Black steel

[thailoz]

I know and fully understand that the black steel is a pain to work with what wit the cleaning and rounded corners but seriously is it Ok to use as its all I can seem to get here?

[K4KEV]

lawrence...it is a right PITA but if you spend the time to clean it first or even glance over it with a angry grinder flapwheel it is no different from any other steel......if I were to build another roadster I would want bright drawn MS and I would buy a flat pack, but that is from experience which is one thing I would not change as it is a valuable learning curve..,.....one thing is for certain, you will have to treat the black stuff in some way as it will pi** you off in no time. the end result will still fill you with satisfaction

[thailoz]

Originally Posted by K4KEV

you will have to treat the black stuff in some way as it will pi** you off in no time.

Thanks Kev that's what I thought but what do you mean by treat it in some way ?

as in clean it to stop that black sh1t coming off.

[K4KEV]

I used cellulose thinners/rag.....then I used a angry grinder twisted wire wheel.....followed by thinners/rag again

[thailoz]

Ok understand now .

well I just went to get some and its is called 1" square but in fact it is 22.5 mm square that’s all I can get so got got some 1.8 mm thick . Now to get it going today’s aim bottom rails .

[Stot]

You may need to allow for the difference in tube size when cutting the chassis tubes. The car would be 5mm shorter and 5mm less wide and 5mm less tall along its length which may be a problem if you want to use premade body panels.

If you will be fettling your own it shouldnt be a problem.

Cheers
Stot

[thailoz]

I was thinking about that and have decided to make it to the outside dimensions that way it stays the same and I gain a few mm extra internal space

would you advise in fish mouthing the tube to take in account the rounded edges ?

[alga]

I just ran a sanding sponge and rag along each tube before cutting it to get most of the crud off. Seemed to work OK, but gloves were still necessary when handling it.