LocostUSA.com

I have a spool that's used for underground conduit that the utility abandoned on a piece of property I help manage. We've reached out to the utility and they told us "...make something neat out of it."

What do you all think about using it for a frame? I was thinking about using it for the main pieces, and purchase some smaller material for stuff like the trans tunnel, and other bracing.



I would have to source longer pieces for the J1 and J2 tubes, not the end of the world. The rust in the picture looks worse than it actually is, but it will need a little elbow grease.

One concern I have is the adjustment holes in each piece. they are about 3/8in and every 4-5in. Would this be enough to compromise the structure? I'm sure I could line some up to use, but otherwise it might be a hog if I have to fill each of them up.

_________________
Cheers,
Logan

Holes in the neutral axis is not going to have a real effect on beaming strength. Wall thickness (?) and larger size is going to have a bigger impact on total wt. I would think, if you prevented internal rusting and you are designing a V-6 or V-8, you could justify the use.

Over the years, I have done a lot of small jobs with rusty steel. One of the things that will get old very quickly is removing the rust, and there is a lot of it, not to mention the amount of dust created. If you can find the $$, I would save this for other small jobs and purchase fresh cold rolled steel tube.

_________________
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

My donor is my '88 toyota pickup, so we're looking at an inline 4 with less than 150hp. davew, are you getting that this would be overkill for that application? It does look a little thicker than 16ga but hard to tell without cutting it open.

Thanks for the recommendation rx7, I do sometimes have to remind myself that my time is worth something also.

_________________
Cheers,
Logan

The wt thing depends on if this is a performance build or a Sunday driver out for ice cream. An extra 100 lbs. will probably ride better while getting ice cream, and 22-R Toyota is known for low end torque. Once it is built, you are not going to reduce the wt much, It all depends on what YOU want and the budget.

Would also be cleaning out the internal rust (because holes) too?

_________________
-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie

Do you have a big enough vessel to soak the parts in something like Ospho to hasten the rust removal process? Still have to get the scaly leftover off, but not as labor intensive as scrubbing at rust.

_________________
1975 MG Midget
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=24382
13B Powered Rotus Geauxkart
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=20899

I just looked at the price of 1" square tube, and am pretty alright with the cost. If I had more time than money I would most likely be looking at repurposing, but as rx7 suggested, I'll most likely keep this metal around for smaller/less structural projects.

_________________
Cheers,
Logan

Good decision, for a 4 cyl drivetrain, 1" sq tube is all you need.
Also if you are building off plans the 1" sq tube measurements are there for you, bigger tube and you would have to adjust for sq tube size difference.

_________________
Perry

'If man built it, man can fix it'
"No one ever told me I couldn't do it."
"If you can't build it safe, don't build it."

Perry's Locost Super Che7enette Build
Perry's TBird Based 5.0L Super 7 L.S.O
Perry's S10 Super 7 The 3rd
Perry's 4th Build The Topolino 500 (Little Mouse) Altered
Perry's 5th Build the Super Slant 6 Super 7
Perry's Final Build the 1929 Mercedes Gazelle

Hehe, I've only drawn 4 or 5 chassis in sketchup with both 1 and 1.25 metal. Want to maximize my width on the axle and extend the height of the frame as well. (The 22r is a pretty tall engine.) I'm waiting until I get my wheels so I can measure actual axle width, but I'm probably looking at a custom +202 frame.

_________________
Cheers,
Logan