass together, so zipties will have to work for now. Works pretty good, actually. Feel free to laugh, it's my first try:)
RC Jack
07-27-2002, 11:38 PM
Soya, have you ever tried silver solder? You'd still need a torch, like a propane torch, but, propane doesn't get hot enough for silver solder, so you get a bottle of MAP gas, available at most hardware stores. It cost about 50% more than propane. Give it a shot.
krisI.925
07-28-2002, 11:47 AM
you dont even need that. I made a full body roll cage for my rush with bumper using silver solder and brass tubing. You just need a 90W soldering iron and some high quality flux.
Rustler Dude
07-28-2002, 03:28 PM
What does braze mean? I have a torch and some brass rods, but i dont know what it means to "braze" the rods together.
wizen2002
07-28-2002, 04:21 PM
soya did it the fred flinstone way hehe:)
RC Jack
07-28-2002, 05:16 PM
Rustler, instead of using electricity and steel rods for welding, brazing uses brass rods and a torch.
Rustler Dude
07-28-2002, 06:19 PM
Oh, the torch i got doesnt heat up enought to melt the brass rods. I dont think so at least, i havent tried it for long enough i guess.
wizen2002--It works pretty well, actually. Took me all of 6 minutes, too:D
TaknItHomInABag
08-05-2002, 02:05 PM
[i]
If you know someone who has a mig or tig, then, I'd recommend 4130 chromemoly tubing, .250". It could even be brazed. [/B]
Hmmm... Crome moly:rolleyes: I could use that, but my welding looks like someone sneezed on it, besides I don't have Mig or Tig. Do you think I could silver solder it? Thak I can do either with my Map torch or the Oxy/acl........Hmmmm
RC Jack
08-05-2002, 02:18 PM
You could probably solder Chrome-moly, but, it would be for looks only! Solder or silver solder is very soft and the joint will break easily. If you are interested in makin' one, make a jig and get it all shaped and fitted and then, take it to a welder for the welding.
The jig you can make from 2x4's and the like. A jig is nothing more than a series fo clamps to hold multiple pieces together for welding or joining.....in case your wondering.
Good luck. Hope it works out and keep us posted! Maybe even take pix along the way to show others how-to-do-it!
nitro pede man
08-05-2002, 02:25 PM
im wondering, what do ya'll use to hold the pipes in place befor soldering... do ya'll just raid every vice from big lots and move them on the workbench to hold the pipes in place
RC Jack
08-05-2002, 02:48 PM
NitroPede, make a jig out of 2x4's. The 2x4's hold each piece in conjunction with another. Just before it's welded, you won't be able to much of the frame, just the 2'x4's, only the joints and maybe a little more! :D After it's welded, break away the 2x4's and...vwala!
nitro pede man
08-05-2002, 03:17 PM
ill stick with the 40,000 vises... sounds ezer
RC Jack
08-05-2002, 03:56 PM
Actually, NitroPede, the 2x4's are easier, easier to work with, and they are relatively permanant, until you break them away. The 40,000 clamps start falling off and coming off you're going to have a hemerage! Above all, they'd be consistant, which is what you need. The 40,000 clamps could work if they are not allowed to move...at all.
TaknItHomInABag
08-06-2002, 04:21 PM
I was monkeying arroung with some brass and found that cut nail pounded into a 2x4 worked well for holding the brass as i soldered. Torched the wood a bit, but hey the wife was not home.
RC Jack
08-06-2002, 06:53 PM
TaknItHomInABag, that wood that you "torched a bit" wouldn't by any chance be the dining room table, would it?:D
TaknItHomInABag
08-07-2002, 09:40 AM
ummm...why...ahhh..no not me, It came with that big black mark, besides, who told you. J/K I was a smart boy and was actually working in the basement, did kind of torch the work bench though. I got a soldering "cloth" from Homer ( Home Depot ) that plumbers use when working next to stuff they don't want to light up, it works o.k., instead of a big ( 3 to 4 inches ) burn I now only get a small burn ( quater to half dollar size. ):p
krisI.925
08-07-2002, 01:32 PM
why not use 1/4" brass tubing. Thats what everyone seems to use. Not sure how u set up the cups on the ends for them tho. But i have made a roll cage out of brass tubing. Strong as hell and protected my rush real well. RCCA had a artical in one of there mags a while back about this.
TaknItHomInABag
08-07-2002, 03:48 PM
Yea, well, Brass is kind of heavy. And it has been done befor. And I'm actually tring to make one of my stadium truck. Might as well give up and use brass. Could make it .21 powered then...Hmmm
smokinoutlaw
08-07-2002, 04:41 PM
I have a little knowledge here, 40,000 clamps=no good, lol, it works until you get to that last joint and realize that the heat warp caused your clamp to release, and now you have to cut a piece out and try again or weld the bar in and see how bent it is, not fun and the boss didn't like it either, lol. your best bet is to make a jig like stated before, all though I might be more prone to try welding pieces of metal to make a jig, you said you cant weld but a jig doesn't have to be pretty, especially for a one of a kind project.
Now as far as the material to use, how about thin wall stainless tube or possibly even steel tube that gets heat treated when its done. I could be way out from what you want to do but sometimes another idea helps.
Hay Taknit where in waukesha are you, as you can see im in the grove and as soon as I get my t up again I would like to find more people in the area to go rip the ground up with.
:cool: peace
nitro pede man
08-07-2002, 06:22 PM
Originally posted by RC Jack
Actually, NitroPede, the 2x4's are easier, easier to work with, and they are relatively permanant, until you break them away. The 40,000 clamps start falling off and coming off you're going to have a hemerage! Above all, they'd be consistant, which is what you need. The 40,000 clamps could work if they are not allowed to move...at all.
thats y you bold them to the bench
smokinoutlaw
08-07-2002, 09:45 PM
how do you bold them, burn them to make them darker??? jk lol
:p :D :cool:
wetspot
08-08-2002, 07:08 PM
There has got to be a better place then towers hob. to get t6 alu or other exotic metals titanumin etc. thank you for any help.:
RC Jack
08-08-2002, 08:26 PM
WS, the only T6 that you'd get at Tower is sheet metal, maybe a little thicker.
There are several places to get T6 and probably in your area. One place would be a METALS SUPPLY HOUSE. If you do find a place, ask for CUT-OFFS!!! These are odd sized pieces that have been cut from a full size sheet. Another place would be a FABRICATION SHOP.
Please keep in mind that there are several grades of T6 available. Without knowing what you're looking to make, I'll won't venture a guess on the thickness or the grade. If you tell me what you're makin', I could tell you exactly what to ask for.
wetspot
08-09-2002, 02:13 PM
Thanks for the reply RC Jack
Iam contemplating on building a ground up truck only using parts that would not be feasible to build like gears,shocks,bodies wheels, tires etc I have some ideals I would like to incorperate in a truck or car . I will be building chasis,a-arms, gear boxes,mono shock rears,clutches.Iam new to this hobbie so I do not know suppliers for any parts as small as in this hobbie after looking at the fine job you did to your ek4 I knew that I would enjoy fabing. parts myself.So far I like to do this for my own personal enjoyment or maybe down the road there may be a market for hand built custom cars and trucks. I live in the boondocks so local suppliers of these meterial are hard to find or find at all no hobbies shops with nitro anything within 30 miles of my home.
Thanks
nitro pede man
08-09-2002, 09:48 PM
bolt... thats what i meant
another nirtoisam
RC Jack
08-09-2002, 10:25 PM
WS, I'd suggest you look in the Yellow Pages for a Metal Supply House, look under METALS. If that is a dead-end, could buy online at : http://www.onlinemetals.com/
The grade of aluminum that you are going to be needing is 6061 T6 ROLLED aluminum, I wouldn't recommend billet aluminum because it's porous and prone to cracking whereas rolled aluminum isn't.
I'd recommend .250" for the heavy stuff, .1875 for most of the other stuff, like suspsension arms and .125" for brackets. Or if you have a mill, just get the .250".
A 12"x36" would be a good size to start with. I bought a "cut-off" 32"x24" and have a lot left. Also, don't throw out any pieces that you cut, you never know when you'll need a real tiny piece.
If you need any more help, you can email me at: robertmcall@pnv.net