bolting together an alumium frame

[chance03]

I plan on building a frame with aluminum but have heard that it is impractical without heat treating witch I cant do, but as wondering if bolting together the frame was a possibility. The cart would be approx. 5.5 feet long 2.5 feet wide and be powered by a 6.5 HP Briggs . any plans that would work better would be appreciated to.

 

[itsid]

Possible: maybe..
practical: likely NOT!

bolting is in fact the worst part of it all..

tig welded aluminium with proper well thought out and calculated bracing
is certainly possible, and you'll have a great kart at the end,

bolting together aluminium extrusions you got from home depot
without much of a clue is certainly a waste of time and money.

And since you have to ask, the latter is the more likely scenario I'm afraid

Sorry, weld a frame or BUY a frame.. do NOT BOLT a frame!

If you cannot weld Aluminium, either take your time and learn it, or use steel instead,
if you cannot weld at all, ... either take your time and learn it (experience is required !)
or forget about it. (and just buy a used chassis instead)

Yes, I know Colin bolted his chassis together..
but that doesn't mean I can confidently tell you it's a good idea to do so I'm afraid.

'sid

 

[65ShelbyClone]

The bolted joints will be a constant source of flex, fretting, and the holes will elongate from the movement.

Aluminum is not as fatigue resistant as steel, so even if a welded frame was practical, it would have to be adequately overbuilt so as to have a long service life(which cuts into the weight savings). It won't be straight after welding either, so there would have to straightening, heat treating, and stress relieving done after fabrication.

Welded steel is the usual choice because it avoids all those problems while costing less.

 

[chance03]

I only ask because I have lots of aluminum but no welder. thanks for the help!

 

[Tpdingo]

Steel bolted? Maybe. Aluminum bolted? Not a chance in ****.

Just curious but what do the structural engineers think of Colin Furze's steel bolted frame? Seems pretty sturdy to me, but what do I know?