beegirl Posted January 27, 2003 Report Posted January 27, 2003 Hi, just wondering if anyone has built or has any opinions on aluminium buggies? Im building a buggy and was considering building it from aluminium so the kite would have less weight to pull as stainless steel is very heavy. ??? L:-) Quote
whizzer Posted January 27, 2003 Report Posted January 27, 2003 Hi Beegirl, Apart from the strength issue you may encounter some problems when you want to attach or fabricate anything to aluminium tubing. Its a very specialised technique to weld parts like steel bearings or castings to an aluminium frame where the metals are so different in their make up. Just a thought Quote
Scoopy Posted January 27, 2003 Report Posted January 27, 2003 You should be okay on strength if you use spun aluminum. Im not sure about the welding as mentioned above, but spun alum is what they use in aircrafts. I believe it is as strong as stainless, does corrode, and probably more expensive. But then again, if your serious about making something light for racing, many times cost is not an issue. Scoop Quote
rasga Posted January 27, 2003 Report Posted January 27, 2003 But then again, if your serious about making something light for racing, many times cost is not an issue i always thought that that race buggier are usually very heavy (and they have a weight limit as to how much extra ballast they can carry) i presume this is due to the heavier the buggy and you are teh more power that you can hold (as you wont be pulled out or sideways) of course there would be a limit to how much weight to carry , due to pure efficiency (heavier=slower, so i guess there is a fine balence?) not a buggy guy, so i could be talking utter rubbish Quote
penance Posted January 27, 2003 Report Posted January 27, 2003 why would you weld a bearing to a buggy? how the heck do you replace a welded bearing? the bearing will be push fit, as for casting, get it machined out of ally expensive but would be cool when finished also look at stuff like 7020 ally alloy Quote
chuggster Posted January 27, 2003 Report Posted January 27, 2003 ally welding, mig it mate, piece of cake allegidly, personally I would'nt bother with ally, its too ficle the wall thickness would have to be around 5-8 mm for it not to bend under the stress's and what about bending the sections have you thought about that ,this isnt a put down but you must have a good workshop to build these things ,you dont want anything coming adrift at 20+mph ?????????????do you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
penance Posted January 27, 2003 Report Posted January 27, 2003 not sure, but i dont think mig will weld ally, u need tig i think Quote
chuggster Posted January 27, 2003 Report Posted January 27, 2003 sorry mate its easyier to mig it NOT with steel wire of course tiging ally is way diificult most of my attempts anded in pools of well ally,my predicessor was superb at it but i could never get the nack mind you my stainless tiging is second to non hows that for blowing my own trumpet:o Quote
beegirl Posted January 28, 2003 Author Report Posted January 28, 2003 Thanks for the input, thats useful. Was going to MIG it (only coz ive never TIGed anything, but friend has a TIG so mite give it a go if im feeling brave;-)). Anyway, not too worried about the welding, was more interested in perormance based opinions of aluminium buggies? L:-) Quote
caine Posted January 28, 2003 Report Posted January 28, 2003 A lightweight ally buggy would be very good for freestyle, although not so good for speed, reason being youd get pulled sideways alot, unless you built it long and wide that is dom Quote
ZMAN Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 Alu is a good material for a buggy - check out whats happened to cycle frames of late, even the new Jag is Alu - you can use large diameter / box sections for a very strong and stiff frame work . For a large fast / race buggy do not worry about the weight. You have to remember Alu is about 1/3 the weight and strength of steel, so to get the strength you have to use more material and larger sections. It welds well with MIG, easy to cut/shape etc and is relatively easy to keep from corrosion. The only material to win the fight against sea water corrosion is titainium. I would not like to bend 50mm dia alu tube but who say's you have to bend it, bends can be made by cut/weld segments. Bye ZMAN Quote
scud49841599968587 Posted February 2, 2003 Report Posted February 2, 2003 the easiest way to bend ally is to bung up one end tightly and then fill th tube with sand,it has to be jammed in tight, then bung the other end up,that way the tube wont crimp when u bend it,then warm up the ally and bend it to the required amount, a fabricator told me that n i tried it on my own buggy project, n it works really well, ya just have to get the bends equal,hope that helps Quote
Flying_Squirrel Posted February 2, 2003 Report Posted February 2, 2003 I have got an aluminium buggy, home made. Its only light but then again it only needs to be; it does what its supposed 2 do If i can i'll find a pic Quote
Flying_Squirrel Posted February 2, 2003 Report Posted February 2, 2003 and theres also this one have a great time buggying, Leah Quote
ZMAN Posted February 2, 2003 Report Posted February 2, 2003 Bending alu Same idea as bending copper tube only you use a spring. Like the pics of the alu buggy, can you post some specs, size diameter and wall sections etc. I am not convinced about a light weight buggy, i have a flexi 2002 and i am being draged side ways, i have checked out the racing lads at hoylake and they use huge buggys. There is lots to discus on this. ZMAN Quote
Flying_Squirrel Posted February 3, 2003 Report Posted February 3, 2003 The dimensions are somewhere on another thread, but i'll try and find them. might take a while lol urs, Leah Quote
stonemonkey Posted February 3, 2003 Report Posted February 3, 2003 That ally buggy looks cool all I would say is if you take it to the beach you need to wash it well with clean water after as bare ally and salt do not go together at all , even anodised ally with salt left on it over winter will start to corrode well impressed with my pl comp 2002 just want a wider axle now Quote
Flying_Squirrel Posted February 9, 2003 Report Posted February 9, 2003 Hey again, Found the plans, got to http://www.kites.org/jo/plans.html Its the Stainless Steel Buggy - Frans Nijhuis. Dad says u can use this for the basic wheel base/proportions. 2mm aluminium tube varying diameter from 25-38mm, round section not box section, 3-4mm for back axel depending on length/with/without suspension, probably better buying the forks in s/steel because otherwise too bulky. Back with more Info in a minute, need 2 find pics Quote
Flying_Squirrel Posted February 9, 2003 Report Posted February 9, 2003 right... Probably better to do a joint similar to the downtube joint on the back axle rather than go through the axle. If anyone wants any more help (lots available i think :S) just email me. Quote
Flying_Squirrel Posted February 9, 2003 Report Posted February 9, 2003 heres a piccy the downtube and walls are oval because thats what dad got out the scrap bin lol Quote
ZMAN Posted February 9, 2003 Report Posted February 9, 2003 Many Thanks for that. It does look very good in the pic's Got all the steel for my wide axcel so should start cuting next week. Zman Quote
Flying_Squirrel Posted February 10, 2003 Report Posted February 10, 2003 all the best to you m8, let us know how u get on! Quote
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