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klogan45
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« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2006, 01:12:19 PM » |
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Thanks for the replies I do appreciate it.
Can anyone tell me what they use for frames etc.
I'm using 40mm dia 4mm wall ERW. Is there anything better but not needing a morgage to buy?
Thanks again
Keith
Take care ride safe have fun.
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« Last Edit: October 24, 2006, 08:24:43 AM by klogan45 »
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Confucius say woman who flies upside down has crack up!
He who holds The Angle Grinder of Destiny holds the fate of bikekind in his hands.
Where did that 13mm spanner go then?
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trikerpete
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Posts: 3585
like a head with a sore bear :)
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« Reply #16 on: October 23, 2006, 02:24:39 PM » |
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My trike frame tubing is BS1387(?) Gas Barrel or Steam/Water pipe (they dont call it tube for some reason), made by Corus, available in light/medium/heavy wall thickness. I have never had a problem with this and I use the "medium" which has wall thickness of 3 to 4mm and is available in various nominal "bore" sizes. I find the 1 inch nominal bore suits the trike frames ive built and gives an o/d (outside diameter) of 33 to 34mm. It seems the bore sizes are always in imperial but wall and length being in metric. This pipe used to be painted black with a blue band although now seems to be "red oxide primer". When "plug & butt welding" the 1inch bore I find the 3/4inch bore is a tight fit inside, this only works with wall thicknesses of same size, ie: medium/medium. Hope this helps  |
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what do you mean, I cant do that !! |
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reliantman
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« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2006, 02:51:10 PM » |
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As for the "welded seam position".... I often produce "compound" bends (I think thats what Manky calls them) which means that they will curve different ways along the length of the tube. Although I may start with the seam facing down into the former, when I move tube along for the next bend it maybe facing up or to the side. I have never had a problem with this
I often wondered about that. When I was learning to weld the instructor told me about the seam thing, but you're right about the different angles.
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Manky Monkey
Administrator
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« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2006, 04:40:25 PM » |
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Yup, I'm using the same stuff as Pete. 1" bore for the main frame tubing with 1 1/2" for the top tube. Bought for about 2 quid a foot, (comes in 4 metre lengths), from my local branch of Pipe & Tube.
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On the last freedom moped out of Nowhere City.
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klogan45
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« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2006, 07:15:18 PM » |
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Thanks guys,
well i'm off to the steel suppliers in the next day or two. I'll give the steam/water tube a go and keep you posted.
Thanks again
Keith.
take care ride safe have fun.
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« Last Edit: October 24, 2006, 08:24:18 AM by klogan45 »
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Confucius say woman who flies upside down has crack up!
He who holds The Angle Grinder of Destiny holds the fate of bikekind in his hands.
Where did that 13mm spanner go then?
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Manky Monkey
Administrator
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Karma: 264
Posts: 55102
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« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2006, 09:12:07 PM » |
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I've been using ERW, (electrical resistance welded) tube for over ten years now. The subject of tube quality's a regular debate on various bike forums -the argument being that seamed tube is more prone to bursting open under pressure or failing along the seam through fatigue. Go for the more expensive CDS, (cold drawn seamless), if it gives you peace of mind -after all, it's you who's got to ride the finished machine, but I can honestly say I've never had a problem with ERW or heard of anyone else doing so. Chris Ireland, ("Desperate Dan"), mentioned it on his Brit Chopper forum only a couple of days ago. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me. If it's in a properly thought out, well triangulated design, it's as strong as you'll ever need.
I dug out some off-cuts of ERW while I was in Ska Man's garage this evening.
Ours is in the newer red oxide finish, which is much nicer to work with than the older black stuff -seems to bend & weld much cleaner.
The bulk of our frames is done in 33.7mm outside diameter tube, (roughly 1" bore), which has the identification "Corus Install EN10255 33.7" printed on it.
The 1 1/2" bore we use for top tubes is 48mm O.D
ERW's presumably a softer, more pliable grade than the tube you've currently got.
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« Last Edit: October 24, 2006, 09:18:10 AM by Manky Monkey »
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On the last freedom moped out of Nowhere City.
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reliantman
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« Reply #21 on: October 24, 2006, 10:50:06 AM » |
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I had exactly the same sort of flak from some members when I mentioned what I used as well.
Recently I met a guy in Bridgend, who has been building VW frames for twelve years. He has put several complete trikes through the MSVA and he uses 27mm ID, 3.2mm wall mild steel pipe, which is reasonably cheap.
I got a quote of £16 a length from a place in Cardiff docks, so I will probably be getting some of that next time.
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« Last Edit: October 28, 2006, 09:00:41 AM by reliantman »
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klogan45
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« Reply #22 on: November 02, 2006, 10:03:43 AM » |
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Hey Guys the pipe bending saga is over!!!!!!!! Went to the steel shop this morning, took the two formers with me and got some tube that was a tight fit. Rushed home full of excitement and set up the pipe bender. I placed the rollers where I needed then, put the tube in and with some trepidation I began to pump the handle. Nothing happened..... then I closed the valve!!!!!!!!! I began to pump and the tube began to bend, I continued pumping, the tube continued bending. I pumped for all I was worth The tube offered some token resistance but finally succumed to my will, well would'nt you with a 12 tonne jack up you!!!!!  I released the pressure  and had to take a hammer to the tube to get it out of the fromer....a good fit. Then I realised that i had not put a 'saddle' under the rollers(nothing a bit of work  won't fix> The tube had bent as I wanted with NO distortion except where the rollers are. In short... Thanks for the advice given by everyone. Keith |
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Confucius say woman who flies upside down has crack up!
He who holds The Angle Grinder of Destiny holds the fate of bikekind in his hands.
Where did that 13mm spanner go then?
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reliantman
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« Reply #23 on: November 02, 2006, 10:37:42 AM » |
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Keith. Thats brill. Now you just have to practice with it. http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.htmlThe link above is for a place in the states that makes roll cages. They use an expensive bender, but the site shows you how to measure the metal. |
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klogan45
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« Reply #24 on: November 02, 2006, 11:03:13 AM » |
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Thanks Doug I had a look it's a Good site
regards
Keith
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Confucius say woman who flies upside down has crack up!
He who holds The Angle Grinder of Destiny holds the fate of bikekind in his hands.
Where did that 13mm spanner go then?
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Manky Monkey
Administrator
Hero Member
Karma: 264
Posts: 55102
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« Reply #25 on: November 02, 2006, 08:53:05 PM » |
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Another tube mangler is born  There'll be no stopping him now! |
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On the last freedom moped out of Nowhere City.
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klogan45
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« Reply #26 on: November 02, 2006, 08:59:38 PM » |
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Yes there will, the wife will probably stop me when there's some man's work to do in the house..... must'nt complain too much as she may read this and i'm scared of her!!!!!!
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Confucius say woman who flies upside down has crack up!
He who holds The Angle Grinder of Destiny holds the fate of bikekind in his hands.
Where did that 13mm spanner go then?
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Manky Monkey
Administrator
Hero Member
Karma: 264
Posts: 55102
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« Reply #27 on: November 02, 2006, 09:28:31 PM » |
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That's what garages are for -your own little macho domain where you're lord of all you survey -& somewhere to hide from the missus.
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On the last freedom moped out of Nowhere City.
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BikerGran
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Gran Turismo
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« Reply #28 on: November 02, 2006, 09:31:42 PM » |
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Oh is that why Mike complains that he can't get his car in the garage cos of my trike and bikes?
*wears innocent face*
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You don't stop havin fun because you get old - you get old if you stop havin fun!
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Manky Monkey
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Posts: 55102
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« Reply #29 on: November 02, 2006, 09:44:04 PM » |
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On the last freedom moped out of Nowhere City.
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