Tubular chassis?

[Oily]

Just throwing this idea out there,how hard would/could it be? Is there any part of the chassis that couldn't use tube,like the wishbone mounting points etc?

(Tried searching but came back blank on the forum.)

[snapper]

Next time you are at a show, have a good look at the MNR chassis.
If you wanted to build your own round tube chassis, the MNR one is the standard you should be looking to emulate

[ozzy1]

Roadrunner racing do a round tube chassis also with their SR2

http://www.roadrunnerracing.net/rr-galleries/sr2-3d-cad-gallery.html

[metal matt]

hi. It's been a while since i have been on here but on my chassi i used tube on the top of the tunnal to make the edgees nice and soft and i was then going to make a one peace grp panal that drops over the top so it dosnt have any seems and i also have plans to make another chassi in 316 polishd stainless steel tube i just think it would look so cool

[Oily]

Thanks for the replies.Just had a look at the above,very nice :cool:

Just flicking through the book and trying to see where you would struggle in any areas if a tube chassis was the order of the day.

[ozzy1]

I dont think you would have any probs just the fact that you would have to fishmouth most tubes where they meetand it would consume a lot of time.Unless you have access to a lathe which would make it easier.

[3GE Components]

There's no reason at all why you can't use round tubes, square is easier to work with for a home builder, which is why it's more common.

Cutting round tube can be done with a tube notcher, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WNS-Pipe-Tube-Notcher-Round-Square-2-Dia-/220667349104?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Weldin g_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item3360cc8870 , the "hard" part is keeping the fish mouths parrallel to each other.

Brackets for suspension etc will have to made, as they are not a stock item anywhere, this is something we could do for you if you wished.

Putting panels on is a bit trickier, as you have a smaller contact area for the rivet, so accuracy is paramount.

On the plus side, round tube chassis's look far better ;) :D

Kind regards

John

[Oily]

Will bear this mind John if I go down this route :) I'm still weighing up which way to go :o

I dont think you would have any probs just the fact that you would have to fishmouth most tubes where they meetand it would consume a lot of time.Unless you have access to a lathe which would make it easier.

I do have access to a machine shop so that's one less thing to worry about ;)

[Oily]

Forgot to ask would you do like for like,i.e 1" tube instead of 1" box?

[3GE Components]

Forgot to ask would you do like for like,i.e 1" tube instead of 1" box?

Personally, I'd go up a size to 1-1/8" for the main tubes etc etc.

Kind regards

John

[Oily]

Personally, I'd go up a size to 1-1/8" for the main tubes etc etc.

Kind regards

John

Thanks John :)

[davidimurray]

Forgot to ask would you do like for like,i.e 1" tube instead of 1" box?

You should calculate the second moment of areas and work out the equivalent stiffness of the round tube relative to the square tube.

[Tilly819]

hi all heres my 2 pence worth

in comparision to a 16swg box chassis such as mine

to make a tubeular chassis it would be worth making it out of 1 1/4in tube which would enable you to drop the guage to 18swg and maintain the same stiffness and also drop the weight from about 52kg to 40kg
however as soon as you drill a hole in tube to say rivit on the floor it will reduce its strength more so then with box
and you have to be alot more accurate in doing so sich you have a curve rarther than a flat
hope this helps
calculations were very quick and very aproximate
tilly

[Oily]

You should calculate the second moment of areas and work out the equivalent stiffness of the round tube relative to the square tube.

Fancy doing this for me David as my calculus is a little rusty ;)

If I were to use 1" 1/8 tubing I'm guessing I'd have to recalculate all the measurements of each piece?