152 replies to this topic

[kcchan]

Have you done any FEA on those arms? They look great but my gut feeling is that they look a little weak. I'd like to build some of my own radius arms one day to replace standard items so I like the ideas

[TopCatCustom]

FEA?

They are made from roll cage CDS tubing, the stub axle end has approx 230mm of weld connecting it to the tubes. From my experience of testing how ridiculously strong that tube is I think they will be fine!

[kcchan]

Finite Element Analysis. Stress simulations basically. Thats fair enough its just my gut instinct. But I don't know how thick the wall of the tubing is ect.

[TopCatCustom]

No, just using my experience and -no fancy term for it- guess work! It's a rally car so if they do prove to weak then I will tell when checking geometry, looking forward to seeing how they cope actually, the jig I built is very sturdy and just has the basic dims built in, so I can always make new ones from whatever materials I like quite easily now.

[rally515]

the jig I built is very sturdy and just has the basic dims built in, so I can always make new ones from whatever materials I like quite easily now.

Titanium ?

[TopCatCustom]

Like Ti

I've got some Ti and a purge set up for my Tig set but not really had much practice with it yet! I have made a Ti gear selector and couple of other bits for the mini, probably more which will come to light during the build!

[rally515]

How much does Ti cost in sheet form ?

[TopCatCustom]

Quite a lot! Depends how much and what thickness! It's not very friendly to work with- doesn't like being bent like steel or aluminium do and is bloody hard to cut.

[rally515]

Ha ha yeah was chatting to blue on here & he said the same thing,that it gets hot quickly & burns out your cutting tool easly if your not careful.
Hope i can get some someday & fab a load of bespoke mini bits.

[elpedro]

WOW what an amzing build up to now your welds are so neat such perfection and so stong cant wait to see this finished

[TopCatCustom]

Didn't realise it has been a month... Just been bolting some bits on really, and finishing the rear suspension:

[keefr22]

So nice & clean - such a difference from ours...!!

[steven]

looks mint !

[TopCatCustom]

I've discovered that white paint inside the car is a bugger to keep clean though- every time something touches or rubs it you get a black mark!

[Artful Dodger]

somethings wrong..


thats WAY too clean for a rally car!!

top work! id cover the whole thing in protective newspaper.. id hate myself if i scratched something on the install..