Chassis Steel Wall Thickness
 

Hi
I am just starting to build my chassis using offcuts of box section from work.
Will it be ok to use 2.5mm wall instead of the 1.6mm in the book?. I know that the chassis will weigh more but this is outweighed by the fact that the offcuts are free.
Im hoping to get most of the steel from the scrap bins at work in the locost spirit! we have a good selection of plate and flat steel for the other parts though.

Regards

Andy

yeh that will be fine, but like you say it will be a little heavier.

tilly

Hi Andy and welcome;) ....most peeps on the forum make their chassis from 2mm wall thickness so I would say 1/2 mm aint gonna make a lot of difference and as it is free ...well its a no brainer bud, go for it you can always go for a stronger engine to overcome the xtra kg either way just get going and you will learn a vast amount from this forum.....start making sparks dude:D :D

Thanks for your replies

I did a quick calculation from the cutting list in the Ron champion book and I think the chassis was working out around 14kg heavier using 2.5mm SHS than with the 1.6mm SHS quoted. I haven't seen a linear meter total for the Haynes chassis box section but i wouldn't imagine is massively different so i can live with the extra weight for the cost saving

When you say stronger engine, do you reckon an Aston Martin V12 would fit??? There is loads for sale on ebay.

Nice thought but ill stick with the mx5 engine for now!

Andy

Another MX5 build! Welcome!:)