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 Topic  |
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Hammerhead
39 Posts |
 Posted - February 04 2004 : 12:39:00 AM
Like a lot of guys in here they have their on garage, MIG welder and some basic tools and are also willing to buy a few more like a metal saw- so I'll call guys like this Regular Joes. If I were to build a kit car, I would want to build my own chassis and I want a rear engine car. Also I would want my frame to have that "race" look. Are there any kits out there that come with plans for a chassis that a regular Joe can build. I saw the Diablo replica chassis plans but it said its not for the Regular Joe; however at one site I saw a lot of pics of it being built and I think maybe he could build one. I looked at the Attack Chassis and its got the look Im wanting but I doubt that he can build that. So if a Regular Joe hones up on his MIG welding and takes his time and does a good job what should he try and tackle? I hope some of you experienced guys comment on this. Thanks |
BaldwinMotion
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - February 04 2004 : 12:38:38 PM
in my opinion its not worth it to build you're own chassis for kit car purposes. it would be too time consuming and too costly to do so. the chassis from naerc has that "race" look that you're talking about and is relatively inepxensive as a chassis goes. to fabricate you're own chassis would require the construction of a jig which takes time and money. not to mention the kind of space which most regular joe's do not have in their garage, and very few weekend mechanics have a bona fide shop to work with. the cutting and lathe work required cannot be accomplished with basic tools that normal builders have in their possession. chassis fabrication also requires a very precise knowledge of both geometry and trigonometry which very few of us have. if you cut or lay-out your jig wrong, your custom chassis is just a well-built pile of scrap metal. also, you would have to be aware of the location/style/size of every single piece for suspension, drivetrain, fuel system, etc. you want to use, and accomidate for them in your layout and fabrication. one last note, chassis work requires tig welding to be done properly, mig is much less precise and is much too sloppy; you'd spend as much time grinding as you would welding the only do-it-yourself chassis that i have ever heard of which can be tackled by a "regular joe" is the jegster chassis kit. most applications are for vettes, camaros and mustangs; i'm not sure if they make one for a rear-engined car such as the fiero, but it might be worth a shot because ground up fabrication, in my opinion, is not worth the hassle 
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paulgregory
58 Posts |
Posted - February 05 2004 : 12:21:48 PM
As a contrary post to the above, check out the Locost builders group at yahoo. Many people are building their chassis baised on the Champion 7sh style cars. Just a few weeks ago someone posted a video of the first drive of a rear engine varient, I can't remember the guys name.
It can certinly be done but you need to do a lot of research before you start any "metal gluing".
As a refence point, I spent more that a year (spare time) in chassis layout before anything.
Being in the custom machinery fabrication biss for 20 years, I know that all the real work is in the brain time of this type of project and NOT the weld time.
Go for it
Paul
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kitkar
126 Posts |
Posted - February 05 2004 : 1:10:37 PM
I disagree that chassis building requires TIG welding. TIG welding makes nice welds but MIG welding is much more practical.
Disigning a chassis from scratch is probably beyond the regular Joe, but building the tube chassis from NAERC might not be.Rick Lord
http://www.kingdomcustoms.com |
BaldwinMotion
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - February 05 2004 : 6:54:10 PM
quote:
As a contrary post to the above, check out the Locost builders group at yahoo. Many people are building their chassis baised on the Champion 7sh style cars. Just a few weeks ago someone posted a video of the first drive of a rear engine varient, I can't remember the guys name.
It can certinly be done but you need to do a lot of research before you start any "metal gluing".
As a refence point, I spent more that a year (spare time) in chassis layout before anything.
Being in the custom machinery fabrication biss for 20 years, I know that all the real work is in the brain time of this type of project and NOT the weld time.
Go for it
Paul
contrary to what? you restated everything i said
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BaldwinMotion
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - February 05 2004 : 6:58:54 PM
quote:
I disagree that chassis building requires TIG welding. TIG welding makes nice welds but MIG welding is much more practical.
maybe i misstated when i said that TIG is REQUIRED. you are 100% correct that MIG is more practical, but i personally find the "finished" look of TIG much more pleasing to the eyes, even though you wont be seeing 99% of the chassis welds. i'm sorry for the misunderstanding
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paulgregory
58 Posts |
Posted - February 06 2004 : 12:05:00 PM
The contary part was that here is a group that are building chassis without a formal chassis jig, in there small garages, with mig welders, and not grinding every mig weld that they make.
Seems worth their hassle.
Don't get me wrong, your opinion is very valid when your considering the differance of two alike cars, one purchased as kit to be assembled, and one more hand build. Just maybe to some the more scratch built has a greater attraction especialy if your looking for something not produced by anybody.
I think the "regular joe" with the disire will find the process very rewarding, maybe he won't be a regular joe anymore when he/she is done.
Just my take on the matter,
No flames intended.Paul
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phried
USA
44 Posts |
Posted - February 13 2004 : 6:04:39 PM
Check this site: http://members.cox.net/kimini22/car/The guy totally built his chassis from scratch, seemed to be teaching himself welding along the way too.
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Regular Joe Chassis ???
