Aluminium ?????

[HaM551]

Hey

What do you guys think about using aluminium in the frame ?
I do have access to the right equipment and someone who can weld it, is it worth it? or just to difficult ?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

If you have a good tig welder, and the extra cash to shell out for aluminum, then i'd say go for it.

 

[gvfc2]

it would be weak. this has been asked before. sure its light but its weak. plus wouldnt the cost of aluminum be more than steel?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

it would be weak. this has been asked before. sure its light but its weak. plus wouldnt the cost of aluminum be more than steel?

If you used the same amount/size material, yes it would obviously be weaker than steel. However with proper bracing and tubing diameter you can make an equally as strong frame which is much lighter, and never rusts to boot.

I know someone who built an all aluminum frame reverse trike, with a vw bug front axle, and a 650cc suzuki motorcycle engine. it is very light for its size, and most definitely strong enough.

Yes aluminum is more expensive.

 

[OzFab]

When choosing aluminium, triple the wall thickness (at least) of it's steel counterpart which means it will be about 4 times the price of steel plus it's much harder to weld (but that's not your problem ).

All in all, it's very possible but expensive. You'll end up with a great looking frame that's light as but will cost you an arm & a leg

 

[FatCat]

Chromoly

 

[TehChikenHater]

Aluminum is more expensive, and weaker than Steel. Sure, it's lighter, but if you have the correct engine (I suggest looking into Briggs and Stratton engines), then it wouldn't matter. You need an Inert Gas Arc-Welder to weld Aluminum, as Aluminum is very prone to explode when welded via Butane/Propane gas welders. Why? Well, Aluminum is often used as an explosive due to it's properties that I do not know of. An Arc-Welder, has 2 (I think) nozzles, 1 sprays a HEAPING amount of Inert Gas (There are different types of Inert Gases) to keep the oxygen away (This is what makes the aluminum explode, Oxygen+Welding+Aluminum=Explosion) and the second nozzle, is actually electricity. No, not a flame, but super hot sparks that heat up your solder and melt it.

Aluminum is also VERY* hard to weld. *Unless you're good at it.

Overall, you'd have a better chance with purchasing Steel, and a better engine. Remember, if your engine has a 50cc or more cylinder, you'll need to have a drivers license, and a license for the vehicle/engine. Remember, this is not 50cc engine SIZE, but 50cc CYLINDER size. cc=cubic centimeters.

 

[jman231994]

In lamens terms, you need at minimum a MIG welder (gas not flux core), with straight argon sheilding gas. On top of that its not THAT hard to do, I was able to make decent welds after a little bit of self training, the real trick is getting it really clean. But that doesnt matter because you have someone to do it for you.

And no, if you can do aluminium properly and can afford it, do it. No bigger engine will ever fully compensate for a heavier frame, the larger engine just adds to the weight and screws the balance even more, aswell as chewing more fuel. Colin Chapmans success as a car designer is testament to that.

Also, you dont need a license or registration if its just a go kart. Just watch out for nosey citizens, police and anyone else who would want to prevent you having fun. Not having a go at the police or anything, safety is important.....but in a deserted street you will struggle to hurt anybody.

If you have a design in mind sketch it and show us, it wont be that hard to explain how to brace it for aluminium. Just remember triangulation is key.


(And I dont mean to offend you TehChikenHater, but most of what you just posted seems like off topic rambling, I couldnt resist clearing it up Oh and its welding wire or filler, not solder)

 

[gvfc2]

and also. in my state it states it needs to be under 50cc engine size not cylinder size thats for motorcycle endorsement. couldnt find anything on go kart legality

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Aluminum is more expensive, and weaker than Steel. Sure, it's lighter, but if you have the correct engine (I suggest looking into Briggs and Stratton engines), then it wouldn't matter. You need an Inert Gas Arc-Welder to weld Aluminum, as Aluminum is very prone to explode when welded via Butane/Propane gas welders. Why? Well, Aluminum is often used as an explosive due to it's properties that I do not know of. An Arc-Welder, has 2 (I think) nozzles, 1 sprays a HEAPING amount of Inert Gas (There are different types of Inert Gases) to keep the oxygen away (This is what makes the aluminum explode, Oxygen+Welding+Aluminum=Explosion) and the second nozzle, is actually electricity. No, not a flame, but super hot sparks that heat up your solder and melt it.

Aluminum is also VERY* hard to weld. *Unless you're good at it.

Overall, you'd have a better chance with purchasing Steel, and a better engine. Remember, if your engine has a 50cc or more cylinder, you'll need to have a drivers license, and a license for the vehicle/engine. Remember, this is not 50cc engine SIZE, but 50cc CYLINDER size. cc=cubic centimeters.

An arc welder does not use any nozzles. It uses a ground clamp, and electrode holder. Your pretty much creating a short circuit, inturn creating a very hot arc which melts your welding rod. The welding rod is coated in a material which creates an inert gas when burned, to shield the base metal from contamination.

Aluminum will not explode when welded. Tig welders use a nozzle, which shoots inert gas at your weld to protect it, and a tip to create a high voltage arc, which you use to melt in your filler rod (not solder).

Aluminum is very easy to weld with a proper tig setup. I have never heard of a butane/propane welding setup. Closes thing to that is oxy/acetylene setup with 50/50 acetylene propane.

Please be sure you know what your talking about before possibly misleading someone.