LocostUSA.com

Learning how to build Lotus Seven replicas...together!
It is currently March 29, 2024, 7:53 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 30, 2018, 6:52 pm 
Offline

Joined: December 6, 2017, 2:20 pm
Posts: 125
Location: San Jose, California
I'm looking at the control arms for the Locost. I have a pretty nice drill press and was wondering if I could use it to make the joining between the round tubes. I don't really want to try grind to fit. So I'm split between buying a set or making a set.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 30, 2018, 7:10 pm 
Offline
The voice of reason
User avatar

Joined: January 10, 2008, 4:47 pm
Posts: 7652
Location: Massachusetts
That should work. Buy a hole saw and take it slow. I did one of my control arm tubes that way the other day because I didn't want to change the hole saw on my tubing notcher. It will be harder to do angles ( need to measure them somehow ) and you need a vice to clamp the tube but it's doable.

_________________
Marcus Barrow - Car9 an open design community supported sports car for home builders!
SketchUp collection for LocostUSA: "Dream it, Build it, Drive it!"
Car9 Roadster information - models, drawings, resources etc.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 30, 2018, 9:50 pm 
Offline

Joined: October 19, 2009, 9:36 pm
Posts: 2199
Location: meadview arizona
i was thinking (dangerous) that what is needed is a pedestal drill on its side and a tube notcher

_________________
this story shall the good man teach his son,
and chrispin chrispian shall ne'er go by,
from this day to the end of the world.
but we in it shall be remembered.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 30, 2018, 10:54 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: July 17, 2015, 1:56 am
Posts: 156
Location: Morrisville, PA
Something like this. well worth the money. This one is from Eastwood.
But i strongly recommend ordering a set of hole saws with a very fine TPI. If your press doesn't have a good range of speeds you can bind it easily. WD40 while cutting helps a lot
The one in the picture was from lowes and it was trash. I bought mine from Missouri Precision Tools, Inc.
http://mo2ls.com/

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-tubing-notcher-and-hole-saw-kit.html

Attachment:
20170416_191123 (Medium).jpg


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
-STu

There is no shame in defeat, so long as the spirit is unconquered

My Build Log


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 31, 2018, 1:03 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: August 27, 2005, 1:04 am
Posts: 1414
Location: Kamloops, BC, Canada
Here's a good writeup on using a chop saw to notch tubing. Once you get the hang of it, it goes really quickly.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-too ... ics/456800
Kristian

_________________
V6 in a book frame build. Now registered.
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=7587
viewtopic.php?f=33&t=18172


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 31, 2018, 3:04 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: May 27, 2006, 9:46 pm
Posts: 1954
Location: BC, Canada. eh?
I bought a tube notcher, but I found the hassle in setting it up (what with the weird angles etc. we need to do) was more trouble than it was worth, IMHO. I ended up using my angry grinder & ultra-thin 4 1/2" carbide discs. After using the notcher for a couple of tubes, I found I could do just as good a job (or better) with the grinder, in about half the time - and with the grinder, there are no mistakes...open it up a little, test fit, massage it a bit more, etc., and it's perfect. Every time.

If I'd had my lathe back when I was doing this stuff, I'd probably have figured out a way to use that. 'Course, with the lathe, it's so much fun to use that even if it took longer to notch tubes, it would be more entertaining! "To the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail..." :roll:

_________________
Scratch building, at continental-drift speed, a custom McSoreley-design framed, dual-Weber 45DCOE carburated, Zetec-engined, ridiculously fast money pit.

http://zetec7.webs.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 31, 2018, 8:54 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: July 17, 2008, 9:11 am
Posts: 6414
Location: West Chicago,IL
Is this a good time to re-introduce builders to the Tube Miter program? Enter a few important parameters, print it out, wrap it around the tube and cut/grind along the lines. It really works. Google "tubemiter" for free download.

_________________
Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 31, 2018, 2:17 pm 
Offline

Joined: December 6, 2017, 2:20 pm
Posts: 125
Location: San Jose, California
This is really nice. Thanks!

rx7locost wrote:
Is this a good time to re-introduce builders to the Tube Miter program? Enter a few important parameters, print it out, wrap it around the tube and cut/grind along the lines. It really works. Google "tubemiter" for free download.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 31, 2018, 2:55 pm 
Offline
The voice of reason
User avatar

Joined: January 10, 2008, 4:47 pm
Posts: 7652
Location: Massachusetts
There are a couple of versions of that program. Look for the one that plots the cut line for both the inside and outside of the tube. I think you want to cut to the inside diameter line, but you need the drawing to be the right size to wrap around the outside of the tube....

_________________
Marcus Barrow - Car9 an open design community supported sports car for home builders!
SketchUp collection for LocostUSA: "Dream it, Build it, Drive it!"
Car9 Roadster information - models, drawings, resources etc.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: January 31, 2018, 5:05 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: January 14, 2006, 1:06 pm
Posts: 813
Location: Vista (north of San Diego CA)
What's wrong with grind to fit? I spent a while creating a jig to hold the bushing tubes exactly where they needed to be. Then cut the tubes close and had at it with the bench grinder. It takes no time at all to get a fit good enough for welding. I just don't see spending all that time trying to do perfect cuts. Life is too short and the road calls.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Control Arms Tubes
PostPosted: February 1, 2018, 8:54 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: September 22, 2005, 8:12 am
Posts: 1879
Location: 4AGE in S.E. Michigan
I agree with John. Cut the approx. angle on the tube with a saw, than grind in the fish mouth.
I used a die grinder, quicker, but you could even use a rat tail file.
The fit-up does not have to be prefect for welding, it is the fixturing i.e. that hold the parts, needs to be right, and I would add, not allow any warpage during welding.
Dave W


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
POWERED_BY