Building your own frame

[ChestersAlive]

There are a lot of good frame plans out there. The frame is the backbone of your roadster, everything directly or indirectly attaches to it. It is NOT a place to learn how to weld. It should be built by a competent, professsional welder who knows what rod to use, heat range, weld penetration etc. Learn on the brackets etc.It should be built in a jig or possibly on a perfect flat floor.You're better off buying a pre-assembled frame from a well-known company and be safe. Anyone can grind off the chickens--t and make it look good but how good is their penetration? Did they use the right rod or something they found in a yard sale? 80 MPH on a freeway between two semis is no place to find out the man who built your frame is a shoe-salesman who welds in his garage with a $100 mig-welder at night for a little extra money.
In buying a frame ask the company if they use 1 1/2" X 3" tubing or 2" X 3" tubing. Look close at the roadsters you see in a meet and decide which you'd rather have. A 1 1/2"er gives my the willys just to look at it. ChestersAlive

 

[butch27]

Good advice Chester. I got a lot of good tips from your book.

 

[v65rider]

Good advice Chester. I got a lot of good tips from your book.

I just downloaded the book and looked a little at it. Lots of good information in it to compliment all the great advice here on this board. No such thing as too much advice!

 

[RPM]

There are a lot of good frame plans out there. The frame is the backbone of your roadster, everything directly or indirectly attaches to it. It is NOT a place to learn how to weld. It should be built by a competent, professsional welder who knows what rod to use, heat range, weld penetration etc. Learn on the brackets etc.It should be built in a jig or possibly on a perfect flat floor.You're better off buying a pre-assembled frame from a well-known company and be safe. Anyone can grind off the chickens--t and make it look good but how good is their penetration? Did they use the right rod or something they found in a yard sale? 80 MPH on a freeway between two semis is no place to find out the man who built your frame is a shoe-salesman who welds in his garage with a $100 mig-welder at night for a little extra money.
In buying a frame ask the company if they use 1 1/2" X 3" tubing or 2" X 3" tubing. Look close at the roadsters you see in a meet and decide which you'd rather have. A 1 1/2"er gives my the willys just to look at it. ChestersAlive

You got that exactly right. Great advice!

Oh and welcome to the site. :hooray:

 

[Todd]

Welding used tie rod ends into water or gas pipe gives me the willys to even think about it.

 

[VegasBruce]

Thanks Chester, and welcome. Where you at in Texas?

 

[LKE]

I downloaded the free chapter today when I was home for lunch. I just skimmed thru it, but from what I saw, I think you guys that are building your first car should consider the $10 and get it. I am going to buy it just out of curiousity.

 

[BLUEGRASST]

Welcome aboard Mr. C- anybody who wants to build, buy, or dream of a T Bucket should have your book. It is by far the best printed word on our drivers and dreams.

 

[benT]

Welding used tie rod ends into water or gas pipe gives me the willys to even think about it.

:hooray: me too!!!:sofnny:

I have a copy of Chester's original book. It has some good information, but is a bit out of date IMO. Some of the techniques are questionable, but there is also some neat low-buck ideas. If you're a first-time builder, its probably worth the bucks to have some more info, but like all "plans" make sure to look at all aspects with a critical eye; it'll be your :butt: in the seat!

 

[all-world1]

I just purchased and downloaded Chester's book. There's a lot of great info in it that supplements some of the material I already have, and lots of stuff that in it that I don't have. And what can you really buy for 10 bucks these days?

 

[butch27]

If you find a set of "BIRD" frame plans they are the most simple ones I've seen BUT do need to be longer.

 

[der Spieler]

I think what is more important that whether a frame is made of 1-1/2" by 3" or if it's made of 2" x 3" is the wall thickness. My Speedway was 1-1/2" x 3" x 11 gauge (.120). I had no problems and the frame seemed to be adequate but if I do it again the wall thickness will be 3/16". The weight penalty is minimal as is the cost. The comfort and self assurance from knowing you have a strong frame is immeasurable.

 

[Jamestat2]

I am building mine from 1 1/2" x 3" x 1/4" wall using 2" schedule 80 pipe for the front crossmember (I like the round look of the pipe as a crossmember.) and I am also putting in a "K" member (1 1/2" x 3" x 11 gauge) for extra rigidity.

I bought Chesters book about two days ago and I like it alot!

 

[HenrysT]

2" SCH 80 pipe should NOT be used! Try 2" DOM x.125" wall thickness for the front cross member.

 

[RPM]

2" SCH 80 pipe will be just fine, as long as it it steel pipe and not iron. The OD on that is 2.38" with a wall of .22" so it is plenty strong enough for what you are doing.

We use 2.5" pipe in our frames it has an OD of 2.88" and a wall of .28" . We use it because it is just a tad smaller than the 3" rail tube and it seems to interlock good.

 

[B.C.]

ChestersAlive It's an honor to be on the same thread as you. I have not been on the boards as much as I should be and did not know you were here untill just now. I just want to say you have done a lot for our hobby by encouraging people to believe they could build there own car and showing them how. I hope to meet you some day and would love to see you at one of the Spirit sponsored T events in Mountain Home AR. If your ever intrested in that trip let me know and we will see about covering some of the cost's. I know a lot of Bucketheads would love to meet you in person as would I.

 

[EX JUNK]

ChestersAlive It's an honor to be on the same thread as you. I have not been on the boards as much as I should be and did not know you were here untill just now. I just want to say you have done a lot for our hobby by encouraging people to believe they could build there own car and showing them how. I hope to meet you some day and would love to see you at one of the Spirit sponsored T events in Mountain Home AR. If your ever intrested in that trip let me know and we will see about covering some of the cost's. I know a lot of Bucketheads would love to meet you in person as would I.

I had the privilege of meeting him, here in Florida, a couple of years ago.I had a very enjoyable time with him.

Jim

 

[RPM]

Do you all realize that Chester has not posted on this site for over 2 years?

 

[lincolnuT]

Ron they don't look at dates when they read I recond.......

Mike

 

[Dino]

LOL. I learned that Chester was some one that people wanted too meet . Looks like i need to do some research on other posts that he has been in .