Test frame.

[Shield Arc]

Remember the mechanical engineering student that I help build the collapsible bike frame?
Keith came back this morning to start building the test frame for his collapsible bike frame. He has to prove the bike can take 180-pounds. We used some 1" x 3" square tubing to build the frame. Made a T section for the bathroom scale to press against. And a screw jack to add the force. Tomorrow we will finish welding the frame together, clean it up, and paint.

Oh by the way, he got an "A" for the collapsible bike frame! :cool2:

 

[mark02tj]

You're having waaaay too much fun with that kid and his school projects!

 

[Silvic]

Nice Job!

 

[HCJtractor]

What material? Aluminum? Just curious, but collapsible? Is this frame going to actually be functional? I am a longtime cyclist. Have seen it all. First high end double butted chrome moly steel, aluminum, carbon tubes glued into aluminum lugs, tig welded metals, thin walled titanium, and now carbon fiber monoques. Even saw a bamboo one recently going for $3000. That's an interesting project. What's the weight of the frame?

 

[BukitCase]

HC, here's the original thread

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/332161-pay-forward.html

HTH... Steve

 

[Sodo]

What material? Aluminum? Just curious, but collapsible? Is this frame going to actually be functional?

Not usable, just a project to demonstrate some of the many facets of design and production. And fun shop time.

It can't possibly have the torsional strength necessary and wouldn't even be ridable. The little steering corrections (to maintain tire patch below the center of gravity) is how you balance a 2-wheel vehicle. These constant steering adjustments would be lost in the slop in the pins. If you mash on a pedal the frame would twist such that your pedal foot will hit the front wheel.

 

[bigtiller]

180 pounds? Is this a bike for little kids?

 

[Shield Arc]

Finished the testing frame this morning. while I did the clean up, and put a coat of paint on the frame, Keith wanted to get some hood time. I set him up with the Everlast PowerArc 300. He ran some 6010, and 7018, doing horizontal pad welds. Then some vertical up fillet welds. Then I set him up to do some over head. With about 1-hour of overhead welding under his belt, this is what he did with 5/32" 7018! :cool2::cool2::cool2::cool2::cool2:

 

[Silvic]

Nice job on the test frame.
Shield Arc's experience and teaching skills strike again and gets someone who knows nothing about welding and gets them to a level of capability very quickly. A couple of hours with these guys can improve anyone's game.
Pity that some still don't get it. Experienced professional weldors with hours under their belts really do know what they are talking about when the subject of welding comes up.

What brand 7018 and amps was Keith using on the overhead?

 

[Shield Arc]

What brand 7018 and amps was Keith using on the overhead?

ESAB's Atom Arc 7018, ran at 168-amps, 1 on the arc force.